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The Bridesmaid's Best Man
Susanna Carr
Working undercover as a stripper at a hen party Cole Foster never expected his ex Angie Lawson to be there!The heat between them is hotter than ever, but Cole needs Angie’s help to infiltrate the bridal party… and he’ll do anything to get his way, even if it means taking Angie to bed!
Every bachelorette party has a surprise...
Angie Lawson is in Bridesmaid Hell—if Hell was a strip club filled with screaming women in stilettos. But her night’s about to get a whole lot worse. Now her ex-boyfriend is standing right in front of her—every sexy, delicious inch of him—and Cole Foster isn’t the kind of guy that any woman can just ignore....
Cole’s working undercover, but he certainly wasn’t expecting the intimate reminder of the wicked heat that he and Angie always shared. But when the maid of honor—silver stilettos and all—is knocked unconscious, Cole realizes he needs Angie’s help to get into the bridal party. And if getting there means getting her in bed, too, then he’s definitely the best man for the job!
“Now is the time to sell this relationship…”
Angie gave Cole a wary look. “What do you have in mind?”
“Something like this.” He lowered his head and claimed her mouth with his.
Cole knew he was playing with fire. He was only going to graze her lips. But he found that he couldn’t pull away. He needed another kiss and then another. He traced her full, soft lips with the tip of his tongue.
Angie opened her mouth and drew him in. Triumph swept through him. He cupped her jaw with both hands and tilted her head. She kissed him as if she couldn’t get enough of him. Excitement pulsed through Cole as she grabbed his shirt and pulled him closer.
Cole wrenched away from Angie. Damn it, he thought, as he gulped in air. He forgot. He forgot where they were and why they were kissing.
Most of all, he forgot that kissing Angie was like sharing a piece of his soul…
Dear Reader,
My twin sister once told me that getting back with your ex is a lot like jump-starting your diet. After a few days you remember why it didn’t work the first time. No matter how many stories you’ve heard about disastrous reunions, it’s a tantalizing idea to have another chance with the one that got away. How would you act if you got a do-over?
Angie gets the opportunity in The Bridesmaid’s Best Man. She’s not over Cole and now she must pretend that they have rekindled their red-hot romance. This fake reunion is starting to feel a little too real and Angie discovers that their fling is even wilder the second time around.
Thanks for reading Angie and Cole’s story. Don’t forget to visit my website, susannacarr.com, for news, excerpts, contests and more.
Enjoy!
Susanna Carr
The Bridesmaid’s
Best Man
Susanna Carr
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
SUSANNA CARR lives in the Pacific Northwest with her family. When she isn’t writing, Susanna enjoys reading romance and connecting with readers online. Visit her website, susannacarr.com.
To Kathryn Lye, with thanks
Contents
Chapter 1 (#ua19d250d-ac1e-51ed-b342-baf5b49d39f4)
Chapter 2 (#u74e48a03-067a-5cd6-a150-ff007bf2c739)
Chapter 3 (#u83f5f27d-739f-5f41-9e3b-155fa00bd7dc)
Chapter 4 (#u10786f7b-2b2f-5c09-aa2c-bb8e0981b160)
Chapter 5 (#u3a8e9e35-e801-583f-9894-8c21c044a56b)
Chapter 6 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 7 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 8 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 9 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 10 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 11 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 12 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 13 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 14 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 15 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 16 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 17 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 18 (#litres_trial_promo)
Chapter 19 (#litres_trial_promo)
Epilogue (#litres_trial_promo)
Excerpt (#litres_trial_promo)
1
THE DANCE MUSIC pulsed through the floor and the lights flashed across the shadowy room. As the bare-chested men danced for the screaming women, Angie Lawson glanced at her cell phone to check the time. How much longer was she required to be at this bachelorette party?
She jumped when she felt someone tap her on the shoulder. Angie whirled around and saw the bride-to-be behind her. Brittany was dressed to attract attention from her fire-engine-red bandage dress to the rhinestone tiara and veil perched on top of her long, coppery hair.
“Angie, you are supposed to be having fun.” Brittany’s whine seemed to pierce through the music. Her hands were on her hips and she tapped her foot impatiently. “You’re my bridesmaid. It’s practically required!”
Angie stared at her and then looked at the women standing on the table and chairs as they screamed for the well-endowed Tiger to take it all off. She returned her attention to Brittany. “This is what you notice?”
“And what are you wearing?” She gestured to Angie and gave a look of disgust. “It’s a bachelorette party.”
“There are half-naked men everywhere,” she reminded the bride-to-be. “I didn’t realize there would be a dress code.”
“Absolutely, it is my party.” Brittany flattened her manicured hand to her chest. “I am a personal shopper for an exclusive clientele and they’re here.”
Exclusive? Angie wanted to snort at the word. She had worked with some of the most accomplished and talented women in the Seattle area. The women here at Brittany’s invitation were sloppy drunk and out of control. She was pretty sure one of them had tried to bite a stripper.
“Not only do I have to look good,” Brittany said, “but so do my bridesmaids.”
Angie glanced down at her clothes. She wore a glittery black tank, dark skinny jeans and—with great reluctance but her mother had insisted—strappy heels. There was nothing strange or offensive about her outfit.
She scanned the room, taking note of the other women in the upscale strip club that had been reserved for Brittany’s bachelorette party. The guests were not like the flannel-shirt, thick-framed-eyeglasses and designer-boots crowd she knew. They weren’t even the yoga-pants and organic-coffee group from the suburbs. The women wore flirty dresses and skintight miniskirts. The outfits were wild and sexy.
Oh. Those were two words that wouldn’t describe her. Ever. Angie sighed and fought the urge to hunch her shoulders. Once again, she had dressed all wrong. She thought what she had worn was sophisticated and trendy enough that she would blend in. Instead she looked like a dark giant among the sugarplum fairies.
“I mean, really, Angie.” She tossed her hands up with frustration. “What’s wrong with showing a little cleavage?”
Now Brittany was really beginning to sound just like her mother. “Nothing.” Angie shrugged. And it was a good thing she felt that way, since she was going to flash the whole world when she wore her bridesmaid dress. It was tight, shiny and barely covered the essentials.
“I give up. Just try to look like you’re enjoying yourself,” Brittany said as she marched off.
Angie froze at those parting words. She had made a valiant effort to get into a party mood but she was bored. And that was cause for worry. Actually, she hadn’t been interested in any man since Cole walked out of her life. That was months ago and yet, watching these gorgeous men had left her cold. Why couldn’t she enjoy watching a man dance? It didn’t make sense. She was young and healthy. What was wrong with her?
“Don’t listen to Britt.”
Angie peered down and saw Brittany’s assistant at her side. Cheryl, a petite and curvy blonde who usually wore jeans and animal-print tops, was dressed in a leopard-print tube dress and skyscraper heels.
“She gives unsolicited fashion advice all the time,” Cheryl said with a weary smile. “She doesn’t mean anything by it.”
“It’s okay. It doesn’t bother me,” Angie assured Cheryl, but the woman was already trailing her boss.
And it didn’t bother her that much. She heard the complaint so many times that it had become white noise. Boyfriends had always wanted her to wear revealing clothes and well-intentioned friends kept trying to give her a makeover. No matter how much they insisted, she wouldn’t give in. She knew she would never meet their expectations. What would be the point of trying?
She had learned to resist this type of help from a young age. Her mother used to make her go on shopping expeditions that felt more like death marches. Despite her mother’s perseverance to create a girly look for Angie, it never stuck. Angie preferred the hand-me-downs from her brothers rather than the ruffled dresses and makeup.
But maybe she had gone too far. Her mother thought Cole had lost interest because Angie didn’t work hard enough on her appearance. Her friends weren’t quick to shoot down the idea, either.
She didn’t want to believe it. When they had first met at a gym, Angie hadn’t been dressed to impress. She had been sweaty and in desperate need of a shower after an intense workout. And yet Cole couldn’t stop flirting with her.
Even after that Cole never asked her to dress up and he didn’t make any complaints about her customary ponytail or lack of pretty lingerie. He didn’t suggest that she needed to wear tight clothes to reveal the hard work she put in exercising. He thought she was strong and sexy.
But maybe she hadn’t been sexy enough....
“Angie!”
Angie cringed when she recognized the maid of honor’s voice. She looked for an escape route but she was stuck unless she wanted to get on stage with the strippers. That wasn’t going to happen. Angie sighed with defeat and watched Heidi approach.
Heidi was tall, rail-thin and her short dark hair made the most of her dramatic features. Her blue one-shoulder dress and stiletto heels would have gotten Brittany’s stamp of approval. Just being near Heidi made Angie feel drab and frumpy. The only thing they had in common was the gold bracelet they had received as a bridesmaid gift.
“You need to keep me away from Robin,” Heidi declared.
Angie wondered where it was written in the bridesmaid handbook that she had to be the referee? Heidi and Robin might be Brittany’s sorority sisters but they hated each other. It was as if they were in competition over who was Brittany’s favorite. Why anyone would spend energy on that was beyond Angie’s imagination. And from what Angie could tell, Brittany seemed to genuinely enjoy pitting the two against each other.
Unfortunately, she wasn’t surprised by this side of Brittany and wished for the millionth time that she had found a good excuse to get out of being a bridesmaid. But Patrick was the groom and her best friend since kindergarten. It was important to him that she was part of his wedding.
“I couldn’t stand her in college,” Heidi continued. “And she’s even worse now.”
“I admire your restraint,” Angie deadpanned. “You’re really doing everything you can to keep the drama out of Brittany’s bachelorette party. That’s a true friend.”
“I know, right? I couldn’t believe that Robin said the bridesmaid dresses are tacky. How could she say that? I love Britt’s sense of style. I think the dresses are sexy and colorful.”
Colorful? Angie bit down on her lip. Bile-green was a color, so Heidi was technically correct.
“And you can wear them again,” Heidi informed her.
Angie nodded slowly. “Sure.” But why would she want to go somewhere that required her to wear a bustier dress?
“Of course, Robin can’t let anything other than designer touch her skin.” Heidi crossed her arms and looked over her shoulder. “I think she’s just bitter because the dress didn’t come in vanity sizes. Her dress size is in double digits.”
Angie gritted her teeth. This was exactly why she preferred hanging out with the guys. She was tempted to put Heidi in a headlock and tell her to grow up. It always worked on Patrick but she had a feeling it would cause a meltdown for Heidi.
The strip club plunged into darkness and the spotlight zeroed in on Brittany. “Oh,” Heidi squealed as the DJ asked the bride-to-be to go on stage, “the strippers are going to give a special dance for Brittany. Go find a seat.”
Angie watched Heidi run to the edge of the stage, teetering dangerously on her silver stilettos. She took a deep breath. So what if she wore the wrong clothes? Who cared if she was too shy to grope a man? It didn’t mean she was sexually repressed, right? She could smile, clap and make sure everyone was having a good time. She was going to have fun tonight even if it killed her.
“What did she say about me?”
Angie jumped as Robin stood beside her. The woman’s orange beaded halter dress was so short that at first Angie thought it was meant to be a shirt. “Heidi? She said the strippers were going to dance for Brittany.”
“She was talking about me, wasn’t she?” Her sleek black ponytail bobbed as she nodded her head.
“No,” Angie lied.
Robin arched a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “She’s just mad because Britt loved the bridal party spa and that was my idea. We all needed it, don’t you think?”
Going to the spa had been a new experience for Angie. She had felt awkward in the hushed and ultrafeminine surroundings. The moment she had walked through the ornate doors, she had felt like a clumsy duck next to elegant swans. “You know, that was the first time I’ve been to a spa.”
“No need to tell me that. I’ve seen your cuticles,” Robin said. “But still, that event was designed to help the bride relax. And Britt has been incredibly stressed out.”
Angie wholeheartedly agreed with that. Brittany had a strong vision for the wedding and reception, but there were too many details to keep track of. Even with her highly efficient assistant and three bridesmaids at her beck and call, there had been a series of problems to solve. “Maybe if she started eating.”
“Don’t even say that!” Robin shook her head vigorously. “Not until after the wedding. She has to fit into that dress.”
No solid foods for a week? It sounded like torture to Angie. “The dress fits perfectly. She doesn’t have anything to worry about. But she should stop the liquid diet. It can make a person tired and irritable.”
Robin’s eyes widened. “You think Britt is irritating?”
She really needed to be more careful with her words. Didn’t she know by now that the bridal party was a walking, talking minefield? All the competition, insecurities and petty jealousies. Angie already had a sneaky suspicion that being Brittany’s bridesmaid wasn’t going to strengthen their relationship. She needed to work harder if she wanted to stay friends with Patrick. “No, I said—”
The hot pink stage curtains were ripped back and five strippers stood silently on the dark stage. They wore black neckties and low-slung leather pants. Angie jumped, startled, as the women around her went wild.
Robin raised her arms and whooped with delight as the first few notes of “It’s Raining Men” played. Angie dutifully smiled and clapped as she watched the men start their routine around Brittany. The audacious choreography and frenetic lighting hid the fact that only a few were good dancers.
Angie’s mouth dropped when she saw Brittany eagerly lay on the stage as one of the strippers straddled her. No one could accuse the bride-to-be of being shy. Brittany enjoyed the special attention.
The men had lean, athletic builds. Angie admired the hard abs and strong arms. She knew the work they had to put into getting sculpted bodies. They were attractive. Sexy. But she didn’t feel the need to go crazy at the sight of them.
Perhaps it was because she worked as a personal trainer and was surrounded by muscular men every day. Or it could be that she felt self-conscious having a man gyrate in her face until she stuffed money in his sequined thong.
Or it could be none of those reasons. It could be that she wasn’t acting as assertive and enthusiastic as the other women because she couldn’t let go of her inhibitions. She tried that before. She had felt safe when she was with Cole. She knew she could be as outrageous and as daring as she wanted. She’d played out her deepest, darkest fantasies with him.
And then he dumped her. She was hurt and humiliated. Was she more mild than wild? Was she unable to compete with other women? She was afraid of the answer and had kept the sensual side of herself under wraps ever since.
Angie looked away from the stage as the knot in her stomach tightened and a flush of embarrassment crept up her neck. Not only had she felt safe with Cole, but at the same time, she’d also felt wild. She found it weird. No other man made her feel that way.
But she didn’t want to think about that. She couldn’t. It was better to accept that she didn’t have a sensual side and move on. One day she’d regain her confidence. However, she wasn’t going to lower her guard here, and definitely not with a stranger. It would be with someone she loved and trusted.
“Aren’t these guys hot?” Robin yelled over the music.
“They are.” Angie continued to clap to the beat as Brittany got to her feet and danced with the strippers. Some of her moves were downright dirty.
Robin elbowed her. “The bridesmaids get the next lap dances.”
Angie lurched forward and her stomach twisted violently. “Up there on stage?”
“No, that honor is reserved for the bride. But you better pick one before Heidi grabs them all. Which one do you want?”
“Oh...it doesn’t matter.” She knew what would happen. The more audacious the dancer, the more uptight she would be. She was going to be laughed at for her discomfort. She wanted to refuse the dance but she had to act like a team player. She studied the men on stage, hoping to find one who understood personal space and boundaries.
“I can’t decide between the guy groping Brittany or the one in the back.”
Angie looked at where Robin pointed. The guy reminded her of Cole, from his short black hair to his solid, muscular build. She felt a surprising flutter of interest as her gaze traveled down his smooth chest, defined abs and lean hips. He had power and grace. He looked a lot like Cole. In fact—
She gasped and dragged her gaze to the man’s face. She recognized the square jaw and full lips. The high cheekbones and strong nose. The short dark hair that felt soft to the touch. “No...way.”
“What?” Robin asked. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?”
Angie slumped into the nearest chair. She felt hot and cold from the shock but she continued to stare at Cole Foster from across the room. Her ex-boyfriend was on his hands and knees as he sinuously rolled his hips.
“Where the hell did he learn how to move like that?” She realized she had said it aloud and pressed her lips together.
“Who?” Robin asked. “The stripper? Do you know him?”
“No. I don’t know him at all.” She had shared intimate moments with this man. Loved him with her body and soul. Once she had bared it all to him, but it had been a mistake. It turned out she wasn’t enough for Cole. And now she saw the truth with her own eyes as he stood on stage, performing for a group of panting women. “I thought he looked like someone I used to date.”
Robin gave a bark of laughter. “Yeah, right. You dating a stripper.”
“Stranger things have been known to happen,” Angie murmured. Like Cole becoming a stripper. It didn’t make sense. When she dated him, Cole had been a detective on the police force. And a good one at that.
Angie watched, stunned and openmouthed, as Cole ripped off his necktie and wrapped it around Brittany’s waist, pulling the bride-to-be closer as the group of women screamed louder and reached for him.
Angie crossed her arms and sat stiffly in her chair. She wanted to disappear into the shadows. Leave before Cole saw her. She felt confused. Stupid. Territorial.
She felt betrayed and that didn’t make any sense. At one time, this guy had made her feel special. Now it looked as if he knew how to make every woman feel that way. She wasn’t dating Cole anymore and it didn’t matter what he did. So why did she feel angry?
Cole turned his head and his gaze snagged hers. Angie’s breath hitched in her throat as she stared into his blue eyes. He didn’t look surprised to see her. It was as if he had known she was here all along.
She saw the determination flash across his face. Uh-oh. She knew that look. Angie wanted to leap from her seat but instead she braced herself. Her eyes widened with horror when she watched Cole jump from the stage. The women grabbed at him but he didn’t pay them any attention as he strode straight for her.
* * *
THESE WOMEN WERE animals. Cole Foster tugged his leg away from a woman’s fierce grip and ignored the fistful of dollars that another waved in his face. He’d never felt like a piece of meat until tonight. The crowd was rabid and ready to rip off his clothes.
He was having a difficult time focusing on his case and that wasn’t like him. He was committed to this job—his real job—and prided himself on his professionalism. Yet all he could think about was Angie sitting in the back row.
She hasn’t changed a bit, Cole realized. Angie Lawson was strong, athletic and a natural beauty. Her wavy black hair was pulled back in a casual ponytail and she wore no makeup. She didn’t need to. She had a healthy glow and vibrant energy that a person couldn’t get in a bottle.
He noticed she wore a black tank top and jeans. He saw the strappy heels and knew that had to be her mother’s interference. Angie dressed to hide or blend into the crowd. But she couldn’t hide from him. He was always aware of her and nothing would ever change that.
It wasn’t his plan to blatantly approach her. It could risk his assignment but he saw her rigid stance and crossed arms. Her eyes were wide and her mouth was tight with anger. Cole knew she was trying to hold it all in but she was about to blow his cover.
Maybe he should have given her an early warning. He knew she would be here, he had been tracking the bridal party for the past week. But he hadn’t been able to determine how close Angie was with the other bridesmaids.
He stood before her, his heart beating fast, his skin slick with sweat. The leather pants clung to his legs and rode low on his waist. Angie was doing her best to keep her gaze somewhere around his ear.
She didn’t say anything. There were a lot of things he wanted to say to her. Things like “Sorry,” or “You’re better off without me.” Instead he said, “You’re next.”
Her eyes glittered with anger and she held out her hand to stop him. “No, thanks.”
“Angie, what are you saying?” The woman he knew as Robin tapped her on the shoulder. “You just told me he looked like your ex. Go for it.”
He got here in the nick of time. What else did she say about him? “I insist,” he said with a hint of warning. “Bridesmaids are next in line.”
She jutted out her chin. “How did you know that I’m a bridesmaid?”
“I was told ahead of time,” he replied. He loved the sound of her voice. It was low, rough and sexy. He remembered it at the most inconvenient times.
Angie glared at him with suspicion. She crossed her legs and held her arms tighter around her. “Sorry, I don’t have any dollar bills.”
“Didn’t you know you were coming to a strip club?”
“Don’t mind her,” Robin said. “She’s new at this.”
He leaned forward and rested his hands on the top of her chair. He caged her in and she pressed her spine against the back. Cole inhaled her scent and the memories bombarded him. “No money at all?” he asked.
“Not unless you want coins.”
Cole’s smile grew wide. He looked at Robin. “Tiger told the rest of us that he wants to be the one to give you the lap dance.”
“See ya!” Robin blurted and raced to the stage, leaving them alone.
“There was no reason to send her away,” Angie said and her words vanished as he straddled her legs. She immediately tensed up. “What are you doing?”
“This is the only way I can talk to you here,” he said, but his mind was elsewhere. He was painfully aroused being this close to Angie. How was he going to put two words together while he was touching her? “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.”
For some reason his assurance was met with a frosty stare. He watched with fascination as Angie’s skin flushed red. “Don’t worry about me,” she said in a clipped tone. “Give me all that you’ve got.”
“Angie, I know you’re uncomfortable with all this.” He saw the flash of injured pride in her eyes and he fell silent. Everything he said was being taken the wrong way.
“No, no, Cole. I’m curious. I’ve already seen some of your new moves. I didn’t realize that you had been holding back with me.”
“Holding back?” He never held anything back with Angie. Well, not physically.
“Go ahead, Cole.” Angie leaned back in her chair. “Drive me wild.”
2
COLE DIPPED HIS head and Angie closed her eyes. It was a defensive move but it didn’t help. She could still feel the heat from his body. She licked her lips, remembering how his skin tasted. Warm and masculine.
“I need to talk to you,” he said against her ear.
She felt his breath against her skin and shivered. “Apparently so. You’ve gone through a few life changes since I’ve seen you.” Cole’s bare chest grazed against her breasts and she jumped. She opened her eyes wide. “Or have you?”
Cole paused. “What do you mean?”
He was so close that she found it difficult to think. It was as if her body had been asleep and now energy sparked inside her. Her heart pounded against her chest and her blood pumped hard through her veins. Her skin stung with awareness. Why? Why did she only feel like this around Cole? It wasn’t fair.
A sickening thought occurred to her. “How long have you been a stripper?” she asked. “You’re very good at it.”
“Should I be flattered by your surprise or insulted?” he asked as he rolled his hips.
Angie curled her fingers tight into fists. She wasn’t going to touch him. Hold him. Guide his hips. No, she wasn’t, no matter how much her hands tingled with need. “I notice you’re not really answering the question,” she said, all too aware of how her voice cracked. “Were you stripping when we were together?”
Cole jerked back as if he’d been struck. His smile disappeared and his mouth tightened. “Do you really think that?”
“I don’t know what to think.” She really hoped he didn’t have a secret life, but the man had always been private. He kept things to himself and now she wondered if she knew him at all.
“This is not what it looks like,” he said as he kneeled down before her.
She tensed up as her heart pounded faster. “It never is.”
“I’m not a stripper.” He placed his hands on her knees and pulled them apart.
“Really?” Her voice was high and every muscle in her body locked. How could he touch her so intimately and yet so casually? “Because you’re faking it very well.”
She looked down at him and tried to fight off the memories. How many times had they been like this? How many times had their position been reversed? Cole knew how to touch her, please her with his hands and mouth. She never found that kind of satisfaction anywhere else.
Cole lifted her leg and placed it over his bare shoulder. Angie saw his expression. She recognized the desire and something else. Something bittersweet. She didn’t know why he felt that way. He was the one who walked away.
She couldn’t fight the pang of misery. Angie yanked her leg away. She held up her hands in defeat. She couldn’t do this. Not with Cole. When they were together, the sex they had was romantic. Intimate. It had meant something. She didn’t want to respond to the same routine he did for any woman who had a dollar. “This lap dance is over.”
“Not yet.” Still kneeling between her legs, Cole slowly slid his body up against hers.
Angie inhaled sharply as she remembered every plane and angle of his body. How it felt to curl up against his hard chest, cling to his broad shoulders and wrap her legs against his waist.
She felt the sweat beading on her skin and tried to remain calm. She saw the knowing twinkle in Cole’s eyes. Did he remember, too? Or did he know the effect he had on her? Angie looked away. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to accomplish here....”
“Then this must be your first time at a strip club.”
She turned back and frowned at him. “But you’re wasting your time with me.”
Cole gave a crooked smile. “It’s never a waste of time being with you.”
She stilled as the words washed over her. How could he say that when he’d dumped her and never stayed in touch? “We’re done.”
“No, wait.” He quickly straddled her legs and grabbed the back of her chair again. She was trapped and considered pushing him away. But that meant touching him. Pressing her hands against his naked skin... “I have something to tell you.”
“Yeah, I got it.” She searched for a safe spot to focus on, trying not to notice the way his broad chest rose and fell, or how his rock-hard abs gleamed with sweat from dancing. “I heard what you said. You’re not really a stripper. Let me guess. You’re in between jobs. You’re doing a favor for a friend?”
He thrust his hips to the music. “I’m undercover.”
Angie slowly shifted her gaze to meet his. That was one excuse she didn’t expect. A chuckle erupted from her throat. “That’s a good one.”
Cole stopped moving and frowned. “You’re not supposed to laugh while getting a lap dance.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help it.” She shook her head as she continued to laugh. “It’s not like I’m pointing.”
He sighed and moved forward until his mouth was against her ear. “Angie, this is serious.”
The bubble of laughter died in her throat as she felt his lips against her skin. “Then stop joking.” She squirmed away. “I know you’re not undercover. You quit the police force after you broke up with me a year ago.”
“Hey, Angie, it’s my turn,” Heidi called out as she approached them.
Angie was unprepared for the fierce territorial streak that sliced through her. She knew Cole was no longer hers, but she couldn’t share him. It was bad enough seeing him dance with Brittany. She didn’t want him anywhere near Heidi.
“Stall her,” Cole demanded.
Angie felt a flash of relief at his reluctance to leave, but she knew it wasn’t because he favored her over the others. He needed something from her and it wasn’t to relive the memories or have one night together.
“Come on. No playing favorites,” Heidi said as she waved a fistful of cash. “I have money to burn.”
“Why should I do what you ask?” Angie asked Cole between her teeth. “I should throw you to the wolves.”
He looked into her eyes. “I really need to talk to you.”
His voice was harsh, but she saw the pleading in his gaze. What was so important? Curiosity got the better of her. She sighed and looked at the maid of honor. “Sorry, Heidi. I’m still waiting for him to rock my world. I’ll send him over to you once that happens.”
Heidi rolled her eyes. “I’ll be back.” She stormed off into the crowd of women, who were encouraging the other strippers to take it all off.
“Really?” Cole said. “Like you couldn’t come up with something more flattering?”
She shrugged. “I didn’t want to set her expectations too high.”
Cole did a sinuous roll of his hips that made Angie squeeze her legs together. “Get some money out so you can hold me here longer,” he suggested.
Angie shook her head. “I told you that I don’t have any cash.”
“You always have money in case of emergencies.”
She was surprised that he would remember that. For some reason she assumed he’d forgotten all about her when he’d moved on. “This is not an emergency.”
“Angie,” he warned.
She pressed her lips together as she considered her options. She decided to do as he asked if it meant she didn’t have to share him with the others. “Fine.” She reached inside the front pocket of her skinny jeans and pulled out a twenty. “What will this get me?”
He shook his head and clucked his tongue with regret. “You’re not ready for that.”
“Don’t be too sure,” she said with an angry smile. She wasn’t going to let him see how his assumption hurt. “Now what do you need to tell me?”
* * *
COLE HESITATED. SHOULD he tell Angie? He hadn’t planned on it. Was he considering it just to prove he wasn’t a stripper? No, he decided. He needed her help and her insight. In the past he had no problems confiding to her about his job when he worked in Missing Persons. He trusted her and valued her advice.
And his instincts told him that he could still trust her. She wouldn’t do anything to hurt him or sabotage his assignment. He didn’t have a lot of faith in people, but Angie was different. She would help him even though they were no longer a couple.
Angie moved to get up. “It was good seeing you, Cole, but I was about to call a cab and leave.”
“You can’t leave,” he said, refusing to move out of the way. His hands clenched the back of her chair. He didn’t want her to go. It had been too long since he’d seen her and it was difficult to keep up the pretense while he was conducting surveillance. There were a few times when he wanted to forget about his professional distance and approach Angie. Now she was right next to him and he wanted the moment to last.
“Why?” she asked as she crossed her arms. “No one will notice.”
He would, but she wouldn’t care about that. “The bride will. She’ll never forgive you.”
“How would you—” Her voice faded when he abruptly turned around. He grabbed her hands and rubbed them against his chest and he swayed to the music. “What are you doing?”
“Keeping my cover,” he said. He dragged her hand down his chest until her fingers brushed against his waistband. His stomach clenched as she lowered her hand even more before she snatched it away.
“Will you stop that?” She pushed against his back. “It’s kind of hard to listen when you’re distracting me with those moves.”
He paused and turned to face her. “I’m a private investigator.”
She nodded. “You went over to the dark side?”
“Yeah, I did.” He liked being a cop, but this was something he needed to do. His goal was to find missing relatives and reunite families. He always wanted to do that ever since he was a teenager.
Angie narrowed her eyes as she watched his face carefully. “Let me see your P.I. license.”
He clenched his jaw. This was a side of Angie he hadn’t experienced before. He didn’t like how she questioned his word. “It’s not like I have it on me.”
“You don’t have to make up a story for me. So you’re a stripper and you take your clothes off for a living. I’m not going to judge.” She tilted her head and pursed her lips. “Much.”
“Why don’t you believe me?” he asked irritably.
“I don’t know.” She shrugged. “But I’m very curious what you would do for a twenty. Is it something I’ve seen before?”
Cole stopped moving and slowly stood to his full height as the cold anger seeped through him. “Are you comparing what we had together with this?”
“Don’t worry.” Angie held up a hand as if it would erase his hurt and frustration. “I get the feeling that there is no comparison. You needed to find excitement elsewhere and this is where you wound up. How could I possibly have competed with this?” She splayed her hands out and gestured at the club.
“I didn’t leave you for this,” he said through clenched teeth. The anger gripped his chest and he took a deep breath. “I really am a private investigator.”
“Mmm-hmm. And you needed to infiltrate a strip club? Why? Are the guys jewel thieves by day?” She made a show of looking around her before she leaned forward and stage-whispered, “Is Tiger really an assassin?”
“I’m investigating the maid of honor.”
“Say what?” Her voice went high. “Heidi?”
Cole clapped his hand over her mouth before she said any more. “Yes. And don’t look for her. We can’t let Heidi know we’re talking about her.”
“Heidi,” she repeated against his hand. She pulled his hand away. “Why are you investigating her?”
“I can’t tell you. I’ve already said too much.” He had to keep some things confidential but he wanted Angie to know what he was doing with his life. Despite the fact they were no longer together, he wanted her to be proud of his accomplishments.
She pressed her fingers against her forehead as if she were trying to wrap her mind around the news. “Heidi is not interesting enough to have a secret life.”
“Don’t blow this for me.” He looked over his shoulder. Everyone was still cheering as Tiger and Robin played up to their audience. He didn’t see Heidi in the crowd.
“You already blew your best bet for the night. Heidi wanted a lap dance from you. Why are you wasting your time with me?”
He refused to give a lap dance to Heidi or any other woman in this club. It was different with Angie. “I can’t interrogate her while I’m thrusting in her face.”
“That would require special coordination,” Angie admitted. “But listen, I won’t say anything to Heidi.”
“Thank you.” He stood between Angie’s legs but was reluctant to leave. “One more thing.”
“Oh, my God, what?” She looked upward and groaned with frustration. “I swear this is the longest lap dance in history.”
“What can you tell me about Heidi?” he asked. “What do your instincts tell you?”
Angie’s eyes widened as if she were shocked. “Is this why you came over?” she asked indignantly. “To pump me for information?”
“It’s not the only reason.” He also had to stop her from telling anyone about his work history. But he wasn’t about to mention that to Angie.
“I don’t know much about her,” Angie said through clenched teeth, “But I can tell you that she’s no criminal mastermind.”
“What’s your impression?” He could rely on her opinion. Angie had to figure people out very quickly as a personal trainer.
“She’s shallow. Fake,” Angie stated. “Doesn’t play well with others.”
From the surveillance he’d done, that could describe the bride and the other bridesmaid. “What else?”
“She’s very loyal to Britt— Hey—” she flattened her hand against her chest “—I’m not your informant. If you want to know anything, go give a lap dance to Brittany’s assistant. Cheryl knows everyone and everything about this wedding.”
Cole sighed. There were occasions when he really questioned what he had to do for his job. Think of the end result. You are bringing a family back together. You are giving someone else the happy ending you didn’t get.
“Here.” She thrust her twenty-dollar bill in front of him. “Don’t let me keep you.”
Cole looked at the money and waited. He had called in a lot of favors to masquerade as a stripper for his surveillance, but it had been made very clear that he had to act like the other dancers. No exceptions. “I can’t take it like that. House rules.”
She made a face. “Like there’s a policy?”
“Actually, there is.” He smiled, knowing Angie wasn’t going to like what he had to say. “If you don’t want to put it in my pants, I can take it with my teeth. But first you would have to put it between your—”
“All right! I’ll just give it to you.”
Cole braced his legs and laced his hands behind his head. He leaned back and tilted his hips forward. He watched Angie silently, wondering what her next move would be. He assumed she would be quick, but instead Angie curled her fingers around the waistband of his leather pants.
His muscles clenched as her knuckles rubbed against his hipbone. Cole hissed in a breath as he felt his penis get hard. He wasn’t going to be able to hide his reaction. It would take the last of his self-control not to take her hand and press it against his erection.
Cole closed his eyes, praying for restraint, when a frightened scream ripped through the air. He whirled around and instinctively held Angie back when she jumped from her chair.
“Over there.” Angie motioned at Brittany, who stood by an empty table. The bride-to-be pointed at the floor.
Cole ran forward. He felt Angie right behind him. There was something about that scream that had sent a chill down his spine.
He saw a woman lying on the floor, partially under a table. She was facedown and a tablecloth hid her from the waist up. All he saw were two legs and silver stilettos.
“It’s Heidi,” Angie said.
3
“BACK UP,” ANGIE ordered the women surrounding Heidi. She followed Cole, pushing her way through the crowd. “Give her some space.”
Angie crouched down next to Heidi and watched Cole carefully roll her onto her back. She knew first aid and CPR for her job, but she was glad he was with her. He was calm and in control during times of crisis. She knew she could depend on him.
“Someone call an ambulance,” she called out to the crowd as Cole checked the maid of honor’s airway.
“I’m on it,” Cheryl said as she got her phone out of her tiny purse.
“What do we have here?” she asked Cole. She slid Heidi’s golden bracelet aside so she could check the woman’s pulse. She noticed Heidi’s skin was warm to the touch.
“Airways are clear and she’s breathing.” The relief in his voice was unmistakable.
“Pulse is strong.” Angie addressed the other guests. “What happened? Did anyone see her fall? Did she faint?”
She saw the women shrug and shake their heads. From the murmurs and snatches of conversation, it was clear that no one had seen Heidi after her lap dance. She had her spotlight and then melted back into the crowd.
“Is she on anything?” Cole asked in a low, confidential tone.
“I have no idea.” She had spent a lot of time with Heidi in the past week, but she wasn’t that knowledgeable about the maid of honor.
“I didn’t catch that.” Brittany was at Cole’s side. Her movements were choppy and frantic. “What did you ask?”
“Is she on any medication?” Angie quickly rephrased the question and Cole gave her a look of gratitude.
“How should I know?” Brittany tossed up her hands as her voice rose to a shriek. “Check her purse.”
Angie looked around. The floor was sticky and pink from a spilled drink and a martini glass was next to Heidi’s hand. She found the handbag under the table and opened it. “Cell phone. Credit card. Dollar bills. Lipstick.”
Cole glanced up. “That’s it?”
Angie had thought the same thing. For someone who was as high-maintenance as Heidi, she expected more. At least a bag of beauty products. “I don’t think anything is missing. This purse is too small.”
“Keys? Driver’s license?”
“I don’t think she brought them along,” Angie said. “She took the party bus like the rest of us.”
“We should roll her onto her side.”
Angie knew why Cole suggested that. Heidi could vomit if she was intoxicated or under the influence. They eased her sideways and put her in the recovery position.
To her, it was very obvious how she and Cole still worked in sync. In the past they could share a mere look and understand. Or she could say a word—not a sentence, not even a phrase—and Cole would know what she was talking about. She thought the year apart would diminish their shorthand communication, but it was all still there.
“Does anyone have a jacket I can use?” Angie asked the other women. “Something to keep her warm while we wait for the ambulance?”
“I’ll go find something,” Cheryl said before she hurried away.
Cole gently tipped Heidi’s head back to keep the airways open. He went still when he cupped her head. Angie was immediately aware of his wariness. That was one thing she wished had disappeared since they broke up. She was too aware of him. She knew the instant when his mood shifted. He would show no change in expression but somehow she knew.
She leaned over Heidi and blocked Cole’s face from the crowd. “What is it?” she asked.
He pulled his hand away. She saw the dark stain on his fingers. “Blood.”
“What did she fall on?” She examined the table next to Heidi. There was no blood on the white tablecloth.
Cole’s expression was grim. He leaned forward to whisper in her ear. “I think she got hit.”
“With what?” She glanced around. All the tables and chairs were in place. The metallic vases were upright and not a flower was out of place. The drinking glasses were plastic. She had no idea what could be used as a weapon.
“This isn’t happening,” Brittany wailed as she stomped off. “I should have known Heidi would do this to me.”
Robin ran over to her and wrapped her arms around Brittany’s shoulders. “It’s going to be okay.”
“How can you say that?” Brittany started to cry. “My party is ruined.”
Angie rolled her eyes and moved closer to recheck Heidi’s pulse. “Remind me never to be around Brittany when there’s an emergency.”
“I recommend staying clear when she finds out one of her friends did this.”
* * *
COLE SQUINTED AS he checked out the strip club. The building was a lot different when all the lights were on and the music stopped. The paramedics had left with Heidi on a stretcher and now the place felt barren and deserted. The white tablecloths and colorful flower arrangements couldn’t hide the utilitarian setting.
“Anything else?” he asked Linda, the first officer on the scene. He remembered her from the force. Sometimes he missed the camaraderie at the police station. He missed having a partner. Having backup.
“Yeah, I really like the outfit, Foster,” Linda said as she tapped her pen against her notebook. “It’s so you.”
He crossed his arms and glared at her. He couldn’t wait to get out of these leather pants and put a shirt on. “Yeah, yeah, yeah. I’ve already heard it from the other guys. I’m sure all the customers are curious about how I know everyone.”
“They can think you’re friends with a few guys in law enforcement. Get over it. We have more important concerns. Now let me go over this statement again.”
Cole took a deep breath. Linda was right. It didn’t matter if they found out he was an ex-cop or a private investigator. He needed to know what happened to Heidi. It bothered him that he got distracted and she was injured on his watch.
“So,” Linda began as she perused her notes, “you were giving a lap dance.”
He pressed his lips together. “I was undercover.”
She raised her eyebrows. “To your ex-girlfriend.”
“She’s a bridesmaid.” He glanced over to Angie. She was sitting alone, her arms and legs crossed, her face tilted away from the rest of the guests. She was quiet and thoughtful while the others chatted or used their cell phones.
“And the lap dance was how long?”
“I wasn’t keeping track.” Cole spotted Linda holding back a smile. He winced. He was never going to hear the end of this. “What hospital is the victim going to? I should notify her family.”
The woman’s smile disappeared and she gave a nod, sliding back into her professional demeanor. “I’ll find out and get back to you.”
“Thanks.” He gestured back to where they had found Heidi on the floor. “What do you think happened?”
Linda shrugged. “I think drinking and high heels don’t mix.”
He shook his head. “I don’t think that’s it. Something is not right.”
“You suspect foul play? Because I don’t see that. I see it as bad luck. Is there something about your case that you’re not sharing?”
“It’s about the angle that she fell. We found her face-first but her injury was on the back of her head. And why didn’t she break her fall with her hands?”
“That doesn’t necessarily mean someone hurt her.” Linda pocketed her notepad and stepped away. “We’ll find out more when she regains consciousness.”
Cole rubbed his hands over his face. He had found Heidi two weeks ago and had been investigating her life. He wished he had more answers.
He turned and walked over to Angie. He paused in midstep. Was that wise? She was distracting him. It would be best to talk to the other women and to ignore her presence.
No, he couldn’t do that. He quietly sat down next to Angie. He wasn’t sure what to say but he wanted to be there for her. He knew what she was like after a scare or an emergency. She did what needed to be done and then her adrenaline kicked in. He wanted to keep watch over her.
“Why are you sitting all the way over here?” he asked. Angie was always friendly and could talk to anyone about anything. He always liked that about her and wished he could be the same. It was a skill he had to develop for his job but it didn’t come easy.
“I’m about ready to tackle Brittany if she doesn’t shut up,” she answered. “I’d rather not do it in front of the police.”
Yes, he’d made the right decision. He would have to watch her closely or she would let her emotions get the best of her.
“Don’t you find it weird that Brittany hasn’t shown any concern for Heidi?” Cole asked as he watched the bride-to-be pace the floor. “All she’s worried about is whether this affects her wedding ceremony.”
“You never know how someone will react in a stressful situation,” Angie said. She paused and glanced at him. “But, honestly, I expected this from Brittany.”
“Why?” Brittany wailed as she sat down with a thump. Several women rushed over to pull her back up. “Why did she have to have an accident right before the wedding?”
“Does she expect you to go over there?” Cole asked. “You are a bridesmaid. Isn’t taking care of her one of your duties?”
“Not going to happen,” Angie said. “What did the police say about Heidi? Was it an accident?”
“The police are treating it as one. I can’t say that it wasn’t.” He hoped it was an accident. If someone harmed her, he had no evidence of motive or means.
“I warned her not to wear those heels!” Brittany’s voice rang through the club.
“Great, now she’s revising history.” Angie slid down in her chair. “You may have to hold me back.”
He knew it was all talk. Angie could take down a man twice her size but the only time he’d seen her use those skills was in the bedroom. Cole smiled as he remembered those lighthearted moments and the hot sex that came after. He shifted restlessly in his seat and tried to focus on something else. “How do you know she’s not telling the truth?”
“Brittany told Heidi to buy those shoes,” Angie said. “We were at the mall picking up last-minute stuff for the party.”
Cole watched the police leave the scene. “Seems like everyone can go home now. I can finally get out of these leather pants.”
“And this bachelorette party from hell has officially ended.” She tensed beside him. “Brittany is coming over here. I will not be held accountable for my actions.”
“Think of Patrick,” he advised. “The guy has been your best friend for years.”
“That should count for something. He’s only known Brittany for a year.”
“Doesn’t matter,” he said, feeling suddenly weary. He knew from experience that Angie needed to take a step back and keep her mouth shut or she would regret it. “Patrick will choose Brittany’s side over yours every time. Take my word for it.”
Angie gave him a sharp look as if his advice revealed something she hadn’t seen in him. He was almost grateful that Brittany was suddenly standing in front of Angie.
“We’ll need an emergency meeting,” Brittany told Angie as she tried to wipe the mascara streaks with a tissue. “Meet up at the usual Starbucks tomorrow afternoon at four.”
“Why?” Angie asked. “Are we going to visit Heidi?”
“We don’t have time for that,” Brittany said, dismissing the suggestion with the wave of her hand. “We have to decide what happens if Heidi can’t be maid of honor. A groomsman will need to be let go. Then we have to rework the processional and recessional. I really don’t need this extra work.”
“Your maid of honor was seriously injured at the bachelorette party,” Angie reminded her.
“Careful,” Cole muttered.
“Shouldn’t you postpone the wedding? Maybe downsize it?” she said hopefully.
Brittany took a step closer. “I’m already down one bridesmaid.”
Angie frowned and her mouth was set in a straight line. “But...”
“Angie—” Brittany’s voice dropped “—I have planned my wedding for years. I have waited for this day. Nothing and no one is going to get in my way.”
Cole didn’t like the threat he heard in Brittany’s voice. He grasped Angie’s forearm, reminding her that he was there as backup. He was tempted to pull her behind him and wedge himself between Angie and Brittany.
Angie went rigid. He sensed her struggle, but after a tense moment, Angie nodded and smiled. “Got it.”
“Good.” Brittany glared at Angie before she swiveled on her impractical heels and stalked off. “Be at Starbucks by four.”
Cole watched the bride-to-be leave. Every step pulsed with hostility. “What would happen if you didn’t show?” he asked Angie. “Would you get kicked out of the bridal party?”
“Oh, if only,” she said as she pulled from his grasp.
Cole studied Angie. “You’re really not enjoying this wedding.”
“I have to deal with that,” she said, gesturing at Brittany, “and I have spent way too much money on the dress. Brittany also expects us to attend all these events. I’ve been to six wedding showers. Six! I don’t think I can take much more.”
“You can’t miss anything?” An idea started to form.
“Not one! Which is why I had to take off work for the next week.” She stopped and took a long, deep breath then released it. “I shouldn’t complain. This is Patrick’s wedding and I’m glad he wants me to be part of it.”
“But?” he asked as they walked to the exit.
“This wedding is a train wreck and nothing is going to stop it.”
“Do you want it to stop?” Was she worried about her friend? Did she feel the need to take matters into her own hands? No, he discarded that idea immediately. That was not Angie’s idea of friendship.
“I would never sabotage a wedding— Wait.” She whirled around and looked at him. Her eyes narrowed as she considered the meaning behind his question. “Do you think I tried?”
“No.” He’d always admired Angie’s loyalty to her friends and family. She tried to be supportive even if she didn’t understand their choices.
“Because there has been one setback after the next now that I think about it. So many...but I’ve been helping to fix the problems. Patrick wants Brittany to have the perfect wedding and I’m doing everything I can.”
Cole raised his hands in surrender. “I believe you.”
She pointed her finger at him. “And if you think I had something to do with Heidi’s accident—”
“Whoa! It never crossed my mind. I’m your alibi, remember?”
Angie poked at his chest. “I want to get this wedding over and done with. That’s all.”
“That’s not surprising since you have to go to every event.” He needed that kind of access if he was going to find out more about Heidi and her accident.
“Weddings used to be so simple,” Angie said as she continued walking. “When I get married, it’s going to be on a beach with a few friends and a minister. Shoes optional.”
Cole felt the weight of regret settle in his chest when he heard those words. When she got married. Did she have someone in mind or was this in theory? All he knew was that he wasn’t part of those plans.
Angie dipped her head as if she were embarrassed for mentioning her ideal wedding to an ex. “I should get going,” she said, awkwardly motioning at the door. “I hope your undercover work goes well.”
“Thanks,” he said gruffly. “You need a ride?”
“No, I’m on the party bus,” she said as she moved backward. Her steps were slow, as if she wanted to say something more.
“Angie?” Cole hesitated. He wasn’t sure if he should do this. If he should say anything. If he had any other option, he wouldn’t pursue this.
She kept walking backward. “Yeah?”
He shifted from one foot to the other. This was probably a bad idea. “I know we didn’t end well and I’m really sorry about that, but...”
She stopped walking. “Yeah?”
“I need to get into the wedding.” He said the words in a rush. “Are you going with anyone?”
4
“THE NERVE OF that man,” Angie muttered to herself. “Did he think I would jump at the chance to take him?” He most likely did. She had never denied him anything in the past.
Angie blew out a puff of air as she ran around the empty high school track. It was a cold and damp morning. The evergreen trees, spindly and clustered together, did nothing to stop the breeze as the sun weakly shone through the haze of clouds. She splashed through the puddles from last night’s rain and kept moving.
Most people would be reluctant to get out of bed on this kind of day. She had wanted to toss the covers over her head and act like last night didn’t happen. Push away the memory of Heidi injured and unconscious. Forget about Brittany and her demands. Erase Cole completely out of her mind.
Seeing Cole Foster last night had left her unsettled. Every time she tried to sleep, her fragmented dreams were about him, bare-chested and wearing leather pants. Only this time, she boldly touched his muscular body. In her dreams, she encouraged him for more. She wasn’t afraid to take charge.
Angie clenched her teeth and pumped her arms and legs harder. What was it about that man? When she had been with him, she’d felt like she could ask for anything. Try everything. But she had gone too far. Deep down, she must have known. She had held back from exploring her fantasies until she felt secure in the relationship. But it didn’t matter how long she waited. He still ran.
She thought he was different from the other guys. She heard enough boasting to know the men in her world liked their women clingy and submissive. She couldn’t be like that. She was forthright and a little impatient, but she was never aggressive in bed until she was with Cole. She didn’t ask for anything she wouldn’t give to him.
But apparently he didn’t like a strong and powerful woman in bed. A woman who made it very clear how much she wanted him and what she wanted from him. She had felt safe but excited. She trusted he wouldn’t judge her, wouldn’t think less of her. When she had looked into his eyes, she felt like a goddess. But she had been wrong. She had mistaken adoration with intimidation. She had scared him off.
She had learned her lesson. Next time, she would allow the man to take the lead. From now on she would keep her fantasies to herself.
If she wanted to feel strong and powerful, she’d focus on other parts of her life. Like her job and on the track. There she would be encouraged to push herself to the limits. There she could shine.
Angie rounded the bend and saw someone standing at the gate that led to the parking lot. Her steps faltered when she recognized the car parked next to hers. Her heart kicked against her ribs when she saw that it was Cole waiting for her.
Why was this happening? Angie’s chest tightened at the sight of him. She hadn’t seen him for a year and thought he had moved out of Seattle. They had never crossed paths since he returned. Now she’d seen him twice in two days. She wasn’t sure if she was ready to deal with him again. How often would she look at him and think of the broken dreams and the ruined promise of a future together?
And it wasn’t fair, she decided as she maintained her pace. Cole still had the ability to make her pulse skip hard. While she was expected to put effort in her appearance, Cole could throw on some clothes and still manage to look sexy.
Her gaze traveled down the length of his body. The blue buttoned-down shirt skimmed his lean, muscular chest and strong arms. He had incredible strength but he could still gently embrace her. Her gaze lowered and she noticed his faded jeans that emphasized his powerful legs. She always admired how he moved with lethal grace, yet she could outrun him.
She had always been attracted to his mix of force and restraint. He liked to dress casually but had a commanding presence. He spoke with authority in his low, husky voice. Her heart would do a slow flip whenever she saw a twinkle in his dark blue eyes or a curve of a smile on his stern mouth.
As she got closer, she saw his serious expression. The lines on his tired face were deep. It looked as if he hadn’t slept.
No, she wasn’t going to feel sorry. It wasn’t her job to worry or look after him. She wasn’t his girlfriend anymore. She didn’t want to see him. Feel anything for him. She felt too raw, too unprepared.
But she couldn’t avoid him. She had a few more laps to go, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to concentrate with him watching her. If she ignored him here, he would keep at it until she listened. She used to like his persistence. Now, it was just annoying. She knew it was better to get this over and done with.
Angie slowed down and walked to the gate. Her legs were burning and shaking. Sweat glistened on her skin and dampened her gray tank top. Her hair was coming out of the ponytail and she brushed off a few tendrils from her flushed face.
She felt his gaze on her. Her top and shorts felt too small. Her skin tingled and she suddenly didn’t know what to do with her hands. She wanted to cross her arms and hide her small breasts. She felt exposed.
She wasn’t sure why she felt this way. Cole no longer cared. Heck, at one time she thought he found her sexy. That only showed how delusional she truly was.
Resisting the urge to pull on a jacket or sweatpants, Angie grabbed onto the chain-link fence and started her cooling-down routine. “You’re up early.”
“I haven’t gone to bed,” he said quietly as he watched her stretch her legs. “I’ve been at the hospital.”
“I see.” She bent down and hesitated when she felt Cole’s gaze linger on her legs. “How is Heidi?”
“I’m told she’s awake,” he said gruffly. “I can’t get much information because I’m not a friend or next of kin.”
Angie grabbed her foot with one hand and slowly raised her leg behind her. She immediately realized her mistake. She wanted to stretch her quadriceps, but it required her to thrust her chest out. Her nipples tightened and her breasts felt full and heavy. She glanced at Cole just as he dragged his gaze from her breasts to her face. She abruptly looked away.
“Why are you here?” she asked as she dropped her leg. She could skip her cooling-down routine for today. “You’re not dressed for a run.”
“I need your help.” He reached out and offered her the water bottle she had placed next to the gate. “Heidi’s family in California hired me to track her down. I’ve done that and I informed my clients about what happened.”
“What does that have to do with me?” she asked. She grabbed the water bottle, careful not to graze her fingers against his.
“I have to find out what caused the accident. She had a wild lifestyle a while back. Her family wants to know if she’s still into that. If they need to get her some help.”
“I don’t know anything about Heidi,” she reminded him as she took a sip. Her throat didn’t seem to want to cooperate as Cole watched her drink. She wiped the water away from her mouth with the back of her hand. “I don’t think I can help.”
“You have access,” he pointed out.
She glared at him. “Is this about you going to the wedding? I already said no.” She didn’t even have to think about it. The word had fallen from her lips. She had been stunned by his request. How could he ask her on a date—even a fake one—when he had broken her heart? Didn’t he have any feelings?
“I need more than a wedding invite,” he explained. “I need total access. The rehearsal dinner. Behind the scenes.”
“It’s not necessary.” Angie shook her head and started for her car. “Heidi may be out of the wedding, period. She has a head injury.”
“But the people at the bachelorette party would be there,” he said softly.
She stopped and turned. “You don’t think it was an accident.”
“It could be an accident. The police think so, and I haven’t seen any information about her blood alcohol level,” he admitted. “I think someone may have tried to hurt Heidi. It probably had something to do with her private life. I just don’t know how they did it.”
“Private life?” She thought that was an odd choice of words and she thought about the other comments he’d made about Heidi. She lifted her chin when she realized what he was trying not to say. “You mean drugs. That’s why you asked if she was on something.”
His eyes widened with admiration. “Good catch. I don’t know if she’s still using.”
She pursed her lips as she tried to remember how Heidi had acted over the past few days. “I haven’t seen any signs of it.”
“You weren’t looking for signs, but maybe if I hung around while you were preparing for the wedding...” he said hopefully as he let his words trail off.
Angie sighed and crossed her arms. “Why do you have to drag me into this?”
“Why won’t you let me be your date?” he countered.
“I think it’s obvious.” It didn’t matter if it was a pretend date. Spending a day with Cole would remind her of what she once had with him. What she had lost.
Cole’s jaw tightened. “Are you taking someone else?”
She went still. Angie would love to lie and avoid any discussion on her nonexistent love life. But it wouldn’t take much for him to find out the truth. “No.”
His blue eyes darkened. “Will someone get jealous if you take me?” he asked stiffly.
She wanted to scoff at the suggestion. “No.”
He spread his arms out. “Then what’s the problem?”
He didn’t get it. How was that possible? For a private detective, Cole Foster was oblivious. “I don’t have to give you a reason.” She turned and marched to her car.
“Come on, Angie,” he said right behind her.
“After all,” she said, “you didn’t give me a reason why you broke up with me.”
“Is that what this is all about?” His voice rose with incredulity. “I told you why I needed to break up with you.”
“You weren’t ready for a relationship.” She yanked her car door open. “It’s you, not me.” She threw the water bottle into the backseat with more force than necessary. “Something about how I deserved better.”
“You do,” he said quietly.
She wasn’t going to fall for the sincerity in his voice. No, what Cole really meant was that he deserved better. “Are you dating anyone?” she asked huskily as the emotions clawed her throat. “Wouldn’t she be upset if you started hanging around your ex? Or would she understand that it was just for an assignment?”
“There hasn’t been anyone since you.”
Angie didn’t realize how much she needed to hear those words until he had spoken them. If he’d been in a relationship with someone else, it would have destroyed her. “I find that hard to believe,” she said hoarsely.
“It’s true.” He took a step closer. She took a step back and bumped up against her car. “I’ve spent all my time and energy building up my agency.”
“And what’s up with that?” she asked, her voice rising. “Not once did you talk to me about having your own business. You were passionate about what you did. About working with Missing Persons.”
“It’s still what I do,” he said, his eyes sparking with annoyance. It was clear he didn’t want to discuss it. “My agency specializes in tracing people. Reuniting families.”
“I thought everything was fine and then it was like you changed overnight.” And it wasn’t easy to ignore when his abrupt change occurred. It was right after she lowered her guard. Once she started taking charge in the bedroom.
Her face burned as she remembered that. She had felt sexy and desirable. Strong and assertive. She thought Cole loved it. That he wanted her to reveal this side she didn’t share with anyone else. Those moments had been special. Intimate.
She had only been fooling herself. Seeing what she wanted to see. She thought they were solid as a couple, but she was blindsided when he dumped her two weeks later. He had walked away, saying he couldn’t give her what she needed.
But what he really meant was that she was undesirable. Unwanted. Her fantasies were not his. She couldn’t give him what he needed. She had given him everything but she hadn’t been good enough.
“I didn’t mean to hurt you.” His whisper was heavy with regret.
She straightened up and offered a tight smile. “I’m over it,” she lied. “I just thought you were different from the other guys.”
Cole frowned. “What do you mean by that?”
“That you weren’t in it for the challenge.” What a few men had tried to do in the past. To take on Angie Lawson. Soften her up and tame the tomboy.
* * *
COLE TOOK A step back and stared at Angie. “You think I dated you because I like a challenge?”
Angie was a challenge, all right. She was stubborn and impatient. Independent almost to a fault. She was brazen but he also saw the insecurities she tried to hide.
“I don’t know why and I don’t care,” she declared. “All I know is that I’m not going to put myself through that again.”
“Angie, our time together meant a lot to me. I can’t tell you how difficult it was to leave you.” It had been the hardest thing for him to do, but it had been necessary. He had started to think he could be with Angie forever. That she could fall in love with him. But that was a fantasy. Even if he tried harder and tried to be better, he wasn’t worthy of love. His family had proven that to him years ago.
Cole stepped away from Angie and looked down. He didn’t want her to see the struggle in his eyes. “Angie, it’s very hard for me to ask, but I need your help.”
He felt her hesitation. She was the kind of woman who automatically offered her help, but it was different now. He knew how awkward it was to offer help to someone who had once discarded you.
“You were always there when I needed you.” He hated how his voice cracked. Hated how much her loyalty had meant to him. “And I was there for you.”
“We were a couple then,” she said softly.
“You are still very important to me.” She was the most important person in his life, but he couldn’t tell her that. Angie wouldn’t believe him, anyway.
“So important that you couldn’t stay in touch?” she asked bitterly.
He dragged his gaze to meet hers. Staying in touch would have been a constant reminder of what he couldn’t have. “I thought a clean break would be best. It hasn’t been easy for me, either. It still isn’t.”
“And you think that being my date for the wedding will make it better?”
“No, but I think we’re at a point where we can be friendly with each other. Do you really want to deal with that bride on your own? Think of me as backup.”
“She is unbearable,” she said as she considered his suggestion. “It would be nice to show up with a stripper boyfriend.”
He jerked back. “Say what?”
“Most of the wedding guests will think that you’re a stripper.” Angie bit her lip as she tried to contain her smile. “Patrick and some of the other guys will know the truth but I could tell them that our breakup sent you into a tailspin.”
He had crashed and burned once he left Angie. It had taken him nearly a year to get back on his feet. “You want me to continue the role as a stripper?”
“Why not? You’re the one who started it. And no one would question my sudden wedding date. After all, you showed me special attention last night. Thanks for that.”
He ignored her sarcasm. “You’re really considering this?”
“Brittany is going to have a fit that I’m bringing a date at such late notice.” She grimaced as if she were imagining the bride’s reaction. “I’ll talk to Cheryl, her assistant. She’s in charge of the details.”
“Think you can get me into Heidi’s room today?” He knew he was already pushing her, but he was running against the clock. If he didn’t get answers in the next few days, chances were he never would.
“I was going to visit her today after Brittany’s meeting,” she revealed reluctantly. “I’ll meet you at the hospital and we’ll go in together.”
“Thank you,” he said. He wasn’t sure if the relief he felt was because he could move forward with his assignment or because Angie was on his side once more.
Angie gave a sharp nod and got into her car. “By the way, my stripper boyfriend is totally into me,” she said. “He can’t believe his luck that he landed me.”
“I can do that.” He wouldn’t even have to pretend. He had felt that way since she had accepted his invitation for a first date. He had no idea what he did to convince her and often felt he was living on borrowed time. He knew someday she would wake up and see she could do much better than him.
“But I’m not really into him,” Angie warned Cole. “Everyone would get suspicious if I was all clingy and affectionate.”
Especially since she didn’t act that way in public, Cole thought. But when they had been alone, she was very demonstrative and explicit in her requests. “So it’s only physical attraction?” he teased.
She grinned. “Yeah, something like that.”
“Then that will be our cover. By the end of today, everyone will think we’re having a red-hot but brief reunion,” he promised. It had to be short-term for his sanity. One touch from her and he’d want another. One kiss and he wouldn’t stop. Unless this had a predetermined end date, he’d start to believe he had another chance. He’d forget that she never loved him—couldn’t love him—in the first place.
“A wild fling?” Her smile disappeared. “No one will believe that.”
“They will.” Because he was going to make the most of this temporary affair. “I guarantee it.”
5
“THIS WAS A bad idea.” Angie felt her ponytail swing against her shoulders as she strode down the hospital corridor. She was nervous and it showed. She took a deep breath and gripped the flower arrangement tighter.
“Don’t back out on me now.” Cole draped his arm around her shoulder.
A sense of longing crashed through her unexpectedly and she tried not to react. It had been common for Cole to touch or hold her whenever they were together. She shouldn’t be so surprised.
“Oh, are we pretending to be a couple already?” she asked lightly as she struggled with the opposing needs to shake off his touch and to curl into his body. “Heidi can’t see us from here.”
“You don’t start pretending the minute you walk into the room,” he explained. “You assume the role as soon as possible. And you never know whom you’re going to bump into on the way. What if we see someone from the bridal party?”
Angie pressed her lips together. Cole always had an answer for everything, but she didn’t think this was going to work. “No one will believe this.”
“That we’re together?” He stopped and looked down at her, his arm cradling her closer. “No one questioned it when we were dating.”
Was he kidding? His friends probably didn’t ask or care. She wished she had been so lucky. Her relatives teased her about how opposites attract. Her female clients asked if she used any sexual expertise in grabbing Cole’s attention. One acquaintance had asked why Cole was dating her when he could have any woman.
She guessed no one dared to ask Cole those questions. Lucky him. “I mean that no one would think I would hook up with a stripper.”
It didn’t help that she had done nothing different with her appearance. Angie knew she should have worn something suggestive or pretty. She winced at the thought. Instead she wore her favorite standbys. The white long-sleeve T-shirt and black track pants were comfortable and her running shoes were top-of-the-line.
She should have given her appearance more thought. After all, she was going to stand next to Cole Foster, whose masculine beauty was emphasized in a blue henley shirt and jeans. Most guys in Seattle wore that combination, but for some reason, Cole stood out in the crowd. It wasn’t just her opinion. She had seen more than one person in the hall give him a flirtatious glance.
“But it’s not unreasonable that you would backslide,” he argued. “Ex sex happens more than you think. Why do you think they give it a name?”
Ex sex. She didn’t like that label. It made something that was so emotional into something very casual. She imagined most people had sex with their ex because it would offer some familiarity and comfort. She never had that with Cole. When they were together it had been an exciting roller-coaster ride.
Sometimes the intimacy they had shared felt risky. There were moments that had changed her and made her see Cole differently. Those were the times when she felt they had formed a stronger bond. Backsliding wouldn’t let her recapture those life-transforming experiences.
She stumbled to a stop and pretended that she was reading the room numbers. Why was she thinking about that? They weren’t backsliding. Cole had no interest in having sex with her. If she responded to any of his gestures or touches, then she would be in trouble. She felt jittery and alive next to him. She was very aware of his clean, masculine scent, how warm and large his hand felt against her shoulder.
“Okay, Heidi’s room is over there.” She pointed at the door across the hall. “Ready?”
“Yes.” He squeezed her arm and drew her closer. “Just follow my lead.”
“Wait a second. Let me do the talking,” she suggested. “It would look weird if you started asking questions.”
Cole showed no expression but she felt the tension in his body. Did he think she would mess up? Or was it hard for him to give up any control in his case? He obviously didn’t like it if she took charge in or out of bed.
He nodded. “Fine.”
“Really?” She wasn’t expecting him to yield. But then, he had surrendered quickly in bed and then she paid for it weeks later. “Are you sure?”
“Yes, absolutely. She’ll talk to you because she knows you.”
“Okay, let’s do this.” Angie thrust out her chin and walked out of Cole’s embrace. She knew he wanted to enter as a loving couple, but that would distract her. It was bad enough that she already felt the loss of his touch. That bothered her. A year without Cole and she was craving for him more than ever.
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