Tempting Kate Read online

  Scott swallowed hard, once again saying a silent prayer of thanks for Cameron. The woman running his resort was errorproof.

  Kate took a deep breath and then, folding the paper, she placed her hands on the desk and scanned the shop. “Okay, what can we put together?”

  The store owner frowned. “Kate, we are closing in ten minutes. I’d stay, but I have a dinner date.”

  Kate’s face took on a new look of panic.

  “But we have ten minutes?” Scott said, already reaching for a red rose.

  Kate’s wide-eyed expression, full of surprise and appreciation, made any lingering doubt about trying to salvage this for her disappear.

  Francine sighed, checking her daisy-shaped watch. “I guess I can stay an extra twenty minutes. But not a minute more.” She ripped the rose from his hand, and he winced.

  “Ow,” he said, licking the three blood spots that immediately appeared on his palm from the thorns.

  “A Kate Hartley wedding doesn’t have roses,” Francine said, shooting him a look of disgust.

  “Excuse me,” he muttered, following the women as they disappeared toward the back of the shop, where obviously the “good” flower selection was hidden.

  Thirty-three minutes later, they had everything they needed carefully packaged and set in boxes near the front door.

  “Kate, I have to go. I’ll help you both carry these outside, but then I’m off. I’ll invoice the bride and groom?” she asked, sliding into her bright orange coat.

  He watched Kate shake her head. “Invoice me directly.”

  “Okay,” she said, unfazed, as she picked up a box and followed them outside to his Jeep. “There you are. Good luck with the wedding. I’m hoping to see more orders from you soon,” she said before rushing off across the parking lot to her vehicle.

  “Me, too,” Kate told her, and the pang of desperation in her voice made Scott’s chest tighten. “Let’s get these inside the Jeep before they start to wilt,” she said, lifting one of the boxes.

  He opened the back door and took it from her. “Why are you paying for these?” he asked, placing it carefully on the seat.

  “It was my company’s mistake. I’m not passing that bill on to Derek and Liz.”

  His gut twisted. She really would go to any length to pull off this amazing wedding.

  And here he was helping her.

  When they loaded the flowers in and she climbed into the passenger seat with the smaller bouquet box on her lap, she still looked worried, licking the corner of her lip.

  Reaching for her hand, he squeezed it. “Crisis averted—relax.”

  “Until the next one?” she asked, one eyebrow raised as her fingers wrapped around his.

  “Until the next one,” he said, feeling a whirlwind of conflicting emotions tornado in his chest.

  11

  “OH, MY GOD, Kate, I don’t know how you did it, but the place looks magical,” Liz said, her eyes wide as she scanned the ballroom hours later. With the help of Cameron and three other hotel employees, Kate had been able to set up the flower arrangements in the ballroom. Scott had apologized that he couldn’t pitch in, claiming he had work to do, but she was grateful for everything he’d already done. She still had trouble believing he’d actually helped her out of this mess. Did it mean he was starting to let go of his own agenda?

  Or had it just been about sex? The amazing sex in the plane was something else she’d been grateful for. So grateful in fact she’d almost ditched the setup and followed him to his office or cabin or walk-in freezer—hell, it didn’t matter. She’d drop everything and anything for him and follow him anywhere if he asked.

  Which he hadn’t, she reminded herself. His question about whether she’d ever consider life in a small town had left her tongue-tied and her mind frantic as she’d tried to decide if that was his way of saying something...or just a random question. She’d been shocked to discover she didn’t immediately know the answer. She loved the city and her life and her career...but all of a sudden Big Bear was starting to grow on her...a little.

  Not exactly Big Bear. Scott. He had her insides twisting in a way they hadn’t in a long time. Had her thinking that maybe she might be able to move on someday from the heartache that was Cooper.

  “Earth to Kate,” Liz said, waving a hand in front of her face.

  “Sorry. Thank you, I’m glad you’re happy with it,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t give away her own sudden lack of enthusiasm for the event.

  Six weeks ago, she’d been ready to make this wedding happen even if the bride turned out to be Satan and the groom pleaded for his life to be spared. A week ago, she’d been willing to put aside her nagging, going nowhere, senseless feelings for Scott and keep moving forward. But the last few days, as the wedding came closer, it was getting harder and harder to push her moral compass aside. If only she didn’t need this wedding to save her career.

  “You okay?” Liz asked in a rare display of actual concern for anything but wedding arrangements.

  “Yeah. Um... Liz, have you thought of maybe talking to Derek?” She had no idea where the words had come from, and she immediately wanted to suck them back into her stupid mouth. But that evening, as she’d arranged the flowers and started thinking about decor for Hayley and Chase’s upcoming wedding, she’d started to feel uneasy. Would she let her own brother go through with his wedding if she knew his bride was keeping such a big secret?

  “Scott’s persistent annoyingness has finally gotten to you, huh?” Surprisingly, Liz didn’t seem to be as concerned as Kate would have thought.

  Unfortunately, the bride had no idea just how much Scott had gotten to her. “No, he hasn’t.” Damn, that even sounded pathetic. “I just understand his concern about Derek.”

  Liz looked at her hands. “I’m not trying to hurt Derek. I honestly believe telling him now after so long would be hurting him more than just moving on. Scott and I will hardly even see one another after the wedding. He’s holed up here in these mountains, with only that cargo company to give a shit about. And that’s Scott. Derek and I will make a wonderful, exciting life together.”

  Kate swallowed hard, the comment about Scott’s chosen lifestyle hitting her hardest. He’d admitted himself that serious relationships and marriage were not on his priority list right now...or had he meant ever? She shook the thoughts away. “It’s really not my concern. I just thought I’d ask to see if you’ve had a change of heart.”

  “About marrying the man of my dreams? Not a chance.” Liz’s smile returned, and she stood.

  Kate’s legs felt unsteady as she got to her feet. “Well, why don’t you go get ready for the rehearsal dinner and bachelorette party tonight, and I’ll finish up here.”

  “You’re coming tonight, right? You know, to make sure Scott doesn’t do anything stupid.” She was looking at her with a message in her eyes. A very clear warning that Kate better not do anything stupid, either.

  Liz had nothing to worry about. Another day and this wedding would be behind her. Then it wouldn’t matter if she was lying about her feelings for Scott or not, because once their steamy battle of wills ended, Kate knew she’d never see him again.

  * * *

  WATCHING HIS BROTHER and Liz go through the rehearsal motions, Scott’s mind was a mess. He should have said something to Derek by now. The night before his wedding, after all the guests had arrived, after everything was paid for, thousands of dollars spent on food and alcohol, was not the right time. The longer he waited, the more impossible the task. But his brother had just gotten to the resort an hour ago, and there had been a flurry of activity as the groomsmen and bridesmaids arrived in ones and twos. Security was also on-site for the high-profile event, and without time to talk to Derek, he was feeling more than a little antsy. He hadn’t held an event in the resort before, and desp
ite his personal conflict over the wedding, he realized Kate hadn’t been lying when she said this event and the live-streaming would do wonders for his reservations.

  The couple wouldn’t rehearse the individual vows they’d written, saving the words until the ceremony, but they went through the motions of the ring placement and the kiss, and his stomach was in knots. Derek seemed to love Liz. Scott had never seen his brother this way about anyone before—and he’d seen his brother fall for a lot of women. Would it even matter to him when—or if—he learned the truth?

  Across the room, he watched Kate work her magic, directing the groomsmen and bridesmaids back down the aisle, and his stomach did another kind of flop. Would he care? If he were in his brother’s shoes, if he were marrying the woman of his dreams, could anything make him reconsider?

  She led his mother and father back down the aisle to where the receiving line was forming, and he saw his mother smile and whisper something to her as she kissed her cheek. The effect made his palms sweat. Kate had a way of becoming more than just a wedding planner to her clients—she became a friend, a confidante, an advocate for what they wanted and a shield against anyone wanting to destroy that happiness.

  He didn’t believe for a second that it was all just an act anymore, or an attempt to save her business. At least, it wasn’t only that. She truly cared.

  Her gaze lifted to his and he nodded, but her usual smile seemed hesitant, her expression anxious. All evening, she’d seemed to be avoiding him. No doubt she was waiting for him to drop the bomb any second.

  He sighed, seeing Liz and Derek share a kiss near the front of the room.

  This his gaze returned to the beautiful woman he was unfortunately falling in love with.

  Kate had nothing to worry about. He wasn’t going to say a word.

  * * *

  KATE SURVEYED THE dining room where Liz and Derek and their wedding party entertained family and friends. The rehearsal had gone perfectly. Everyone knew where to go and what to do. The sound system inside the ballroom was working, as were the live-stream cameras Scott had paid to have installed and everything looked amazing.

  Even the brother of the groom had behaved.

  For now.

  She saw him sitting with his mother and father at a table near the window, and her heart did an involuntary flip. His mother was laughing and slapping his shoulder at the same time, and Kate knew the feeling. Scott had a way of being the biggest pain in the ass that you just couldn’t help but love. She’d seen him helping his father get around the resort earlier that day as well, and it had really hit home to her how much his family meant to him.

  How much Derek meant to him.

  He glanced toward her, and there was something in his expression that made her look away. She was certain the way she was feeling about him was written all over her face, and she couldn’t let him see. They hadn’t talked about the possibility of seeing one another again after the wedding, and she had no reason to believe they would.

  “Everything was perfect,” Liz said, coming up to her. Her excited expression should have brought Kate more comfort and relief than it did.

  “Great. I’m glad you’re happy with how things turned out.”

  “I have to say, I wasn’t sure you could pull this off, but you totally did. Beyond my expectations.”

  “Well, now that everything has turned out okay, I’ll be the first to admit I was panicking as soon as you said Big Bear,” Kate admitted.

  Liz laughed. “Well, you’re coming out with us girls tonight, right?”

  “Um... I don’t think so. Tomorrow is a big day, and I should stay here and triple-check everything...”

  Liz was shaking her head. “You have to come. It’s my last night of freedom—not that there’s a shitload of trouble and fun we can get into around here,” she said with a laugh. “And besides, I have several friends you need to meet. Engaged friends.”

  Right. And that was the point of all this, right? To generate more high-end clients to rebuild her company? She needed to get her head back in the game. Across the room she felt Scott’s gaze on her. How had she let her heart get involved? This thing with Scott had been fun, but it wasn’t going anywhere. She needed to focus on what mattered. Push her feelings aside and keep her attention on her own goals, her own future. Ignoring his attempt to get her attention, she turned to Liz. “I’d love to meet your friends.”

  * * *

  HEARING A COMMOTION as he neared the lobby, Scott took a deep breath.

  The boys were ready to party. The big night before the big day was about to begin.

  He made his way toward the noise, sending an apologetic glance to the Ambleman family enjoying a late dinner in the dining room, now that the rehearsal dinner group had dissipated for the evening. “The movie stars can get a little rowdy,” he said with a tight grin.

  He knew his brother’s three groomsmen only from watching them on screen. Nick Marshall, a Daytime Emmy–nominated soap actor, shared an agent with Derek, and the two had worked on the only film Nick had successfully landed a role in the year before. Doug Bier was an up-and-coming movie producer, according to Derek, and was heading to Greece the following month with him to start shooting his latest film. They were joined by one of Derek’s high school buddies, James Dillashaw, a former contestant on one of those dating reality shows, who had turned into a legit actor whose face had appeared in almost every rom-com that year. He was the man standing next to his brother tomorrow as the best man.

  Scott ignored the tug in his chest at the thought. The fact that he wasn’t the best man shouldn’t bother him as much as it did. These were Derek’s people. He was just the pain-in-the-ass younger brother whom Derek had had to bail out too many times. Not anymore. This wedding was going to bring his resort into the black and then he could sell it.

  Though that option didn’t appeal as much to him anymore, either. Initially, he’d thought of the resort as a burden, but now that the renovations were complete, it was actually a place he was proud of. The wedding alone had doubled their yearly revenue, and a few more could turn the resort into a great investment.

  Running a hand through his hair and checking to make sure he was sufficiently disheveled to embarrass Derek, he met the group as they reached the front desk.

  Cameron obviously didn’t share his opinion of the men. His tough as nails, no-nonsense hotel manager was actually giggling and flirting...not well, he might add. He shook his head as he watched his brother lean one arm on the desk and flash a grin at Scott’s employee.

  “Can you assholes keep it down? I do have other paying guests,” he said.

  “Since when?” Derek teased, dragging him in for a hug that turned into a semiwrestling match, which he let Derek win, resulting in him being in a headlock.

  “Admit you broke Mom’s favorite teacup when we were kids.”

  Same argument they’d had since that day when he was six and Derek was nine. “I didn’t. You threw the ball in the house. I tried to save the teacup,” he said, attempting to break his brother’s choke hold.

  “Still remembering it wrong,” Derek said, releasing him and offering a hand. “Thanks for everything so far, man—the place has Liz happy, so I’m breathing easy.”

  He shook it. “That had nothing to do with me.” Kate had made all of this happen. And not without her share of setbacks—one of them being him. The biggest one, perhaps.

  He’d been wanting to talk to her all evening, but she’d been busy making things happen, and for once he didn’t want to get in her way. But they needed to talk. He wasn’t sure what was happening between them, but he did know that he didn’t want it to end. She was the first woman in so long that he’d felt himself falling for, and it terrified him.

  But not enough to make him want to run.

  “So the bachelor party—what’s the
plan?” Derek asked, staring at him expectantly.

  Was he kidding? Wasn’t that the best man’s responsibility? No one told him he was supposed to organize something. “Bachelor party?” he stalled, thinking fast.

  Derek grinned. “Did you fly in exotic strippers on that tiny little charter plane of yours?”

  Nope. Not even strippers from an LA club’s amateur night. “Not exactly.”

  The other men had stopped their own discussion to listen. All eyes stared at him, and he shot the best man a look that went completely over the pretty boy’s head.

  Fantastic.

  His mind raced. Options in Big Bear were limited. He did have an open tab at the local tavern and an expensive box of Cuban cigars he’d intended to give his brother for his birthday. “I, uh...thought we’d just head over to O’Rileys, have a low-key kind of night. They have a live band on Friday nights...”

  His brother’s face didn’t exactly hide how he felt about that idea, then he grinned. “You’re messing with me.”

  Cameron reached out to touch his arm as she laughed. “Of course he is. Scott has an amazing night planned for you guys,” she said.

  His eyes widened as he shook his head.

  She ignored him. “He has night skiing booked on Masthope Mountain and then the outdoor rooftop patio reserved at Après-Ski.”

  Scott shook his head. No way. Today was Cameron’s birthday...and those were her plans. She’d been talking about this night for months. He couldn’t take the reservations that she’d pulled strings to get. And Après-Ski was the only high-end place in town. Even if he felt right stealing her reservations, his credit card probably would never recover.

  But she squeezed his arm tight to silence him when he started to protest.

  The woman deserved a huge raise. Massive raise. He’d give her one as soon as he could. Hell, maybe he should just give her the resort...once it was out of the red.

  And his brother was nodding his approval. “I’m impressed.”

  “You know Scott never half-asses anything,” Cameron said, winking at him.