Sister of the Bride (Fool's Gold #2.5)(11)

"There you are." A shrill, quavering voice jerked Katie from anticipation all the way into nightmare. "Katie, darling. Come give me a kiss."

Katie stepped back from Jackson and smiled at the tiny old lady teetering toward her. "Nana," she said and moved toward the woman.

Sucking in a breath--for reasons no one could explain, Nana Marie always smelled like fish--Katie leaned in and kissed her papery cheek.

"There's a good girl. Let me look at you."

Katie stood still, then turned when she was directed.

"Very good. I see you're keeping off the weight. We were all so worried you'd stay fat. But you've proved us wrong." Nana Marie glanced at Jackson. "Who are you?"

"Jackson Kent."

"Jackson, this is Nana Marie," Katie told him. "She's..." Katie shook her head. "Nana, how are we related?"

"We're not. I was a friend of your grandmother's." Nana smiled at Jackson. "Aren't you handsome? We're all so happy that Katie finally has a man in her life. That Alex--leading her on and then falling for Courtney. That girl is about as emotionally deep as a potato chip. Not like our Katie."

Nana squeezed Katie's chin hard enough to make her eyes water. "You have a man now. That's what counts. Now I have to excuse myself and go make water."

Katie watched her head toward the restrooms, then wondered if pounding her head against the wall was an option. Sure, it would leave a bruise, but at least that would give people something to talk about that wasn't her weight or her love life.

"I'm sorry," she said miserably. "This is so much worse than I ever imagined."

Jackson moved close and lightly stroked her cheek. "Hey, I signed up for this. Besides, I like her."

"Wait until she pinches your cheek."

He chuckled, then grew serious. "Don't take this wrong, but your family really needs to stop judging you. You have a great job, you're beautiful and sexy. When you're ready, you'll get married. Any man would be lucky to have you. Alex is an idiot for picking Courtney over you."

Katie blinked at him. There were so many wonderful places to start--she couldn't pick just one.

"Thanks," she whispered.

"You're welcome." He put his arm around her and led her toward the party. "We'll circle by Alex and Courtney and the poor guy can get a look at what he's missing."

Nana Marie turned out to be one of the easier relatives to deal with, Jackson thought three hours later as he and Katie moved together during a slow dance. The McCormick family was large, loving and way too focused on their perception of Katie's flaws. If someone wasn't mentioning her weight--again--he or she was exclaiming over the fact that she had a date. As if that was a surprise.

He didn't get it. Granted, he was a guy and maybe not the most insightful male in the room, but what was the big deal? Katie was gorgeous. She had beautiful eyes, great skin, shiny blond hair and those were just the average parts. Right now, holding her as they moved together to the music, he could feel her br**sts nestling against his chest and rested his hand on the curve of her hip. There was nothing wrong with her shape. On the contrary, his body was telling him it was exactly right.

People were strange and families were the worst. At least he was here and could protect her.

A sweet, slightly floral fragrance drifted to him. The appealing scent made him think of dark bedrooms and tangled sheets. Without thinking, he guided her over to a large pillar at the edge of the dance floor. When they were out of view of everyone else, he bent down and kissed her.

Her mouth welcomed his with a soft pressure that made every part of him ache. Her lips parted and he moved his tongue against hers. She tasted of chocolate and wine and temptation. In a matter of seconds, he was hard.

Trying to be a gentleman, he kept some slight distance between them. At least he tried. She wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him. When her belly came in contact with his erection, she made a sound that was part groan, part purr. He felt the vibration all the way down to his groin.

"We can't," she murmured against his mouth, then nipped his lower lip. "It would be a seriously bad idea. Dangerous even."

He dropped his head and kissed his way down her neck. As he licked that sensitive spot below her ear, he felt her shudder.

"Bad idea for who?" he asked.

"Me. Us. It's just a weekend, Jackson. I don't do one-night stands."

He straightened and stared into her beautiful blue eyes. "Why does it have to stop at one night?"

She was flushed and looked thoroughly kissed. Through the thin fabric of her dress, he saw her ni**les were hard. Angling around, so he was between her and anyone who might see them, he touched the tight tips with his fingers. Her breath caught.

Wanting burned in her eyes. "You are every kind of temptation."

He kissed her again, this time sucking gently on her tongue. Need grew, pulsing inside him. There was something about Katie.

He sensed more than heard someone approaching and stepped back. Seconds later, her parents rounded the pillar.

"There you are," her mother said. "Well, this went well. We're at the halfway point. Two evenings down, two to go. I wanted to tell you that you can leave anytime you want. Everyone is turning in. Tully went up an hour ago. Alone, thank goodness, although she was eyeing one of the waiters."