Seducing the Bridesmaid (Wedding Dare, #3)(15)

“Was I?”

Yes, damn it. That’s exactly what she’d been doing. “What’s the pretty boy have that I don’t?”

“Don’t you think that’s the pot calling the kettle black?” She waved her hand at his face. “And, like I said before, he’s charming, successful, and has a fantastic career.”

“Darlin’, I’m VP of McNeill Enterprises.”

She laughed. “Oh please. You’re a figurehead. What kind of skill set do you bring to the table? The ability to charm women out of their panties?”

He didn’t let himself react, but only because he’d heard the same argument more times than he wanted to count. Why can’t you just settle down like Caine? Caine never would have let that client walk away. Caine brings more to this company than you ever will. Caine is the future.

It made it really hard for him not to hate his brother when he was constantly being measured against him—and coming up short. “I have skills.”

“I’m sure you do, but I’m equally sure that I wouldn’t hire you.”

Brock looked around, taking in the fact that they were now alone. “That’s a damn shame, because it looks like you’re stuck with me.”





Chapter Five


Regan fought back a curse. She’d planned on making her way over to Logan once she’d gotten his attention by showing him just how good a time she was having with Brock. It was a good plan…but Logan was apparently a no-show, and she hadn’t been in the right mind since she’d seen Brock aiming that goddamn panty-dropper smile of his at Christine. Her friend was smart and normally she’d have no trouble telling him where to stuff it, but with all the new changes in her life, Regan was afraid she was too vulnerable to handle a man like Brock.

That was the only reason she’d practically run over there. Because she was a good friend. Not because the thought of Brock and Christine sneaking off together made her physically sick to her stomach.

Now she was stuck with him. Shit.

She glanced over the list. Where the hell had Kady come up with this crap? A freaking feather? With a few exceptions—a newspaper—all of it required her to go into the forest surrounding Beaver Creek Resort. “On second thought, I’m not that interested in seeing whatever Kady came up with for a prize. You go on ahead and try your luck.”

“Aw, come on. I wouldn’t expect you to back off so easily.”

“I don’t back down, and I don’t lose when I set my mind on something.” But there was nothing wrong with a tactful retreat.

“Obviously you don’t want Logan as much as you think if you’re already giving up. In case you didn’t know, that guy lives for this nature shit. He’s probably already out here gathering ancient Indian arrowheads and fossils and f*ck-all if I know.”

Giving up. Two dirty words if she ever heard them. She didn’t give up. Never had. No, Regan analyzed the problem, and then proceeded to find her way over, under, around, or—sometimes—through it.

She’d let her reluctance to spend any more time than necessary with Brock cloud her judgment. He was right—if she wanted a chance at Logan, she was going to have to work a little harder. Which meant going into that treed hellhole.

Maybe she should have packed some bug spray.

“Fine. Let’s go. But keep your goddamn hands to yourself.”

“Me?” He grabbed the paper. “I’m a gentleman. You’re the one who practically threw a bag over my head and dragged me off to be your love slave.”

“It has nothing to do with love.” And now she couldn’t get the image of his sliding in and out of her as she rode him out of her mind. She gritted her teeth. Fucking fabulous.

“My mistake.” He made a showy gesture, waving her toward the path. “Ladies first—even ones with dubious virtue.”

“Dubious. You’ve been using that Word of the Day app again.” She strode into the trees, taking half a second to wish she’d worn more practical shoes. The problem was she didn’t own any practical shoes aside from her gym shoes. And she wouldn’t be caught dead in them outside of a treadmill. “Too much more of that and someone who didn’t know better might think you actually have an IQ to brag about.”

“Careful—I might think you like me if you keep up that kind of talk.”

“God forbid.” It was darker beneath the trees, the tall trunks cutting off the sun and creating shadows. Something moved off to her right and she jumped. “What the hell was that?”

Brock followed her gaze. “Ah, yes. The rabid tree squirrel. Very dangerous.” He turned back with a grin that made her stomach flip-flop. “Don’t worry—I’ll protect you.”

When had anyone ever offered her something like that, even jokingly?

She knew the answer without even thinking about it. Never. She was Regan, independent lover, corporate warrior, driven career woman. People looked to her for answers and to take care of their needs. They never offered to return the favor.

He’s making fun of you, you idiot. Get your shit together. She swallowed down the unfamiliar feeling in her throat and forced a cocky smile. “Squirrel vanquisher. I’d be sure to add that to your résumé.”

Satisfied she had the last laugh, she turned and started walking again. A feather. How freaking hard was it to find a feather in the forest? Shouldn’t there be birds flapping around and being annoying? She didn’t see a single sign of one.