Harlequin Desire August 2019--Box Set 1 of 2 by Katy Evans

Author:Katy Evans
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2019-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER EIGHT

If he never had to attend another wedding again it would be too soon. Liam, having arrived too late to watch the ceremony, walked into the reception and released a low whistle. He’d grown up with wealth, had attended far too many society events and weddings, but this venue was impressive.

The recently restored barn boasted clear grain cedar wallboards, high cathedral ceilings with polished beams and what he thought might be an original fir floor. The warmth of the wood was contrasted with a floor-to-ceiling glass wall on one end. The wood and glass effect was softened by a profusion of multicolored and massive flower arrangements and fairy lights. It was soft and elegant and pretty and, yeah, romantic.

Teresa was good at her job.

Liam ordered a Manhattan from a passing waiter, greeted an acquaintance and looked around for someone he’d like to talk to. Matt was across the room, waiting to issue his congratulations to the bridal couple. Brooks looked like another guy in his tuxedo and solid black tie but Nic, Liam admitted, looked like a fairy-tale princess in her gown. No wonder Brooks couldn’t keep his eyes off his beautiful bride…

It was all so damn pretty and perfect. But marriage seldom was. Hadn’t he seen this, not only with his parents, but also with dozens of acquaintances over the years? He’d attend the engagement parties and the weddings and six months later, a year, sometimes five, he’d hear that they were splitting, that they’d made a mistake. That divorce was inevitable.

And then he’d hear about the vicious divorce proceedings, the custody battles and he’d remember the pretty and perfect. It was all such…crap.

He’d watched and learned and rarely—okay never—allowed emotions to factor into his brief relationships. He’d never intended to get married, to put his head in that noose…

Yet, that was exactly what he’d proposed—marriage—and Teresa had been clever enough to say no. Marriage would never work between them; he was too reticent and Teresa was too independent. They were both too scarred and too scared.

Over the past ten days he’d spent a lot of time thinking about his crazy suggestion. Wondering why he’d made the offer. He finally, reluctantly, admitted that while he wanted to place Teresa under his protection—the protection of the Christopher name—he’d also wanted to save himself from being alone.

During that board meeting, with Teresa sitting in the seat next to him, knowing that she was there and solidly on his side, he’d felt stronger and more confident than he had in years. He’d felt invincible and he wanted the feeling to stick around.

If they married, he’d never have to attend another wedding or event alone; he wouldn’t have to come home to a cold, silent, empty house. He’d have access to amazing sex with a partner he craved, whose body he adored.

He wouldn’t be alone…

Nope, not a good enough reason to get hitched.

Liam looked around for the object of his thoughts and dreams, and the reason for his confusion. He doubted

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