Jessica Hart - Here Comes The Bride

“One of these days I’m going to meet a man who’s so on fire for me, nothing else matters and he can’t live without me.”

“You mean like my grandfather.”

“Yes. He loved your grandmother so much, he lost the will to live after she died. My parents felt the same way about each other. So did Lilian and her husband. That’s the kind of love I intend to have. When the right man comes along, I’ll know it.”

“So you have no interest in even keeping up a friendship with me?”

“For what purpose? We’re no longer costars. I don’t believe men and women can be friends. Either we’re lovers, or we’re nothing. If I want friendship I can call Leah or Cammy.”

He rubbed his thumb across his lips thoughtfully. “I’m glad you made that clear. Once again it appears you and I are in agreement and hold to the same philosophy about men and women. I would never spend time with a woman I didn’t desire.

“Furthermore, I couldn’t costar with a woman I didn’t find appealing. If Leah or Sally had been playing the part of Carly, I would have turned down the role of Fabio.”

“As long as we’re being honest, that works both ways, Alex. If you’d been unattractive to me, I would have told Phyllis I wanted out of my contract a year ago.”

His gaze played over her face. “That’s because neither of us is an actor at heart. We can’t pretend something we don’t feel.”

“No.” I can’t go on pretending I don’t care around you.

“Tell you what, I’m going to fix our dessert.”

“Can I watch?” she asked brightly. Until he left the condo, she had to act as if she weren’t dying from pain. “I promise not to give away any of your secret recipes.”

“I wasn’t worried. You can help me if you want.”

“I’d love to.”

“Bring me two dessert plates, and get the cream out of the fridge.”

He was like a magician. One minute there was a bunch of isolated ingredients on the counter. In the next, he’d made a beautiful arrangement of figs, bananas, walnuts and peanuts.

After sprinkling them with cinnamon powder, he put a little brandy in the cream and poured it over the top.

“This dessert is a nice change from Filo pastries. Not as heavy.” He pulled a fork from the drawer. “Here. See what you think.”

Before she could stop him, he’d put a mouthful of the concoction to her lips. She had no choice but to open up and eat.

Incredible.

That was what it was. Incredible.

“You like it?”

She made a moaning sound.

“I take it that’s a yes.”

Reese nodded.

“Just a minute. Don’t move. You’ve got cream on your mouth.” He removed it with his index finger and tasted it. “It could use a little more brandy. What do you think?”

“I-I think it’s perfec- Oh-there’s my phone. Excuse me for a minute.”

She turned to reach for the phone on the wall, but she was trembling so hard, she had to brace herself against the counter.

“Hello?”

“Hi. I thought I’d call and see if everything is okay? If it’s not, maybe go to a movie or something.”

“Leah-”

Alex moved around to her side so he could watch her while he ate the dessert he’d made.

“You sound funny. Are you all right?”

“Yes. Of course I am.”

“Have you got company?”

“Yes.”

“A man?”

“Yes.”

“Let me guess. It wouldn’t be Alex Kieris, would it?”

Heat filled her cheeks. “Why do you say that?”

“Because when you left the set, he raced after you like a bat out of you know where. I’m just putting two and two together. It’s okay. Obviously you can’t talk right now. How about lunch tomorrow?”

“I’d like that. Arturo’s at twelve-thirty?”

“Perfect. See you then you, lucky, lucky girl.”

“Bye.”

Alex took the receiver from her and put it on the hook. “Did Leah want to do something with you tonight?”

“Yes.”

“Then why did you let my presence stop you?”

She averted her eyes. “Because I’m not in the mood for a movie.”

“What are you in the mood for?”

He’d finished his dessert. She put hers in the fridge, and washed his plate. Anything to give her hands something to do.

“After the most fabulous meal of my life, I’m too full to do much of anything except lounge in the other room and watch a little TV before I go to bed.”

“That sounds good to me too. Shall we see what’s showing on the cooking channel?”

She was amused by the suggestion, a smile broke the corners of her mouth. She headed for the living room and picked up the remote from the coffee table. “Do you watch it often?”

“Sometimes when I can’t sleep.”

Reese purposely sat down in a chair next to the couch so they’d be separated. “If you want to stretch out, make yourself comfortable.”

He eyed her intently. “You don’t mind?”

“Of course not. After working so hard in my kitchen, you deserve a rest before you have to go home.”

“Then I’ll take you up on your offer.”

TONIGHT the Japanese chefs were having some kind of contest. Though it was entertaining, Reese couldn’t possibly concentrate. Her eyes kept straying to the sight of Alex’s hard-muscled physique lying on his side. He’d propped his dark head on one of the cushions, the picture of virile male contentment.

They made desultory conversation and chuckled over some of the chefs’ antics. At one point she made another comment, but Alex didn’t answer.

He’d fallen asleep. The problem was, Reese had never been more wide awake.

Too restless, she went to the kitchen for the fabulous dessert he’d made. While she ate it, she switched channels to a movie classic made in the forties. One her aunt had particularly loved. But it didn’t hold her interest. When it was over and the ten o’clock news started, she realized this situation couldn’t go on any longer.

After turning off the TV, she got up from the chair and walked over to the couch.

“Alex?”

There was no answer.

“Alex?” She bent down and nudged him gently.

His eyes suddenly opened. “Reese?”

“Yes. You’ve been asleep for the last hour. It’s getting late.”

“You want me to leave?”

What a question. “I need to go to bed. If you’re too tired to get up, you’re welcome to stay on the couch tonight. I’ll bring you a blanket and a pillow.”

“I’d rather go to bed with you.” He reached up and pulled her down so she half lay on top of him. His mouth closed over hers. “Umm. You taste of brandy and figs. Could anything be sweeter or more luscious?”

His hungry mouth sought hers until her own passion started to spiral out of control. Unlike their last kiss at the party, they didn’t have an audience. He might just decide this could go on indefinitely. That was because he was missing his girlfriend. No way was Reese going to be a substitute!

“We’re not being taped, Alex,” she cried, wrenching her lips from his. “Wake up.”

“I know the difference between fantasy and reality,” he murmured. “For your information I’m very much awake and am looking forward to spending my wedding night with my new bride.”

He kissed her mouth again as if his desire for her was insatiable.

“Enough’s enough, Alex,” she said crossly. “I enjoyed this day with you very much. The food was divine. But now it’s over and you need to go home.”

She eased herself away and stood up on rubber legs.

He stared at her through slightly glassy eyes. “From here on out, my home is with you, wherever you are.”

“Be serious, please.”

“I’ve never been more serious in my life. You’re my wife now.”

“Obviously you’re in one of those dream-like trances and can’t wake up. Lie back down while I get you some covers.”

“Only if you lie down with me.”

He started to reach for her again, but she backed further away from him. “You’re beginning to make me nervous.”

“I’m nervous, too. I’ve never been a husband before. It appears I have a very reluctant bride on my hands.”

“Stop it, Alex!”

“Stop what? If you don’t believe you’re Mrs Alex Kieris, then take a good look at our marriage license and certificate.” He pulled two folded papers out of the pocket of his cargo pants and handed them to her.

In a daze, she opened them to see what he was talking about. The license looked like the prop she’d used during the taping. But when she saw the names, they read Reese Bringhurst and Alex Kieris.

The marriage certificate had their real names typed in, dated with today’s date. A Pastor Martin Rippon had signed both papers. She also noted the names of two of the cast members who’d used their real names to be witnesses.

She lifted her head and stared at him. “What is all this about?”

He rose to his full, intimidating height. “We were married today by a real pastor, not an actor. The vows we took in front of our friends are sacred and binding.”

Reese’s body started to tremble. “I don’t believe you,” she whispered.

“That’s fine. Pastor Rippon’s number is in the phone directory. You’re welcome to call him right now.”

She swallowed hard. “What kind of strange joke is this?”

“It’s no joke. During the taping, you put your own signature on these papers. That makes them legal.”

“Alex? I don’t understand anything. What’s going on?”

“I’m the man you were talking about earlier, a man who’s on fire for you. What else? If you don’t want to be married to me, you’ll have to hire an attorney. Should you decide you want to be my wife, you know where I live. Maybe this will help you make up your mind, agape mou.”

He caught her face between his hands and gave her a deep, searing kiss before leaving the condo.

Long after she heard the door click, she stood there shaken and confused.

Finally, when she could gather her wits, she dashed in her bedroom and reached for the phone.

Be home, Elaine. Please be home.

“Hirsh residence.”

“Oh, thank goodness it’s you, Elaine!”

“Reese?” She sounded surprised.

“D-did I waken you?”

“Heavens, no. I rarely get to bed before midnight.” There was a slight hesitation. “What are you doing calling me tonight of all nights?”

Reese sank down on the side of her bed, torturing the phone cord. “What do you mean, tonight of all nights?”

“Leah phoned to tell me Alex was there. I thought of course everything had gone according to plan.”

She jumped to her feet, unable to sit still. “What plan?”

“I take it Alex isn’t there now,” Elaine said in a quiet voice.

“No. He just left after telling me the craziest thing I’ve ever heard in my life.”

“What was that, darling?”

“He said we got married on the set today. For real.”

“It was for real.”

“I mean legally.”

“That’s right. The man is madly in love with you.”

No. He couldn’t be… The blood started to pound in her ears.

“Darling? Are you still there?”

“Yes,” her voice squeaked.

“The moment he found out you were leaving the show, he set everything up with Stan to rewrite the script so you could be married in front of all of us.”

Her heart was pounding out of rhythm. “You’re telling me the truth?”

“I would never lie to you, Reese. The whole leap year thing was Alex’s idea. After waiting so long to claim you, he loved the idea that you would end up proposing to him.”

Reese could still hear him saying, “I didn’t know women in America did things like this.”

It sounded exactly like something the real Alex would say.

“Phil was upset that he had to stay home so a bona fide pastor could come to officiate, but he understood the situation. He wasn’t about to let anything stand in the way of true love.”

“Phil did that for Alex?”

“Everyone helped. Brad’s job was to distract you until Alex caught up to you in the parking lot.”

“He accomplished his mission. I ran straight into Alex’s truck.”

“Brad came running back inside to tell us.”

Reese’s face went hot. “I was crying so hard I didn’t look where I was going.”

“It was the perfect ending to a perfect wedding ceremony, darling. The cast and crew, Phyllis, the producers, everyone was in on it, and they’re so happy for you.”

Unbelievable.

“Surely you caught on while you were eating. Alex planned that champagne brunch with all your favorite foods.”

That was why there were meatballs and pasta?

“The roses were his idea. Honestly, Reese. It’s the most romantic thing I ever heard of in my life! The way he looked at you today, those vows he said to you at the altar-they melted my heart. Why aren’t you with him when I know how much you love him?”

Reese was so incredulous, she couldn’t speak.