Kiss Me Quick

Chapter 2

2

Cindy peeked around the wide-shouldered, suede-jacketed form of "Chase Merriweather." Even though she still didn't completely believe his story, or his name, she didn't think he was dangerous—unlike the other man who'd just reappeared. This one looked like a genuine threat, with his mean stare and bulky jacket that could be hiding all manner of weapons. The dude scanned the bar, possibly searching for her. At least that meant he hadn't spotted her yet.

Since she'd been in hiding out here in Las Vegas, she'd picked up a trick or two. Chase Merriweather, with his square-jawed good looks and open smile, looked like he belonged in someone's wedding party, the groom's best friend who flew everyone to Vegas for a bachelor party. He certainly didn't come across as someone who wanted to do her harm.

She'd first noticed him at the next poker table over because…well, because she was a woman. And he was cute. Not just cute, but incredibly appealing, the kind of guy always on the edge of a laugh, the kind of honorable type who would step between you and a bully, or even a bullet.

Then she'd realized that he was watching her. He tried to be subtle about it, but the fact that he kept losing hand after hand while drinking nothing but club soda tipped her off.

Why would a blond, good-looking quarterback type have any interest in a quirky, smart-alecky, funky-glasses-wearing Vietnamese girl hiding from a drug ring? There was only one way to find out for sure.

Hence the ambush outside the men's room.

Why would he make up a connection to Will Knight? Will had always been her favorite person at the Jupiter Point Sheriff's Department. It made sense that he would be worried about her. All things considered, sticking with Chase Merriweather was probably her best bet right now. Especially if one of Buckaroo's men had just found her.

But maybe she could throw the scary man off. Her red cap was a total giveaway. She took off her backpack, then slipped the conductor's hat into it. She carried a number of items of clothing around with her, just for occasions like this, when she needed something to hide her face.

While she poked around in her bag for another sort-of disguise, she leaned closer to Chase, so they'd look like a couple. She noticed that he smelled really good, like a fresh breeze clearing away the smoky air of the bar.

He followed her lead, resting one elbow on the bar and putting the other on her knee. In that position, he completely blocked the man's view of her. Good thing she was smallish, though she liked to think that her personality made up for her size.

"Got a plan?" he whispered. She liked his eyes, which were a solid, trustworthy brown. He leaned closer, so only a few inches separated them.

She grabbed the first piece of fabric her fingers touched, and pulled it from her bag.

A wedding veil. She'd bought it at the same costume shop where she'd found the big sunglasses, the red busman's hat, the white beret, and all the other pieces of clothing designed to throw people off.

"That works," said Chase.

Wait, what?

He took the veil and settled it on her head. Its layers of filmy fabric surrounded her face, even tickling her nose. It smelled like a thrift shop. He adjusted the veil, brushing her face in the process, a light touch that made goosebumps rise on her arms.

"What are you doing?" She sneezed.

"Just go with it, okay?" He stood up and swept her into his arms. "Clear the way," he called to the other bar customers. "Gotta get to the church on time."

He carried her out of the bar and onto the street, while she pretended to gaze up at him adoringly from her nest of lace.

Outside, he set her down and twined one arm around her. "Did it work?" she whispered, blowing the veil away from her face.

"Don't know yet. Keep walking." Cuddled close, they strolled down the Strip, which was a blur of flashing neon and loud drunk people.

With her head resting on the hard muscle of his upper arm, she peered behind her. "He's following. He's still suspicious."

"Damn. How'd you get into this mess anyway?"

"You say that as if it's my fault. All I did was ace the test to get hired at the sheriff's department. Oh, and have parents who bought a house they couldn't afford."

Chase steered her around a drunk guy in a football jersey. "Why didn't you tell someone they were threatening you?"

She wanted to hit him, but that wouldn't exactly be in character for a bride on her way to a wedding. "Because they had someone parked next to my parents at all times," she hissed. "My parents barely speak English. They sacrificed everything for me, so I could have a better life, and I don't meant that ironically or sarcastically. Even though I'm hiding out from a smuggling ring at the moment, this is a better life. The point being, I couldn't let anyone hurt them! And I definitely can't let them be homeless."

"Okay, okay, of course not. Sorry."

"Will's probably really mad at me, isn't he?" That was one of the worst parts of the whole experience. She loved and respected Will, and hated the thought of betraying him.

"No, he understands. He says he'll protect you if you want to come back to Jupiter Point."

She shook her head. "I'm not going home without the money. I have to get my parents' house back."

"I'll give you the money."

"What?"

"Consider it a wedding present." They'd reached the White Chapel, where a flashing neon sign offered "Five-Minute Weddings!"

"I repeat, what?"

"That man is still following us. We have to make this look real." He swept her into a close embrace. And even though she was still reeling from his suggestion, she noticed that her body seemed to really, really like him. She went warm all over, and her inner thighs tingled.

"You seriously want to get married?"

"Will told me to protect you." He set his jaw stubbornly. "Well, he told me to keep an eye on you. But that means keeping you away from that man, because how can I keep an eye on you if he gets ahold of you? So, yes. Temporarily."

She checked over her shoulder again. The man was lingering behind them, pretending to window shop at a Gucci store. He definitely didn't look like the Gucci type. "Oh s**t. He's still there. He's not buying the bride thing."

"Then we have to do what Merriweathers do best. Sell it, baby."

He took her hand and pulled her through the door of the chapel.