Once Upon a Bride. Helen Lacey
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Название: Once Upon a Bride

Автор: Helen Lacey

Издательство: HarperCollins

Жанр: Современные любовные романы

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СКАЧАТЬ id="uadcf2a4f-06d7-5e11-a834-8fa656c72652">

       She hoped he wouldn’t come closer …

      Prayed he wouldn’t kiss her. “We need to forget what happened tonight,” she said in a rattled voice. “We agreed it’d be crazy to—”

      “Nothing really happened,” he said, cutting her off.

      “Well, what almost happened. I’ve made a vow to myself … and it’s a promise I intend to keep. I’m never going to find what I want if I get drawn deeper into this attraction. It won’t go anywhere other than your bed, and I’m not prepared to settle for just sex.”

      Gabe stared at her. So deeply, so intensely, she couldn’t breathe. The small porch created extreme intimacy. If she took one step she’d be pressed against him.

      “You’re right.” He moved back. “You shouldn’t settle for sex. You should find that middle road you want, Lauren, with someone who can give you the quiet relationship you deserve.”

      Then he was gone.

      Her chest was pounding. Her stomach was churning. Her head was spinning.

      And her heart was in serious danger.

      Once Upon a Bride

      Helen Lacey

       www.millsandboon.co.uk

      HELEN LACEY grew up reading Black Beauty, Anne of Green Gables and Little House on the Prairie. These childhood classics inspired her to write her first book when she was seven years old, a story about a girl and her horse. She continued to write, with the dream of one day being a published author, and writing for Mills & Boon® Cherish™ is the realization of that dream. She loves creating stories about strong heroes with a soft heart and heroines who get their happily-ever-after. For more about Helen, visit her website, www.helenlacey.com.

      For Robert

       Because you get me …

      Contents

       Cover

       Introduction

       Title Page

       About the Author

       Dedication

       Chapter Five

       Chapter Six

       Chapter Seven

       Chapter Eight

       Chapter Nine

       Chapter Ten

       Chapter Eleven

       Chapter Twelve

       Chapter Thirteen

       Chapter Fourteen

       Extract

       Copyright

      “You made a what?”

      Lauren Jakowski shrugged her shoulders and bit down on her lower lip, musing whether she should repeat her words. But her two best friends’ imploring looks won over.

      “I made a vow,” she said, and glanced at both Cassie and Mary-Jayne. “Of celibacy.”

      The other women snorted through the drinks they were sipping, sending liquid flying across the small poolside table. It was her brother’s wedding, and once the bride and groom had cut the cake and shared their first dance, her bridesmaid’s duties were officially over for the night. So she’d left the hotel ballroom and met her friends by the pool.

      “Yeah, sure you did,” Cassie said with a laugh, wiping her face.

      “I did,” Lauren insisted. “When my marriage ended.”

      “So you, like—” Mary-Jayne mused slowly as her dark hair swayed in the breeze “—made a commitment to never have sex again?”

      “Exactly,” she replied. “Not until I’m certain he’s the right one.”

      “He being this dull and passionless individual you think you’ll find so you can have your mediocre happily ever after?” Cassie asked, watching Lauren over the rim of her glass of soda.

      She ignored how absurd it sounded. “Yes.”

      Cassie’s brows came up. “And where are you going to find this Mr. Average?” she asked. “ReliableBores.com?”

      “Maybe,” Lauren said, and pretended to drink some champagne.

      “So no sex?” Mary-Jayne asked again. “Even though you caught the bouquet, look sensational in that dress and there are at least half a dozen single men at this wedding who would happily throw you over their shoulder, carry you off and give you the night of your life?”

      “I’m not interested in anything casual,” СКАЧАТЬ