Love Hurts. JJ Keller

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      He fidgeted with the blue tie while glancing out the church’s chancery window. Her rusty four-door jerked to a stop in a yellow zone of the parking lot. Shania jumped out of the SUV. Morgan’s heart pounded against his rib cage. Strands of brown hair caught in the wind fell from the knot at the nape of her slender neck, as she ran to the other side. The baby “everything” bag flopped against her side as she lifted Justin out of the car seat in the rear. Using tight fists, Justin rubbed his eyes, and then wiped his nose on her shoulder. While massaging his back, she kissed his plump baby cheek. There was no denying Shania Miller was an excellent mother.

      A teenage girl wearing pigtails, jeans and a white t-shirt met Shania on the sidewalk near the bell tower. A quick transfer and Justin’s mouth opened wide as he struggled to grab his mother, kicking his feet in rebellion. Shania handed the bag to the tiny bit of female, and then kissed Justin’s forehead. Smoothing his hair, Shania said something to the youngster. A quick bob of her head toward the chancery window, then the overburdened teen pivoted to walk along the cement path. Shania glanced up and smiled. Love for her exploded inside him.

      What had she wanted to say last night at the rehearsal? Her perfect lips drew his attention, making him miss most of her words. Unable to resist, his fingers had caressed her bare shoulder as he released her. He chastised himself for giving in and making the contact. Sometimes doing what was morally correct hurt.

      “What are you staring at?” Tom asked from behind him.

      Hesitant to look away from the scene below, Morgan glanced at his best man, who was tugging his shirt at the neck. “Shania just arrived.”

      Tom stared at him, reading him as he always did, and nodded. Morgan could never keep his thoughts hidden from him. “Are you sure you want to go through with this wedding? It’s not too late to call it off.”

      Morgan grimaced. Was he that obvious? A few seconds later Shania rushed through the door and stood stock still, gathering her breath. His plebeian attendants hovered, mouths open, gawking at her. Granted, her sexy body was sheathed in a thin form-fitting dress.

      “Leave us alone,” he ordered. The guys stopped their incessant ribbing for the first time in two days and dragged their feet toward the door.

      Shania took his full attention. Though beautiful before, after giving birth to Justin she’d matured into a sexy voluptuous woman. Unlike her normal jeans and sweatshirt, she’d dressed in a revealing outfit and looked stunning.

      Should he call off the wedding as Tom had suggested? No, he and Shania could never be together, too many missed opportunities to become lovers. They would be buddies for life and remain simply friends. He tried to think mundane thoughts and proceeded to recite the Ten Commandments, waiting for her to speak her mind.

      She dashed forward and halted within an inch of him. The scent of mint surrounded him, rushing out of her mouth, as she licked her perfect pink lips.

      “Don’t marry her,” she demanded.

      “What?” Commandments forgotten, he shook his head in disbelief and wonder.

      “Don’t marry Patty. Please.” She held her left hand to her chest as if to push back the heaves. Her engagement ring was gone. Last month, he’d heard rumors of her returning the diamond to Beck. She should have flung the dull jewel into his face the moment she got it years ago.

      Morgan glanced at his three friends holding the door open and obviously listening. He waved his hand, urging them to close the door. “Out!”

      The trio, fashionably dressed in black tuxes, eased the entrance closed. Shania twisted a lock of hair which had escaped and tucked it into the sloppy knot.

      In the back of his mind, he hoped she’d tell him what he’d longed to hear for the past four years. If she didn’t, he needed one last caress, and at his touch, vanilla scent from her soft skin filtered into the air, magnifying his stifled yearning. “Why shouldn’t I marry Patty?”

      She bit her lip and stared at him. Her tiger eyes, filled with insecurity, grew more golden than usual. “Because…”

      “Because?” His heart beat as fast as the second hand of the lopsided grandfather clock in the corner, quick and loud. Another strand of hair had escaped. Wanting to touch the soft lock, he tucked it behind her ear.

      She stared into his eyes. “Because I love you, and I think you love me.”

      “You bitch! I knew I couldn’t trust you,” Patty’s screech came from behind them.

      Morgan’s focus had been on Shania and her declaration. With great reluctance, he pulled his glance away from Shania. Patty, his bride-to-be, was striding forward like an enraged shrew bent on vengeance.

      “Patty, we’re in a church. My church.” He released Shania’s arm and held his hand out to take Patty’s.

      She shook him off and shoved Shania. “You are nothing but a whore. I’m going to tell everyone about–”

      “Stop!” Rage like he’d never experienced raked his body, shaking him to his core. He wanted to box the ears of the woman he’d agreed to marry.

      “You’re out of the wedding,” Patty shouted, pointing at Shania.

      “Fine.” Shania ran to the door and glanced back. Her doe eyes and trembling lips were highlighted by the stained-glass cross cut in the opening.

      Morgan couldn’t let her leave. “Wait!”

      Her feet grounded, and she lowered her head. His throat tightened. She turned and wrapped shaking hands around the handle. He swallowed and took a step.

      “Leave the dress,” Patty screamed and blocked Morgan’s path.

      Shania pivoted and glared. “I wore it to the church. I’ll have it dry cleaned and returned.”

      “No, I need the dress now. My cousin is extra-large. She can fill in for you.” Patty lifted her lips, resembling the Joker in a Batman movie.

      Shania’s body stiffened. Her fists tightened beside her hips. She’d been bold enough to live СКАЧАТЬ