very charming wedding 01 - bachelor and the bride Read online

  A sadness descended as her heart ached. Slowly, she picked up the dress so she could walk up the stairs. Rico rushed up, helping her.

  “Traitor,” she whispered, wanting to blame anyone but herself at the way she’d derailed her own life.

  “Moi? Why, I’m a sucker for a love story, even if it’s not mine.” He nudged her ahead and waved Adam forward. “Play nice now.”

  The bright lights beaming down on her was nothing compared to the blast of heat from Adam as he joined her. The audience—well the first few rows she could see—stood and clapped wildly.

  “Let me see,” he said.

  She frowned.

  “You. Your dress.”

  Swallowing hard, she turned. He faced her; a mixture of awe and stunned wonder chased across his green eyes.

  “Exquisite, Lacey.”

  He might as well have told her she was the most precious masterpiece he’d ever seen. The tremble began in her knees and worked its way up until she shook all over.

  “More beautiful than any goddess I’ve ever had the pleasure to view.”

  Her throat constricted. She took the elbow he offered and slowly they walked the runway. Flashes went off, nearly blinding her.

  Sensing he shifted, she glanced over at him, holding out her gold mask. “I believe this is yours, Lacey Daniels.”

  Her smile came, quick and genuine. Taking a shivery breath, she captured his stare. “I don’t need it any longer. I’m through hiding. Especially my feelings.”

  “For?”

  “You. That’s if you…”

  “What was that you said to me?”

  The words were stuck, refusing to come out.

  Adam turned to her fully. The crowd oohed. His smile flickered as he brushed back a tendril of her hair. “My turn?”

  “Let me down easy, all right?” She deserved this. In the back of her mind, she took him all in. The elegant black tux hugged his body, something she’d never get a chance to do. A slash of disappointment at not being able to touch him, kiss him, again sank in her middle. Looking up, she captured his gaze, warm and green and filled with surprise. “Adam?” Her heart hitched.

  “Just for you, I’ll start a hotline—”

  “1-800-HELLNO?” She winced, recalling his comment the first night they’d met.

  “Wrong hotline.” His lop-sided grin tugged at the side of his mouth along with a lifeline in her core.

  A trickle of hope entered her chest. “And the right one is?”

  “Sorry if you’re not interested, Lacey Daniels,” he whispered, leaning close. Right before his lips claimed hers, he said, “Because I sure the hell am in you.”

  Lacey swore she heard an older man’s deep, hearty chuckle in her ear…

  THE END

  Want to read about more brides and the men in their lives? Heather and Drake’s story is in The Boss And The Bride, book 2 in A Very Charming Wedding Series. And Ashley meets a force to be reckoned with in The Bodyguard and The Bride, book 3 in A Very Charming Wedding Series.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Bestselling author Laurie LeClair writes romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and contemporary women’s fiction. Laurie’s habit of daydreaming has gotten her into a few scrapes and launched her to take up her dream of writing. Finally, she can put all those stories in her head to rest as she brings them to life on the page.

  Laurie considers herself a New Texan (New England born and raised and now living in Texas). She lives in Central Texas with her husband, Jim. She loves to hear from readers.

  You can connect with me online:

  www.laurieleclair.com

  https://twitter.com/LeClairbooks

  https://facebook.com/laurieleclair.75

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  Books by Laurie LeClair:

  Once Upon A Romance Series:

  If The Shoe Fits – Book 1

  Waking Sleeping Beauty – Book 2

  Taming McGruff – Book 3

  The Reluctant Beauty – Book 4

  Awakened By A Kiss – Book 5

  Tangled At First Sight – Book 6

  Finding Mr. Just Right – Book 7

  Making A Splash – Book 8

  Hoodwinked By A Wolfe – Book 9

  ***

  A Very Charming Wedding Series (Once Upon A Romance spin-off)

  The Bachelor And The Bride – Book 1

  The Boss And The Bride – Book 2

  The Bodyguard And The Bride – Book 3

  ***

  Wanted: Fairy Godmother

  ***

  The Sweet Spot Series:

  The Dating Dilemma – Book 1

  ***

  Tempted By A Texan Series:

  The Callahans – Prequel

  Travis – Book 1

  Cassie – Book 2

  ***

  The Heart Series:

  Secrets Of The Heart – Book 1

  Crimes Of The Heart – Book 2

  Lies Of The Heart – Book 3

  ***

  The Bounty Hunter Series:

  Murphy’s Law – Book 1

  Riley’s Rules – Book 2

  ***

  The Long Journey Home

  ***

  Runaway Wife

  ***

  Sweet Summertime

  ***

  An Angel Mountain Novel:

  The Heart Remembers

  Table of Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Books by Laurie LeClair:

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Books by Laurie LeClair: