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Copyright ©2007 by WHISKEY CREEK PRESS
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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING ABOUT
BACHELOR FOR SALE
"A wonderfully told quick tale by Peggy Hunter. Her characters were beautifully told and made me feel as if I was in the middle of this story. The story was not totally predictable; I like that I find myself surprised when reading a great story that seems to have an inevitable ending."
The Romance Studio
Overall rating: 4.5 Hearts
Sensuality rating: Explicit
Reviewer: Brenda Talley
"...creates an erotic romance to get your blood boiling with her awesome story. A book that will melt your heart. Allison turns the tables by leaving Randy stranded at the same place he took her virginity. Oh, revenge is so sweet! Or is it?"
Alisha
Two Lips Reviews
"Who can resist a buff fireman? Sweet Revenge is the first book in the Bachelor for Sale Series and if they are all as hot as this one was I can't wait to read the next one."
Tanya
Joyfully Reviewed
"Ms. Hunter writes with a very lyrical voice, and the world she creates is your every day idea of a little town. The characters are vivid, and some even scream off the page. They've been portrayed well. She catches the dilemma in Allison's life really well, and combined with the steamy attraction between the main protagonists, this is one read that will not bore a reader. I highly recommend this book."
Zee
Enchanting Reviews
Other Books by Author Available at Whiskey Creek Press:
www.whiskeycreekpress.com
A Lesson In Passion
Tempting Tara
Will's Rockie Way
The Knight Before Chris
The Wrong Mr. Wright
April's Fool
For Calisa.
Thanks for always being there.
Allison Peters walked into the auditorium and took a seat in the front row. Having stopped at the ATM on her way into downtown Toronto, she only hoped the cash she'd stuffed in her purse would be enough to make the purchase. One that would finally rid her of the demons that continued to dog her after fifteen years.
A bleach-blond woman with what had to be surgically enhanced breasts sat beside her. She gazed at Ally, her eyes glazed with excitement. "Isn't this great?" she asked gleefully. "And for such a great cause too."
Ally smiled tightly. "Yes," she replied. "I'm always happy to support the community library."
Blondie frowned. "The bachelor auction is for the Children's Hospital."
Yeah, whatever. Ally offered another forced smile, one that clearly said thanks for the information. Now shut the hell up! Blondie seemed to get it. She averted her gaze, breaking eye contact.
Ally hadn't come to the auction to make friends, nor was she here to help the library ... or hospital, as the case may be. She had a single motive in mind. She intended to have Randy Gallagher all to herself for one night.
Hell, she probably wouldn't need the entire night; just a few hours would suffice. And she was willing to pay handsomely for the privilege to exact the long-overdue revenge.
It had been fifteen years since she'd been face to face with Randy Gallagher. From what she'd heard, he'd changed little from the self-centered jock he was in high school. While Wilbur hailed him a local hero, a hometown boy who'd made good, all Ally remembered was that fateful night at Lake Sherwood and the title she'd earned for her stupidity.
Sure-she-would. Even now, so many years later, the memory rankled. And Randy, who had acted so kind and thoughtful during the high school prom, had set her up for it.
Her gaze slid to Blondie. Breasts the size of small mountains and very few brains, Ally supposed. She was the type of woman Randy would enjoy keeping company with.
It wasn't that Ally hadn't moved on from the humiliating experience. In fact, she had and done very well. But now that she was planning her wedding, she felt the need to wipe the slate clean. She didn't want to go into her marriage holding a grudge from the past. She hoped to finally break free of it tonight.
Ally felt a twinge of guilt when she thought of her fiancé, Sam Ryan. He was a good man, one with common sense. He'd moved to Wilbur four years ago and became the small town's only lawyer. Staid, stoic and steady were the words people used to describe him. Her family loved him instantly. And Ally, well, she grew to love him over time.
Sex with Sam was never what she'd call exciting but it was adequate. He'd provide for her, make her a good husband and ultimately, be a good father to their children. What more could I want?
Ally learned long ago that men who offered excitement and adventure weren't the type a woman could settle down and raise a family with. Ally needed stability, someone she could count on being home every night. Sam fit the bill.
She winced when she thought of the elaborate lie she'd concocted to appease Sam's curiosity about her trip to Toronto.
"I want to check out the wedding boutiques," she'd said.
"But you already have everything picked out for the wedding," he'd replied.
"Yes, but it can't hurt to look around a bit." She'd placed her hands on his chest and smiled up at him. "I want our wedding to be perfect in every way. After all, it's the beginning of our life together."
Ally squelched the guilt that twisted in her stomach. She'd made sure to check a few boutiques when she arrived in the city that morning just so she wouldn't have to lie to Sam when he asked.
Besides, she reasoned, she wasn't lying when she said she wanted their wedding to be perfect. She really did want to marry Sam knowing she had no regrets. Ridding herself of the one grudge she had was a way of doing so.
Blondie wiggled in her seat, drawing Ally's attention. "They're about to start!" Blondie giggled with the anticipation of a little girl about to get her first taste of a prized lollipop. Her mega-breasts jiggled while she clapped her hands. "Isn't this exciting?"
"Yeah, I can barely contain myself," Ally said sarcastically as she leaned back in her chair. She pulled the program out of her purse and gazed at it. Randy was the last bachelor being auctioned. She'd have to sit through fourteen sales before the one she'd come for came up.
Ally rose and glanced at Blondie. "I'm gonna get a coffee."
"Aren't you afraid to lose your seat?"
Ally looked around the auditorium and noticed there was standing room only. "Will you save it for me?"
Blondie's blue eyes sparkled. "Only if you get me a double latté."
Okay, so maybe she wasn't all bad. She knew how to drive a bargain. "Deal."
Randy Gallagher paced nervously backstage. What the fuck possessed me to agree to this damn auction?
He'd always managed to duck out of the annual bachelor auction by volunteering to recruit eligible firemen in the greater Toronto area. He'd always ignored the comments that he was probably the most eligible fireman of any.
It wasn't until Pearl Hanson begged him to be a bachelor on the auction block this year that he finally gave in. After all, the funds were going to the Children's Hospital, where her six year old daughter had spent several weeks recovering from injuries she'd sustained during a fire in her apartment building. Randy happened to be the fireman who'd brought the child to safety.
He had to admit the recently divorced Pearl was sexier than most women he'd met over the years. In spite of the fact he was attracted to her sexually at first, after days of sitting in the waiting room while her daughter endured reconstructive surgery, Pearl now felt more like a sibling than a woman he wanted to screw.
"Thank you for your generosity!" the auctioneer called over the cheering crowd as the fourteenth bachelor walked off the stage.
Randy stopped pacing and took a deep breath.
"And now," the auctioneer said, "I'd like to present our last bachelor of the evening."
Randy swallowed hard as his heart pumped heavily in his chest. He hoped Pearl would come through for him.
"Ladies," the auctioneer said amid the cheers of the crowd, "the man you've all been waiting for! Mr. Randy Gallagher!"
The crowd went ballistic, clapping, cheering and stomping their feet on the auditorium floor as Randy pushed through the glittery curtains and walked onto the stage. Bright lights almost blinded him as he pasted a smile on his face and walked down the catwalk.
When he reached the end of the catwalk, he scanned the front row and caught sight of Pearl. She waved at him enthusiastically, her bleach-blond hair gleaming under the lights.
"Let's start the bidding at one hundred dollars," the auctioneer called.
Pearl waved her hand only to be outbid several times by women out of his sight. The bidding quickly reached a thousand dollars and kept climbing. Pearl's bid for twelve hundred dollars was quickly acknowledged. The crowd went silent and Randy breathed a sigh of relief.
"One thousand, two hundred going once," the auctioneer said.
Randy held his breath.
"One thousand, two hundred going twice."
Randy expelled his breath in cautious relief. It seemed Pearl was the winning bidder. Thank God!
"Two thousand dollars!"
What the fuck? Randy peered at Pearl only to see her glance at the woman beside her and then look up at him with disdain. He'd given her fifteen hundred dollars. She was tapped out.
"Two thousand going once," the auctioneer called.
Randy peered at Pearl, trying to convey he'd give her the rest of the money, whatever it took.
"Two thousand going twice!"
Pearl continued to gaze at him helplessly. She mouthed the words, I'm sorry.
And then the auctioneer's gavel smashed down, vibrating in Randy's ears. "Sold!"
As the crowd burst into applause, Randy stared at the woman sitting beside Pearl. With the bright stage lights glaring in his eyes, he couldn't quite make her out. What the hell did I get myself into? Who knew I'd sell for more than the fifteen hundred dollars? And who the hell is willing to pay two thousand dollars to spend an evening with me?
He wasn't sure he wanted to know. In fact, it occurred to him that he didn't need to find out. He could walk off the stage right now and keep going ... right out the door to his car and get the hell away from the entire situation. Shit, he could afford to pay the two thousand dollars himself. Maybe even toss a few bills to the woman who'd won the right to spend a romantic evening with him.
Yes! That was it. As soon as he got home, he'd find out who the winning bidder was. He'd send her flowers along with an apologetic note and a couple hundred dollars to cover her inconvenience.
Gallagher, you're brilliant.
Randy smiled and waved at the crowd. As he turned to leave the stage the auctioneer quickly grabbed his arm. "Don't go just yet," he said. Randy stopped as the auctioneer spoke into the microphone. "Now we'd like all the bachelors and the winning bidders on the stage for final announcements and photos."
Damn! So much for a smooth escape.
Randy was vaguely aware of cameras flashing as the bachelors came back onto the stage. The buyers lined up and walked up the steps. Tall women, short ones, slender and stout, young and old, they slowly dispersed to stand beside their purchased bachelor. Yet he continued to stand alone.
So where is she?
The sound of Pearl's excited voice drew his attention to the stage steps. "You have to go up!"
The woman with her continued to struggle until Pearl finally gave her a shove up the stairs. Randy caught sight of a riot of rich ruby curls as the woman slowly made her way onto the stage. A good foot under his six foot four height, she was short and slender, dressed in a plain white t-shirt and tight blue jeans. She kept her face averted as she stood beside him. His eyes were instantly drawn to her breasts, tight against her shirt and heaving lightly. Just the way he liked them.
Randy grinned. Maybe signing up for the auction wasn't such a bad idea after all.
As the cameras continued to flash, Randy wrapped an arm around her shoulder and drew her against him. She trembled and made a feeble attempt to step away. But Randy held her firmly against him as he gazed down at her. Long red curls cascaded over her shoulders as she continued to stare at the floor.
So she's shy, is she?
Randy didn't like shy women. In fact, he liked the women in his life adventurous, ready for anything---both in and out of the bedroom. But he had to admit, mostly in.
If he was stuck with this mystery woman for the evening, she'd have to get over the bashfulness. As far as he was concerned, there was no time like the present to get started.
As the auctioneer slowly read from a list, the spotlights focused on each couple. Randy bided his time, waiting for his name and that of his lady to be announced.
"And last, but by no means least," the auctioneer said into his microphone, "our last couple of the auction, Mr. Randy Gallagher and Ms. Betty Smith."
As the spotlight focused on them, Randy's arm tightened around her waist and pulled her toward him. With his hand on the small of her back, he tilted her back. Cameras continued to flash as the long curly hair fell away from her face.
"Pucker up, babe," he said as he leaned over her. He had a brief glimpse of her heart-shaped face and startled emerald eyes as he lowered his mouth to hers.
He heard her muffled cry as his mouth closed over her full red lips. A delicate hand pushed at his chest in a feeble attempt to push him away.
Her subtle scent reminded him of lilacs and sunshine, of the long summer days he'd spent by the lake near his hometown when he was a kid.
Heat flared in his loins as he explored her mouth. Her scent might have reminded him of hot summer days but her lips, lush and so damn sweet, made him think of hot summer nights, damp skin and sinking his cock into her moist, delicate folds.
When the auctioneer made a comment about getting a room for them as soon as possible, Randy instantly remembered where he was. The crowd cheered heartily as he slowly rose and pulled her against him. She quickly pressed her face into his chest as the cameras continued to flash. His arm circled her protectively, enjoying the feel of her body pressed against his.
Maybe shy women aren't so bad after all. He grinned at the crowd in the auditorium. He had to admit he was looking very forward to the next few hours with his lady.
"Your wish is my command."
"Oh shut the hell up!" Ally cried as she led the way to her car.
Randy had been playing the slave from the moment they'd stepped off the stage and it was wearing pretty damn thin. The guy was having way too much fun with the predicament Ally was in.
Jesus. Who the hell knew they'd be taking pictures after the auction? If any of them made its way to the Wilbur Crier, her goose would not only be cooked, it'd be consumed whole.
Her father was one of the most influential businessmen in town, not to mention a former mayor. Her mother would faint dead away; a scandal she'd never recover from.
And Sam. Precious, loving---well, as loving as possible---Sam. Would it ruin his budding career? Would he still want to make her his bride?
When she got to her car, she turned and looked up at Randy. He didn't seem recognize her. So at least one of her carefully laid-out plans had gone the way it was intended to.
She unlocked the passenger door. "Get in," she said briskly as she walked to the other side of the car.
Randy's rich baritone filtered through the still night air. "You're kidding me, right?"
Ally peered at him over the top of her car. Holy shit, he was a big galoot. He'd bulked up even more since high school. No matter. Her compact car was the only means of transportation for the evening. "No, I'm not kidding," she said sourly. "Stretch out in the backseat if you think there isn't enough leg room in front."
Randy's thousand-watt smile reflected in the dim streetlights. His brown eyes sparkled with mischief. "Would you care to join me?"
A jolt of electricity coursed through Ally's body at the thought of doing just that. She imagined his hands on her breasts; his lips at her throat; his legs between hers as he slowly probed her moist core...
She shook the thought off. She could dream later. Right now she was on a mission and being screwed by Randy Gallagher wasn't part of it.
She rolled her eyes. "Trust me, my days in the backseat of any car are long gone," she said sardonically. "Just get in, will you."
Randy chuckled as he bent to get in the passenger seat. "As I said before---"
"Yeah, yeah, my wish is your command." Ally waved a dismissing hand before she got into the car and started it. When she put the car in gear, she looked at him. "Let's see if that's really true."
"Let's," Randy replied, a grin crossing his handsome face.
April swallowed hard. Oh Lord. He really was more handsome now than he was in high school. Her body trembled at being so near him again. She gasped, trying to draw air into her lungs. His presence was incredibly overpowering, sapping the life force from her, drawing her to him. She so wanted to touch him; to run her fingers through his thick dark hair; to pull him to her.
God. Will I be able to pull it off? And more importantly, will it finally wash him out of my dreams once and for all?
Ally tore her gaze away and peered into the street ahead of her. She had to, damn it. Sam Ryan wanted to make her his wife. And Ally wanted the proverbial white picket fence complete with a stable, reliable husband and children.
So what if there isn't any excitement? Sometimes a woman had to trade off some things to get most of what she needed. On Ally's list of top ten priorities, excitement and good sex were numbers eleven and twelve.
"So are we going, or do you want to sit here in the street all night?"
Randy's voice drew her from her thoughts. Her fingers wrapped tightly around the steering wheel as she twisted to look over her shoulder for oncoming traffic.
With renewed determination, her foot pressed the gas pedal and maneuvered the car onto the street.
She could do this. She had to do this. Her future with Sam depended on it.
At thirty-three, Randy thought he'd seen it all when it came to women. But Ms. Betty Smith definitely took the cake. As the car sped out of the city and into the quiet countryside, he wondered what she had in store for him.
She said nothing as she pulled onto the highway and soon slowed at the exit for Wilbur. Randy had to admit, he hadn't seen that particular off-ramp in a few years. Memories of his childhood flooded his mind.
As a kid growing up in Wilbur, his rugged good looks, athletic body and magnetic personality drew many fans, from guys and girls in his school to their parents.
His popularity in town helped make up for the life he led at home. His father, Seth Gallagher, was considered one of the most elite people in the small town. He was, after all, the only lawyer for miles around. His wife, Barbara, kept their home spotless, always ready for guests. She was, in everyone's opinion, the perfect hostess. Being invited to the Gallaghers' for dinner meant one was important.
But the Gallagher household was not all it seemed. Both his parents were alcoholics. Seth and Barbara fought constantly, even coming to blows from time to time. And their precious son, the one they constantly bragged about at dinner parties, was almost always considered a failure.
Randy excelled at everything he put his mind to. The star quarterback on the high school football team and an academic honor student, he continuously tried to get his parents' approval ... and always failed.
But even if his home life was less than perfect, his popularity in school earned him certain rewards. He lost his virginity to Mary-Lynn Baker when he was fifteen years old and never looked back. Having discovered the joy of sex, he went on to conquer many more girls in the next few years of high school.
Shortly after he'd won a full football scholarship to a prestigious university in Toronto, his parents were killed in a car accident. The police never said but Randy was certain his father was drunk at the wheel.
He'd left Wilbur and never looked back ... or at least, tried not to. The town remained very much in love with him. The local weekly paper followed his every move and reported it to the town's devoted citizens.
Just last week, Tom Tailor, former high school friend and now editor of the Wilbur Crier, called for an exclusive interview about the bachelor auction.
As much as Randy would have liked to shake Wilbur out of his life, it seemed the town would never be ready to let him go.
As the car sped past the small town he'd once called home, Randy looked at the woman behind the wheel. "Look, Betty," he said, even though he had a very strong feeling it wasn't her real name. "I've been silent for over an hour now, but I think I have the right to know where we're going."
Her green eyes flashed at him and she slowed the car and took a hard left turn. "Funny you should ask," she said. "We're almost there."
"Where's there?"
She slowed the car as she maneuvered it over a bumpy gravel road. "I can't believe you don't recognize the scenery," she replied.
"Well, for fuck's sake, it's after midnight. I can't see a thing." But as the car came to a stop, he glanced forward. He blinked his eyes and gazed across the expanse of the lake. "Lake Sherwood?" he said more to himself than to her.
"Yes," she said as she unbuckled her seat belt and got out of the car.
Randy quickly followed. His gaze stayed on the lake. The full moon glittered across the watery spans, a gentle breeze raising riots with the beams of muted light. He took a deep breath, inhaling the sweet scent of the water.
God. The last time he'd gazed across Lake Sherwood at night was after his high school prom. He'd come here with his date, Allison Peters. A sweet little thing; he remembered tearing her chiffon prom dress to get at the good parts and took her virginity. He'd been a brute, a pig, an all-around asshole.
But he was young ... and a very horny brute, pig and asshole. She'd willingly given herself to him. Too bad he hadn't taken long enough to enjoy her touch, to really feel her need for him. His brain was located in his cock at the time. He expected she'd been left disappointed.
Betty kept her back to him as she walked to the shore. "It's so peaceful here," she said softly. "I love this place."
Randy frowned. Suddenly there was something about her voice, the way she moved.
She looked different now but there was no mistaking it. Her hair was long and curly as opposed to the short crop she wore then. Her frame was tiny, almost too slender, not at all like the just-this-side-of-pudgy girl he'd known in high school. Was it possible?
He slowly approached her. "Ally?"
She didn't move. She stood stark still, her spine ramrod straight as she kept her back to him. "Allison," she corrected. "Everyone calls me Allison now."
Randy's hands gripped her shoulders and whirled her around to face him. He gazed down into her incredible green eyes. How could I have missed it before? "I don't care what everyone else calls you," he said. "You'll always be my Ally."
She pulled out of his grasp and took a step back. Her eyes sparkled with anger as she met his gaze. "I'm not your Ally," she said tightly.
"So why did you bring me here?" He gazed past her to the lake. "This is where we made love fifteen years ago."
Ally's face flushed. "I know," she said tightly. "I brought you here to finally wash you out of my life. I brought you here so I could do to you what you did to me."
Randy frowned. What the fuck is she talking about? "What did I do to you?"
"You took something from me," she said between clenched teeth. "You took something I've never been able to get back."
Randy splayed his hands. "I know you were a virgin but if you want that back---"
"Shut up!" Ally cried. "I'm not talking about my virginity. I was glad to be rid of it. It's more than that."
"So tell me." Randy wasn't sure what she wanted from him.
"I loved you!" she cried. "I loved you with all my heart. You brought me here, got what you wanted and left. You never looked back. You didn't care what happened to me."
"That's not true at all. I cared about you," he replied. Fact was he knew all along her parents didn't approve of him. "I never meant to hurt you."
Ally took a step toward him. "Didn't you?" Her eyes shimmered with anger. "For the last fifteen years, I've wondered about that."
"My parents died in the car accident shortly before the prom," Randy said. "I was in a bad place at the time. I meant to call you. I meant to see you again, but my life was such a fucking mess at the time."
Ally nodded as she took another step toward him. "And I left several messages on your answering machine," she said. "I wanted to be there for you."
"I never got a single message," he said. "Aunt Elise probably erased them and never thought to tell me you'd called."
Ally shook her head lightly. The moon reflected off her long red curls. "None of that matters now," she said softly.
Randy frowned as she closed the distance between them. Her sweet little body pressed against his as she reached up and placed her hands on either side of his head. He felt powerless as she drew his face down to hers. "There's only one thing that matters now," she said as her breath fanned his lips.
Randy would have made a smart-ass comment if he'd had the strength to do so. But when her tongue touched his top lip and slowly slid over it, nothing came to mind other than drinking from her; taking what she so clearly wanted to give.
His hands circled her waist and pulled her closer to him as his mouth closed over hers.
Ally gave herself to him freely; her lips parted to accept his kiss; her body mellowed to accept his touch. Randy's head swam as his hands slid down her back and cupped her buttocks. He curled his fingers into the jean clad hips, wishing he could feel her flesh.
She sighed when his mouth left hers and slid down her throat. She slowly lowered herself, pulling him with her to the sandy lakeshore.
As her hands moved behind her to brace herself, Randy quickly slid his fingers beneath her t-shirt and cupped her breasts. He hummed against her ear as his fingers pushed beneath her lace bra and slid over her erect nipples. "They feel heavier in my hands," he said absently. "You've grown up since the last time I touched your breasts."
As his lips scorched a path from her throat to her lips, he kneaded her breasts. "Do you remember how it was that night?" he asked. "Your pussy was so hot and slick, so ready for me."
His fingers shot to the fly of her jeans. He wasn't sure how'd he managed it, but within seconds, he pushed them over her thighs and freed her completely. He was vaguely aware of the denim flying off her legs. His hands quickly parted her knees as his fingers slid up one thigh and touched the V at her core.
"No!" Ally said softly. "This isn't why I brought you here."
Yet her thighs parted willingly; her core beckoned his touch. And when his hand lightly cupped her, she raised her hips to greet him.
Randy rose slightly and gazed down at her lovely face. "Admit it," he said softly, his gaze set on her luminous eyes. "You want this."
He didn't wait for her response. His fingers parted the lips of her vagina and deliberately dragged over her slick core. As his thumb nudged her clitoris, he slowly, gently, pushed two fingers inside her.
Ally squeezed her eyes closed as she raised her hips to receive his touch. Randy set the pace. With each stroke his fingers made inside her, his thumb pressed just a bit harder on her clit.
He wanted to rip the rest of her clothes off, desired to suckle her nipples as he finger fucked her.
But she was holding out on him, keeping something from him. He didn't want to pressure her for fear she'd run.
His cock grew and stretched against his cotton pants, begging to be released, wanting to feel her touch. Randy struggled to keep himself in check as he slowly brought Ally to completion.
Ally's head began to thrash back and forth. Randy's fingers continued to press harder as her hips bucked against his hand. "No," she cried, barely able to contain herself.
"Give yourself to me," Randy whispered against her ear. "Give me all you've got."
Ally's body wracked with spasms as she felt an earth-shattering orgasm. Tears sprang to her eyes as her hips rose one last time to receive him and then collapsed against the sand beneath her.
Randy leaned over her, touching his lips to hers. "I need to fuck you," he said as his hands went to the belt of his pants.
Ally's eyes opened and gazed back at him. "No!" she cried as she scrambled out from beneath him. "I can't let you do that."
Randy rose to his knees and gazed at her. "What are you talking about?" he said. "You got what you needed. All I want---"
Ally cut him off. "No," she said as she rose to her feet and took a step away from him. "I can't let you."
Randy watched as she slowly edged her way to her discarded jeans. She snatched them from the sandy beach. "I wish I could explain," she said as she struggled to shove her legs into her jeans. "But I can't." She pulled the denim up. "I just want you to know..." She hesitated as she adjusted her jeans at her waist, clearly uncomfortable. "We're done once and for all."
And then she ran to her car, jumped in and took off. Randy watched as the car quickly sped its way down the dirt road they'd come in on.
He'd been left at Lake Sherwood in the middle of the night with no prospects of a ride home.
Randy slowly got to his feet. He bent to dust the sand off his knees. He knew he should be angry. Instead, he was completely elated.
As he walked from the beach, he touched his fingers to his nose and inhaled. Ally's sweet scent still lingered. She hadn't seen the last of him. In fact, he looked very forward to seeing her again.
Randy trudged down the gravel road toward the highway. He pulled the cell phone out of his back pocket and called a taxi.
"Touch me!" Ally cried.
"I don't know what you want," Sam said, his voice laced with frustration.
Ally lay naked against him as she peered at his face.
What do I want? She wanted to feel desirable. She wanted to feel excitement and passion.
She stopped just short of saying she needed Randy Gallagher.
Damn it. There was no reason Sam couldn't fulfill her needs. After all, he was about to become her husband.
Ally squeezed her eyes closed. For the past two days, she hadn't been able to get Randy out of her mind and worse, out of her dreams.
What do I want? Ally sighed heavily. She wanted Sam to drive all thoughts of Randy out of her mind once and for all. She wanted Sam to make her feel the desire she'd felt under Randy's touch. If only Sam would loosen up.
"I want you to put your fingers inside me."
Sam rose slightly and gazed down at her. "You mean you want me to..."
Ally sighed heavily. "Yes," she said. "Fuck me with your fingers."
Sam's face soured. "That's vulgar," he said as he pulled away from her and sat on the edge of the bed.
Ally's body cried in frustration as she slowly rose. She sat behind him, her hands slid over his shoulders and rested on his chest. "I don't want to be vulgar," she said softly as she leaned her chin on his shoulder. "I'm just trying to convey what I need."
Sam's mood remained dour. "So my penis isn't enough anymore?" he said. "You want more."
"I love your penis," she said. "But can't we explore a little? I mean, you can touch me and I could lick you a little."
Sam swung around and glared at her. "What's happened to you? Last week you were content with the way we made love. And," his face pinched, "I don't have to tell you I'd have preferred to have waited until after we were married."
Ally moaned inwardly. Her hands slid away from him as she let herself fall back on the bed. "What's wrong with adding a little spice to our sex life?"
"What's wrong?" Sam twisted to look at her. "We aren't even married yet. Every time I touch you, I think of your parents and how much they'd disapprove." He sighed heavily. "If it wasn't for the fact I have needs, I would never have had sex with you at all."
Yes, let's not forget Sam's needs. "What about my needs?" Ally countered. "What about the fact I need to feel loved?"
Sam took a deep breath. "All right then, what's it gonna take to make you happy?"
Ally wanted to scream. She struggled to remind herself that she was marrying Sam for stability. Excitement had nothing to do with it. Still, why can't I have both?
"All I want is for you to touch me," she said. "Make me feel desirable."
Sam shook his head. "I'm sorry," he said. "I don't know what the hell you want from me."
"Then let me show you." She didn't wait for his reply as she crawled up behind him. She tightened her arms over his shoulders and pulled him down to the bed.
Sam slowly lay back. She hovered over him. "Let me show you how good my touch can feel," she whispered.
He gazed up at her. "Why are things different now?" he asked. "You've been content with the way I've made love to you for the past year."
"That's it exactly!" Ally proclaimed. "You've made love to me. I've never been a player. I've always just spread my legs and let you screw me."
Sam's body jerked in alarm. "Allison," he scolded. "That's crude! I will not have you talk to me that way."
"I'm sorry," Ally said quickly. "It's just..." She had no idea of the right words she could possibly use to describe what she wanted without being scolded again.
She wanted him to taste every inch of her, to touch her everywhere. Her body sang with need. She ached for him to shove his tongue inside her moist portal and...
Damn it. There was no way to express it. She'd simply have to show him.
Ally planted her hands on his chest and hoisted her body over him, placing her knees on either side of his hips. "If I can't explain it in a way you'll approve," she said softly, "maybe I can show you."
"So show me." Sam's voice was noncommittal but his eyes glittered. He could say he wasn't interested but she knew otherwise. She saw the hunger on his face as his eyes focused on her breasts dangling over him.
"Good," she said softly. She leaned over him and touched her lips to his as her fingers slid through his chest hair. She located and gently rolled his nipples between her thumb and forefinger. "Mmm," she purred against his ear, "I love touching you like this. Being on top of you makes me so hot."
Ally braced her hands on either side of his head and gazed into his eyes before she lowered her torso over his chest. She slid her breasts over his chest hair; her body sizzling with the sensations the coarse hair created against her heated skin. She pulled up lightly to allow her breasts to dangle over his mouth. She leaned lower, touching one firm nipple to his lips. "Suck my tit," she demanded.
Sam's hands went to her waist, his fingers digging into her flesh. "You know how I hate that word," he said, his voice muffled against her breast.
Ally instantly felt the fire go out. Her body went cold. She sat up on his waist and glowered down at him. He wasn't going to make this easy for her.
All right. She wasn't beaten yet. If he wouldn't play along, she'd just have to arouse him to the point where he'd be willing to.
Ally pushed his hands off her waist and swung around. With her back to him, she quickly leaned down and cupped his balls. Before he could protest, she closed her mouth over the rigid tip of his cock. Air escaped Sam's lungs in an audible whoosh and she slowly lowered her face over him, taking every bit of his hard-on into her mouth.
"Ah, Jesus!" Sam's fingers gripped her buttocks as he arched his hips to meet the downward thrust of her mouth. He moaned when her teeth grazed the delicate skin. Her fingers continued to knead his balls as she pulled away and peered around at him. "Do you like that, honey?"
"Yeah," Sam said through clenched teeth. "Don't stop."
"I won't," she assured him. "But I want you to touch me too. I want you to---"
"Like this?" Sam's fingers pushed between her thighs and stroked her moist core.
Ally gasped when he slowly pushed two fingers inside her. "Uhm, yeah." Her body quivered as she felt him open her. "Now pump."
Sam quickly followed her order and began to pump his fingers in and out of her. Ally's head fell forward, her hair cascading over his thighs as she nuzzled his erect cock. With each stroke, her clitoris pulled and stretched, causing waves of erotic sensations to course through her from head to toe. She turned her attention back to his penis. Her fingers curled around the base as she licked the tip. He pushed his hips up, forcing all of him into her mouth.
"Oh yeah, babe," he whispered. "Take it all, that's it."
Sam arched his hips and smashed against her face, jamming his cock deep into her throat. Ally struggled not to gag as the movement threw her off kilter. He quickly splayed his firm hand in the middle of her back to hold her in place.
As his fingers continued to pump inside her, she felt the heat rising. Her body slowly climbed toward the pinnacle she'd so wanted to reach for the past year.
Oh God. It was going to happen this time. For the first time in their sexual life, Ally was going to climax.
Suddenly, Ally's body was flung off him. Sam gripped her shoulders and pushed her down on the bed. "No," she cried, her body aching for the release she'd been on the edge of attaining.
Sam reached for the bedside table and pulled a condom out of the drawer. He knelt between her thighs and rolled it over his erect penis.
Ally wanted to scream as Sam lay atop her and pushed his hardness between her thighs. He braced his hands on either side of her head as he pumped into her.
Damn it! Damn! Damn! Damn!
Sam made low guttural sounds as he rammed into her. As his face contorted in sheer pleasure, she turned her head away from him. She didn't want to see it. She didn't want to accept he'd find completion alone yet again.
Ally squeezed her eyes closed. A vision of Randy suddenly appeared to her. Smiling, his deep brown eyes sparkling with mischief, he held out his hand. All Ally had to do was reach out and take it.
The image disappeared when Sam howled his release. Ally turned her face and gazed up at him. His eyes were closed tight; his body trembling as his cock emptied into the condom.
"Tilly!" Ally cried as she leapt off the lounge chair by her parents' pool and wrapped her arms around the buxom, shorter version of herself. "God, it's so good to see you."
Tilly's bright red hair shone in the sunshine. "You didn't think I'd miss my favorite sister's wedding, did you?"
Ally grinned. "Not to mention your only sister."
Tilly winked. "Now, don't get testicle."
Ally laughed as she guided her sister to another lounge chair by the pool. "God," she said. "Don't let Sam hear you talk like that. He'd freak."
Tilly tossed herself onto the chair and waited for Ally to pour iced tea into a tall glass. She took the glass and raised it in a mock toast. "And how is ol' tight ass?"
Ally frowned as she crawled back onto her lounge chair. She reached for her glass and took a long sip. Tilly had never liked Sam.
While she and her sister looked a lot alike, their taste in men ran in very different paths. While Ally preferred safe men, those who could offer stability, Tilly went for the wild side, seeking excitement in every relationship she had.
An endless source of embarrassment for their parents, Tilly stayed in Toronto after she graduated from university with her Bachelor's in nursing.
"Sam is fine," Ally replied dryly. "Thanks for asking."
Tilly shook her head as she leaned against the back of her chair. "I still can't believe you're actually going to marry him."
Ally raised her glass to her lips. "Me neither," she said under her breath.
Tilly shot forward, her eyes rounded in shock. "Pardon me?"
Damn. Ally hadn't meant for her sister to hear that. She'd forgotten how sensitive Tilly's ears were. "Nothing." Ally waved her hand in dismissal.
Tilly's green eyes brightened. "You're having doubts and you think it's nothing?"
Ally shook her head. "Stop right there," she said. "It's just pre-wedding jitters. Mom says it's common for the bride to have misgivings at the last minute."
Tilly snorted. "Mom also says you should mentally make out your shopping list while a guy's fucking you."
Ally snickered. "Not just any guy---"
"---your husband," the sisters said in unison.
When the laughter subsided, Tilly looked at her sister. Her eyes darkened. "Seriously, Al," she said, her voice somber. "Are you having doubts about marrying Sam?"
Ally shook her head. "I don't know, Til. Sometimes I'm happy and know what I want."
Tilly raised an eyebrow. "And the other times?"
Ally shot up from the chair and turned her back to her sister. "All right," she said. "I admit there are times I wonder if there's more." She turned to face Tilly. "I mean is this all there is? Am I really meant to marry a lawyer and live out my life in Wilbur being the perfect wife and raising kids?"
"Not to mention being Dad's receptionist in the family business," Tilly added.
Ally sighed. "I won't even have that. Sam doesn't want me to work. Dad's already interviewing replacements for me."
"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Tilly replied sardonically. She took a long sip of her iced tea and cocked her head to one side. "I hate to say it but I think you've been building up to this point all your life."
Ally's brows furrowed. "If by that you mean I wasn't as wild as you, I agree. But I don't think that means I've been headed in this direction---"
Tilly cut her off. "Consider this," she said. "What did you do when Mom and Dad said Randy Gallagher wasn't good enough for you?"
"Hey," Ally said in her own defense. "I didn't agree with them. In fact, I went to my prom with him."
"True," Tilly agreed. "But you told Mom and Dad you weren't going and that you were going to spend the night with your best friend. To this day, I suspect they still don't know you went to the prom with him."
Ally's bowed her head in shame. "You're right. Mom and Dad never did find out."
"Needless to say, they don't know you fucked his brains out that night either."
Ally's throat tightened as she shot a glare at her sister. "How did you know?"
Tilly giggled. "Oh, come on. Everyone in school heard what happened at Lake Sure-She-Would." Tilly's head fell back as peels of laughter filled the air.
Ally quickly raised a hand to quiet her. "Shut up!" she cried desperately.
Tilly wiped her eyes and struggled to regain her composure. "You know what's really sad?" she asked. "I always cheered for you and Randy. Shit, too damn bad you didn't pursue it."
Ally averted her gaze. "Oh well," she said as nonchalantly as she could manage. "It wasn't meant to be."
"I hear he's a cop in Toronto."
Ally quickly replied. "He's a fireman." She'd said it too damn quickly. Tilly noticed. Damn!
"Aha!" her sister cried. "You have been keeping track of him."
God, if she only knew. "It's difficult not to," Ally said defensively. "He's mentioned in the Wilbur paper on a weekly basis."
"Did you hear he was in a bachelor auction last week?" Tilly asked. "Apparently, the woman who'd bought him gave a false name."
Ally swallowed hard. Her eyes focused on the water in the pool. "N-no," she stammered. "I didn't hear anything about it."
"I expect the Wilbur paper will have exclusive pictures this week," Tilly said. "After all, he's the town's favorite son."
Ally couldn't take it anymore. She turned to her sister. "There's something you need to know."
"What does Matilda need to know?" Her mother's shrill voice cut through the air. Ally turned to see Victoria Peters walk down the steps from the house and make her way to the girls by the pool.
"Hey, Mom!" Tilly said as she got out of her chair and dutifully kissed the older woman on each of her painted cheeks.
Victoria grasped her youngest daughter's hands and slid her gaze from top to bottom of her younger daughter. "Matilda," she said with a forced smile, "I'm glad you're here. The wedding is just a few days away and you haven't tried your bridesmaid dress on yet." She turned to Ally. "Allison, what were you about to tell you sister?"
Ally smiled sadly. "Nothing, Mother."
Victoria's chin rose. "Fine," she said tightly. "We're due for a fitting at Chez Louie's in half an hour." Her gaze shifted from one daughter to the other. "I expect you'll both dress appropriately."
Ally and Tilly replied in unison. "Of course, Mother."
Ally sighed as their mother disappeared into the house. She turned to her sister. "Have you got a date for the wedding?"
The smile Tilly offered was what Ally could only term as sly. "As a matter of fact, I wasn't going to force any man to endure your pompous wedding. But," Tilly's smile deepened as her eyes glittered mischievously, "I've suddenly thought of someone who just might enjoy an invitation."
Ally frowned. "Til," she warned. "This is my day. Please don't try to upstage me."
Tilly clapped her hands on her sister's shoulders. "I wouldn't dream of doing anything of the kind," she said. "My only hope is you'll figure things out before you say 'I do'."
"I know what I'm doing," Ally said firmly.
Tilly turned on her heels and headed for the house. "Yes, I know you do," she replied. "We better get ready for the fitting. Wouldn't do to keep Mom waiting."
"Hey, Gallagher, phone!"
Randy peered over his shoulder and nodded to the firehouse chief. "Okay, Bill. Be right there."
He climbed down from the fire engine and tossed his checklist onto a bench as he walked toward the kitchen. He snapped up the portable phone and pressed it to his ear. "Yeah, Gallagher here."
"Mmmm," the voice on the other end purred. "What were you doing just now?"
Randy frowned. The voice sounded familiar. Ally? "I was checking the truck supplies," he said briskly.
"Really?" the sultry voice asked. "Have you ever fucked on a fire truck?"
Okay. It couldn't be Ally. She'd never talk that way. "Who the hell is this?"
The woman laughed. "It's Tilly Peters," she supplied.
Ah, it suddenly made sense. Ally's kid sister. They looked and sounded a lot alike but Tilly was known to be a little ... looser. "What can I do for you, Tilly?"
"As a matter of fact," she replied, "You should ask what I can do for you."
Randy shook his head. Ally's kid sister had always been on the wild side. He couldn't imagine what she could do for him. "Want to share with me?"
"I'll cut to the chase," she said.
"That would be good," Randy said sardonically.
"Ally is having second thoughts about her wedding."
Randy froze in place. Ally ... my Ally ... is getting married? What the fuck? He'd thought of her constantly since the auction last week. He was so sure she wanted to ignite an old flame and God, how he wanted to do just that.
Suddenly everything made sense. She'd been trying to rid herself of him once and for all.
Randy wasn't sure it was his voice that replied. It sounded distant, disconnected somehow. "I'm sure she'll get over it."
"Do you want her to?" Tilly asked.
"She made the decision to marry," Randy replied. "Who cares what I want?"
"I do," she replied. "And, as it happens, I need a date for Ally's wedding."
Randy's head swam. He so wanted to see her again. But shit, do I want to destroy her wedding? It wasn't as though he was prepared to offer her happily-ever-after. All he wanted was to sink his cock inside her ... something he'd been denied the last time they met.
"Hey, earth to Randy!" Tilly said impatiently. "You wanna come to the wedding or not."
Not. Say not.
"Sure, what the hell?" Randy replied. "Might be fun."
"Good," Tilly said jubilantly. "Be here Friday night for the rehearsal party."
"I thought you needed a date for the wedding," Randy said.
"I do," Tilly replied. "But why wait until the last minute to stop it?"
"Why the hell would I want to stop the wedding?"
"Because Ally's never gotten over you and she's settling for something she thinks she wants," Tilly replied.
"I don't know if I should get mixed up in this," Randy said.
"The rehearsal party's at the Wilbur Golf and Country Club," Tilly said. "Wait by the north balcony."
This is insane. "Look, Tilly," Randy said. "I don't think---"
"I'll get Ally to the balcony and run a little interference with Sam. The rest is up to you."
The line suddenly went dead and Randy placed the portable phone back on its receiver. He had to hand it to Ally's kid sister. She'd left no room for arguments.
Damn. Ally's getting married?
Rage suddenly hit him square in the gut. He kicked the kitchen cupboards with force and proceeded to punch the side of the refrigerator.
"Damn you, Ally Peters!" he yelled. "Why the fuck didn't you tell me you were getting married?"
He landed several more blows to the side of the fridge before he collapsed against the counter.
She'd used him. She'd purchased him at the auction, led him to believe she wanted to have sex and then cast him aside. She'd been trying to wash him out of her life once and for all.
Randy rubbed his aching knuckles. She would rue the day she'd come back into his life. And thanks to Tilly his lovely Ally was about to be served to him on a silver platter.
No, he didn't want happily-ever-after. It wasn't in his make-up to settle down with one woman. But Ally had deceived him and she deserved to pay the price. He strongly suspected the prospective groom didn't know anything about it either.
All that was about to change.
"Good morning, darling," Victoria Peters said as Ally walked into the kitchen. She tilted her cheek slightly, waiting for the obligatory good morning kiss.
Ally's head ached, and her eyes felt as though they were filled with sand, as she leaned down and softly kissed her mother's cheek. "Good morning, Mom."
Victoria grasped her hand. "How are you this morning?"
Ally shook her head slowly. "I didn't sleep a wink last night," she confided. "I feel terrible."
Victoria glanced up at her daughter. "Yes, I can tell you didn't sleep well by the dark circles under your eyes." She released Ally's hand. "Thank God for concealer," she said. "Can't have you looking tired at the rehearsal tonight."
Ally sighed as she dragged her feet to the counter and poured coffee into a china cup. She took a sip before she said, "Mom, there's something we need to talk about."
Victoria peered over her shoulder and glanced at Ally fondly. "What's that, my dear?"
Ally took a deep breath. "I'm having second thoughts about the wedding."
"You've mentioned this before," her mother said as she rose from the table and took her coffee cup to the counter. "And I've already told you its normal for a bride to have doubts before her wedding. We both know Sam will make a wonderful husband for you."
"But, Mom---"
"Allison," her mother said, "he is the best thing that's ever happened to us ... er, I mean you. He'll give you the life you so richly deserve." She patted Ally's shoulder. "Don't mess it up just because you're having second thoughts now."
Ally stomped her foot on the tile floor. If only her mother would listen.
Just as she opened her mouth to say exactly what was on her mind, Tilly breezed into the kitchen. "Morning all."
Ally sighed. "Good morning, Tilly."
Victoria's eyes slid over her youngest daughter. Dressed in an oversized t-shirt and nothing else, Tilly walked to the counter and reached for the pot of coffee. She ignored the bone china cups set out on the counter and searched the cupboards.
Victoria gasped when Tilly found an oversized mug with bold letters that read I Got Screwed in Los Vegas ... In More Ways Than One! "I thought I'd thrown that offensive thing out years ago."
Tilly winked. "Yeah, you thought so. I rescued it from the trash just to bug you."
"So I see." Ally tried not to giggle as their mother's chin lifted indignantly. "If you'll excuse me, I'm going to check for the morning mail."
Ally exhaled the breath she didn't realize she'd been holding until her mother left the room. She turned to Tilly. "God," Ally exclaimed. "You're hell-bent on killing her, aren't you?"
Tilly snickered. "Hey, if I wanted to kill Mom, I'd have shown her this." From behind her back, Tilly pulled out the Wilbur Crier and held it up in front of Ally's nose.
Ally blinked as she gazed at the picture on the front of the weekly paper. There, in black and white, was Randy Gallagher kissing her on the stage at the bachelor auction. Ally snapped the paper from her sister's hand and examined it closely.
"You can't tell who he's kissing," she said, a certain measure of relief coursing through her veins.
"True," Tilly conceded. "Unless, of course, you know who it is. Then the woman is quite recognizable."
Ally's frowned as she gazed at the picture again. "Are you sure?"
"Oh yes, I'm sure," Tilly replied. "And so will Sam be when he sees it."
Ally slowly placed the china cup on the counter and peered at her sister. "Oh, no," she said softly. And then the full effect of what might happen hit her. "Sam. I've got to talk to him before he sees this."
Tilly raised her mug in a mock cheer. "Hey," she said, "good luck with that."
Wilbur's downtown core consisted of one street. As a rule, the town was never very busy. Gone were the days when people came downtown for their shopping needs. Finding a parking space was never an issue ... at least not as a rule.
Today Ally was forced to park two blocks from Sam's office. While the sun was shining brightly and birds sang in the trees, a dark storm cloud hung over her head as she walked to her fiancé's office.
God had to be out to get her today. Just about every shop owner happened to be on the sidewalk as Ally marched by.
"Getting nervous about the big day?" Mr. Lipman, owner of the butcher shop asked.
"Not at all," Ally lied as she hurried by.
"Good forecast for tomorrow," Mrs. Shipley, the bakery owner, said.
"Yes," Ally replied. "It should be a very fine day."
After several other 'hellos', Ally breathed a sigh of relief when she pushed through Sam's office door. She pressed herself against the closed door and took a long breath.
"Ms. Peters," Sam's secretary, Sandra Black, said. "How good to see you."
Ally nodded and pushed off the door. "Is Sam available?"
The older woman shook her head. "As a matter of fact, he's with a client. I don't think he's expecting you."
Ally approached the desk. "Well, no, I know he's not," she said. "But I really do need to see him."
Ally's eyes widened when she saw the stack of mail on Sandra's desk. The Wilbur Crier peeked out on the bottom of the stack. She peered at the secretary. "I'm afraid it's most urgent," she said. "Would you mind checking with Sam?"
"You know he doesn't like to be disturbed when he's in a meeting with a client," Sandra said. And then she smiled. "But since it's the day before your wedding and my grandson is the ring bearer, I'll see if he'll make an exception this time."
Ally breathed a sigh of relief when Sandra left. She lunged at the desk and pulled the newspaper out from under the stack of mail. She quickly folded it and stuffed it into her purse seconds before Sandra returned.
"He only has a moment," the secretary said. "He requested you go to the lounge. He'll get there when he can."
Ally smiled. "Thank you." She rounded the desk and began to walk down the hall.
"Oh, Ms. Peters."
Ally froze in place. She turned. "Yes?"
"Did you happen to grab the copy of the Wilbur Crier on my desk?"
Damn. "Why, yes," Ally replied. "Thought I'd read it while I waited for Sam."
"That's my copy," Sandra said. "I believe Sam left his copy in the lounge. I gave it to him when he came in this morning."
Oh God. Oh God. Oh God.
Ally pulled the paper out of her purse and handed it to Sandra. "Oh, sorry," she said. If her smile was any more strained, she was certain her face would crack wide open.
"No problem," Sandra said as she took the paper. She tucked it under her arm and gazed at Ally, her eyes twinkling softly.
Ally turned and quickly walked to the lounge. She threw herself in one of the overstuffed leather armchairs and covered her eyes with her hands.
Sandra knew. And if she knew, Sam did too.
The jig was up. One stupid moment was going to set a course for the rest of her life. One weak moment, a time Ally thought she needed to drive doubts about her marriage out of her head once and for all, was going to wreak havoc on her future.
When Sam learned the truth, every last sordid detail, he'd dump her without a backwards glance. And who would blame him? Ally certainly wouldn't.
When Ally pulled her hands away from her face, she saw Sam's copy of the Wilbur Crier on the coffee table. She leaned over to pick it up and examined the photo on the front page. She cringed when she read the headline.
Wilbur's Favorite Son Purchased by Mystery Woman at Bachelor Auction!
Ally's eyes combed over the black and white picture. Taken from a distance, it was fuzzy at best. Sure, she knew she in the picture but she was there. The long curls cascading over her shoulders as Randy bent over her could be brown. And Randy's face over hers blotted out her features. Who could safely say it was Ally in the picture? If Sam asked her, all she'd have to do was deny it. After all, no one she knew could confirm it.
Yes, that's the answer. All I have to do is deny it.
"Allison."
Startled, Ally tossed the paper onto the coffee table and peered up at her fiancé. Her heart raced as she attempted to act nonchalant. "Sam," she said nervously, "I thought you'd be a lot longer."
Sam stepped inside the lounge and closed the door. In his three-piece suit, he looked stoic and, Ally had to admit, unforgiving. "I only have a moment," he said as he sat down in the armchair across from her. He folded his arms over his chest and crossed his legs. "Sandra tells me you were anxious to see me."
Ally struggled not to look at the newspaper on the coffee table between them. "Yes," she said nervously. "It's the day before our wedding and I just wanted to make sure you weren't having second thoughts."
Sams's eyes narrowed slightly. His head tilted quizzically. "Why would I?"
Ally struggled to find the words. Her mind went completely blank.
She sucked in a deep breath when Sam leaned over and picked up the newspaper. He held the front page up for her to see. "Are you concerned about this?"
"Well, I ... er ... yes, I guess so," she said. "But I can explain everything."
Sam tossed the paper onto the coffee table. "I really don't care."
Ally blinked. "Excuse me?"
Sam nodded lightly. "You heard me," he said. "I don't care."
"Aren't you in the slightest bit interested in what happened?"
Sam shook his head. "No."
Ally struggled to get her mind around it. "Doesn't it bother you that the woman in that picture looks a lot like me?"
Sam grinned. "Don't be coy, Allison," he said. "It is you. And no, it doesn't bother me."
Ally wasn't sure she liked the twist the situation had taken. If he wasn't bothered by her indiscretions, then maybe he didn't really care about her either. "Sam," she said, "at the very least, let me explain."
Sam rose from the chair. "What's to explain?" he asked. "You went to a bachelor auction and bought this," he reached for the paper and quickly checked the article, "...fireman." He tossed the paper aside.
Ally struggled to find the words to reply. "I didn't ... I mean, we didn't..." But Sam quickly continued.
"Good, I'm glad to hear it." He leaned over the coffee table and pierced her with his gaze. "But make no mistake, after we get married tomorrow, I will not put up with this kind of nonsense again. If you humiliate me as your husband, you will pay the price."
Ally's heart stopped as he stood over her. He slowly adjusted his tie and peered at his watch.
"Darling," he said, "I have another meeting in five minutes." He pursed his lips and blew her a mock kiss. "I'll see you at the wedding rehearsal tonight."
The moment he left the room, Ally reached for the newspaper. Her fingers stroked the picture softly. Oh Lord, what have I gotten myself into?
Randy sighed heavily as he swatted another mosquito.
For days he kept telling himself he should just let Ally go. She clearly didn't want to see him again. Everything about the situation was ridiculous.
And yet, at eight p.m. Friday evening, he stationed himself among the cedars beside the north patio of the Wilbur Golf and Country Club.
He had no idea what he'd say when he saw her. In fact, he was no more certain now than he was a few days ago that putting a stop to the wedding was a good idea.
Randy pushed a branch aside and peered up at the balcony. It felt like he'd been waiting for hours, yet a quick check of his watch informed him it had only been ten minutes.
The high-pitched drone of another mosquito near his ear tested his patience. If Tilly didn't show up soon, he was out of there. No woman, not even Ally Peters, was worth the hassle of getting chewed up by vermin.
Voices a few feet away drew his attention. He pulled a couple branches back and peeked out.
"All right," Ally said anxiously. "We're alone. So what's so important that you had to drag me out here?"
Tilly leaned against the railing. "I just wanted to talk to you," she said. "After tomorrow, things will be different. You'll be a married woman."
Randy watched as Ally took a step closer to her sister and wrapped her arms around her shoulders. "That won't change anything between us."
"I wish that was true," Tilly said sadly. "But nothing will ever be the same again."
Ally frowned. "Why on earth do you think my being married will change our relationship?" She paused before she added, "You know I'm always here for you."
Tilly took a deep breath. "Okay but I want a few minutes with you while you're still single. There's nothing wrong with that, is there?"
"Of course not. What would you like to talk about?"
Tilly smiled. "Lots of stuff." She turned to the elaborate glass doors. "Just let me get a drink first."
"All right, but hurry," Ally replied, "Sam said he wants me back at his side in ten minutes."
When Tilly stepped inside and closed the doors behind her, Randy stood in place for a moment and watched Ally.
Dressed in a tight-fitting green gown, she looked absolutely breathtaking. Her matching stiletto heels shimmered in the moonlight as she walked to the railing and leaned on it. She gazed up at the sky. "Tell me I'm doing the right thing," she whispered. "Please, I need to know."
Randy stepped out of the shadows. "If you need to ask, I'd say the answer is you aren't."
Startled, Ally gasped and straightened. She pushed off the railing and faced him. "Randy?"
He nodded as he stepped onto the balcony. "Yes."
"What on earth are you doing here?" she asked nervously.
"I don't know," he said as he closed the distance between them. "You tell me."
Ally slowly stepped back as he approached her. "I'm getting married tomorrow," she said.
"So I heard," he said softly. He took another step toward her. "I'd have congratulated you the last time we were together but you didn't bother to mention it."
"Well," she said, her voice shaking, "I'd have told you if it was any of your business."
Randy chuckled. "You made it my business."
"Hardly," she countered. "All I did was donate a large sum of cash to the library."
Randy's blood began to boil. "The Children's Hospital," he corrected. "And don't try to tell me you paid two thousand dollars to benefit anyone but yourself."
"We could argue about this until the moon turns blue but it won't get us anywhere." She peered at the doors. "I'm waiting for someone. So I suggest you leave or..."
Randy smiled. He loved a challenge and Ally was offering one he couldn't resist. "Or what?"
"I'll call security, that's what. Imagine how the folks of Wilbur will feel when they find out their favorite son is a stalker?"
That did it. "You're coming with me." Randy wrapped his hands around her waist and lifted her over his shoulder.
Ally's fists beat on his back as he carried her off the balcony. "Kidnapping is a federal offense, don't you know that? Put me down!"
"I'm not kidnapping you," Randy replied as he made his way to his car. "I'm just buying a little time to talk."
"We have nothing to talk about," she cried.
Randy's hand grazed her thighs as he stopped at his car. His cock hardened instantly, pressing against the fly of his jeans in an attempt to break free.
Easy, boy! Now wasn't the time to lose it. If he fucked this up, Ally'd have security on him quicker than stink on a shitty diaper. He needed to play his cards right, to think with his head not his dick.
His cock tightened in his jeans even more when his hands slid over her sweet ass as he lowered her to the hood of his car. He ignored the persistent knocking at his fly and took a step back for good measure. "As a matter of fact," he said through clenched teeth, "I think we have a lot to talk about."
Ally's hands braced on the hood as her eyes burned into him. Her chest heaved in the dim light; each breath in made the emerald gown stretch even tighter over her lovely breasts. He could see her nipples peak.
God. As she sat on the car, her legs spread wide apart, he wanted to rip the gown away, close his mouth over hers and caress her breasts while he drove into her.
He didn't trust himself; his need was too great. He took another step back.
Ally's breath slowed but she didn't move. "Tell me what we have to talk about," she said softly.
"You deceived me," he said, rage beginning to build within him again. "You took me to the lake with the intention of getting what you wanted."
Ally raised her chin in defiance. "How was it different from the last time we were at Lake Sherwood?"
"Aha!" Randy pointed his finger at her. "So you admit it!"
Ally shrugged. "I'm not denying it," she replied. "You used me. You took me to our prom with one thing in mind. How stupid was I not to see it?"
"So fifteen years later you decided to get your revenge?" It didn't make a lot of sense to him.
"I know it took a while but you can't deny you had it coming," she said.
Randy's eyes narrowed. "So that's all there was to it? You wanted to leave me hungering for you as payback for something that happened years ago?"
Ally raised her chin. "Yes."
"The fact you aren't sure you want to marry Tim has nothing to do with it?"
Ally's body shot erect. "His name is Sam!" Her eyes pierced him with disdain. "And he has nothing to do with it. I love him. By this time tomorrow, I'll be his wife."
Randy cocked his head to one side. "Does he know about our encounter last week?"
Ally grinned. "Of course he does. I don't hide anything from him."
Randy raised an eyebrow. "He didn't have a problem with the fact some other guy shoved his fingers into your pussy?"
Ally's body visibly shook at his words. Hah. She may have told her darling fiancé some of the story but she didn't tell him everything.
Randy took a step closer to her. "Did you tell him how you groaned when I touched you or how hungry you were for my cock?"
Ally's chin quivered as she struggled to find the words to answer him. Randy quickly closed the distance and leaned over her.
"Did you tell him how you bucked against my fingers?"
"Stop!" Ally cried. Her hands flew to his chest in an attempt to push him away.
But Randy wasn't done yet. His hands settled on her thighs and slowly pushed beneath her dress. His mouth hovered over her lips. "Did you tell him how much you wanted me to fuck you?"
Tears slid down her cheeks as she peered up at him. "I can't do this," she whispered. "Don't you understand? I can't!"
"You can," he said softly as his fingers grazed the V between her thighs. "You can because you don't want to marry him."
"I do want---"
Randy's mouth closed over hers, quickly silencing any further protests. Her hands dug into his hair, pulling him down over her as she reclined against the hood of his car.
Randy's hand snaked up to cup a breast. His fingers pinched through the fabric, rolling her nipple between his thumb and finger. She gasped when his other hand slipped beneath her gown and ripped at her pantyhose, tearing them open between her thighs.
Ally tore her mouth from his. "This is wrong," she cried as his fingers pushed the crotch of her silk panties aside.
But Randy was on fire. He needed her more than he'd ever needed anyone in his life. His hand cupped the V between her thighs as his mouth trailed kisses over her throat. When his finger slid into her moist core and gently grazed her clitoris, she moaned, arching her hips to his touch.
"If it's wrong, stop me now," he growled. "If you don't want this as much as I do, push me away."
Ally's hips rose higher, inviting his touch, begging for more. She moaned when he slipped two fingers inside her. "Stop," she said, her voice weak with passion; her body begging him to continue.
His mouth scorched a path from her throat to her cleavage as his fingers probed harder, delved deeper, into her sweet, moist depths. "What was that? You'll have to speak a little louder."
Ally cried out when his free hand delved beneath her dress and pushed under her bra to cup her breast. She braced her heels on the grill of his car and drove her hips up to meet every thrust of his hand.
"Ah yes, babe," he said against her breast as her juices seeped over his fingers. "I know what you need. Let me give it to you."
"I want it so much," she breathed. "God, Randy, make me come."
Randy stilled for a moment, his fingers fell away from her as he raised his face to look her in the eyes. "Are you sure that's what you want?" he asked, uncertain he'd heard her correctly.
Ally's head thrashed back and forth on the hood of his car, her hair flying around her face as her hips rose, begging for his touch to return. Her eyes squeezed closed as her face contorted in anguish. "Yes," she cried. "You're the only one who can do it. You have no idea how long I've waited."
Randy frowned as he peered down at her. He was tempted to press her further but feared doing so would draw her from the frenzy she was in.
Tilly's words flooded back to him. Strike while the iron is hot. Randy suspected Ally's sister wasn't talking about this very moment but he suddenly understood what she was driving at. And, he realized, his iron was white-hot.
His eyes remained on her face as his hands slid up her thighs and pulled her panties off. He tossed them over his shoulder and smiled at her. "Your wish is my command," he whispered. Unlike the other night, she didn't get angry at his words. In fact, her heels dug deeper into the grill of his car as she let out a soft moan.
Randy's hands slipped under her thighs and curled around them. He lifted her toward him as he lowered his face to her core. She shuddered when his tongue grazed her slit, barely touching her. His hot breath fanned her pubic hair as his mouth opened over her.
Her breathing grew rapid and labored as she anticipated his touch. She moaned when his mouth closed over her, opening her core with his tongue.
"Hmm," he hummed against her. "You taste so damn good. I could eat you whole."
Ally struggled to speak; her voice came in short gasps. "Be ... my ... guest."
Randy chuckled softly. "Why thank you," he said. "I believe I will."
God, she's so damn wonderful. His body ached for more of her. He longed to take her to his bed; to spend all night showing her just how much she excited him.
He needed to show her just how desirable she was. To prove to her that only he could love her the way she deserved to be loved.
He removed his arms from her legs and lifted them over his shoulders. One hand moved to her slit and opened her wide as his tongue delved inside her.
Her long, sweet moan urged him on. As his mouth focused on her swollen clitoris, his fingers slid over her moist opening. Her tight inner core gripped the two fingers inside her.
Randy pulled his face away from her clit, quickly replacing his tongue with his other hand. He pressed and stroked her clit while his fingers plunged inside her.
"Don't hold back," he whispered urgently. "I want all of you."
Ally didn't hold anything back. Her body thrashed against the hood of his car as her face contorted in sweet rapture. Randy felt the tension building, knew she was close to an explosive orgasm. His fingers delved deeper as he dipped his face between her thighs and closed his mouth over her clit, sucking and pulling, taking her to the point of no return.
When the tension reached the point of explosion, Randy suddenly ripped away from her. His breath labored, he held his hands to his sides and looked at her.
"No!" she cried. "What are you doing?"
"You were right," he said. "This is wrong."
Ally blinked as she slowly rose onto her elbows and peered at him. "I don't understand."
Randy wiped her sweet juice from his mouth with the back of his hand. He wasn't sure he understood it either. He had to be insane.
"I'm doing you a favor," he said. "You're engaged to another man. Hell, you're getting married tomorrow. You don't want me to give you an orgasm the night before you marry someone else, do you?"
"I..." Ally couldn't seem to find the words as she continued to catch her breath. She pulled her heels out of the grill of his car and stared blankly at him as she slowly slid off the hood.
And then fire lit her beautiful green eyes. Anger, coming from deep within her soul, slowly crept through her.
"You bastard," she said through clenched teeth. "You miserable, self-absorbed weasel. You did this on purpose."
Randy grinned. "Of course I did this on purpose," he said, self-satisfaction oozing from every pore of body.
"Payback." Ally struggled to stand up straight as her eyes shot daggers at him.
"Not really," Randy replied. "I mean, sure, I owe you for the bachelor auction but there's more to it than that."
Ally shook her head. "What more could there be?"
"How about the fact you're prepared to marry another man when you still want me?" Randy asked.
Ally struggled to pull her dress down over her hips. "That's bullshit," she said. "I happen to love Sam very much."
"So much so that after fifteen years, you'd make a point of being the highest bidder at a bachelor auction just so you could see me again." Randy cocked his head to one side. "That makes a lot of sense."
Ally's face burned crimson as she stepped toward him. She poked a manicured finger in his chest as she spoke. "For your information, Randy Gallagher, my marriage to Sam Ryan is none of your damn business."
Randy's hand closed over hers and held it tight. "As a matter of fact, you made it my business the second you showed up at the auction. I suspect you don't want to marry him at all. In fact, I'm sure you were hoping I'd talk you out of it."
Ally ripped her hand out of his grasp. She shook her head slowly. "My, aren't you full of yourself? You aren't nearly as wonderful as you think you are."
Randy chuckled again. "Oh really?" he said. "Five minutes ago, I could have fucked you within an inch of your life." He raised his brows. "If I were marrying you, you wouldn't have a reason to seek out another man for satisfaction."
Ally sputtered and took a step back. She shook her head wildly. "You're an asshole, you know that?" she cried.
Randy grinned. "Maybe so," he replied. "But at least I'm not screwing around on my fiancée the night before my wedding."
"Bastard! Go to hell," Ally cried. She turned on her heel and began to walk back to the Club House.
Something caught Randy's eye. He bent to pick it up. "Hey, Ally!" he called.
She spun around. "What?"
"You forgot something." He placed the elastic band of her panties over his thumb and stretched the silky fabric back. When he let it go, it flew through the air and landed at her feet. "You might want to put them on before you go back in to your darling fiancé."
Ally gasped and picked them up. He could tell she was fighting tears. "What do you want from me?"
"That's an easy question to answer," he said. "All or nothing."
Ally's chin rose as she gazed back at him. "You'll have to settle for nothing," she said.
Randy chuckled. "Since you're marrying a man you don't love, I guess you already have."
"Fuck you!" she cried as she made her way back up the dark path to the balcony.
Randy's cock protested against the fly of his jeans as he watched her retreat. Damn, I wish you had.
"Where is your father?" Victoria howled from somewhere in the house. "Damn it, I can never find him when I need him."
Tilly stood behind Ally and made a face in the mirror. "Can you blame Dad for hiding?"
Ally tried to smile as her sister struggled to place more bobby pins into her hair to hold the elaborate headpiece in place. She'd been in a state of disorientation since she walked away from Randy the night before. "I guess not," she said softly, wishing she was wherever her father was right now.
"He's likely in the basement having a few stiff drinks," Tilly said. She stabbed one last bobby pin into Ally's soft curls and took a step back. "There, that should hold," she announced. "Let's hope it's not windy. Otherwise you'll probably be a real mess by the time we get you to the church."
Ally's eyes glazed over as she looked at herself in the mirror. The headpiece felt like it weighed a ton with its white pearls, glitzy rhinestones and yards and yards of white lace piled on top of her head. "I hate it," she blurted out.
"Yeah, me too," Tilly said. "But you're the one who let Mom make all the decisions."
"Well, you know what Mom's like," Ally said as she carefully turned to inspect her sequined gown in the mirror. "She's not happy unless she's in control."
"Tell me about it," Tilly said. "Why do you think I didn't come back home after college?"
Ally sighed. If only she'd had Tilly's strength. She couldn't allow herself to disappoint her mother. And look at her now. About to marry a man she didn't love.
Tilly threw herself on the bed and peered at Ally. "Where did you get to last night?" she asked, her eyes suspiciously veiled. "I came back with my drink and you were nowhere in sight."
Ally turned her head carefully, so as not to upset the insanely big headpiece, and looked at her sister. Tilly looked at the ceiling then cast her gaze to her fingernails. All she was lacking was the innocent whistle. Ally's brows narrowed. "Oh my God," she said, her hand flying to her chest. "You set me up."
Tilly examined her palms. "I don't know what you're talking about," she said.
The headpiece wobbled as Ally closed the distance between them. "Yes, you do," she exclaimed. "You sent for Randy, didn't you?"
Her sister quickly rose from the bed, careful not to make eye contact with her. "I better get into that ugly purple dress before Mom gives up on Dad and starts on me," she said as she walked to the door.
"How could you do this to me?" Ally cried as her sister opened the door.
Tilly didn't reply as she quickly pulled the bedroom door open and ran headlong into her mother.
"For God's sake!" Victoria's shrill voice echoed off the bedroom walls. "Get dressed, Matilda. We're leaving for the church in fifteen minutes."
Tilly looked back at her sister as she made a hasty escape. "Good timing, old girl," she quipped.
Victoria moaned as she stepped inside the bedroom and slammed the door closed. "Your sister will be the death of me," she lamented. "Why does she live to annoy me?"
Ally wanted to shake her head but feared the headpiece would topple off. "Because she knows she can, I guess."
"Selfish to the core, just like her father," Victoria spat out angrily. When she cast her eyes over Ally, she clapped her hands against her chest. "You look absolutely divine, my darling. At least I have one child who shares my good taste."
"Yes, Mother," Ally replied dutifully.
"Sit down in front of the mirror and let me adjust your headpiece," her mother demanded.
Ally did as she was told and peered up at her mother as she pulled out and replaced the pins.
If only her mother could understand how miserable Ally was. There was a time she was certain everything her mother wanted for her was what she wanted for herself. Now, after seeing Randy again, she wasn't sure of anything.
When she'd finally gone back inside the Club, Sam quickly scolded her for being away for almost an hour. Didn't she know people expected them to be seen together? Ally attempted to take Sam aside. She wasn't sure what she'd have said but the opportunity had never showed itself. As one well-wisher after another offered their congratulations, Ally's nerve ran out.
She didn't want to hurt Sam; she didn't want to hurt her mother. Just two weeks ago, she was content with the wedding plans. If only she hadn't gone to the bachelor auction. If only she'd never laid eyes on Randy Gallagher.
"Sit still!" her mother cried. "I swear you're as fidgety as a rat in a snake pit. What will people think if you act like this at the wedding?" she scolded.
"I can't help it," Ally replied. "I'm nervous."
Victoria grasped her daughter's shoulders and peered at her reflection in the mirror. "You're doing the right thing." She gave Ally a gentle shake. "Don't doubt it for a second. Sam will give you everything you deserve."
Everything except real happiness. Ally smiled sadly. "Yes, Mom," she said softly. "I know."
"Well, child," Jason Peters said as he tucked her gloved hand under his arm, "This is it."
As Tilly, her maid of honor, and the other bridesmaids, all of whom her mother had chosen, made their way down the aisle ahead of them, Ally looked at her father. "Dad?"
Jason turned his gaze to her. "Yes, pumpkin?"
"Am I doing the right thing?"
Jason's deep blue eyes clouded for a moment. "If you're not, you've picked the worst possible time to question it," he said.
It wasn't the reply she'd hoped for. "Are you happy for me?" she asked.
His face softened. "My darling daughter," he said. "No matter what paths you and your sister have chosen, I've always been happy for both of you."
Dear, dear Dad. He was as noncommittal as always. Ally knew it was the only way he'd managed to stay married to her mother for thirty-five years. Perhaps Ally was more like her father than her mother knew. Perhaps her marriage to Sam would be the same. Like her father, she'd let Sam lead, just as Victoria led her marriage all these years.
"It's time," he said softly as he slowly led her down the aisle.
The next thirty minutes was a blur. Ally was vaguely aware of Sam slipping the ring on her finger. As she slid the ring on Sam's finger, she dutifully repeated the words the minister said.
And then, with the rings exchanged, Sam and Ally joined hands. Her head swam as Reverend Smith raised his voice, "Should there be anyone who has cause why this couple should not be joined in marriage, let them speak now or forever hold their peace."
Ally's ears pricked when someone coughed. She struggled not to look at the people crowded into the church.
"So," the minister said, "by the power vested in me---"
"Uhm, now that you mention it, I might have a reason." The words echoed off the walls of the church. People gasped audibly.
God, she knew that voice. Randy! Ally groaned as she turned to see the man standing in the back of the church. Randy Gallagher.
"What is the meaning of this?" Sam said sourly as he gazed at Randy and then at Ally. "Who the hell is he?"
Ally's eyes fell on her mother. She looked pale, almost ready to faint. Oh God. Ally's throat went dry, she couldn't manage a word as everyone gazed at the man slowly approaching the altar.
"Okay, I've voiced my objection to this marriage," Randy said. "What comes next?"
The minister cleared his throat. "I have to admit," he said, "in all of my forty years, I've never had anyone object before. I guess we need to discuss your reasons."
Dressed in tight blue jeans and a white t-shirt, Randy looked like a fish out of water amid all the pomp and pageantry of the wedding party and their guests. Yet as Reverend Smith hustled them to the closest door, Ally couldn't help but notice how tightly the t-shirt stretched over his sinewy torso.
When Sam, Ally and Randy were safely inside the reverend's office, he carefully closed the door and looked at the trio. "Now then," he said as he rounded his desk and sat down. "Just what is the problem here?"
"That's exactly what I'd like to know," Sam said gruffly.
When Ally opened her mouth to speak, Sam grabbed her arm. "Be quiet, Allison," he said as he nodded to Randy. "Let the man speak."
Randy stood a few feet away and tucked his hands into his back pockets, further stretching the light cotton fabric over his chest. Ally shivered and tore her gaze away from him, opting to peer out the only window in the office. She squeezed her eyes closed. Oh God. This isn't happening. This can't be happening! When I open my eyes...
"The fact is," Randy said, cutting into Ally's thoughts, "I don't think this man," he pointed to Sam, "is right for Ally."
Sam guffawed. "And you are, I suppose?"
Randy shook his head. "Well no, I'm not saying I am."
"Then what are you saying?" the reverend asked.
Randy pulled his hands out of his pockets and walked to the desk. "Look, Father---"
"Reverend," the old man corrected.
Randy nodded. "Right, Reverend." He pointed to the couple behind him. "Ally shouldn't be marrying anyone right now, least of all that guy."
Reverend Smith quickly raised his hand to stop Sam's protest before a single word had been spoken. His bushy grey eyebrows lowered. "You'll get your turn soon, Sam. Let the man speak." He turned his attention back to Randy. "Why shouldn't Allison get married?"
"Because she's not ready," Randy replied. "Just two weeks ago---"
"Oh please!" Sam exclaimed. "Just because she bought you at that ridiculous bachelor auction doesn't mean she shouldn't marry me."
Ally's head swam. Her hand flew to her throat as her heart hammered in her chest. "May I say something?"
All three men glared at her. "No!" they said in unison. Ally swallowed hard. Her blood began to heat.
Randy turned to Sam. "So you know what happened that night," he said, "and you still want to marry her."
Sam raised his chin. "Of course I know," he said tightly. "The local newspaper carried the full story. It changes nothing."
Randy raised an eyebrow and looked at Ally. "So you didn't tell him anything?"
Again, as Ally was about to speak, Sam touched her arm, a silent message to keep her mouth shut. "Of course, Ally and I discussed it."
Ally took a step back, out of Sam's reach. "As a matter of fact, Sam, I tried to tell you about it but you didn't want to hear it."
Randy's laugh echoed off the walls of the tiny office. His eyes sparkled as he looked at Ally. "So he doesn't know everything."
"Whether I do or not changes nothing!" Sam growled. "Allison and I are getting married today. A one-night dalliance with the likes of you won't change that."
Randy stood straight as his eyes pinned Sam. "One night?" he asked. "Did your lovely bride-to-be mention where she disappeared to last night at your fucking rehearsal party?"
"Language!" Reverend Smith exclaimed. "We are in God's house and I will not tolerate such vulgar language!"
Ally felt nauseous as Randy turned to the minister. "Oh, sorry, Father ... er, I mean, Reverend."
Sam's hand gripped Ally's arm and turned her to face him. "Where were you last night?"
She tried to swallow the lump in her throat. Her head spun, her knees felt weak. When she opened her mouth, no words would come out.
"She was with me," Randy supplied easily. "The hood of my car has a dent in it the exact shape of her sweet little ass."
Sam's face turned the shade of an overripe tomato as he approached Randy. "Why you son of a bitch!" he roared.
Suddenly, the room exploded. Reverend Smith leapt from his chair as Sam flew at Randy. Ally pressed her back against the door as she looked on in sheer horror. Her bouquet fell from her hands as she reached behind her and twisted the doorknob.
As the fight continued, Ally slipped through the door. She was instantly met by her mother's cold glare. "What the heck is going on in there?" Victoria wailed.
Tilly stood at her mother's side, her eyes wide. "Are you okay?"
Ally nodded to her sister and took a deep breath. "Mother," she said, "I think it's safe to say the wedding's off."
"Come on, you have to eat something!" Tilly cried.
Ally rolled onto her stomach and pressed her face into the pillow. "I'm not hungry."
"But I ordered your favorite, Chinese."
"I'm not hungry!"
Ally felt the side of the bed give way as her sister sat down. Tilly ran her hand gently over Ally's back. "I know it's been a bitch of a day," she said softly.
Ally rolled onto her back and peered up at Tilly. "That's putting it mildly," she replied. She clapped her hands over her ears. "God, I can still hear Mom screaming when Sam and Randy rolled out of the office and fought in front of the guests."
Tilly chuckled. "You ran out before the best part. When Reverend Smith tried to break them up, Sam accidentally hit him. Poor old guy probably has one nasty shiner."
Ally moaned and covered her eyes. "How can I ever show my face in Wilbur again after that fiasco?"
"It'll blow over sooner or later," Tilly said. She paused before she added, "Okay, probably later."
Ally moaned again.
"Besides," Tilly continued. "You know you're welcome to stay with me as long as you want."
Ally smiled at her sister. "Thanks."
"No problem," Tilly replied, sadness flitting across her face. "I bought this condo almost five years ago and you're the first one in my family to come here."
A pang of guilt coursed through Ally. "It's not that I didn't want to," she said. "It's just..."
Tilly rose from the bed. "I know," she said. "Mom didn't want you to come. After all, I'm fucking guys every night of the week as far as Mom's concerned."
Ally frowned. "I'm sorry."
"That's okay," Tilly replied. "I know you've always been a slave to Mom's wishes. You've never had the guts to go against what she wants for you. I accepted it a long time ago."
Ally offered a hopeful smile. "Things are different now though. Mom will strangle me the first chance she gets."
Tilly's eyes brightened. "Yep," she said gleefully. "You're in for it now."
Ally had to admit she didn't care for the joy her kid sister took from the situation she was in. But she was eternally grateful for a place to hide out while their mother was on the warpath. And God only knew what Sam was up to.
Ally couldn't resist asking. "How did Sam manage against Randy?"
Tilly chuckled. "He didn't have a prayer," she replied. "Randy's so deliciously strong. Have to hand it to Sam though, he took a lot of nasty blows and kept fighting."
Deliciously strong. Ally couldn't have put it a better way. Randy's strength terrified her and yet, thrilled her. He was, in truth, so damn sexy, so damn exciting.
Ally was no fool. She knew she had no future with someone like Randy Gallagher. Yet the mere thought of him made her body hum with desire.
"So, he wasn't hurt too badly?"
Tilly grinned. "Randy?" She waved a hand. "Naw, a couple scrapes but he cleaned Sam's clock big time."
Ally sighed ... and then tried to ignore the relief she felt. She knew she should have been concerned for Sam's well-being, not the brute that'd showed up at her wedding for the sole purpose of raising havoc.
"What a mess," Ally lamented. She looked at the clock radio on the bedside table. Seven p.m. "If it hadn't been for Randy, I'd be happily married right this minute."
Tilly frowned.
Ally raised her hand. "Well, okay," she said. "Maybe not happily but I'd be married."
"You know what you need, don't you?" Tilly winked, her eyes sparkling with mischief.
Ally moaned; she knew what her sister was thinking. "Oh please!" she cried. "Getting laid is the last thing I need."
Tilly laughed out loud. "I was going to suggest a bowl of won ton soup but I kinda like your idea better."
Ally shook her head. "Well, you can't blame me. Your mind's always in the gutter." Her stomach growled. "All right, maybe some soup then."
Tilly grinned. "Good, follow me to the kitchen."
Randy checked his watch. It was six-thirty Sunday morning. He'd gotten to the lobby of Tilly's condo building right on time. So where the hell was she? Outside it was pouring rain. He was grateful Tilly had left word with the security guard to expect him. At least he was able to come in out of the rain.
But Randy felt like a caged lion as he paced the floor in front of the security guard's desk. Across the desk, the elderly guard shot glances at him while reading the paper. "How 'bout those Blue Jays, huh?" the old man asked, clearly trying to make conversation.
Randy stopped pacing and stared at him. He hadn't been paying much attention to baseball lately. "Yeah," he said absently and began to pace again.
Just as the guard began to speak again, Randy's attention was drawn to the elevator door as it slowly slid open.
Tilly stepped forward and smiled at him. She was dressed for work in a bright pink nurse's uniform. "Good," she said. "You're here."
"Yeah, I'm here," Randy said sourly. "Though I'm not sure why. After what happened yesterday, I can't imagine Ally will ever want to see me again."
And yet he'd come. In fact, he couldn't stay away.
"I thought I'd made that clear on the phone last night," she replied. "If you don't do something now, Ally might go back to Sam."
Randy shook his head. "Tell me again why that would be a bad thing."
Tilly shook her head and pressed a key into his hand. "If you don't get it by now, you never will."
Randy looked at the key in his hand. "What I don't get is why you're doing this."
Tilly smiled. "Look," she said briskly, "I have no illusions about your kind. You're not forever; you're the type who wants to get laid and get the hell out."
Randy's gaze settled on her face as she continued, "You, Randy Gallagher, are a way out for my sister. Go ahead, do what you do best. Because when Ally comes out on the other end of all this, she's going to realize two very important things. One, Sam Ryan is an asshole and she's better off without him and two..."
Randy narrowed his eyes as he looked at Tilly. The woman sure as hell didn't mince words.
"Ally's going to find out you don't measure up either. And then, maybe, just maybe, she can start living her life to suit herself."
Randy frowned. "Why won't I measure up?"
Tilly splayed her hands in frustration. "I have to get to work so I don't have time to spell it out for you," she said. "Figure it out on your own."
Randy stared after her as she breezed out the door. What the fuck was that all about? He peered at the security guard, who had undoubtedly heard the entire exchange. The guard's eyes quickly fell to the paper in his hands.
Randy shook his head and walked to the elevator. He pressed the 'up' button and waited.
"Want some advice?" The voice came from behind the newspaper.
Randy tried not to laugh as the elevator dinged its arrival and the door slid open. "No. But thanks anyway," he said as he stepped inside.
As the doors slid closed, Randy distinctly heard the old man say, "Okay, it's your funeral."
The apartment was deathly quiet as Randy unlocked the door and walked inside. Even though Tilly had placed a key in his hand, he couldn't help feeling as though he was breaking in. Tilly may have known but the lone occupant of the apartment did not.
Randy tossed the key onto the table by the door and slowly made his way to a closed door. His body sang, his groin ached and his mind whirled at the very idea of seeing Ally again. He only hoped she'd want to see him as much as he wanted ... no, needed ... her.
Tilly's parting words echoed in his head as he approached the closed bedroom door. Ally's going to find out that you don't measure up either.
Measure up to what? And just what was he supposed to do to help Ally move on?
Randy pushed the bedroom door open and winced when the hinges creaked lightly. His gaze cast into the darkened room as his eyes slowly adjusted to the low light.
And then he saw her. Ally. His Ally. She looked tiny as she lay curled up on the queen-size bed. She lay on her side with her hands curled delicately under her chin. Her auburn hair fanned out behind her in a fiery riot over the pillow. Her arched brows furrowed lightly as she slept but her full red lips turned up at the corners as though she was having a delightful dream.
The rest of her body was covered by the old quilt adorning the bed. Pulled up to just beneath her chin, Randy could see little of her delectable body. Yet desire for her zinged his soul. She looked so damn beautiful. He imagined he would never tire of seeing her this way, in sweet slumber.
But Randy needed to talk to her, to figure things out. He slowly approached the bed.
He so wanted to crawl beneath the covers and pull her body close to his. He wanted to hold her tight and tell her everything would be all right.
He quelled the urges welling inside him. Instead, he gently touched her cheek. "Ally," he called softly.
Ally sighed as her hand closed over his fingers. "Sam?" her sleepy voice whispered.
Randy pulled his hand away as if he'd been stung. His gut twisted as he took a step back.
He glared down at her. She was dreaming about Sam? How could that fucking weenie-assed loser fill Ally's dreams after everything we've shared?
Anger seeped through his bones and rooted in his soul. Why did I listen to Tilly? What did I hope to accomplish by coming here?
Randy grimaced. Well, he was here now and he wasn't going anywhere until he'd had his say.
He placed his foot on the edge of the mattress and pumped his leg, shaking the bed violently. "Wake up, Ally," he said.
Ally's long red curls splattered over the stark white pillow, creating a fiery riot as her body rocked back and forth. Her eyes flew open, at first confused and then they widened in shock as her green gaze focused on Randy.
Darkening to an emerald blaze, her eyes pinned him as her fingers gripped the edge of the quilt. "What the hell are you doing here?" she demanded.
Randy folded his arms across his chest. "I shouldn't have to tell you why I'm here," he replied.
"This is a secure building," Ally said. "How did you get in?"
Randy chuckled. "How do you think I got in?"
"Tilly," Ally whispered. "Damn you."
"Don't blame your sister," Randy said. "You're the one who created all this shit."
Ally's eyes widened as her face went pale. She sat up in bed, the blankets falling away from her. "How dare you?" she howled. "If it weren't for you, I'd be Mrs. Samual Ryan."
Randy's gaze slid from her face to the soft pink nightgown she wore. He could just barely make out the dark circles as her nipples peaked against the sheer fabric. Sweet Lord, he wanted her so damn much.
He tore his gaze from her delectable breasts and tilted his head to one side. "Please," he said sarcastically, "no need to thank me."
The covers flew back as Ally leapt from the bed. Her eyes burned with anger. She seemed quite unaware that the nightgown rode her hips, giving him a full view of her creamy white thighs. Damn, the fabric clung to her just below her core. Didn't matter, his cock hardened anyway.
"You son of a bitch!" she cried as she slapped her open hand against his chest. "Why couldn't you have left well enough alone? Everything was just fine until..." Her voice trailed off.
"Until you bought me at the auction?" Randy asked as he quirked an eyebrow.
Ally's full red lips pulled back into a sneer. "Until you showed up at the wedding," she smugly said. "Damn you!" She pushed against his chest again. "Do you have any idea what you've done?"
"What I've done?" Randy laughed out loud, his voice echoed off the walls of the bedroom ... which seemed a lot smaller than it was when he came in. "What I've done?" he repeated angrily. "You're the one who came back into my life. You're the one who gave me just a taste of you and then ran off to marry that loser!"
"Sam is not a loser!" Ally cried. "In fact, he's everything I ever wanted."
Randy's eyes narrowed. "Don't try to convince me of that," he said through clenched teeth. "Not after the two very steamy encounters we had."
Ally raised her hand but before she managed to push his chest again, Randy took a step back. "I should warn you," he said, "I just might shove back this time."
Ally paid no heed as she closed the distance between them and, this time, slammed both hands against his chest. The attempt did nothing but cause Randy's heart to beat faster.
He slowly raised his hands and placed them against her shoulders. "Don't tell me you didn't see this coming," he said as he pushed her, sending her flying backwards onto the bed.
Ally gasped as her nightgown floated in a pink cloud around her and settled over her chest when she landed spread-eagle across the bed.
Randy stood over her, his eyes roaming over her body. His cock hardened, begged to be free to take her and yet his conscience, damn the fucking thing, made him take a step back. He'd never taken a woman by force and was not about to start now, especially not Ally.
Yet she lay panting on the bed. Her body naked from just below her breasts. Her eyes ... those incredible green eyes ... sparkled with challenge. Did she want him to make love to her, or was she waiting for the perfect moment to strike back?
Randy cast his gaze over her tiny waist and then over her delicate white thighs and finally to the V between her legs. His groin ached with need so much, he felt himself take a step closer to her.
"Sweet Ally," he said through clenched teeth. "You have no idea how incredibly beautiful you are."
"Show me." The words she spoke came in a low, almost indiscernible hiss.
Randy held his stance. "Is that what you want, Ally? Do you want me?"
Ally's lips parted as her tongue slowly slid over her top lip. Her green eyes lit with passion and Randy knew she didn't need to say anything.
He placed his knees on the bed between her thighs and leaned down to touch his lips to hers.
The moment they connected, he knew he hadn't misunderstood. Her fingers crawled into his hair and pulled him closer as her mouth drank from his lips, taking everything he had and begged for more.
Randy tore his lips from hers and grazed a path down her throat. "Sweet Ally," he said gruffly. "You have no idea how much I need you."
"This is wrong on so many levels. And I know I'm going to regret it," she replied, her words coming in short gasps, "but I need you too."
Randy pulled away from her throat and gazed down at her passion-lit face. "Trust me," he said as he smiled. "You'll never regret it."
You'll never regret it.
Ally struggled to keep her tears at bay. She wanted Randy so damn much. And yet, she knew she would indeed regret this moment. Sooner or later, she had to go home and face Sam.
She gasped when Randy curled his fingers into the fabric of her nightgown and pulled it over her head. His deep brown eyes roamed over her naked breasts with a hunger she could not describe. As if he was afraid she'd bolt, he watched her face as his hands slowly lowered and closed over her breasts.
Any thoughts of regrets and Sam quickly evaporated when she felt his warm hands gently knead her breasts. She gasped when his fingers gently pinched her nipples, bringing them to full attention.
"I love your breasts," he said softly before he bent his head and gently nuzzled one nipple.
Just as he was about to close his mouth over it, Ally placed her hands on either side of his head and lightly pushed him away. His deep brown eyes blazed as he looked down at her.
"What?" he asked. "Please don't tell me you've changed your mind."
Ally smiled. There was no going back now, not for her anyway. She'd wanted Randy for way too long. But she fully intended to enjoy every second with him. "I haven't changed my mind," she said softly. "But don't you think you're a little overdressed for the occasion?"
Randy grinned. "I suppose I am."
"Then take your clothes off," Ally said, her eyes challenging him.
Randy rose and stepped away from the bed. Ally watched him as he crossed his arms and curled his fingers under the hem of his t-shirt. In one fluid movement, he pulled it over his head and tossed it onto the floor. Ally gazed at the rippling muscles of his hair-matted chest.
Her throat went dry when Randy's fingers slowly undid the fly of his jeans.
He was a millisecond away from revealing his cock when Ally moved. "Wait," she said as she quickly rose and sat on her knees in front of him.
His fingers stilled as he peered at her. "What?"
Ally waved her hands, beckoning him closer to the edge of the bed. When Randy moved forward, Ally gazed up at him. "Let me," she said softly.
Randy didn't reply as his hands fell to his sides. Ally lifted her hands and gently, carefully, unzipped his jeans. She slowly pushed them over his hips and let them fall to the floor. Her eyes glazed in anticipation at the bulge beneath the fabric of his cotton briefs.
She heard Randy's swift intake of breath as she cupped his balls and slowly, gently kneaded them with one hand as the other grazed over the cotton-covered outline of his hard cock.
When Ally leaned forward and touched her cheek to his iron need, Randy's fingers delved into her hair. "You're playing with fire," he said through clenched teeth. "I hope you know what you're doing."
Ally knew what she was doing. In fact, she loved that her touch evoked such tension in him. She set about raising it another notch.
As she continued to nuzzle his hardness, her hands slid up over his ass and curled around the band of his briefs. She slowly pulled them down. The moment the head of his cock was revealed, she pounced, taking it into her mouth.
"Sweet Jesus," Randy exclaimed as her lips opened and slid over him. While one hand remained on his firm butt, the other moved forward to clasp the shaft of his need. Her fingers circled the base of his cock as her mouth opened wider to accept him.
Randy bent over her, his hips bucking against her face as Ally gave him all she had.
Suddenly, Ally felt his hands close over her shoulders and push her back. She landed against the soft cushion of the mattress. She gazed up at him in confusion.
"That was good," Randy said. "Too damn good. If you'd kept it up, I'd have come in your mouth." He braced his knees between her open thighs. He placed a hand on either side of her head and slowly lowered to her. "And I want to fuck you," he said softly. "You have no idea just how much I want to fuck you."
Ally wanted it too. In fact, as he leaned over her, she raised her legs and circled his waist, beckoning him to her, needing to feel him move inside her.
Randy pressed the head of his throbbing penis against her. Ally closed her eyes and squirmed beneath him, trying to pull him down to her. But Randy braced his hands on either side of her head.
"Look at me," he said gruffly. "I want to see your eyes when I sink into you."
Ally attempted to open her eyes but the moment she saw his intense gaze, she rolled her head to one side and closed her eyes again.
"Look at me, Ally."
This time there was no denying him. She slowly rolled her head and struggled to open her eyes.
Before she could catch a breath, he moved against her. He slid inside her moisture-laden core, opening her completely, claiming her body for his own.
"Damn!" Randy exclaimed, clearly trying to rein himself in. "You feel so damn good."
Ally couldn't find her voice as he slowly pumped into her. Her body clenched to hold him inside; her soul sang having finally found him again. Her arms circled his shoulders, urging him on as his body rocked against her.
When Randy pulled up from her, Ally quickly pulled him back down over her.
"I need to rise up a bit so I can fuck you harder," he whispered.
"No," Ally cried. She didn't care how hard he fucked her. "I need to feel you against me."
Randy didn't argue, he lowered himself against her again as his hips continued to buck against her. Ally's head swirled as she felt his chest hair graze her tender nipples with each thrust. She raised her hips to accept his girth as he drove into her. Their bodies fell in sync with the ago-old rhythm; each giving all they had; each taking the other greedily.
With each magnificent lunge, Ally felt the tension build. Every single thrust into her body stretched her clitoris and heightened her senses. Now, she fought the urge to explode, to let her body have the orgasm it craved. Yet Randy didn't seem ready.
Ally knew it fell to her to bring him as close to climax as she was. She pushed at his chest until he finally braced his hands on either side of her head and peered down at her.
"You okay?" His words came in short pants.
Ally pushed her hand between them and touched the base of his cock. Her fingers circled him as she looked up at him. "I'm fine," she said softly. "Just seems I'm a lot closer than you are."
Randy grinned as his hips pushed against her, this time her fingers holding him tight as he slid into her. "Oh yeah, babe," he said. "That's so good..." His voice trailed off as he continued to pulse against her.
While touching him this way heightened his pleasure, Ally quickly discovered it did little for her. Each thrust felt just short of the mark.
When Ally moaned in frustration, Randy pulled her hand away and slammed against her. "We're in this together," he said through clenched teeth.
Ally felt delirious with relief as her core opened wide to accept his incredible girth. Each stroke brought her closer and closer to the edge.
"I can't hold back much longer," Randy said. He pushed his fingers between them and stroked her clit, pulling it slightly as his cock stretched it.
Ally screamed as wave after wave of pleasure coursed through her body. She kicked and bucked beneath him, wanting the sweet torture to stop, hoping it never would.
When Randy's body stiffened suddenly, she wrapped her legs around him again, pulling him as close to her as possible as he filled her core with his liquid silver. His eyes squeezed closed as his body trembled and spasms wracked him.
Randy collapsed, pinning her to the bed beneath him, as he buried his face in the blanket beside her head. "Jesus, Ally," he said as he struggled to catch his breath, "that was amazing."
Ally's arms wrapped around his back, holding him tight against her. It was amazing. She couldn't find the words to express it.
Randy rolled to his side and propped his hand on the side of his face. He traced a nipple with his finger as he smiled at her. "So what happens now?" he asked.
Ally sighed as she ran her fingers over his jaw line. "I don't know," she said softly. "I guess I'll have to face Sam sooner or later."
"To tell him it's over?"
Ally nodded. "What else can I do?" she asked. "I can't go back to him now after what's happened between us."
Randy rose from the bed and reached for his briefs and jeans. As he shoved his feet into them, he replied. "Yeah, I guess not." He stood to pull his jeans on and zipped the fly. "Don't think you'll be very welcome at home either."
Ally watched as Randy picked up his t-shirt and pulled it over his head. Disappointment coursed through her body. After what they'd just shared, she hoped they'd lay together for a little while, perhaps cuddle and maybe even make love again. She averted her gaze. "No, I guess not."
"Ah well," Randy replied cheerfully. "Tilly has always wanted you to move to Toronto. Now you don't have a reason not to. Besides, you'll be a lot better off in the city anyway."
Ally looked up at him. She loved the slow pace of her hometown. "How will I be better off in the city?"
"Well, for one thing, you wouldn't be under your mother's thumb anymore, and there are a lot of men to choose from. You wouldn't have to settle for someone like Sam Ryan."
Ally's throat tightened as reality slammed into her. Oh my God. After what they'd just shared, he was tossing her aside. She flew from the bed, rage oozing from every pore of her body. "You son of a bitch!"
Randy frowned, seemingly quite surprised by Ally's reaction. "What?"
"You used me," she cried.
"What the fuck are you talking about? We both wanted this."
"Did we?" she asked. "Is it possible one wanted it more than the other?"
Randy's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Well, I did have misgivings after the bachelor auction but you were very persuasive."
Ally's heart pounded to the point she was certain it just might explode. "Get out!"
Randy raised his hands. "All right, all right," he said calmly. "Don't get all freaked out. I'll go."
As Ally reached for her bathrobe, his hands gripped her shoulders and swung her around to face him. "I might have thrown a wrench into your perfectly planned life," he said as he peered down at her. "But remember you started this. None of this would have happened if you hadn't been looking for a way out."
"I wasn't looking for a way out!" Ally cried.
Randy winked. "Sure, Ally, you keep telling yourself that. Maybe you'll be able to convince yourself of it after awhile." He planted a kiss on her lips and walked out of the bedroom.
Ally's heart lurched when she heard the condo door slam shut. She stumbled to the bed and slowly crawled on top of it. She buried her face in the pillow.
He wasn't right. He couldn't be right. She'd been in love with Sam. She'd wanted a life with him.
So why had she gone to the bachelor auction? Why hadn't she been able to deny Randy every time he touched her?
And worst of all, Randy didn't see himself in her life. The only man she ever truly loved had used her. Unable to keep the tears at bay for a moment longer, Ally clutched the pillow to her face and allowed them to flow.
"I don't do forever," Randy said as he lifted his cup of coffee and took a long swig. "Can't imagine waking up to the same face every morning."
"Bullshit," Tilly replied from across the table. "Every one wants someone constant in their lives. And we both know the constant you want is my sister."
Randy shook his head in frustration. Why the hell had he agreed to meet Tilly on her lunch break anyway?
After being with Ally that morning, his feelings were still raw. Shit! He'd come so damn close to telling her he loved her. Playing the nonchalant asshole was the only way he could walk away from her. He was still haunted by the look of sheer pain on her face.
Damn it! Ally didn't know it but he'd done her a favor. She didn't need a guy like him fucking up her life.
Randy raised an eyebrow. "What about your so-called 'constant'?" he asked. "From what I hear, things between you and Jeff Granger are heating up."
Tilly's face soured. "You know damn well I don't want anything to do with him. Besides, we're talking about you and Ally."
So much for his attempt to change the subject. Randy drained his cup and reached for his wallet. He tossed a few dollars on the table. When he began to rise, Tilly grabbed his hand. "I don't know what your problem is," she said, "but there's no way I would have talked you into stopping Ally's wedding if I thought you didn't have feelings for her."
"I won't deny I have feelings for your sister," he replied, "but they are mostly based on old times. We were an item back in high school and she got a raw deal. I helped her escape her wedding to make up for all the gossip she dealt with back then. We're even now."
"So you think you're completely free of her?"
Randy pulled his hand out from under Tilly's. "Yep."
He averted his gaze, hoping she wouldn't realize it was a bald-faced lie.
"All right," Tilly said as she sat back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. "Prove it. Come to my place for dinner tonight."
Randy rolled his eyes. "Tilly---"
"Prove it to me and I'll never bother you again." She raised a hand and placed the other over her heart. "I promise."
Randy's eyes narrowed. "All right," he said. "Under one condition."
"Name it," Tilly said.
"A toast," Randy said as he raised his glass.
Ally smiled as she lifted her glass of wine and waited for the toast.
She had to admit when Tilly informed her Randy had been invited to dinner tonight, the first thing Ally did was check the window in her room. Being on the seventh floor combined with Ally's fear of heights helped her to resign herself to seeing Randy again.
She'd fully expected the evening to be filled with tension. And it most certainly was. But thanks to Doctor Jeff Granger, not to mention the four glasses of wine she'd already consumed, Ally quickly found herself relaxing while Tilly and the good doctor squared off.
"Hey, mind if I make a toast?" Jeff asked.
Randy's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Be my guest."
Jeff's gaze settled on Tilly. "To big tits."
All right, the guy was an asshole. But at least the tension between her sister and Jeff took Ally's mind off the fact Randy was sitting across the table from her.
Tilly's face soured as she placed her wineglass on the table. "You're a real jerk, Granger," she said through clenched teeth.
Jeff sipped his wine before he replied, "And you love it."
"Yes," she replied sarcastically. "The fact a man shows interest in me because I'm well endowed speaks to my heart."
"Well, if the shoe fits, wear it. Or should I say bra?" Jeff shot back. When Tilly rolled her eyes but didn't reply, his gaze shifted to Ally. "Seems you lost out on the deal," he said as his gaze slid to her chest.
Correction; the guy wasn't an asshole, he was an incredible asshole! Ally shuddered and raised her hands over her chest. No wonder Tilly didn't like him.
"Down, boy," Randy said, his voice ominously low. "Ally's not available for your consideration."
Ally struggled to keep herself in check but the wine she'd consumed gave her a sense of confidence. Just that morning, Randy said she'd meet many men in Toronto who would be better for her. Now he was deciding who was good for her? I don't fucking think so!
Ally smiled at Jeff and touched his shoulder. "Don't worry about Randy," she said. "His bark is a lot worse than his bite." She saw Randy's brows lower over his eyes. He clearly didn't like it. Ally pressed on. "What makes you think a woman with big breasts is better in bed?"
Jeff leered at her. "Not saying they are. But I like holding onto big tits when I'm fucking."
"You'll never hold mine," Tilly said as she drained her glass of wine and reached for the bottle to refill it.
Jeff's attention remained on Ally. "Well, I don't have a lot to hold on to," she said in a sultry voice, "but that doesn't mean I'm not a good fuck. Just ask Randy."
"Ally." Randy's voice sounded like a low growl.
Ally ignored him. "In fact, I have it on very good authority that I'll find lots of men to fuck in Toronto."
"Ally!" This time both Tilly and Randy said her name in unison.
Ally leapt up from the table. She glared at both of them. "That's what you wanted, isn't it?" she cried. "You both set out to show me there was more to life than Sam."
She reached for the open wine bottle on the table. She took a step back. "So here's my toast," she said. "Here's to the new me. Call me ready, willing and," she peered at Jeff, "able to fuck any man who wants me!"
Ally tipped the bottle to her lips and took a long gulp before she held it over her head. "Yea for me!" she cried. "I'm finally free of any responsibility at all!"
"Oh, Ally!" Tilly cried. "That's not what I wanted for you at all."
"Wasn't it?" Ally replied angrily. "Wasn't this exactly what you wanted?"
Before Tilly could reply, Ally felt the wine bottle ripped from her hands. "I think you need some air," Randy said as he whirled her toward the door.
Ally sputtered as Randy pulled her out the door and down the hall. She peered up at him. "I don't think we should leave Tilly and Jeff alone," she said. "I'm afraid she might kill him."
"They can take care of themselves," Randy said as he led her to the stairwell and skirted her down the steps. "Right now, it's you I'm worried about."
"Why worry about me?" Ally asked. "You're the one who said I'd meet lots of men."
"Sure," Randy said. "But not men like Jeff Granger."
"I don't think you need to worry about him," she said. "He wants women with big breasts. My tiny mounds hardly qualify."
Randy pulled her around to face him. "As a matter of fact, I happen to like your tiny mounds," he said through clenched teeth. "And I sure as hell didn't like you coming on to someone else in front of me."
Ally frowned as she gazed up at him. Her head whirled. "Why would you care?" she countered. "After all, you're the one who said I'd meet lots of men if I lived in the city."
Randy's face darkened as he led her to his car. "Just shut the hell up," he said.
What the fuck are you doing, Gallagher?
Randy struggled to figure it out as his car sped down the freeway. In fact, he wasn't even sure where he was taking Ally until his foot let up on the gas pedal and his hand hit the signal light for a right turn. It wasn't until that very moment that he'd realized he was taking Ally to his apartment.
And then what?
Randy shook his head and chuckled lightly. He knew damn well why he was taking her there. He wanted her again. Once was never enough with Ally as far as he was concerned.
If only she'd protest. Tell him it was over and she wanted nothing to do with him ever again. Instead, for the past twenty minutes, she sat silently in the passenger seat.
She knew. And she was quite content knowing where they were going. Damn! She wanted him just as much as he wanted her.
Life would be a hell of a lot easier if she didn't want him, didn't need him as much as he wanted and needed her.
Damn.
As he pulled the car into the parking garage, he heard Ally take a deep breath. She wanted to say something but was holding back.
As Randy pulled into his parking space and shut the car off, he peered at her. "What?"
"I know," she said simply.
Randy frowned. "What do you know?"
He watched as Ally drew her fingers through her hair nervously. She took another deep breath and let it out slowly. She turned her gaze to him, her eyes shining bright. "I know this isn't forever," she said softly, "but I don't care." Her eyes clouded with unshed tears as she shook her head softly. "God help me, I just don't care."
Randy reached his hand out and gently grazed her cheek with his fingertip. "I'm glad you understand." He smiled when she reached up and curled her fingers around his hand. "Let's go up."
"Can I borrow your cell phone?" she asked. "I need to make a call first."
They got out of his car and he handed his cell phone to her. She quickly dialed a number and turned her back to him.
"Hi, Mom," she said. "Yes, I'm sorry." She listened for a short time before she said, "I'm coming home tomorrow. We'll be able to talk this all out then." Another pause. "I love you too," she said. "I'll see you tomorrow."
Randy wanted to rip the cell phone from her hand, and demand she leave her life in Wilbur behind once and for all. But damn it, he'd done enough damage to Ally's life. If she chose to go back now, after everything that had happened, it wasn't his place to say a fucking word.
He smiled tightly as she closed the cell phone and placed it in his open hand. "Thanks," she said softly.
Randy had no reply ... at least not one she'd want to hear. Instead he stuffed the cell phone into his back pocket. He silently took her hand and led her to the elevator that would take them to his apartment.
He felt as though he had one shot left. He hoped making love to Ally tonight would change her mind and convince her to stay in the city.
Men are so damn stupid!
Didn't Randy realize the last thing she wanted to do was go back to Wilbur? Why hadn't he said anything? Why hadn't he tried to talk me out of it?
Randy's silence made her wish she hadn't hit the end button on his cell phone before the first ring. It felt awkward pretending to talk to her mother but she'd hoped Randy would take notice. He didn't seem to. In fact, he seemed to accept the fact she was going home in the morning.
She knew she'd have to talk to both Sam and her mother soon. She couldn't put it off forever. It wasn't fair to either one of them. She'd have to tell them she had no intention of going back.
If only Randy cared. He seemed quite content to lead her to his apartment even after she'd made the fake call home.
Ally sighed. What the hell was wrong with her? Why did she want him so much knowing they had no future?
As Randy unlocked the apartment door and stood aside to allow her to pass, Ally's shoulder brushed against his chest. As tingles of excitement ran down her spine, she knew why she'd come.
There'd be no happily ever after with Randy. There'd be neither the white picket fence nor any children born of their love. But she would have the memory of their lovemaking tonight and she would hold it in her heart for a lifetime.
As Ally gazed around the spacious, tastefully decorated apartment, Randy cleared his throat behind her. She swung around to face him.
"Can I get you anything?" he asked. "A drink? Something to eat?"
"Maybe a glass of water," Ally said as she turned and walked into the living room. She ran her hand over the supple black leather sofa and peered at various pictures on the wall. "You have a very nice place."
"I like it," Randy called from the kitchen. "You want ice?"
"Sure." Ally lowered to sit in the matching armchair as Randy came toward her carrying a bottle of beer in one hand and a tall glass of water in the other. He placed the glass on the chunky walnut coffee table and plunked down on the sofa across from her.
As Ally leaned forward to pick up her glass, her gaze skittered over him. He rested his head against the back of the sofa, his legs spread wide apart with his feet firmly planted on the black and cream colored area rug on the floor. He looked relaxed, quite comfortable with her presence in his space. No doubt, he'd had many women in his apartment.
Ally sipped the water from her glass slowly as she watched Randy. She knew why he'd brought her to his apartment and couldn't help feeling he was simply biding his time. He was far too comfortable for her liking. After all, this was their last night together. Why wait a moment longer?
Ally set her glass down and got up. "I know why you brought me here," she said softly as she stepped away from the chair.
Randy smiled as he placed his bottle of beer on the coffee table and leveled his gaze on her. "Do you?"
Damn, he's one cool customer. If he wanted her, it certainly didn't show on his face. Ally bit her lower lip and hesitated briefly before she pulled her t-shirt over her head and cast it aside. She broke eye contact with him, her gaze falling to the floor, as she reached behind her, unhooked her bra and let it fall at her feet. Her hands cupped her breasts. "This is what you want, isn't it?"
Randy chuckled. "You'd be a lot more convincing if you could bring yourself to look at me."
Ally felt as though she'd been doused with a bucket of ice-cold water. Her arms instantly flew to cover her breasts. "Oh God," she cried as she searched for her t-shirt. "I thought you brought me here to make love to me."
As she leaned down to retrieve her shirt, Randy's voice halted her. "I did," he said.
He rose from the sofa and rounded the coffee table. His rich brown eyes swept over her. "Ally," he said softly, "do you have any idea how incredibly beautiful you are?"
Ally gazed up at him as he gently pulled her arms away from her breasts. He held them to her sides as his gaze rested on her. He shook his head lightly. "Don't ever hide from me."
Ally's mind reeled as Randy's mouth closed over hers. He pulled her against him, pressing his body against hers. There was no mistaking his iron-hard need pressed against her abdomen. Even through his jeans, his manhood could not be denied.
Ally sighed when his hands left her shoulders and cupped her aching breasts. He gently rolled her erect nipples between his fingers as his tongue searched her mouth.
She moaned in disappointment when he pulled away from her. Randy smiled as he took her hand. "Don't be so impatient," he chided as he led her to a closed door. "We have all night."
All night. Yes. But just one night. Just tonight.
The moment she stepped inside the bedroom, she turned to him. "Randy," she said breathlessly, desperately, "I don't want to wait. I need you so much."
When she wrapped her arms around his shoulders and pulled her to him, he didn't hold back. His mouth closed over hers as his fingers flew to her jeans. When he pushed them over her hips, she wiggled until they fell to the floor and quickly stepped out of them.
Her hands slid under his shirt and pushed it over his head. She dotted his chest with kisses as her fingers fumbled with the fly of his jeans. The fact his engorged cock pressed against the denim not only caused her to feel more urgency but impeded her efforts to free him.
And Randy wasn't helping matters either. His hands and mouth were all over her body as she struggled to disrobe him. Ally sighed with relief when the fly of his jeans finally gave way to her fumbling fingers. His massive cock sprang forward. Her core moistened and sang with need as she struggled to push the denim fabric over his hips. It clung to him like a second skin and Ally let out a cry of frustration. "I can't wait!" she cried. "I need you so much. Randy, don't make me wait."
She suddenly felt her body propelled onto the bed. His jeans just past his hips, Randy quickly followed her down. She felt his belt scrape her thighs as he settled into the saddle of her hips. She needed him too much to care about the discomfort and sighed with relief when she felt his cock press heavily against her. His mouth settled over hers again, drinking from her lips, taking everything she had to give, as his cock slid over her moist core, tantalizing her in ways she'd never known in her life.
Ally wrapped her legs around his waist and urged him forward. She gasped when she felt the tip of his cock open her. He teased her, gently pressing and then pulling away, out of her reach. Ally cried and wrapped her legs tighter around him, urging him closer to her, to fulfill what his body promised.
Randy did not disappoint. She sighed as he opened her, filling her completely with his rock-hard penis. Relief didn't last long. Ally needed more. She arched her hips to greet his slow thrust, urging him deeper. She winced, her hands grasping his buttocks as his cock slowly slid up the length of her moist portal.
Randy ripped his lips from hers and pressed his mouth to her throat as he moaned. "God, Ally," he said through clenched teeth. "This is where I belong, buried deep inside your sweet, tight pussy."
Ally's hands ran up his back and felt the strength in his sinewy shoulders as he held himself in check. "Yes," her voice hissed urgently. "This is your home, Randy. This is where you've always belonged. I love you with all my heart. I always have."
Randy splayed his hands on either side of her head and raised his head and chest above her. His rich brown eyes looked deep into hers. "Do you really love me, Ally?" he asked softly. "Or do you love this?" His hips moved against her, pushing hard and slowly, methodically pulling back.
Ally couldn't find the words to reply as Randy set the pace, first slow and then faster, more demanding. She gasped with every one of his thrusts inside her, each more intense than the last.
Randy's eyes continued to bore into her. "Is it me or the way I fuck you?" he asked through clenched teeth.
Ally closed her eyes, unable to stand the intensity in his gaze. She couldn't utter a word as her body gave itself to him. Her world spiraled with every thrust, each one pulling and stretching her clitoris, bringing her closer to the edge of any possible reason.
She cried out when she could take no more and felt her body give in to several earth-shattering explosions. Randy moaned as his body gave way to his own release. He collapsed over her, struggling to draw air into his lungs.
"Ally," he whispered against her ear, "you were born to please me."
Ally's eyes tightened as she struggled to keep the hot tears from spilling. If only he loved her. If only he needed her in his life as much as she needed him.
Randy rested his head on his hand as he lay on his side watching Ally sleep. His finger slid over her cheek and gently trailed down her throat and between her luscious breasts.
"My God, Ally," he whispered, "you are so incredibly beautiful."
He let his finger continue from her chest to her abdomen and then slip over her thighs, circling her sweet core. He grinned when Ally frowned in her sleep. Her hand slapped his finger away as if it was a pesky fly. He held his hand above her as she rolled to her side away from him. When she pressed her sweet, round ass against his sleeping cock, passion rose within him.
He wedged his aching need between the cheeks of her ass as he dipped his head to nuzzle her neck; his hand slowly closed over her hip to pull her closer to him.
"Stop it," Ally said sleepily as she batted his hand. "You're insatiable."
Randy chuckled against her throat. "You can't blame me," he said.
"Yes, I can," she replied. "Don't you ever get enough?"
In spite of her scathing words, she pressed her buttocks against him and snuggled deeper into his embrace.
Randy's hand slipped between her thighs from behind and guided his cock to her already moist and ready pussy. He bucked his hips against her, filling her with his swollen cock. "I can never get enough of you," he said against her ear.
Ally moaned as she reached behind her and ran her fingers through his hair as he pumped into her.
As his cock took everything she had, Randy knew he'd never be able to let her go. He knew he'd never let her return to Wilbur.
No one else would ever have this woman. She was his for now, for always.
The shrill sound of the phone drew Randy from a deep, fitful sleep. He glanced at the sleeping woman cuddled against him and then at the alarm clock on the bedside table. He blinked and looked again. It was ten a.m.
He snapped the phone up and pressed it to his ear. "Yeah, what?"
"Thanks a hell of a lot for taking off on me last night," Tilly's angry voice sounded on the other end.
Randy grinned. "Hey, Til," he said as he tucked an arm beneath his head. "Did Jeff fuck the living shit out of you last night?"
Tilly hesitated. "Never mind that," she said tightly. "Mom wants Ally to call her."
"Why?" Randy asked. "Ally talked to her yesterday."
"I don't think so," Tilly replied. "Mom called this morning and demanded that Ally call her. I didn't get the impression she'd heard from Ally."
Randy looked at Ally, still deep in sleep. He sat on the edge of the bed as his hand tightened on the phone. "I was here when she called her mother," he replied. "Ally told her she'd be home today."
"I don't know who Ally was talking to, but it wasn't Mom," Tilly said stiffly. "Just tell Ally to call her. I can't play the go-between for much longer."
"I'll pass it on," Randy said before he replaced the phone on the receiver. He frowned and turned to look at Ally.
What the fuck? He'd heard her on the phone. He'd heard her talk to her mother.
Randy turned away and placed a hand over his eyes. Or had he? Ally had taken the cell phone and turned away from him. He'd assumed she was talking to her mother but she may well have been talking to dead air.
Randy wiped his hand over his unshaven chin. All right, so she'd only pretended to talk to her mother. The next question was why?
He got off the bed and padded to the bathroom. As he turned the taps on the shower and stepped into the spray, a thought occurred to him. She wanted him to ask her to stay. By threatening to go home, she hoped he'd beg her to stay, share her life with him.
Randy chuckled as the warm water sluiced over him. He may well have been about to ask her to stay but knowing what she was up to changed everything. He grabbed the washcloth and squeezed body wash onto it. As he began to rub the cloth over his chest, he felt a cool rush of air.
"Can I help?" Ally asked as she stepped into the shower with him.
Randy allowed her to take the cloth from his hands. As she gently rubbed it over his chest, he looked down at her. "Don't you have to be somewhere today?"
Ally's blue eyes look injured as her hand hesitated on his chest. She focused on the task at hand before she replied. "Well, yes," she said. "But Mom isn't expecting me home until this afternoon. We have time."
"Oh?" Randy said as he cocked his head to one side. "Well, if you're gonna go, there's no time like the present. Maybe you should get an early start."
The cloth fell from Ally's hand as she gazed up at him. Her eyes pleaded as she spoke. "Don't send me away just now. I want just a little more time."
As Randy gazed at her, his heart swelled. She is so incredibly beautiful, so damn wonderful. She didn't know it yet but he never intended to let her go. He shouldn't mess with her head. She needed to know.
"Ally---" His voice halted when she pressed her lips to his chest.
"Just a little more time," she whispered as her hands slid over his chest and gently gripped his penis.
He couldn't find his voice when she fell to her knees in front of him and nuzzled his cock. Her fingers gently kneaded his balls as her lips opened over him.
Randy sucked air into his lungs as Ally's tongue grazed over him, pulling him deep into her mouth. He leaned forward and ran his fingers through her damp hair.
He wanted so much for her to continue but knew he had to stop her. His hands closed over either side of her head and propelled her up. He smiled down at her as water sprayed over her face.
"There's something you need to know," he said.
Ally's eyes darkened as she peered up at him. She swallowed hard. "What?"
"Tilly called while you were sleeping. She said your mother wants you to touch base with her. Apparently, she hasn't heard from you since we left the church."
"Oh," Ally said softly as her hands fell away from him. "So you know I lied."
"Yeah, I know you lied," Randy said.
Ally pulled the shower curtain back and stepped out of the shower. She grabbed a towel. "I'm sorry," she said softly as she rubbed it over her skin.
"Me too," Randy replied as he turned the taps off and stepped out. "If you wanted to stay, you should've just asked outright."
Ally turned her back to him. She dropped the towel on the floor. "I'm sorry," she said sullenly. "I didn't know any other way to go about it than to let you think I was about to leave." She turned suddenly, her eyes filled with tears. "I wanted you to want me to stay."
Randy pulled a towel from the rack and smiled at her as he began to dry his chest. "I do."
Ally went on as though she hadn't heard him. "I love you, Randy Gallagher. I have always loved you. I didn't know it when I went to the bachelor auction but I do now."
Randy chuckled. "Did you hear what I said?"
Ally frowned. "I'm not sure. What did you say?"
Randy shook his head. "I want you to stay," he said simply. "There's no damn way I'm going to let you go back to Wilbur any time soon. At least, not unless I'm with you."
Ally's face brightened as her eyes blazed. She hesitated. "What are you saying?"
Randy turned to the shower and turned the knobs. As the water began to spray, he turned to her and smiled. "I love you too, Ally." He reached for her hand and propelled her toward him. "Now let's get back into the shower and finish what we started."
Tears streamed down Ally's cheeks as she stepped under the warm spray. "Yes," she said as she reached up to touch her lips to his. "We do need to finish what we started."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peggy Hunter lives in Midwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and son. When she's not writing, you'll find her enjoying time with her family, digging in her garden or curled up reading a good book.
Peggy is thrilled with her eighth release for WCP Torrid. Sweet Revenge is the first of a series of bachelor auction stories. "It was a blast to write and I hope my readers will enjoy it."
Visit www.whiskeycreekpress.com for information on additional titles by this and other authors.

