Rogue Rascal (The Rourkes, Book 9) Read online

  “They’re not here,” he says. “Just quick, fill me in on last night. I’m still fuzzy on it. Start with everyone dancing at the club. That’s where my memories fade out.”

  “Well, we were all dancing together in a big group. Bachelor and bachelorette party spontaneous meetup. Though, just between you and me, Alison made us go to that club because she knew Sam was going to be there. You were sort of flirting with everyone, even Alison, and then Sam and Alison went off to a corner to make out. We all kept dancing until Theresa—that’s the maid of honor—realized Sam and Alison were completely bailing on the whole bachelor/bachelorette thing, so she kicked the bachelor party out. That didn’t work, though, because then Sam and Alison decided they’d leave too. You told the guys you’d catch up because you were enjoying yourself. As soon as the guys left, I made my move.”

  He swallows visibly. “I felt you behind me. If I’d known it was you, I would’ve shifted away.”

  I cross my arms. “Nice.”

  He pulls my arms apart, leaving them at my sides. “No offense. Bro code was in force.”

  My lips curve up. “Anyway, you enjoyed dancing with me. We did that for a long time. Then you invited me to get a drink at the bar, and I came up with the never have I ever game to get to know you better. We were just joking around about getting married in Vegas before the tequila shots started flowing.”

  He groans. “It was just us at the bar? What happened to the rest of the bridal party?”

  “There were only the other two bridesmaids left at that point. They declared it a lame party and went to play slots.”

  “Slots have the worst odds for winning.”

  “Thank you! I told them that, but they wouldn’t listen. So, you drank more than me because you’ve done lots of stuff, and then you told me some very funny stories about pranks you’ve pulled on Sam and the guys, your brothers, your uncle, even your own mother. For shame! Stealing her serving spoon at a neighborhood potluck and causing a decades-long feud between your mother and her neighbor.”

  He laughs. “It got out of hand. I was only five, did I mention that? I hid the spoon in a box in the basement storage area at the neighbor’s house. It was so satisfying to watch it play out. I never thought it would go on for years, and there was no way I could confess after all that time.”

  I put my hand on his arm, working on that familiarity. “Naughty boy. You also told me about wild parties and far too much about women’s nipples.”

  He scrubs a hand over his face. “That’s bad.”

  “It ultimately led to your curiosity over mine. I said a good Catholic girl gets a ring on her finger first with a big wink, you know, since we’d been joking about getting married in Vegas before. That led to daring each other to do it and, well, tequila trumped good sense.”

  He glances down at my breasts and jerks his gaze back to my eyes. “I don’t remember them.”

  “That’s what happens when you pass out before the unveiling.”

  His smile is slow and sexy, his bluest of blue eyes twinkling. “Is it too late?”

  A thrill goes through me. Maybe he does find me appealing. Or is this just how he flirts with every woman? He’s mine for the week. Say something flirty back!

  “Hey, guys!” Alison calls. “Don’t you look cozy?”

  Jack whirls. I wave at Sam and Alison as they approach with their fingers intertwined. Alison is wearing a cute pink A-line dress, and my brother is in his usual button-down short-sleeve shirt and khakis. Sam manages a web development team at a tech company for some major brands. He’s smart and hardworking. I’ve always looked up to him.

  I take Jack’s hand in mine. He glances down at me, looking terribly guilty despite the fact that nothing actually happened between us. I’m not so sure he can pull off our story.

  Since Sam and Alison are still out of hearing range, I make one last-ditch attempt to catch up Jack on the basics about me. I keep my voice low. “I work in corporate accounting at MB&L, and I live in an apartment in midtown near work.”

  “I know.”

  My lips part in surprise. “You do?”

  “Sam brags about you.”

  And Jack remembered. Is it possible he was interested in me all these years and only kept his distance because of Sam? Just like I kept my distance because Sam warned me off. Do I dare hope it was more than a drunken flirtation last night? Stop. Be sensible. There’s a reason Sam warned you away. Jack doesn’t do relationships.

  Alison squeals and hugs me and then Jack. “Congratulations, you two! We had no idea you were dating. I’ll put you together at the wedding reception.”

  Sam stares at Jack, a warning in his eyes. Jack’s palm is clammy in mine. I don’t know if it’s the bro code or pretending to be in a relationship, but Jack is clearly already freaking out. How in the world are we going to make it through dinner?

  “I bet you can’t wait for your wedding,” I say, smiling at Alison. It’s her favorite subject.

  She shakes her head. “I can’t wait for it all to be over. So much stress!” She turns to Sam. “Maybe we should’ve eloped here in Vegas.”

  Jack makes a muffled sound of alarm he quickly covers with a cough. Hello, our marriage is a secret. Stop giving us away!

  My brother’s oblivious to Jack’s guilty tell. As usual, Sam’s focus is on Alison. He gives her honey blond hair a tug. “You never would’ve been happy with that. We’re doing it up, all the traditional stuff.”

  She smiles at him affectionately. “You poor thing. You didn’t even know there were traditional things before me.”

  “I’m happy if you’re happy.”

  They rub noses.

  Jack shoots me a disgusted look, and I try not to laugh. I’m sure Jack sees all their mushy stuff more than I do. Alison is a chef and owns her own restaurant, Lola, in the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, where they all live.

  The other two bridesmaids arrive, Alison’s friends from culinary school, and the women gather in a tight group talking. I stand there awkwardly for a moment, holding Jack’s hand while Sam gives him the stink eye. Jack releases my hand, probably because of Sam, and I shift to join the women’s conversation.

  A few minutes later, the other two groomsmen arrive, and we all head inside to our reserved table. Once we’re seated, we’re served glasses of water right away. Jack holds up the menu, looking like he’s studying it very seriously. Obviously, he’s trying to give himself a break from Sam’s constant glowering look across the table.

  I’m next to Jack. Sam and Alison are directly across from us. The guys, Rick and Mike, are on Jack’s other side. Theresa and Julie are on Alison’s other side. I predicted going to Vegas for the weekend would be awkward for me since I was included in the bridal party only because I’m the groom’s sister, not because I’m good friends with Alison. This is only the second time I met the other bridesmaids. They’re nice enough, but the three women like to catch up on old times, and they have a lot of inside jokes. Anyway, it is awkward sitting here tonight, but even more so because I’m suddenly faking a relationship with Jack, who’s barely keeping it together.

  Sam looks at us both expectantly. “So? How did you two get together?”

  Jack drops the menu and turns to me.

  Alison wags her finger at us playfully. “They looked very cozy on the dance floor last night.”

  “Yeah?” Sam asks. “I didn’t notice. It was so crowded.”

  And you had your tongue down Alison’s throat. I keep that to myself.

  “Lotsa dancing,” Jack mumbles and guzzles his water.

  I take over. “We first ran into each other at Tazi—”

  “You never go to Tazi,” Sam interrupts.

  I huff. “You don’t know everywhere I go. I was meeting up with some friends.”

  “Who?” Sam asks suspiciously.

  I fight to keep a composed voice. Sam knows I work so much I don’t have time for socializing. Usually, I just go out with a couple of women from the o
ffice right after work or go on the occasional boring date. “You don’t know them. I met up with a few people I know from a former client of mine.” I have to be careful not to make the story too complicated.

  “Who were you with?” Sam asks Jack.

  “My brother,” Jack shoots back.

  “Which one?” Sam asks.

  “Does it matter?” Jack asks belligerently, going on the defensive. “Why don’t you just say what you really think about me being with Riley, huh? You think I’m not good enough for her.”

  “I’m sure that’s not true,” I say quickly.

  The table goes utterly silent as Sam and Jack have an intense staredown. Alison elbows Sam. He glances at me, and I send him a beseeching look. Please don’t be mad at Jack.

  “Wait a minute,” Rick says, leaning forward to get a look at me and Jack. “You guys are together? How did I not know this?” Rick is Sam’s roommate. He definitely would’ve noticed if I was popping up at Jack’s place.

  “We kept it quiet,” I say. “And Jack mostly visited me in the city.”

  Mike chimes in. “Secret relationship.”

  Rick nods sagely. He’s a high school history teacher, already going bald in his twenties, his dark brown hair slicked back to cover the sparseness on top. “I was gonna say, I never saw her at Jack’s place. How long has this been going on?”

  “Little over a month,” I say and barrel on at Rick’s wide-eyed look of surprise. He’s probably seen other women coming out of Jack’s place during that time since he lives across the hall. “I gave him my number, and he’s been meeting me in the city for some very nice dates. We’ve gone to some fun restaurants, a few movies, and a horse-drawn carriage ride around Central Park.”

  The guys snicker, even my brother.

  I turn to Jack with what I hope is a tender smile. His tight expression relaxes as he smiles back. Just a small smile, but he’s trying.

  “It was romantic,” I say. “Jack’s been very good to me.”

  I turn to Sam, daring him to say differently. He stops smiling and clears his throat.

  Alison jumps in with a cheery, “We’re so happy for you.”

  “Thank you,” I say and quickly steer the conversation away from the topic of me and Jack. “Anyone win big at the casino yet?”

  Thankfully, that gets everyone talking and the spotlight off us. A short while later, the waiter comes to take our order. In the quiet that follows, Sam asks me, “Do Mom and Dad know about you and Jack?”

  Jack stiffens. I think he just realized the same thing I did. My parents are going to see us acting like a couple at this weekend’s wedding festivities. I’m going to have to introduce Jack. There will be questions.

  “Uh…” I say in a brilliant reply that’s not at all suspicious.

  The waiter arrives with drinks, giving me a moment to regroup. Conversation down the other end of the table picks up. Still, Sam stays focused on his question, staring at me. “Do they know, Ry? Did everyone know but me?”

  “Nobody knew,” I say. “I told you we kept things quiet. I’ll introduce him to Mom and Dad at the rehearsal dinner.”

  “I’ve told them what a prankster he is,” Sam says.

  “That’s me,” Jack says, his jaw tight.

  I smile at Jack and give his bicep a squeeze. “Don’t be nervous, sweetheart. I’m sure my parents will love you.”

  Sam lifts his brows archly. “Just be prepared to answer some probing questions like where you see yourself in five years. Dad’s favorite question.”

  Jack grabs my water and guzzles that. He’s already downed his. Sweat dots his forehead. Shit. He’s about to freak out just like this morning. Who knows what’s going to come out of his mouth? He might blurt that we got married!

  I lift my palm. “I’ll make it easy for you, Jack. The right answer to Dad’s favorite question is ‘making your daughter happy.’”

  “Good luck with that,” Sam says with a low laugh.

  “Excuse me,” Jack says, standing abruptly. I watch him stride toward the restrooms. Hope he doesn’t barf again.

  “Be right back,” I say and follow him.

  “Aren’t they adorable?” Alison asks my brother as I walk away. He grumbles something I can’t quite hear.

  I head to the back of the restaurant, down a long hallway, and wait for Jack to emerge from the men’s room. A few minutes later, he steps out.

  “Hey, are you okay?” I ask.

  He pulls me to the side, whispering urgently, “I can’t do this. I can’t lie to Sam, your parents, everyone.”

  “It’s just a week of pretending. Remember why we’re doing it, so Sam won’t be upset that we hooked up last night.” He makes a derisive sound, and I put a hand on his arm. “He wants you to be serious about me, you know, even if he’s acting like an overprotective ape at the moment.”

  “I’m not so sure about that. And what about meeting your parents? I’ve never met any woman’s parents. I’m not prepared for probing questions.”

  “Relax, my parents are so chill. They know you’ve been good friends with Sam for years, so I’m sure they already like you.”

  “They won’t like me when they hear we’ve secretly been dating behind their backs. And what if they find out we got married?” He shoves a hand in his hair. “I can’t believe I get all the tough stuff without any of the fun stuff.”

  “They’re not going to find out about the marriage, and as for us being together, it’s fine that they’re just finding out now. They don’t expect to know everything in my life as soon as it happens.”

  He stares at me, his expression uncertain. He needs me to bring this back to where he’s comfortable—the fun stuff—so I do the only thing I can think of. I wrap my arms around his neck. “Would this make it more fun?” I press my lips to his gently, a spark shooting through me at contact.

  He stares at me for a long moment. “Yeah, little bit.”

  A beat passes in shimmering silence, our gazes locked.

  His big hand cups the back of my neck, and he kisses me, a light press of his lips on mine. And then another. Sparks fire over my skin.

  He pulls away, and I grab him by the shirt and pull him back for more. I taste him, and he takes over the kiss suddenly, shocking me with a kiss that’s urgent, raw, and hungry. His hand is tangled in my hair, his arm banded around my waist. Lust like I’ve never felt before rushes through me, leaving my knees weak.

  He pulls away suddenly and paces the hallway before halting. “Gimme a minute. You go back first.”

  I smile because I know exactly why he needs a minute. “Fun stuff is working for you.”

  He jerks his chin. “Smartass. Don’t pretend it’s not working for you too.”

  I blow him a kiss. “Told you this could be fun.”

  He shakes his head, a smile tugging at his lips. Triumph surges through me. He’s letting me in. Now I get to have a taste of the fun Jack life.

  3

  Jack

  It’s been five days since I woke up married in Vegas. And now I’m standing next to my (secret) wife in a suit and tie at a country club in New Jersey, feeling more out of place than I ever have in my life. We’re waiting for Sam and Alison to arrive for the rehearsal dinner. Believe me, I know what it means to feel out of place. I once went to my cousin’s royal wedding at a palace in Villroy after years of our families being on the outs. As in, my father was exiled and the rest of us referred to as “the riffraff.” This is ten times worse. The key difference here is “my wife.” I can’t fathom how I ever thought a Vegas wedding was a good idea. Tequila thinking with my dick is the best I can come up with.

  Riley takes my hand and gives it a squeeze. I let her touch me. I don’t touch her back, except for that one kiss, which was a huge miscalculation on my part. There was way too much chemistry, and I can’t let myself be tempted. The no-hookup-equals-annulment rule is always foremost in my mind. I haven’t seen her since we left Vegas. Distance is my only option.

&n
bsp; “Relax,” she says. “You have nothing to worry about with my parents. They’d never make a scene, especially here.”

  I take her in, wearing a navy blue short-sleeved dress that falls to her knees. It’s somehow sexy and modest at the same time. There’s no cleavage showing either. It’s got to be the way it clings to her curves. Full breasts, narrow waist, flare of her hips. If I hadn’t seen her in that sexy white sequined dress in Vegas, I never would’ve guessed she had curves like that hiding under her corporate suits. Now it’s all I can see.

  She puts a hand on my shoulder for balance as she goes up on tiptoe, and I have to suppress the urge to give her a boost. She’s only five feet four to my six feet. Also, she smells so good, like vanilla and spice. “Just one more day. It hasn’t been all that difficult, has it?”

  “No,” I admit. While it hasn’t exactly been easy to accept the marriage thing, the time I’ve spent with her hasn’t been difficult at all. We had that dinner in Vegas with the bridal party, and then we all went to the casino afterward, which was actually a lot of fun. Riley is great at blackjack. Then everyone flew home early the next morning and went back to work. Simple, easy. We had no time alone together, so there was zero chance of being tempted by her.

  Except I thought about her more than I’d like in between Vegas and now. She’s a bit of a mystery. Serious corporate type with a sexy playful side. It’s like she really wants to let loose, but doesn’t quite know how. It’s the only reason I can think of for why she wants to be with me. I’m known for letting loose—all fun, all the time.

  And that kiss that I can’t stop replaying in my mind. It started out almost sweet, a delicate thing. I wanted to be careful with her. And then her tongue tentatively touched mine and I lost control. I never lose control. I might be spontaneous to initiate, but it’s always me in charge. There’s something a little dangerous about a woman who makes me lose control. I mean, look at what happened already! I married her when I had no intention of getting married for a very long time. That’s what other guys do, the kind who are easily pussy whipped. Like Sam. Not me. I’m stronger than that.