Married Till Christmas Read online

  An impulse wedding...

  Strong, sexy Nell Bravo won’t be fooled again. After all, Declan McGrath already shattered her heart into pieces—not once, but twice. When alluring CEO Deck sweeps Nell off her feet in Las Vegas, though, she tumbles headlong into an “only in Vegas” fling with her first love. But Nell sure didn’t bargain on a Vegas wedding!

  ...a lifetime of love?

  It’s taken a long time for Deck to finally capture the one who got away. And this time, he’s charmed her straight to the altar. But Nell will stay married to him only until Christmas Day—unless Deck can prove that this time, it’s for keeps. With the clock ticking, can Deck convince Nell that he truly is her one and only...or has Mr. Love-’Em-and-Leave-’Em broken a Bravo’s heart for the last time?

  There was definitely something...

  Something she’d done that she probably shouldn’t have.

  Something...

  Wait a minute.

  Images from the night before flashed through her mind.

  The Italian place. She’d had a little too much Chianti, hadn’t she? And then, in the limo, sailing along the strip, making love. Drinking champagne.

  But the champagne was no excuse. She hadn’t been that drunk. She’d been perfectly cognizant of everything that happened.

  When they’d just happened to stop at the place you get a marriage license, what had she done? Followed him in like a lamb to the slaughter.

  And when he’d whipped the ring out of his pocket, had she said, “Declan Keallach McGrath, you hold on just a minute here. What is that ring doing in your pocket?”

  No, she had not.

  Instead, she’d let him take her hand and slip that ring onto her finger. And then she’d clung to him like paint as they’d rolled on down the strip to that wedding place called Now and Forever.

  Now and Forever.

  Oh, my God.

  The mermaid wedding dress. The flowers. The Gardenia Chapel...

  Sweet Lord in heaven.

  What had she done?

  THE BRAVOS OF JUSTICE CREEK: Where bold hearts collide under Western skies

  Dear Reader,

  One of my favorite things about writing and reading romances is that, in a romance, the hero and heroine never give up. No matter the obstacles in their path, one way or another they will make it through to find each other by the time the story reaches its end.

  Declan McGrath is proud and relentless and often thickheaded. He lost brave, beautiful, fiercely loyal Nell Bravo eleven years ago and he has no one to blame but himself for that loss. Nell has sworn never to go near Deck again.

  But Deck has finally seen the light. He knows now that Nell is the woman for him, and he’s determined to make her his, no matter what he has to do to make that happen.

  He’s been pursuing her for months now. On a tip from her matchmaking mother, he follows Nell when she heads for Las Vegas to attend a trade show. There, he pulls out all the stops with her to get one more chance.

  But Nell is not won yet. It’s going to take the whole Christmas season and all the love in his heart to make her see that they were meant to be together.

  Merry Christmas, everyone. I hope Nell and Deck’s story helps put you in the holiday spirit, and I wish you a beautiful Christmas season and love and happiness in the New Year.

  All my very best,

  Married Till Christmas

  Christine Rimmer

  Christine Rimmer came to her profession the long way around. She tried everything from acting to teaching to telephone sales. Now she’s finally found work that suits her perfectly. She insists she never had a problem keeping a job—she was merely gaining “life experience” for her future as a novelist. Christine lives with her family in Oregon. Visit her at christinerimmer.com.

  Books by Christine Rimmer

  Harlequin Special Edition

  The Bravos of Justice Creek

  Garrett Bravo’s Runaway Bride

  The Lawman’s Convenient Bride

  A Bravo for Christmas

  Ms. Bravo and the Boss

  James Bravo’s Shotgun Bride

  Carter Bravo’s Christmas Bride

  The Good Girl’s Second Chance

  Not Quite Married

  Montana Mavericks: The Great Family Roundup

  The Maverick Fakes a Bride!

  Montana Mavericks: The Baby Bonanza

  Marriage, Maverick Style!

  Montana Mavericks: What Happened at the Wedding?

  The Maverick’s Accidental Bride

  Visit the Author Profile page at Harlequin.com for more titles.

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  For my family, with all my love.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Excerpt from The Maverick’s Midnight Proposal by Brenda Harlen

  Chapter One

  “God, you are beautiful. That red hair, those big green eyes. That amazing body. And those lips. Baby, those lips were made for a man to bite. Can I tell you a secret?”

  Nell Bravo had a one-word answer for that one. “No.”

  But the handsome guy in the expensive suit wasn’t listening. He leaned extra close, breathing Booker’s Rye—and no, he wasn’t really drunk, only buzzed enough to get pushy. “I don’t usually go for tattoos on a woman.” He eyed the half sleeve of bright ink that swirled over her left arm from shoulder to elbow. “But, in your case, I’m definitely making an exception. I’d like to jump you right here at the bar.”

  Nell considered summoning the energy to be offended, but that would be faking it. She’d never minded the brash approach, not as long as she was interested. Too bad she just wasn’t—and hadn’t been for a long time now.

  Except for one man.

  One man who managed to show up every time she turned around lately, a guy she was not letting close to her ever again, thank you very much—and that did it. That finished it. She’d had enough of the handsome fellow in the pricey suit.

  Not only did he refuse to take a hint, he’d gone and made her think of the one person she wanted nothing to do with.

  Ever again.

  Not even in her mind.

  Somewhere behind her, bells and whistles went off as a lucky slot player hit a jackpot. Nell grabbed her clutch, whipped out a twenty and slid it under her cocktail napkin for the bartender. “That’s it for me.”

  “Whoa now,” said the guy beside her, whose name was Ron. “Put your money away.”

  “Great to meet you, Ron,” she lied. “I’ve got your card and I’ll be in touch.” He owned Ron’s Custom Tile, with five stores in the Bay Area and Los Angeles. Her company, Bravo Construction, ordered a lot of tile. Maybe they could have done some business. Probably not now, though. Ron was just way too interested in looking down her dress. “Good night.” She spun on her stool, lowered her Jimmy Choos to the floor and set off for the lobby area and the elevator up to her room.

&n bsp; But Ron was no quitter. “Hold on a minute.” He was right behind her. “Baby, don’t go...”

  Nell stopped in her tracks. When she turned, he almost plowed into her. “Look.” She pinned him with her coldest stare. “I don’t know how much clearer I can make this. I’m not interested in being jumped by you—right there at the bar, or anywhere in else in this hotel. Good night, Ron.”

  He started to speak again, but she didn’t hang around to hear it. Instead, she took off, moving faster now, weaving her way past the rows of whizzing, dinging slot machines and on to the never-ending main casino floor. She flew past the gaming tables and more bars and restaurants, her high heels tapping hard over polished floors, ears tuned for the sound of Ron’s footsteps behind her.

  Yep. The idiot was following her.

  So what? He wasn’t going to catch her. She kept going, never once looking back.

  Finally, she reached the blue-lit hotel lobby with its glittering waterfall wall and swirling peacock-colored carpet. As she veered by the concierge desk, she slipped her key card from her clutch.

  Entering the marble-lined bank of elevators at last, she pushed the button to go up.

  Unfortunately, no car was available.

  Crap. Okay, she could just keep on going out the other end of the bay and circle back around, hoping to lose Ron in the process.

  Or simply wait.

  Screw it. She waited, which gave Ron the chance to catch up with her. When he reached her, she glanced the other way. Maybe ignoring him would do the trick.

  Not so much. He grabbed her arm and pulled her around to face him. “Now, just a damn minute here.”

  “Ron. You don’t look all that handsome with that mean scowl on your face.”

  “I just want to—”

  “No, Ron. I said no.”

  “There’s no need to be rude, Nell.” He spoke through clenched teeth and he still had a death grip on her arm.

  Nell felt a burning need to give Ron the sharp knee in the family jewels he very much deserved. But she kept her cool. “Seriously, Ron? This is going nowhere good. It’s a casino, in case you didn’t notice.” She pointed at the camera mounted up where the wall met the ceiling. “The eye-in-the-sky sees all. I only need to let out a scream and your evening will be downgraded from bad to a whole lot worse.”

  His grip on her arm loosened. Before she could congratulate herself for some smooth handling of an iffy situation, she noticed that Ron’s narrowed eyes had widened and shifted upward toward something behind her.

  Yanking her arm free, she turned.

  Not possible. “Deck?” It couldn’t be.

  Oh, but it was. Declan McGrath, all six foot four and two-hundred-plus muscled-up pounds of him, right here in Vegas. At her hotel.

  “What a coincidence running into you here,” said Deck in that rough, low, wonderful voice of his.

  Nell rolled her eyes so hard she almost fell over. “Coincidence, my ass. Don’t even try to tell me you’re here for the Worldwide Hard Surfaces Trade Show.”

  “Okay, I won’t.” The corners of his mouth inched upward in the slow, delicious smile that used to make her life worth living. Years and years ago. Back when she was young and trusting, before he’d dumped her flat—twice. “God, Sparky. You do look good.”

  She gave him the same look she’d been giving Ron—a look of ice and steel. “How many times do I have to say it? Don’t call me Sparky.”

  “I just can’t help myself.”

  “You don’t want to help yourself.”

  “That’s right. I never give up. And we both know it’s just a matter of time until you give in and give me a break.”

  “You’re delusional.”

  “I prefer to call it thinking positive.”

  “Hold on just a damn minute,” Ron piped up from behind her. “What the hell is going on here?”

  Nell turned to tell the tile man—again—to get lost.

  But Deck stepped around her and took Ron’s arm.

  Ron flailed. “What the hell, man? Let go of my arm.”

  “In a minute.” Deck glanced back to pin Nell with a look. “Do. Not. Move.” And then he pulled Ron down to the other end of the enclosure and whispered something in his ear. Ron paled.

  The nearest elevator dinged and the doors slid open. Several people filed out. Nell watched them go, thinking that she should get on and get away before Deck came back.

  But then again, no. Just no. She’d been walking away from Deck for months now. Enough of that. This time he’d finally gone too far.

  Following her to Vegas? Who did that?

  She wasn’t surrendering the field this time. Not until she’d treated him to a very large piece of her mind. And maybe the kick in the cojones she’d almost given Ron.

  More elevator cars arrived and more people spilled out as Deck whispered in Ron’s ear.

  “Got it,” said Ron, blond head bobbing. “Loud and clear.”

  “Fair enough.” Deck let go of his arm.

  Ron backed away with both hands up. “But hey, like I said, she’s not wearing a ring.”

  “A ring?” Nell demanded. Not that either man was listening.

  “She’s naughty like that sometimes,” Deck said with a so-what shrug. “Now get lost.” Ron didn’t argue. He took off. Nell leaned against the marble wall, her arms crossed over her chest, as Deck turned her way again. “Good,” he said. “You’re still here.”

  Where to even start with him? “You’ve got to leave me alone, Deck.”

  He came toward her, so big and solid, all lazy male grace, in jeans that hugged his hard legs and an olive green shirt that made his hazel eyes gleam so damn bright—chameleon eyes, she used to call them. They seemed different colors depending on his mood and the light. He’d rolled his sleeves to his elbows, showing off strong forearms, all muscled and veiny, dusted with sandy-colored hair.

  It just wasn’t fair. No man should be allowed to look that amazing. She wrapped her arms tighter around herself to keep her grabby hands from reaching out and squeezing those rock-hard muscles of his.

  Because, she bleakly reminded herself, squeezing Deck’s muscles—or any other part of him, for that matter—was a big, fat never-again.

  He kept on coming. She had to put up a hand. “That’s close enough.”

  “I love that red dress. You should wear red all the time.”

  “I know, I know. Goes with my hair, blah, blah, blah. Did you tell Ron we’re married?”

  He smirked. “Worked, didn’t it?”

  “Except, well, doesn’t that make me the kind of woman who takes off her wedding ring and goes trolling for a hot date with a stranger?”

  Deck snorted. “Ron? Hot?”

  “Well, theoretically speaking—and Ron’s hotness or lack thereof? Totally not the issue here.”

  “Sparky,” he chided. “You would never cheat, I know that. The thing with Ron was only to make me jealous.”

  Two elevators opened at the same time. People got off and others got on.

  She waited till the doors slid shut to say, “There was no thing with Ron. And what do you mean, make you jealous? I had no idea you were in Vegas, and even if I’d known you’d followed me here, I would have zero desire to make you jealous.”

  “But you did make me jealous. And I forgive you. You’re a high-spirited woman, always have been. You’ve got to have your fun.”

  Where was this going? Somehow, once again with him, she was failing to make the point that he should give up chasing after her because she was never getting caught—not by him. No way. “I think it’s just possible that you’ve finally completely lost your mind.”

  He slapped both big hands against his chest. “Go ahead. Hurt me. Call me names. I can take it.”

  More elevator doors opened. If she ducked into one, he would probably just follow her. Dropping her key card into her clutch, she drew away from the wall and started walking backward. Deck came after her. They ended up facing off by a potted ficus plant around the corner from the constant flow of people going up and down floors.

  “What now, Nellie?” he asked, his voice so gentle suddenly, the intimate sound tugging on a tender place inside her, a place she used to be so certain he had killed stone dead all those years ago.

  Why wouldn’t it die? This...feeling she had for him, this stupid, impossible yearning for a man who had turned his back on her twice after promising she would always be the only one for him?

  He just stood there now, close enough to reach out and touch, waiting for her to make her next move. Oh, she just ached to open her mouth and yell at him to leave her alone, get the hell away from her. But yelling would not only bring security running, it would be admitting that he was actually getting to her.

  Which he was. And which he knew already. She could see that in his gleaming, watchful eyes.

  It was bad enough that he knew. Losing her temper over it would only prove how powerfully he affected her. “Who told you I would be here?”

  “Have dinner with me and we can talk about that.” He took a step closer.

  “Forget dinner.” She stepped back. The ficus tree was right behind her. A trailing branch brushed her shoulder. “And I already know the answer to my question. Garrett told you I was here, am I right?” Her brother and partner in Bravo Construction liked Deck, damn it. Plus, there was the big, high-end house Deck had hired BC to build. Generally speaking, it was good business for Garrett to help an important client get what he wanted—but not when what he wanted was another chance with Nell. Garrett had no right to take a customer’s side against his business partner, who also happened to be his own flesh and blood. “I’m going to kill Garrett.”

  Deck stuck his hands in his pockets. She read the move as an attempt to look easygoing and harmless. As if. “It wasn’t Garrett,” he said.

  “Then who?”