The Accidental Fiance

By Krista Thoren

Women to Watch

Oops they got engaged!

And they weren't even dating! At least, not romantically speaking. Brianna Tully had disqualified herself from the dating game, but she still needed a pretend date to throw off her meddling family. Grant Addison was happy to help a friend, even if it meant pretending to be her fiance to satisfy her relatives.

Little did Brianna know that her counterfeit fiance had a motive of his own to become a husband. And funny thing, Grant had secretly set his sights on his pretend bride–to–be becoming his real–life wife!

For a humorous very nineties look at love, exciting new talent Krista Thoren is one of our Women to Watch

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: Jul 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460869604

Book preview

1

Brianna Tully hauled a bolt of fabric onto her cutting table. It landed with a satisfying thud just as the shop door opened and the bell chimed. She looked up.

A suit. With a tall, striking guy in it. He must be lost.

Hello. What can I do for you?

It’s what I can do for you that counts. Long strides carried him toward her. His mouth curved in a slow smile tinged with familiarity. Blatant appreciation lit his gray eyes. I’m Grant.

Congratulations, Brianna wanted to say. She studied him. He was bold, she’d give him that much. And attractive. Her eyes narrowed. The killer smile and bedroom eyes didn’t go with his conservative charcoal suit, but he probably wasn’t the only businessman who spent his lunch hour hitting on women.

He had the wrong place, however. She was about to tell him exactly where to go when the door opened again. So instead she gave him a dry look. Thanks, but I don’t need you to do a single thing for me. She raised her voice. I’ll be right with you, Mrs. Sikes.

He frowned. You don’t? Stephanie said—

Brianna groaned. I should have known. Damn. When would her sister get a clue and stop her stupid matchmaking?

Are you saying you didn’t know about this? He looked puzzled.

Do I seem that desperate?

His gaze roamed her shop in leisurely inspection. Then his eyes fixed on her face. As a professional, I’d say your situation is fairly desperate, yes.

A professional? He got paid for this? Oh, God, what had Stephanie done? He didn’t look like a gigolo, or whatever they were called these days. But then, that was the point, wasn’t it?

He laughed. Don’t look so horrified. We’ll get you fixed up, no problem. Nothing too sophisticated, I promise. A minimum of hardware.

Steel chains, holding her captive in the shadows. Brianna opened her mouth, but no sound came out She flicked a glance at Mrs. Sikes, who was thank-fully still browsing. Brianna shook her head. She had to get him out of here.

His gray eyes were intense. You need some kind of protection, you know.

She didn’t even want to think about that. He probably used the fluorescent kind.

He rubbed his chin. And a video camera. That’s a must

A camera? Brianna closed her eyes. Then she opened them again. This guy was leaving. Immediately.

No. She kept her tone brisk and businesslike as she walked toward the door, leaving him to follow. Look, I don’t have time for this. I have a shop to run.

You don’t have to do a thing, he assured her. Just leave it to me. I’m happy by myself.

Brianna stared at him. She had a feeling she’d lost the thread of this conversation. If she’d ever had it in the first place. She took a deep breath. Let me get this straight. Stephanie sent you here—

That’s right. He nodded. To install a security system.

Grant watched as soft pink color flooded Brianna’s cheeks. She looked even better in person than in photos. Moreover, she looked like a Brianna. A redheaded elf, graceful in a high-strung kind of way. An eccentric who wore sunglasses on top of her curls on a snowy March day. His fascination was obviously embarrassing her. He had to get a. grip. But her huge blue eyes stared at him, and he felt the impact deep in his gut, a visceral punch.

She walked back to the register and shuffled a few papers around. Then she looked up, cleared her throat and pushed back several curly strands of her incredible hair. It was reddish gold, and it wasn’t fake, either. He’d never seen so many shades of color in anyone’s hair before. Not that he went around staring at the stuff, normally, but this woman had a charisma that invited second looks. And more. Hanging around her shop for a couple of hours wasn’t going to be tough.

Plus, he’d soon be able to cross this task off his list of minor goals.

About this system, he began.

She was shaking her head. Yes, well, that was a…a mistake.

He knew he looked blank. A mistake? What was a mistake?

The whole thing. She hesitated, looking uncomfortable. Stephanie shouldn’t have sent you over here.

Grant looked around once again. Housed in a nineteenth-century building that was once a private residence, her shop was cozy and charming. But it was not well protected. And she couldn’t see a need for his services? Who was she trying to kid?

She cleared her throat again. The thing is, I, um, already have a security system.

He raised a brow. What? A big dog and a broom?

She almost smiled. Almost, but not quite. Look, Mr…?

Addison. Grant watched her twirl a strand of her bright hair. Didn’t Stephanie tell you I’m Liz’s brother?

Her brows shot up. No. My sister didn’t mention anything at all.

That explained the confusion.

Then her eyes narrowed. You look totally different from any of the pictures in Stephanie and Liz’s apartment. A hint of accusation tinged her voice.

Grant smiled. Sorry. Losing a beard and mustache will do that, I guess. He was aware of her gaze lingering on his now-clean-shaven jaw. He couldn’t find anything in her expression to suggest approval and was irritated with himself for looking for it.

Finally she shrugged. You still don’t look much like Liz.

Just then a middle-aged woman trotted up with a bolt of material, saving Grant from having to think of a response.

Hello, Mrs. Sikes. You decided on the dupioni? Good. Brianna flipped the bolt several times on the table, straightened and smoothed the cascade of blue, then ran scissors through it with impressive speed. Don’t you agree it’s got more body than the other silks? Plus, I think you’ll find the texture adds a lot to your dress.

Grant waited while she finished the sale, chatting with her customer about placement of the pattern pieces, contrasting trim, and other stuff he paid no attention to. Finally the woman headed out the door. Have a good time, Brianna told her.

As the door shut, he pursed his lips in a soundless whistle. A hundred and fifty bucks?

She crossed the room to put the bolt away, wedging it carefully among assorted colors of the same material. Counting tax, yes.

For a few yards of material? He was in the wrong business.

"Fabric. It’s a high-quality weave—the best silk I have—and it’s imported. Brianna came back over to the table. Here at The Silver Lining, we try to provide customers with the finest quality fabrics at the most reasonable prices possible. She gave a sudden smile. Well, what do you think, too stuffy? I’m being interviewed tomorrow morning by Indianapolis Living magazine. A feature article. Home decorating, they said, with an emphasis on flair and sophistication."

Grant lost the rest of it. She had an amazing smile, luminous and quirky at the same time. A dimple flashed in one cheek. It was gone too soon. Yes, he was going to enjoy working on this particular goal and watching that smile of hers while he did it. Not to mention seeing her cute pixie curves in the little green dress she was wearing.

But I guess they won’t be interested in details like that, right?

He’d missed something. Details?

Faint lines creased her brow. Hmm, good point, maybe that’s not the best word. After all, a name matters more than one might imagine, doesn’t it? Her earnest blue eyes fastened on his. It took me a long time to come up with The Silver Lining, and it was time well spent. I think that note of optimism is important, don’t you?

Crucial, probably. Thirty dollars and up—way up—for a yard of material was complete lunacy.

She flashed a cheerful smile. Yep, I got lucky with The Silver Lining. To tell you the truth, I can’t imagine a more perfect name.

How about The Golden Fleece? Grant muttered.

What?

Nothing. Let’s talk about your security system.

Her gaze slid away from his and she shrugged. It doesn’t matter. You can forget about that.

He frowned. Your sister was very definite about what you need.

I’ll bet.

And I agree with her. In your window display alone you’ve got an obvious fortune. Irish linen, lace, crystal and assorted antiques, according to Stephanie.

That’s my St. Patrick’s Day display.

And very attractive it is, too.

Thank you.

Grant gave her a meaningful smile. Especially to someone with a good eye and itchy fingers.

Think so? Brianna looked like she was considering that for a moment, and then she nodded again. "I agree. In fact, I’m positive that window is what caught Indianapolis Living’s attention."

Brianna—

This place has sturdy locks, she told him then, which proved that, as he’d thought, she hadn’t misunderstood him. A bright gleam of amusement lit her blue eyes. She was laughing at him. He caught a whiff of a light and appealing fragrance as she moved past him to a nearby table and started straightening the pattern books and rearranging the chairs. Her movements were quick, smooth and efficient. The flowy material of her dress shifted over her hips and breasts in an inspirational series of slow, brushing slides that made him want to run his hands all over her body. Her breasts looked full, round and perfect.

Satisfaction guaranteed, she said.

What?

That’s what the locksmith told me. Those are state-of-the-art devices.

He pulled his thoughts together. Bull. Those locks wouldn’t deter a motivated thief, and anyway, smashing a window in the middle of the night is child’s play. Trust me, you need an alarm. A loud one. I promised your sister I’d provide you with that. He was going to keep his promise.

And reach his goal.

She shook her head. Those systems are expensive.

Well, as Stephanie was supposed to tell you, this one won’t cost you a thing. It’s my payback to her and Liz for their house-hunting help last month when I moved to Indianapolis. I’ll have you all fixed up in no time.

I thought you only did corporate security. Majorleague stuff, as Liz put it.

The door opened on another customer, so Grant pulled out a chair and sat down at the pattern table, ready to wait. That’s what I was doing in Boston, yes. But I prefer variety, and now I do troubleshooting stuff as a consultant. Most of the work involves computer software, which I enjoy.

Hmm. It was a dubious sound.

Grant sent her what his sister claimed was his most charming smile. But I don’t think we’ll have to do anything that complicated here, he told her. I’ve had a quick look at the, ah, territory, and we’ll spend a little more time today discussing what your needs are. I’m confident I’ll be able to take care of them.

He was already looking forward to it

Brianna shut the door behind her customer and wondered how she was going to get rid of the dark-haired guy sitting at her pattern table.

The tall, very attractive, dark-haired guy.

Liz’s brother.

Grant.

The last time she’d sneaked a look at him, he’d been flipping through a July pattern book with an inappropriate amount of enthusiasm. The swimwear section, in all likelihood. It was amazing he even looked up when the door shut And now he obviously expected her to go over there so they could discuss the details of a security system she didn’t need or want.

A system that was not the reason Stephanie had sent him to her.

What was worse, those sexy gray eyes of his had her wishing she really was in the market for one.

Trust Stephanie to put her in a position like this. Brianna had already made her feelings brutally clear, but her sister gave stubborn a whole new meaning.

Look, Brianna said, dropping into the chair opposite his and suppressing a twinge of regret, I’m sorry my sister’s wasted your time like this, especially when it’s obvious you have other things to do today. A gray business suit had never turned her on before. This was not good.

My meeting’s over. His brief smile put grooves in his lean cheeks. I budgeted time to work on your security system. It’s my goal for this week.

Warm sexy eyes. A sinful smile. Thick sable hair that tempted her fingers to slide into it.

It was enough to make a grown woman weep.

Or strangle her sister.

Brianna drew a small breath. Your goal?

He nodded. I’m making it a priority.

His serious expression made her want to laugh, but the man was trying to do her what he thought was a favor, so she restrained herself. It was ironic, though, that she couldn’t seem to escape goal-oriented people.

Well, anyway, Stephanie shouldn’t have sent you, because I’ve told her a gazillion times I don’t need a ma—um, a security system.

You don’t. He made it a statement instead of a question. She saw him run a finger over his chin.

Right. I’m satisfied with what I’ve got. She was. She really was. Fourteen years of dating was enough