Page 1 of Then Came Love
Chapter One
WEDDINGS WERE SUPPOSED to be joyful, bringing families together and celebrating the future on what should be the happiest day of a woman’s life. But for Jordan Lawler they were bittersweet, making her long for the family she’d lost. She stood at the edge of the dance floor, trying to push that longing aside, just as she’d done nearly every day for nineteen years, and focused on enjoying the beautiful spring evening and the wedding reception of her close friend Trixie and Trixie’s new husband, Nick.
She took in the glittering lights on the enormous barns and rustic wooden fences of their Pleasant Hill, Maryland, ranch. Lanterns dangled from tree limbs, and roses and wildflowers added a country touch to elegantly set tables. Trixie was a beautiful bride in a white strapless gown with exquisite pearl embellishments on the fitted bodice and a ruffled skirt that was long in the back and above the knee in the front, showing off her gorgeous legs and cowgirl boots. Her burly husband was equally handsome in dark dress slacks, a matching vest, and his ever-present cowboy hat. Jordan watched them chatting with two of Trixie’s brothers and a handful of Nick’s siblings and their parents. She had been introduced to so many Bradens and Jerichos tonight, it was hard to keep them all straight. Nick reached for Trixie’s hand, pulling her close with so much love in his eyes, Jordan was sure everyone around them felt it.
She looked away from the painful reminder of what she would never have with her fiancé.
“A beautiful woman like you shouldn’t be standing on the sidelines.”
Jax Braden’s voice coasted over her shoulder, as rich and enticing as dark, decadent silk, bringing rise to goose bumps and wild flutters in her chest. Jordan had seen Nick’s younger brother, a famed wedding gown designer, only once before the wedding. That was eight months ago, when, on Trixie’s suggestion, she had met with Jax to discuss having him design her wedding gown. Jordan had left that meeting weak-kneed, with a heart-thrumming crush on a man she barely knew.
She’d postponed her wedding for a fourth time later that day.
She thought she was over the attraction to Jax and had finally chosen a firm wedding date, but as Jax stepped in front of her, her heart raced, and she wondered how she could escape before her legs stopped working. But she couldn’t even look away from the tall, lean, and supremely beautiful man who looked at her like nobody else ever had, with reverence, curiosity, and whispers of trust me and kiss me.
She was in big trouble.
“Where’s the lucky man who put that ring on your finger?”
The same place he is every time we have plans and he breaks them at the last minute.“He got tied up at work and couldn’t make it.” She’d moved back to her hometown of Prairie View, Maryland after college, while her fiancé, Todd Karns, had moved to New York to start his career.
Jax’s brows knitted, and a sexy smile curved his lips. “His loss is my gain. Shall we?” He put a hand on her back, eyeing the dance floor.
“Actually, I was just getting ready to leave.”
“And waste that Hervé Léger dress? Not a chance, sweetheart.”
As he guided her onto the dance floor, she tried to calm the thrills scampering through her. Her fiancé rarely noticed what she wore, much less cared who made it. Jax drew her into his arms, gazing into her eyes as they slow danced. His alluring masculine scent of danger and sweetness enveloped her, making her even more nervous.
He held her tighter. “Now that you can’t get away, we can talk.”
“Is that what this is? A trap?” That shouldn’t be so tantalizing, but she always felt like she was clawing for time with Todd, so she soaked in Jax’s attention.
“Most definitely,” he said coyly, their bodies moving in perfect sync. “How have you been? How were your holidays?”
How do you tell someone that the holidays had lost their magic decades ago? “Okay. You?”
“The holidays are always big, fun events with my family, but this year my older brother Zev and his childhood sweetheart, Carly, got married, which made it an extra-special celebration. But to be honest, I’ve been a little off my game for a while. You see, this incredible woman came into my office to discuss her wedding gown, and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her.”
A pang of jealousy moved through her. “Uh-oh. Did she marry someone else?”
He lifted her left hand from his shoulder and glanced at her engagement ring. “Not yet.”
She was stunned speechless.
“I was shocked, too. Nobody has ever had that effect on me. But what can I say? You’re unforgettable.”
Her heart stumbled, and she stilled. “Jax…?”
He held her tight against him, helping her sway to the beat. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not going to try to steal you away from your man. But life’s too short to hold the important things in. I didn’t know if I’d ever see you again, and now here you are, like a gift.” He leaned closer, lowering his voice. “I haven’t been able to take my eyes off you since you walked in.”
His honesty nearly bowled her over. Nobody had ever said such sweet and meaningful things to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but no words came.
“I didn’t mean to make you nervous. I just want you to know how you affected me.”
“I…” You had the same effect on me. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything.”
They danced in silence for a minute, and she tried to process all that he’d said. Her mind spun, but it was her heart that had her holding him tighter. The song ended, but they continued dancing into the next song.
“Who did you hire to make your gown?”
