His Sister's Wedding by Carol Rose Read Free Book Online

her brother from just such a catastrophe?
    Even so, she had to resist the temptation Luke offered or lose her own sense of direction
     in life. Knowing some of the reasons behind his dismissal of love left her paradoxically
     wary and tender toward him.
    Despite how it may appear to Luke, she wasn't an uptight prude. If he'd given indication
     of being a man seeking a soul mate, Lillie might very well have allowed herself to
     succumb to the deep pull of his attraction. But as things stood, it could only be
     self-destructive to fall for and make love with a man who hoarded his emotions as
     fiercely as a miser.
    "I respect your right to have a different outlook on this thing," Lillie said finally.
     "But I'm not going to have a sexual relationship with you."
    Luke met her determined gaze, a hint of amusement lurking in his dark eyes. "If you're
     so much in favor of love and marriage, why aren't you married yourself?"
    "There's a little matter of finding the right man," she said stiffly, hating the defensive
     note in her voice.
    "I see. You're looking and you just haven't found Mr. Right. But I'd think a beautiful
     woman like yourself would have plenty of guys willing to 'fall in love' with you."
     He lifted a taunting eyebrow, waiting for her response.
    "There have been one or two," she replied even more stiffly.
    "What was the problem, then? Didn't they measure up either?"
    "It isn't a matter of 'measuring up,'" Lillie retorted. "I don't think it's asking
     too much to want to be important to the man you marry."
    "So you had unrealistic expectations in your past relationships, and when the guys
     didn't meet them, you gave them the boot, Pollyanna?"
    "Don't call me that!" Lillie felt her face flush as words crowded hotly on her tongue.
     "There's no crime in having high expectations. At least when mine are met I'll have
     something worth hanging on to. You're deliberately setting your expectations low so
     you won't get hurt, but you also won't know the deep, lifelong love my parents had."
    Luke shook his head, a faint bitterness at the back of his eyes. "The illusion of
     love being all, conquering all."
    "Love can conquer all," she said, hating the faint shakiness in her voice. "I've witnessed
     it."
    Luke met her gaze after a moment of silence, his smile enigmatic. "So," he leaned
     back against the wall, "we'll use the garden for Mel's wedding. If it comes off."
    "What? I never agreed to that," Lillie denied, struggling to keep pace with his sudden
     change of subject. "I still think it's an impractical idea. A nightmare from a coordinator's
     perspective."
    "I tell you what," he offered, "I happen to have a key to the house with me. We'll
     inspect the kitchens and the dressing space. If you still think it's a lousy idea,
     I'll consider other sites--" He raised a hand when she opened her mouth to speak.
     "But none of those bland, regulation church places."
    "This doesn't sound like much of a compromise," Lillie commented with irony.
    "Have I told you I'm not good at making concessions?"
    "No, but it doesn't come as a surprise." She stared out at the garden absently. "Okay,
     I'll at least look at the inside of the house. But if it's a mess, which I'm convinced
     it will be, we find somewhere else and this wedding will 'come off'."
    Luke wondered if she knew how easy she was to read. Her cheeks still held a peachy
     flush from his kiss, her mouth trembled ever so slightly. God, she had a great mouth.
     Small and heart-shaped, as sweet as candy. Who'd have guessed she kissed like a witch's
     apprentice, as sinful as midnight and as dangerous as black magic.
    "If you think the inside of the house isn't workable, we'll talk about alternatives."
     Luke's mouth twitched but he managed to keep the satisfied smile from spreading.
    Lillie looked at him through narrowed eyes, apparently aware he was hedging his bets.
     She was a sharp cookie, all right. Still too romantic and ridiculously optimistic,
     but not as drifty as