Christine Rimmer - Married Till Christmas

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

Married Till Christmas

Christine Rimmer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

CHRISTINE RIMMERcame 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 www.christinerimmer.com.

For my family, with all my love.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text 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?

Introduction 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

Title Page Married Till Christmas Christine Rimmer www.millsandboon.co.uk

About the Author 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 www.christinerimmer.com .

Dedication For my family, with all my love.

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Chapter Eight

Chapter Nine

Chapter Ten

Chapter Eleven

Chapter Twelve

Extract

Copyright

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.