Hot and Bothered - Erika Wilde Page 0,40
out the overprotective side in a Sommers’ man.” She leaned close to Natalie but didn’t bother lowering her voice. “Take it from me and my experience with Cole, these boys like to be in control and tend to be a bit dominant at times. Then again, it’s nice to see Noah so tied up in knots over a woman.”
Noah sent a mock scowl Melodie’s way. “That’s enough, Mel,” he warned lightly, then turned to Natalie with a charming grin. “Don’t believe a word she says about me.”
Before Natalie could reply, Cole walked into the room, his striking blue gaze checking her out in a reserved kind of way. There was no denying both brothers were incredibly handsome, but Cole was definitely the more serious of the two.
He smiled in greeting. “I was just getting ready to take off for the office. I’m glad I got the chance to see you before I left. You look great.”
“Thanks.” Absently, she touched the scab on her cheek from her cut, which she’d left uncovered for the day. “I still have a few bumps and bruises, and my memory is still fuzzy, but I can’t complain because I know I could be in a lot worse shape.”
“I know you’re feeling much better,” Noah cut in, his tone authoritative, “but take it easy and don’t overdo today.”
Natalie rolled her eyes. “Yes, sir.”
“She’ll be fine, Noah.” Melodie waved away his concern. “Quit worrying. I’ll take good care of her while you’re gone.”
Satisfied with her assurance, Noah glanced at the time on his cell phone. “I need to get going so I don’t miss my flight. I’ll be back around six tonight to pick you up.” He leaned down and kissed Natalie softly on the lips, the fleeting contact over much too soon for her liking.
“Be safe,” she said, the words slipping out automatically.
He stared at her for a long moment, his brow furrowed, then he said huskily, “You, too.”
His response seemed to hold a deeper meaning she couldn’t quite grasp, one that made an odd sense of foreboding settle over her. Ridiculous, she knew, and immediately pushed the disconcerting sensation aside.
“Come on, Cole. I’ll walk you out,” Noah said to his brother. “There are a few things I need to discuss with you regarding this case.”
With one last goodbye, the men left.
“Are you ready to go?” Natalie asked Melodie.
The other woman nodded. “Just let me grab my purse from upstairs, and we can be on our way.”
Half an hour later they were standing in a well-known bridal boutique in San Francisco, surrounded by row upon row of white, frothy gowns, pastel and jewel-toned bridesmaids dresses, and other wedding paraphernalia. The huge, one-stop store was divided into sections, covering everything from shoes, lingerie and accessories to casual and fancy evening wear.
A young saleswoman told Melodie that they’d pull her wedding dress and let her know when the seamstress was ready for her final fitting. While the two of them waited, they browsed through the various sections of the shop and wandered into the eveningwear department.
Melodie shuffled through a rack of outfits and pulled out a two-piece ensemble made up of black lace pants and a matching halter top. “What do you think of this?” she asked, holding it up to her curvaceous figure for Natalie to see. “I need a few new outfits for the honeymoon, and this might work for a night out on the town in the Bahamas.”
Natalie grinned, seeing the glow on the other woman’s face and knowing her soon-to-be husband put it there. “I like it, and I’m sure Cole will, too.”
“I think you’re right.” She draped the outfit over her arm and continued looking through another rack. “Do you have something to wear to the wedding on Saturday?”
Natalie fingered the soft angora knit of an off-the-shoulder sweater dress that had captured her attention, liking the way the fabric felt against her skin. She considered Melodie’s question, thinking of all her clothes hanging in Noah’s closet. Most of her outfits and dresses were more suited to everyday wear, nothing that was appropriate for a fancy ceremony and reception. Nothing to turn a man’s head the way she wanted to turn Noah’s.
“I don’t think I’ve bought anything for the wedding,” she replied, and smiled impishly at Melodie. “This loss of memory really is the pits.”
Understanding softened Melodie’s gaze. “I’m sure it is, but look on the bright side. It’s a great excuse to buy yourself something fun and new. Why don’t you try on