A Case for Calamity by Mackenzie Crowne

eyebrows shot to his hairline upon learning of the terms of her grandmother’s bequest, but instead of being angry at what had to be a surprising development, he’d actually seemed pleased.
    A satisfied smile curved his lips as he signed the papers and watched her do the same. When he dropped her back at her apartment, his eyes had simmered with the sensual heat she hadn’t seen since Paris. He’d brushed his lips over her palm before telling her he’d see her in the morning.
    She had no idea what to expect after this morning’s short ceremony. Considering the angry words they’d shared of late, she didn’t expect him to sweep her away to a romantic location this evening, but then, there was that kiss and the sensual intensity in his eyes yesterday…
    What did they mean?
    Her belly fluttered when her father joined her.
    “You look beautiful.” He kissed her cheek.
    “Thanks, Dad.” She adjusted the knot of his tie, an unnecessary move, as he was impeccably dressed, as usual, in his dark, double-breasted suit. “So do you.”
    “Ready?” He lifted his brow as though unsure of her response.
    He needn’t worry. She’d made her decision and wouldn’t be changing her mind. She slipped her arm through his. “Ready.”
    Father Martin waited in front of the large fireplace mantel. To his left, her mother smiled brightly. Beside her, Keith grinned a bit hesitantly. He held Shae’s hand, while on the right, a sober-faced Melanie Archer stood at Gabe’s side.
    Jane suppressed a nervous shiver and switched her focus to her groom, studying him from beneath lowered lashes. Physically, she couldn’t have chosen better. Minus the usual Stetson, his shock of thick black hair was combed into submission. Splendid in black on black, his tailored suit rode his wide shoulders perfectly, defining his broad chest, trim waist, and long, muscled legs. His tie, a crisp slash of seasonal red, the exact shade of the flowers Jane carried, was the only touch of color in a sea of black. Had he worn the tie with her bouquet in mind, or was his choice a mere coincidence?
    His eyes, those mesmerizing moss-green orbs, found hers. Sober, studying, they followed her as a predator would his prey. A shiver of awareness started at her toes, climbing up her body and leaving gooseflesh behind.
    Her father brought her to a halt and brushed his lips over the curve of her cheek. “Your mother and I are proud of you.”
    Jerked from the sensual pull sucking her into the bottomless depths of Gabe’s eyes, she pulled away to stare up at her father. Tears stung and misted her vision. For years, she’d done everything she could to win her parents’ approval, without success. This morning, as she took a step she wasn’t completely sure would end in happiness, they were finally proud? She glanced to her mother, whose calculating gaze was otherwise occupied studying Gabe, or possibly Melanie. Jane couldn’t be sure which, not that it mattered.
    Her gaze met Keith’s. He winked, but his hesitant smile had gone sad.
    She pivoted her head and found Gabe watching her. His brows furrowed in silent question. She’d spent her whole life trying to please two people she would never understand. Was she marrying another?
    The ceremony passed in a blur. She couldn’t recall a word she said, but when Father Martin pronounced them husband and wife, she figured she’d given the proper responses.
    “You may kiss the bride.”
    The words brought awareness slamming back into sharp focus. She caught and held her breath as Gabe lowered his head to hers, but instead of his devastating flavor exploding in her mouth, as it had each time he kissed her that night in Paris, she barely got the taste of him. His lips brushed hers in a featherlight caress before he lifted his head, straightening to thank Father Martin and shake his hand.
    Her new husband kept her close to his side as she accepted congratulatory hugs from both her parents and from Keith and Shae, then turned