I am so so excited that Carlo and Emma’s story will be out on January 21. I have loved these characters from the moment they first appeared in ONE SUMMER NIGHT and I am so happy with how NEVER A BRIDE turned out!

In this scene, Carlo is getting ready with the groom-to-be and his friends when Emma pops in to check out how they all look in their wedding suits. It’s tough for Emma not look at Carlo and think about more with him, but Emma doesn’t believe happily-ever-after is possible for her. But with every day that passes, it’s harder for both Carlo and Emma to deny what they are both feeling.

Excerpt

A week after the men had selected their clothing, the Pierce brothers paraded before Emma in their custom fitted suits, doing a really bad imitation of runway models. With their blonde good looks the Pierce brothers actually could be models. Owen had the kind of refined air you’d see for a luxury watch or perfume ad while Jonathan was better suited for a 4×4 or sports ad. As they playfully posed, she laughed and shook her head.

“Come on, guys. Get serious,” she said, but was happy to see that Jonathan was able to get his normally uptight brother to relax and have fun for a change. With both Maggie and his younger brother in his life, Owen had definitely changed for the better.

The snick of a door opening had her turning toward the dressing room where Carlo had been getting dressed.
Despite his denial last week, Carlo was definitely a suit kind of guy, Emma thought as he strolled out of the dressing room for a final fitting.

His body was perfection. His face all chiseled lines that a sculptor would envy. A five o’clock shadow darkened his look, making him appear dangerously bad boy sexy. Carlo would be everywoman’s secret fantasy lover, which made Emma want to hide him all for herself. Undress him slowly, peeling away that elegant veneer to get to the raw power beneath.

As he stopped to stare at himself in the mirror, he yanked at the suit’s lapels and his full lips thinned before finally breaking into a smile that spread up into his chocolate brown eyes. Turning, he raked back a lock of tousled hair as it fell forward. He held his hands out as if to ask her what she thought and warmth suffused her as she remembered what was hidden beneath the expensive cotton shirt and bespoke suit.

“You look wonderful,” she said as she tried to examine him on a professional level and pushed away her earlier fantasy.

The men had chosen soft charcoal grey color for the suits with brilliant white shirts. Jonathan’s ensemble boasted a pale pink tie with tiny seafoam polka dots to match Connie’s blush gown while the groomsmen had deep seafoam green ties with pale pink stripes to complement the bride and the bridesmaids.

As the four friends all gathered to stand together, it occurred to her they couldn’t have a more handsome group of men. Even Jonathan’s business partner Andy, whose look sometimes bordered on mad genius, had trimmed his hair and beard, revealing a strong jaw and bringing attention to his bright blue eyes.

But no matter how handsome the men, there was only one who made her heart stutter and her insides clench with need.

Carlo.