The Accidental Newlywed Game Read online

  PRAISE FOR JACI BURTON AND HER NOVELS

  “Jaci Burton’s stories are full of heat and heart.”

  —#1 New York Times bestselling author Maya Banks

  “A wild ride.”

  —#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh

  “Jaci Burton delivers.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Cherry Adair

  “One to pick up and savor.”

  —Publishers Weekly

  “Jaci Burton’s books are always sexy, romantic and charming! A hot hero, a lovable heroine and an adorable dog—prepare to fall in love with Jaci Burton’s amazing new small-town romance series.”

  —New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis

  “A heartwarming second-chance-at-love contemporary romance enhanced by engaging characters and Jaci Burton’s signature dry wit.”

  —USA Today

  “Captures everything I love about a small-town romance.”

  —Fresh Fiction

  “Delivered on everything I was hoping for and more.”

  —Under the Covers Book Blog

  “A sweet, hot, small-town romance.”

  —Dear Author

  “Fun and sexy.”

  —Fiction Vixen

  “The perfect combination of heat and romance.”

  —Heroes and Heartbreakers

  “Plenty of romance; sexy men; hot, steamy loving; and humor.”

  —Smexy Books

  “An extraordinary novel—a definite home run!”

  —Joyfully Reviewed

  “Lively and funny . . . intense and loving.”

  —The Road to Romance

  “An invitation to every woman’s wildest fantasies.”

  —Romance Junkies

  “Burton is a master at sexual tension!”

  —RT Book Reviews

  TITLES BY JACI BURTON

  • • • • •

  BOOTS AND BOUQUETS SERIES

  The Matchmaker’s Mistletoe Mission

  (an eNovella)

  The Best Man Plan

  The Engagement Arrangement

  The Accidental Newlywed Game

  BROTHERHOOD BY FIRE SERIES

  Hot to the Touch

  Ignite on Contact

  All Consuming

  HOPE SERIES

  Hope Smolders

  (an eNovella)

  Hope Flames

  Hope Ignites

  Hope Burns

  Love After All

  Make Me Stay

  Don’t Let Go

  Love Me Again

  One Perfect Kiss

  PLAY-BY-PLAY SERIES

  The Perfect Play

  Changing the Game

  Taking a Shot

  Playing to Win

  Thrown by a Curve

  One Sweet Ride

  Holiday Games

  (an eNovella)

  Melting the Ice

  Straddling the Line

  Holiday on Ice

  (an eNovella)

  Quarterback Draw

  All Wound Up

  Hot Holiday Nights

  (an eNovella)

  Unexpected Rush

  Rules of Contact

  The Final Score

  Shot on Gold

  WILD RIDERS SERIES

  Riding Wild

  Riding Temptation

  Riding on Instinct

  Riding the Night

  Riding to Sunset

  (an eNovella)

  Riding the Edge

  (an eNovella)

  STAND-ALONE NOVELS

  Wild, Wicked, & Wanton

  Bound, Branded, & Brazen

  ANTHOLOGIES

  Unlaced

  (with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)

  Exclusive

  (with Eden Bradley and Lisa Renee Jones)

  Laced with Desire

  (with Jasmine Haynes, Joey W. Hill, and Denise Rossetti)

  Nauti and Wild

  (with Lora Leigh)

  Nautier and Wilder

  (with Lora Leigh)

  Hot Summer Nights

  (with Carly Phillips, Erin McCarthy, and Jessica Clare)

  Mistletoe Games

  (Holiday Games, Holiday on Ice, and Hot Holiday Nights in one volume)

  ENOVELLAS

  The Ties That Bind

  No Strings Attached

  Wild Nights

  A JOVE BOOK

  Published by Berkley

  An imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

  penguinrandomhouse.com

  Copyright © 2022 by Jaci Burton, Inc.

  Penguin Random House supports copyright. Copyright fuels creativity, encourages diverse voices, promotes free speech, and creates a vibrant culture. Thank you for buying an authorized edition of this book and for complying with copyright laws by not reproducing, scanning, or distributing any part of it in any form without permission. You are supporting writers and allowing Penguin Random House to continue to publish books for every reader.

  A JOVE BOOK, BERKLEY, and the BERKLEY & B colophon are registered trademarks of Penguin Random House LLC.

  Ebook ISBN: 9780593439647

  First Edition: June 2022

  Cover design by Rita Frangie

  Cover photo by Claudio Marinesco

  Book design by Alison Cnockaert, adapted for ebook by Maggie Hunt

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  pid_prh_6.0_140320203_c0_r0

  CONTENTS

  Cover

  Praise for Jaci Burton and Her Novels

  Titles by Jaci Burton

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Chapter Twenty-Eight

  Chapter Twenty-Nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-One

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  Epilogue

  About the Author

  CHAPTER

  one

  AFTER EIGHT HOURS of workshops and networking and smiling—dear God, so much smiling—Honor Bellini desperately needed a stiff drink.

  The conference for weddi
ng planners had been amazing. She’d learned a lot and had met great people from all over the country. But she’d talked so much her throat was raw, she had taken so many notes her fingers were cramped and her brain was oh-so-tired from being filled with information. All she wanted was a double margarita, some dinner and then bed.

  The bright lights and jingling bells of the casino beckoned as she walked through the lobby of the Bellagio, but she resisted easily. She loved a lot of things about visiting Las Vegas. Gambling wasn’t one of them. There were plenty of casinos back home in Oklahoma, so gaming had no lure for her here. But the shows and the shopping? Totally different experience, and she’d spent much of her free time the past three days soaking up the sights, taking in some shows and browsing through stores, even if she had done it alone. Not that it had bothered her to go by herself. She was, after all, pretty great company.

  After putting her work stuff in her room, she tucked her hotel key card in her purse and went downstairs, heading toward the bar lounge in the lobby. It was surprisingly quiet and uncrowded, and a pianist was playing soft music. She found a seat and a server came over right away. She ordered a Cadillac margarita, then relaxed against the oh-so-comfy cushioned chair and people-watched, as both tourists on vacation and people dressed for business walked by.

  Vegas was a busy place that catered to both the party people and the business types. Everyone could have fun here, even if you had to slip in your fun on a work trip, like Honor was doing.

  The server brought her cocktail. She thanked him and took a sip. It was delicious and very strong, exactly what she needed. If she could kick off her heels this would be perfect, but she’d settle for an excellent marg for now.

  Her attention was drawn to a guy standing at the registration desk right outside the bar. Even though she could only see his back, she easily recognized his dark hair and the way he walked. Plus, she would know that fantastic butt anywhere, even though he was totally off-limits—first, because he was her sister’s ex-fiancé, and second, because, well, see number one.

  She pulled her phone out and sent a text to Owen Stone, just in case she was wrong.

  Where are you right now?

  The guy at the front desk pulled his phone out of his jeans pocket and typed.

  Vegas. What’s up?

  Her lips curved as she typed a reply.

  I’m in the bar across the lobby. Turn around.

  He pivoted and she waved. She caught his thousand-watt smile as he waved back, struck by the flash of heat she felt.

  Okay, that was probably the tequila hitting her. It couldn’t be because she had just seen Owen. They’d practically grown up together. He had once planned on marrying her sister. The wedding hadn’t happened, of course, but that was beside the point.

  And, sure, Owen was hot. So very hot. And, sure, hadn’t she always had a thing for him, even before he’d dated her sister Erin? Who wouldn’t, with his good looks and incredible body? But once Erin had decided to date him, Honor had stepped back and marked Owen off her list forever.

  But now? Now her sister was happily married to Jason, and Owen was . . . was . . .

  Well, what was he, exactly? He looked amazing since finishing up his cancer treatments last year. He’d gained his weight back—and a lot of muscle, too. He looked healthier than ever. And hot.

  Had she already thought about how hot he looked? How his polo shirt fit snugly against his broad chest? How his jeans looked so incredible on his hips? And had he somehow gotten taller? No, that couldn’t be right. And that hair. She had a thing for dark, slightly tousled hair that was just made for a woman to run her fingers through.

  Oh, my, God, Honor. Calm yourself before you ooze right off the chair.

  He finished up at the front desk and walked over while Honor sipped her drink and watched him, happy to see someone from home while she was so far away from it.

  That’s what it was. She was happy to see someone from home. She wasn’t at all ogling all his hotness or anything.

  She stood and they hugged.

  But did he have to smell so good?

  He sank into the chair next to hers. “This is a surprise. I can’t believe you’re here.”

  “I can’t believe you’re here. Are you staying at the Bellagio?”

  He nodded. “I’ve been around all week, actually.”

  “Me, too. How have we not run into each other?”

  He shrugged. “No clue. What are you here for?”

  “A conference for wedding planners. I just finished up today.”

  “Yeah? Was it good?”

  “It was awesome. I learned a lot. I not only picked up amazing tips from the speakers but also from my fellow wedding planners. My head is spinning with new ideas.”

  “That’s great.”

  The server came over and took Owen’s drink order, then disappeared.

  “And you?” she asked. “What brings you to Vegas?”

  He stretched out his long legs. She absolutely would not stare at the way his jeans fit so nicely tight against his thighs.

  “Craft brewers conference,” he said. “Kind of the same thing as you, only with beer.”

  She laughed. “And was yours good?”

  “Yeah, it was great. I picked up new ideas for brewing quality and maximizing efficiency, and learned a ton of new governmental rules that gave me a headache, and some tips on growing my business.”

  Their server brought Owen his beer. He immediately took a long swallow.

  “When do you leave?” he asked her.

  “Not until Sunday. I wanted some downtime while I had the chance.”

  “Yeah, it’s not like you take a lot of time off, with weddings happening every weekend at the vineyard.”

  “Very true.”

  “The family’s holding down the fort for you this weekend?”

  “Yes. And I hired an assistant to handle things for me.”

  He cocked a brow. “You hired an assistant? You let someone else take the reins?”

  “Funny. Erin and Brenna are there to manage everything. Besides, Mae can handle it.”

  Owen looked at her. “You hired Mae Wallace? The one who’s been a bridesmaid in all those weddings? And was almost a bride herself?”

  She nodded. “She knows as much about weddings, planning weddings and being in weddings as I do. Probably more than I do.”

  “And about how to cancel a wedding.”

  “Which wasn’t her fault.”

  “No, it wasn’t. At least you won’t ever have to host a wedding for the asshole that cheated on her.”

  “Not at Bellini Weddings, we won’t. He will never be welcome on our property.”

  “I’m glad you have her to help out.”

  She lifted her glass. “I’ll drink to that.”

  He tipped his glass to hers. After she took a couple long swallows, he asked, “What are you having?”

  “Cadillac margarita.”

  “Strong stuff. Though if you’re gonna drink that you might as well do shots. End of the week and all, celebrate big.”

  She laughed. “Oh, sure. While you’re having beer.”

  “Hey, I meant we could do shots. It’s been a long week and my head is filled with government regs and beer formulas.”

  “My brain is on overload, too. Which is why I ordered a double.”

  He signaled for their server and ordered them both shots of some top-shelf tequila. Their server brought the shot glasses over with a smile, then left.

  She looked at the golden liquid, then over at Owen. “I’m not sure it’s such a good idea to do shots on an empty stomach.”

  Owen shrugged. “One shot. Then we’ll go get something to eat.”

  “That sounds like a fabulous plan.”

  She had planned on eating alone, then going up to her room.
>
  Instead, she was going to have dinner with Owen. Hot Owen.

  No. Friend Owen. That was all.

  It was going to be fun.

  CHAPTER

  two

  OWEN PRIED ONE eye open, and even that hurt. He closed his eye again, figuring it had to be the middle of the night. Except sunlight kept blasting his face.

  He was dead. That was it, he had to be dead. No, wait. If he was dead, why would he feel this bad?

  Where the hell was he and who dropped a bomb on his head last night?

  He heard a moan. A moan that definitely hadn’t come from him. He grimaced and forced one eye open again, trying his best to focus. All he saw was a blurry form in the bed next to him.

  Okay, there was a person, and based on the moan, it was a woman. But who?

  Eyes fully open now, he took a good look, then cringed. There was no denying that gorgeous head of brown hair with streaks of auburn. He couldn’t remember much from last night, but he knew he’d been with Honor Bellini. And that was Honor’s hair, and Honor’s naked shoulders, along with Honor’s naked back. And as she rolled over, the sheet drifted down, revealing Honor’s naked—

  He quickly pulled the sheet up, though if they’d already—

  Did they already? And if they had, why couldn’t he remember?

  What the hell did they do last night?

  Maybe his bedmate had a better memory than he did.

  “Honor,” he said, keeping his voice soft and low.

  Her reply was a sexy low moan and a stretch, which only made his balls tighten in response.

  He cleared his throat. He tried again, this time a little more forcefully. “Honor, wake up.”

  “Mmm. Headache. Go away.”

  He’d like to go away. But as reality came more into focus he realized he didn’t know where they were, since this wasn’t his hotel room. And based on the décor and the unfamiliar view out the window, this wasn’t their hotel, either. He wasn’t about to get dressed and leave her there alone.