From the Publisher

Counterfeit Bride by Christine Rimmer

Jordan McSwain was faithful, passionate, sexy...and dumped. But he was also due at a family reunion in a week, and he'd promised to have a bride on his arm! The least his ex-fiancée, Eve Tanner, could do was to play the part of his wife for the weekend. But could she convince Jordan to make this newlywed game come true?

Millionaire Husband by Leanne Banks

When millionaire Justin Langdon learned Amy Monroe was determined to adopt her orphaned niece and nephews, he wanted to help the attractive teacher. So handsome Justin offered Amy his hand in marriage for the sake of the children. Now Justin resolved to court his new wife, and prove to be her husband in every way.

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Almost To The Altar

Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.

Chapter One

"Jordan, I can't marry you now."

There. Eve had spoken the words. And as soon as they were out, all she wanted to do was call them back. But she couldn't. They were words that had to be said.

Jordan shook his head, blank disbelief on his face. "What did you say? I don't think I heard you right." His deep voice, a voice that had always warmed her with its teasing humor, held no laughter now.

Eve longed to turn away, to look out the window of the beach house at the peaceful sands, the gleaming sea, the sickle of moon. But she forced herself to keep facing him.

"I said I can't marry you now. I can't go through with it. Not Saturday as we've planned." She paused, groping for a way to explain to him why she was doing this.

Nothing came. And she knew why. Her own heart was fighting her all the way. Eve Tanner was deeply in love with Jordan McSwain. But being in love wasn't enough. There was so much more to consider.

She held out her hands in a pleading gesture and added feebly, "It's all ... happening too fast. I just have to slow things down a little."

There was an awful, gaping hole of silence. Then Jordan's stunned look faded. He smiled, a slow smile, one that managed to be both relieved and devastatingly sexy at the same time.

"Damn it, Eve. You scared me."

She swallowed. "Jordan, I -"

He put up a hand. "It's all right, honey." His dark eyes were as soft as velvet. From outside, faintly, Eve could hear the slow and rhythmic lapping of the waves. It suddenly occurred to her that the waves sounded like breathing, like long, voluptuous sighs. Jordan's voice soothed her. "I understand. You're nervous." He moved toward her.

She stepped back. "No, Jordan."

"It'll pass."

"No. It's more than that." She had to make herself speak firmly. It was a considerable effort when she yearned simply to agree with him, to sigh and sway against him. Then he would sweep her into his arms and carry her upstairs to his room, where the bed was wide and the white sheets inviting, where the long breaths of the sea could be heard just as well as they could from down here.

"Eve. Listen to me."

She drew herself up. "No, Jordan. You listen to me. It is more than nerves. Since we met, I haven't had a moment to think about where we're going. I feel like -"

He interrupted, relentlessly gentle, "Come on. What you've got is a case of prewedding jitters. And it's okay. You'll get over it. Everything will be fine."

He was, she could see now, choosing not to believe her.

And why should he believe you? a castigating inner voice accused. You've shown no hesitation before. Since the night you met him, Jordan has planned every date, picked up every check, and orchestrated your every moment together. How in the world can you blame him for not believing that you've suddenly changed your mind about doing things his way?

He pressed on. "Do you love me?"

Oh Lord, did she love him? Yes, with all her heart. She loved him to distraction.

It seemed as if she had loved him from the moment she first saw him, in the kitchen of this very house, exactly thirty-two days ago. She'd come to serve at a small dinner party, and ended up falling head over heels for the host.

He'd said, "You're from the Staffing Source?"

She'd laughed. "I am the Staffing Source. I'm the boss. Debbie called in sick at the last minute, and I couldn't find a replacement on such short notice."

He'd smiled, and to her it had seemed that the whole world lit up. "Good. Add a nice bonus for Debbie onto my bill, would you?"

"What for?"

"Having the good sense to get sick, so you and I could meet at last."

She'd blushed. "You're crazy."

"You're right. It's hit me like a bolt out of the blue, from the moment I stepped in here and saw you, arranging those mammoth shrimp on that bed of crushed ice. I'm crazy all right. Crazy for you. What are you doing tomorrow night?"

"Well, I -"

"Great. It's a date. Mark your calendar. For tomorrow - and the rest of your life. How are you on boats?"

"Boats?"

"Yeah. I thought we'd take the ferry, over to Catalina. They have this terrific little restaurant there, and -"

Oh, sweet heaven. How could she not love him? He had burst into her ordinary, well-ordered life with all the excitement and magic of a fireworks display, lighting up her nights and making every day a celebration.

Even her children adored him. From the moment he'd met them, he'd set out to woo them, right along with their mother. He planned one day trip after another - to the San Diego Zoo, to Knott's Berry Farm, to Disneyland.

And then there were the wonderful times right here in Seal Beach, where they all played in the sand until late afternoon and then came inside to bake a homemade pizza in the kitchen and watch a movie together on the VCR. Both Wesley and little Lisa looked at Jordan with wide eyes and expressions of musing wonder. They crowed with joy at the mere mention of his name.

"Are you going to answer my question?" He covered the short distance between them and tipped her chin up with a finger. Her whole body warmed at the slight touch. "Do you love me?"

"Yes." Infuriatingly, she felt tears welling in her eyes. She blinked them back. "I do love you."

"Then keep your promise and marry me. Saturday, as we agreed."

She shook her head. "Please, Jordan, try to understand."

"Understand what?"

"I ... I need more time. We've barely known each other a month. And since then, I've felt like ... a spinning top. I haven't had a spare second to pause and consider. It's been crazy and beautiful and fantastically romantic, but -"

"But what?"

"But I married Teddy the same way, after knowing him only a few weeks. I just can't let that happen again. This time I have two children to consider. It would be devastating for Wesley and Lisa if they had to live through another divorce."

"Divorce?" He made a scoffing noise in his throat.

"There won't be a divorce. I come from a family where people marry for life. That's how this marriage will be."

"Oh, Jordan. Of course we think that now -"

He took her by the shoulders. "I don't think it. I know it. And I am not your ex-husband." There was a real edge in his voice now. And a tightness around his mouth.

(Continues...)

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Excerpted from Almost To The Altar by Christine Rimmer Leanne Banks Copyright © 2004 by Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.. Excerpted by permission.
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