Published by Silver Publishing Publisher of Erotic Romance

A SILVER PUBLISHING BOOK

Texas Heat

Copyright © 2012 by RJ Scott E-book ISBN: 9781614957270

First E-book Publication: August 2012

Cover design by Reese Dante

Editor: Liz Bichmann

All cover art and logo copyright © 2012 by Silver Publishing

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All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

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This book is written in US English.

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N

OTE FROM THE

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UBLISHER

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D

EDICATION

For Phil and his bacon wrapped aspirin.

And always for my family. I love you.

TRADEMARKS ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Armani: Giorgio Armani Group Ferrari: Ferrari S.p.A., Italy Hugo Boss: Hugo Boss Fashions Inc, New York Rolex: Rolex SA

Playboy: Playboy Enterprises International, Inc.

CHAPTER 1

"Riley, can you please try to find Jack?" Donna asked. Unspoken in her words was the plea that Riley keep Jack's temper reined in. No one had to be a rocket scientist to know Jack Campbell-Hayes was not taking this whole wedding as well as he was making out. Up until yesterday Jack had been this growly guy who accepted the wedding was happening with as much grace as he could. Then yesterday happened.

What exactly had gone down, no one was sure. Not even Riley could fully understand what was going on in Jack's head. Yesterday he had clammed up and refused to talk at all. Riley knew Jack was happy for his mom; he just couldn't get past the age difference and the money. Donna knew this. Hell, poor Neil Kendrick, Donna's husband-tobe, knew it.

"He was here a minute ago." Riley peered around the kitchen door to the organized chaos beyond the window in the front of the Double D. Looking for the familiar figure of his husband proved fruitless. There was no sign of Jack.

"Where's Neil?" Riley asked.

Donna shook her head and Riley wished he had never asked. Whatever was happening between Jack and Neil was something Donna didn't need spilling over onto her wedding day. Donna laid a gentle hand on Riley's arm and instinctively he pulled her closer for a hug. She smelled of sunshine and home, and peace flooded him at the scent. Dressed in a robe, she wasn't in her wedding finery or whatever she was wearing today, but her hair was twisted up into a knot at the top of her head. When he stepped back he didn't think he had seen anyone more beautiful than the woman who had gifted the world with Jack Campbell.

His job on this cool Valentine's Day was to keep the peace. Although Jack and Neil had made some kind of unspoken promise to not fight it didn't mean that Riley's hot-tempered husband wasn't off somewhere releasing tension on some poor unsuspecting caterer.

"I'll find him," he promised.

"Everything okay here?"

Both he and Donna turned to face a concerned Beth.

Emily, her daughter, was gripping her hand tightly. Walking now and with as much sass as her Uncle Jack, Emily was a breath of fresh air in the room. Donna immediately scooped her granddaughter up in her arms and squeezed her until she giggled uncontrollably.

"Gramma, you coming?"

Riley turned at Hayley's words. His daughter's voice was so familiar and gentle and he couldn't stop the surge of love for the nine-year-old that had put herself in charge of getting Gramma ready for her wedding.

"Hey, pumpkin," Riley said.

"Daddy, you shouldn't be in here," she said. Riley raised his hands in defense. "I'm going, I'm

going."

Somehow Hayley had Beth, and Emily had Donna moving away and out of the kitchen into the good room. The front room was where Donna's bridal party were readying themselves.

Sighing, Riley left the kitchen and moved outside, down the steps to the front of the house. He cast a thorough glance around the area but couldn't see the strong figure of his husband anywhere. He could, however, see Neil who was standing to one side with a group of guys. The man looked to be unhurt and upright so Riley surmised Jack hadn't been in that direction. Exchanging waves with Josh, who was across the yard, pacing and looking down at cards in his hand, Riley weaved through caterers and visitors until he reached his brother-in-law's side.

"Have you seen Jack?" he asked.

Josh's eyes widened at the question and he looked behind him to where Neil was standing. He visibly relaxed that the bridegroom was still there and wasn't face-planted in the dirt at Jack's hand. Jack and Neil's uneasy truce had been tested more and more the closer the wedding came.

"He said something a while ago about the caterers and their vans blocking the horses."

"Are they?"

"Are they what?" Josh was distracted. Being the man who was giving his mom away was not coming easily to him and he was way past nervous.

"Blocking in the horses?"

"No." Josh frowned. "They're over on the other side by the new barn."

Riley turned on his heel and headed to the only other place that he thought his husband could be. Crossing to the old barn, their barn, he was relieved to see the still figure of Jack leaning on an old stable wall with his head tilted back and his eyes closed.