A Beautiful Stranger (A Family Forever Series, Book 1) Read online

At the sound of his voice, she reached up, tucked the silky tresses of her hair behind her ear and looked him full in the face. She gave him the barest hint of a smile, and Sean felt as if he’d been clobbered over the head with a thick length of two-by-four.

  This woman wasn’t merely beautiful, she was gorgeous. She was young. Maybe in her mid-twenties. Her wide-set eyes were the deep green of the rarest of emeralds, her tawny brows forming perfect arches hovering over them. Surely an exceptionally talented artist had delicately sculpted that tiny button nose and those high cheekbones.

  Then his attention was totally captured by her lips…or rather, the flawless Cupid’s bow of her upper lip. Hers was the most sensual, the most kissable mouth he’d ever seen in his entire life.

  “You’re…” The word came out in a husky whisper.

  Stunning, he’d been about to say. But, thankfully, he was able to stop the utterance from rolling off his tongue.

  He must be crazy! All this worrying and fretting over his predicament with Sona had surely made him take a tumble off the deep end into total insanity.

  You can’t go around tossing out compliments to complete strangers. In a foreign country, at that. What on earth are you thinking?

  “An American?” she finished what she evidently thought he’d been about to say.

  Her smile widened a fraction as if to let him know that she’d been approached plenty of times by people—just like him—who were surprised to find an American dressing, speaking, living as any other native of Kyrcznovia. But he wasn’t like all those other people who had been taken off guard by her nationality. He hadn’t been about to comment on those things at all. Instead, he had been about to make an absolute fool of himself, and he’d be lying through his teeth if he said he wasn’t relieved that she had mistaken his unfinished thought.

  She softly added, “Yes, I am.”

  “Ah,” was his only response. Several different questions rolled through his mind at the same time. What was she doing in the chaos of a brand-new country? Didn’t she know such political unrest carried danger for traveling foreigners? Where, in heaven’s name, had she inherited those exquisite jewel-green eyes? Or rather, from whom, he guessed was the correct turn of phrase…

  Something in him stirred. Something deep. Primal. At gut level.

  He moistened his dry lips and tried to smile, but for some unfathomable reason he couldn’t get his facial muscles to work. “You…ah, I…” he began. But words failed him. Being this tongue-tied confused him. After taking a quick, deep breath, he made another attempt. “I couldn’t help overhearing your, ah, conversation,” he confessed. Then a small chuckle escaped from his throat. ‘‘I don’t speak the language, but… you seemed to be conveying that… you’re in some sort of trouble.”

  The inflection he placed on his observance put an inquiring twist on his statement. He wanted her to confide in him. That was the last thing he should have wanted at this moment. The very last thing. However, Sean was simply too intrigued by the fiery-haired woman to listen to logic.

  Nicki couldn’t help the earnest smile that tugged and then lingered on her lips. This man—this stranger—was expressing concern for her. And she was touched.

  But what moved her most was realizing that this was the very man whom she had noticed studying his coffee with such focused, contemplative intent when she’d first entered the restaurant. She vaguely remembered making an unwitting assessment even then that he was obviously someone with a load of worries on his mind. However, here he was inquiring about hers. The idea was soul-warming to say the least, and it told her something about the man. Something important. However, Nicki wouldn’t dream of adding to his problems by unloading hers onto him, too.

  “Thanks for your kindness, but there’s nothing to worry about.” She hoped her appreciative tone let him see exactly how she felt about his concern for her. Reaching out she touched him gently on the forearm—and was surprised speechless as a hot shock wave rolled across her skin.

  She’d meant to assure him further that she’d be just fine. That her problem wasn’t anything she couldn’t handle. However, all she was cognizant of was the hardness of the corded muscles underneath the sleeve of his suit jacket. And the heat.

  Her fingertips absorbed the warmth of his body and she felt suddenly feverish as the swelter fairly pulsed from him… and into her. Her skin flamed, from her neck and cheeks, all the way to the roots of her hair. It took every ounce of her strength to withdraw her hand from his arm.

  “I—I’m,” she stammered. Stopped. Swallowed. Then tried again. “I’m going to be fine.”

  But for the life of her she couldn’t quite figure out if she was trying to reassure him—or herself.

  Nicki was mortified by her involuntary reaction to this man. A complete and total stranger. Things like this didn’t happen to her. Surely, he must think she was some kind of forward floozy who…

  At that moment, the low growl of a hunger pang rumbled from her tummy, further embarrassing her. She automatically pressed her hand against her stomach and murmured a quick, “Pardon me.”

  The comers of his mouth curled, but there wasn’t a hint of teasing in his deep mahogany eyes when he said softly, “I’d like to invite you to lunch, but—” he shrugged “—I don’t even know your name.”

  His gaze seemed to hold her spellbound. “Nicole,” she responded, her voice sounding very far away to her own ears. “Nicki Willis.”

  She found herself helplessly studying his ruggedly handsome face—the wide, sexy mouth that smiled so charmingly, his clean-shaven jaw, his perfect, bladelike nose, those deep-brown, intense eyes fanned with dark lashes and thick brows, and finally his high forehead, feathered with light worry lines. His hair was the color of strong, rich coffee; its satiny texture glistened in the afternoon light. One errant lock curled downward and she had to fight the urge to reach up and comb it back with her fingers. He was a startlingly handsome man.

  Suddenly realizing that her breath had become shallow, and worse yet, that she was staring, she took a quick, deep breath, blinked twice, and averted her gaze.

  Marvelous man that he was, he picked up the conversation as if the too obvious lag had never occurred.

  “Well, Nicki,” he said easily, “let me buy you lunch.”

  “Oh, no.” She shook her head. “I couldn’t impose—”

  He cut her off. “Nonsense. It would only be an imposition if you were keeping me from something, or if I had to be somewhere.” Then his face grew strained as he added, “The truth is, Nicki, you’d be offering me a respite…”

  She studied him intently, sure he was about to reveal some tidbit of information regarding what was troubling him. But he didn’t.

  “…if you were to let me buy you something to eat.”

  Nicki knew she shouldn’t even consider his offer. He was a nice man. A nice, handsome man. A man who didn’t need to listen to her woes. And besides that, she needed to find a job. Today. And she wouldn’t find any success in dawdling here with this nice, handsome man.

  Another low rumble resounded from her stomach, and they both smiled in unison.

  “What do you say, Nicki?” he asked, his tone charming. Inviting. Alluring. “Will you have lunch with me? Will you tell me what’s troubling you?”

  She sighed. She was hungry. And letting him buy her a meal would be a solid financial decision on her part, wouldn’t it?

  “Only if you’ll tell me your name,” she said. “And… if you’ll tell me what’s troubling you.”

  He told her his name was Sean Hudson, and the look of surprise that had invaded his features remained staunchly in place until they were seated at the table, menus in hand.

  “So, how did you know?” he finally asked.

  She grinned. “That you have problems of your own?” One of her shoulders lifted a fraction. “Guess you could say I’m the observant type.”

  He nodded, seeming to accept the explanation. Then she decided to be completely honest “W
hen I came through the door, I saw you studying your coffee mug like it contained some deep, enigmatic secret that you were bent on discovering.”

  Sean chuckled, and Nicki was sure it had to be one of the most pleasant sounds she’d ever heard. “I see,” he told her.

  The waiter took their orders, and then Sean asked, “So, what was that between you and the manager of this place?”

  The sigh Nicki expelled sounded tired, even to her. “He was turning me down for a job. It’s very hard for a female to find employment in Kyrcznovia.”

  He frowned. “Well, what are you doing in the country without employment? How do you survive?”

  “Oh, I had a job.” Then she grimaced. “Had being the operative word. You see, I was teaching several groups of children English. The new Kyrcznovian government officials wanted to offer their children—their future—a better education. That was something the ‘mother country’ could never afford to give them, so that was part of the new leaders’ primary plans. And I was part of that plan. Me and about a dozen other English teachers.” She raised her brows, lifted her palms. “But that all changed yesterday when the funds for the program were suddenly cut off.” Her tone dropped to a grumble as she added, “They probably needed money for the new army or something.”

  “Did you have a contract?” he asked.

  “Of course. But it’s only as good as the piece of paper it’s written on.”

  “But surely something can be done.”

  The passion in his outrage for her plight made her insides grow all warm and fuzzy. Sean Hudson really was a nice man.

  “Surely they can be made to hold up their end of the deal they made.”

  Nicki nodded. “I could fight it. But that takes money. Lots of money. And more time than I have. I’ve decided the best thing for me to do is cut my losses. Find another job. Earn enough money to cover the travel expenses to my next teaching assignment.”

  “Which is where?”

  The grin she tossed him was a sheepish one. “I have to find it first, then I can tell you where.”

  He shook his head. “But—”

  “Look, it’s okay,” she assured him. “I’ve been traveling Europe, teaching English for five years. Ever since I graduated from college. This kind of thing has happened before. Not so suddenly, maybe. But it’s happened. I’ll survive. Something will turn up.”

  Creases of skepticism marred his forehead, and she was sure he was going to argue with her, but the waiter interrupted them with plates of food.

  Scooping up a forkful of halusky, she commented, “Well, you know my troubles. Now it’s your turn.” Before she even had time to chew the small potato dumplings, she was holding a picture of Sean’s “little girl” as he called the child he’d traveled halfway across the globe to adopt. Nicki listened as he summed up his story as quickly as possible; how he’d been told back in the States that his bachelor status was no problem, how he’d discovered the rules had changed, how he’d been encouraged to remain in the country with the hope that the government’s dictum would be reverted once again. Finally, Nicki had to place her fork on the table. The knot of emotion that had formed in her throat made it impossible for her to swallow.

  “I don’t know, Nicki.” His voice was a mere whisper. ‘‘I own my own business and that’s why I’ve been able to stay these extra days. But I can’t let my company go to hell in a hand basket. I just don’t know how much longer I can wait for Child Services and the government to get their acts together. I go to see them twice a day. I explain to everyone who will listen that it’s in Sona’s best interest to go home with me.” He shook his head. “But, so far, I haven’t convinced anyone.”

  The pain and worry in his dark eyes wrenched her heart.

  ‘‘Have you seen her?” Nicki asked. “Have they let you spend time with Sona?”

  Sean shook his head, and his anxiety seemed to grow. “They say the adoption is too much in question to allow us to meet. To bond. They say they are only trying to spare the both of us the pain of separation. I understand. But, Nicki, I already have a bond. An emotional bond that started weeks ago. I’m already suffering the pain of separation.”

  His jaw clenched then, and just before his gaze slid away from her face, Nicki was sure she saw his eyes misting. This man was hurting. Badly. All for the sake of a little girl who probably didn’t even know of his existence.

  Yet.

  His story, his suffering, roused something inside Nicki. Something she couldn’t quite figure out. Something that moved her to act—swiftly, mindlessly—before she even had time to contemplate the consequences of her behavior.

  “Well, Sean.’’ The nerves jittering in her belly made her voice come out sounding weak and shaky. “If all you need is a wife, then I’d be happy to marry you.”

  Chapter Two

  Nicki could not believe the words that had just somersaulted right out of her mouth. She’d parted her lips and the offer had twirled and flipped, making a perfect execution like an outstanding Olympic gymnast.

  Oh, she knew why she made the suggestion of marriage. Her motivation couldn’t have been more clear to her had it been the bright and blazing summer sun rising over the wild Kyrcznovian landscape. Nicki took a quick peek at the little girl’s photo. Sona. The dark-eyed toddler was all alone in the world. The mere idea stirred highly emotional memories in Nicki. Memories that threatened to bring tears to her eyes, swallow her whole, if she were to tarry in them long enough. Blinking, she shoved her way out of the dark thoughts.

  Nicki didn’t know Sona, had never met this tiny moppet, but Nicki felt an affinity for her nonetheless. If Nicki could help rescue one lonely soul…

  This time her tone was stronger as she repeated, “I’ll be happy to marry you, Sean.”

  He didn’t speak, his wide brown eyes staring in disbelief. He was evidently as stunned by her offer as she. More so, even.

  She suddenly felt buoyant, certain she was doing the right thing. “Gee,” she said, trying to fill the awkward silence, “it’s not like I’m offering to become your lifelong partner. You only need a wife for a while, right? Just long enough so that you can adopt Sona.” She grinned. “Then we’ll get one of those quickie divorces that some of those states in America are famous for.” She lifted her hands, palms up. “Couldn’t be more simple, don’t you think?”

  It took him several moments to respond. Finally, he said, “Why? Why would you offer to do this, Nicki? You don’t even know me.”

  The intensity in his gaze made her uncomfortable. “It’s nothing,” she told him, wanting to sidestep his profound query.

  He reached across the table and took her hand in his, and the heat of his skin sent concentric shivers coursing across every inch of her flesh.

  “It isn’t nothing,” he said quietly. “It’s something. Something big. Bigger than you can ever imagine.”

  His fingers were strong as they clasped hers, and Nicki’s heart began to race.

  “So, tell me,” he pressed. “Tell me why you would do something like this.”

  With her free hand, she swiped her fingers through her bangs and shifted her gaze to glance off across the dining room. These were nervous gestures, meant only to give her time to think before she spoke.

  Sean wouldn’t understand her motives. Then again, maybe he would. But did she really want to expose that much of herself to a total stranger? She didn’t think so.

  If he decided to take her up on her offer, then they would marry, she would go with him to pick up his new daughter, she might even go with them to the airport. However, soon, he and the little girl were going to fly off toward the West in a big plane… and Nicki would never see him again. So why should she bare the most painful part of her past to him?

  She shouldn’t, she decided, pressing her lips together in a thin line. Inhaling deeply, she leveled a cheerful gaze on him.

  “Look, I can help you,” she said simply. “So, let me.

  Sean let out a small chuckle. “Y
ou know, the man from Child Services who rejected my adoption request offered to find me a ‘sturdy wife’… for a fee, of course. A measly hundred bucks. Is that all a sturdy wife is worth these days?”

  Nicki’s mouth dropped open a fraction in horror and surprise.

  “I turned him down,” he continued, his voice flattening. “You see, years ago I decided I wasn’t going to get married.” His jaw tensed and his gaze clouded over as he added, “Ever.”

  Remaining utterly still, she silently wondered what could have happened to force him to come to such a conclusion. Years ago, he had said. Yet he seemed young. Older than she, of course, but still young. Early to mid-thirties, she guessed. Seemingly too young to be tainted against loving relationships and lifelong commitments. What had he been through to cause him to—

  Sean chuckled again, evidently launching himself out of his fleeting-yet-all-absorbing moment of sadness. “However, marrying for the sole purpose of adopting Sona. Now, that I would do.”

  A few seconds of acute silence had them both feeling awkward.

  “I think it’s called a marriage of convenience,” Nicki said, forcing her mouth to curl

  into a smile.

  “So, what’s in this for you?”

  His question took her off guard. She blinked. “For me?”

  He nodded. “If I agree to this—and I’m not yet sure I do—how can you benefit? What can I do for you in return?”

  Straightening her spine, Nicki pulled her hand from his. “I don’t expect to benefit.”

  “But how fair is that?”

  “Who said life is fair?” Her chuckle didn’t hold much humor. “The predicament I’m in right now pretty much answers that question.”

  “Oh, yes,” he murmured. “Your predicament. Hmmm… how about if I pay you for your trouble?” Nicki’s tiny jerk was totally involuntary, as if she’d taken a quick slap on the cheek. “I will not take money from you. That’s not why I made the offer.”

  Lifting his hands, he rushed to assuage the insult he’d inflicted. “I wasn’t suggesting you had.” Sean reached up and toyed with his chin. “Okay… how about—” he spoke slowly and softly, as if he were voicing an idea as it formulated in his head “—if you let me foot the bill for all your travel expenses to your next teaching assignment? Plane fare, hotel, meals, the works.”