Weekend with the Best Man

by Leah Martyn

  ‘It’s a bit early yet.’

  ‘And the injured guy?’ Nathan asked.

  ‘Induced coma. That’s all they’re prepared to say.’ Dan placed his knife and fork neatly together on his plate. ‘Uh—did you know Lindsey’s into pottery?’

  ‘Yeah. Lins is a seriously talented artist. When the new maternity wing opened last year she gifted a mother-and-child sculpture for the foyer. You should take a ride to the fourth floor and poke your head in some time.’

  ‘Maybe I’ll do that,’ Dan said, knowing he wouldn’t. But that was his business. He poured a second cup of tea and gave himself permission to relax, to shuck off the negative thoughts Nathan’s suggestion had set running.

  Today was about new beginnings.

  * * *

  The wedding was wonderful, the best man’s speech a triumph. Dan’s remarks were warm and lively, with just the right amount of wit, nicely balanced with sincerity and in keeping with the significance of the occasion.

  Lindsey joined in the applause as Dan resumed his seat. For some reason she couldn’t define, she felt inordinately proud of him.

  The remainder of the speeches were heartfelt but brief and the newlyweds took to the floor for the first dance. Almost as if her eyes were hotwired in Dan’s direction, Lindsey saw him incline his head towards Caitlin. Caitlin smiled and they rose together. Obviously, they were about to join Nathan and Sami on the dance floor. Lindsey made a dry little swallow. Dan seemed very much at ease as he whirled Caitlin into an old-fashioned waltz. They looked stunning together. And Lindsey was swamped with jealousy. Taking up her glass, she took a gulp of her champagne and pretended not to care.

  ‘Dance, Lindsey?’

  Lindsey brought her head up sharply to find Eliot Swift, one of Sami’s cousins, hovering. He’d come to Milldale for holidays when they’d all been in their teens. He’d had a bit of a crush on her then. Her eyes widened. ‘Hi, Eliot. I didn’t know you were here.’

  He grimaced. ‘Big crowd. You on your own?’

  She nodded. Well, she was, wasn’t she? Eliot held out his hand and she took it and let him guide her across to the dance floor.

  ‘Been a while.’ He sent her a wry smile.

  ‘Yes. What have you been up to?’

  ‘Selling IT to the masses. Travelling a bit. You?’

  ‘Travelling a bit as well. Presently nursing at Hopeton District.’

  ‘Ah.’ His eyes held a glimmer of humour. ‘Found your niche, then.’

  ‘I believe so.’

  ‘Great summers back then, weren’t they?’

  ‘Mmm. But now we’ve all grown up. Are you married?’

  ‘Nah.’ He shook his head, and they took to the floor. ‘Sorry, was that your foot?’

  ‘One of them.’ Lindsey laughed. She couldn’t help herself. They could have been seventeen again and she could have been back on the Kellys’ veranda, trying to teach Eliot to dance.

  ‘I still can’t waltz,’ he apologised. ‘But we can shuffle about until they change the tempo. Shouldn’t be long. Ah, good.’ He sounded relieved as the music changed into something slow and torchy and he gathered her in with style.

  Dan frowned a bit, catching sight of Lindsey as she danced past. She was wearing a red dress, one smooth shoulder exposed, her hair loose and shiny. She looked...beautiful. Dan’s interest intensified as he checked out her partner. They looked pretty cosy. And he was holding Lindsey far too close. Dan felt his gut curl into an uncomfortable knot. He was the one who should have been holding her.

  For the next while Lindsey danced and mingled. She stopped to chat with Sami’s mother, Marcia, and assured her it was a marvellous wedding. And, yes, she, Lindsey, was having a fine time.

  ‘Oh—excuse me, love.’ Marcia turned in response to some urgent hand gesturing from one of the catering people and took off.

  Lindsey took a relieved breath. This was her cue to slip outside for some air.

  * * *

  It was a cool evening, and because much of the gracious old home’s beauty lay in its outdoors, the verandas were spectacularly lit, fairy-lights peeped out of boxed hedges arranged beside the door, and glossy-leaved potted plants were decorated with love hearts and sparkly bows. Lindsey’s mouth tipped into a wry smile. It seemed Sami had indeed got her trimmings.

  Descending the shallow flight of stairs to the sweeping lawn beyond, she looked up and gave a little breath of delight. The fairy-lights sprinkled around in the trees gave a storybook feel. It was the perfect setting for a wedding, she decided, sitting down on one of the old-fashioned garden benches.

  She rested her head back on the wooden slats, looking up to the clear sky and the twinkling necklace of stars.

  The light strains of the music floated out on the night air. After a while she heard the change to the thump, thump of an upbeat rhythm. Was Dan still dancing with Caitlin? She’d heard a discreet whisper that Caitlin’s engagement was off. Perhaps Dan would feel obliged to partner her for most of the evening. But from what she’d seen, it hadn’t seemed much of a hardship for him. She shivered slightly. Obviously, he’d forgotten about their dance.

  She closed her eyes.

  ‘Hey...’

  Lindsey’s eyes snapped open. ‘Dan!’ She swallowed jerkily.

  He sat beside her. ‘I’ve been looking for you everywhere. I meant to call you but I got caught up. It’s been like a circus all day and then the wedding...’

  ‘Well, you had to expect that.’ Lindsey gave a little shrug. ‘You are the best man.’

  ‘Last night was pretty rough.’ Dan paused and looked at her. ‘Did you manage to sleep all right?’

  ‘Yes.’ Lindsey turned her face up to his. Even in the half-light she could see the concern in his eyes. It unsettled her to realise how relieved she felt. She hadn’t imagined the closeness of last night. It seemed he did care. ‘In fact, I slept in. And Fiona’s been like a mother hen all day.’ She sent him a guarded smile. ‘I’m fine.’

  ‘You look amazing.’ He lowered his head slightly, so close his chin was almost dusting her cheek.

  Her breath caught on a stilted laugh. ‘So do you.’

  ‘I take it, then, we’re both pretty amazing.’ His eyes gleamed with intent.

  Her stomach curled. He’d taken off his suit jacket, loosened his tie and rolled his sleeves back over his forearms. She took a breath, the subtle scent of his aftershave filling her nostrils. ‘I thought you’d forgotten our dance.’

  ‘Was that likely?’ His mouth went to where her neck met her shoulder in the softest caress.

  Lindsey’s eyes drifted shut and she shivered.

  ‘I had to have a couple of duty dances,’ Dan said, ‘with Nathan’s mum and his Aunt Tilly.’

  ‘The large lady in the purple pants suit? She looked formidable.’

  ‘But a great dancer,’ Dan proclaimed, his lips twitching. ‘She runs a pub in Sydney.’ His gaze went to Lindsey’s mouth and lingered. ‘Why are we having this crazy conversation? When we should be doing this...’

  Lindsey swallowed, her heart banging out of rhythm. Racing. He was bending towards her, his blue eyes capturing hers with a magnetic pull. ‘Dan...?’

  ‘Don’t talk...’ In an almost imperceptible movement he slid his hands beneath her elbows and they rose as one.

  Instantly, Lindsey felt her nerve ends tingling, her breathing uncomfortably tight. She lifted her head, searing her gaze with his.

  ‘I need to do this again...’ Dan reached up, sliding the tips of his fingers over her face, feeling the gentle throb of heat under her skin, the feminine, fragile line of her jaw. Even as his thumb lifted her chin his fingers were seeking her nape, drawing her to him.

  He lowered his head slowly, giving her the chance to end it, if that’s what she wanted. But s
he didn’t, and her lips gave a tiny sigh of welcome as his mouth brushed hers, settling over its softness with touch-and-retreat little sips, feeling the instant response and teasing her lips into a more open kiss.

  Lindsey was drowning in feelings she hadn’t experienced for the longest time. Dan’s mouth on hers felt right, their kiss pure and perfect. So dazzlingly perfect. He drew her closer and she opened her mouth as though to savour and hold onto the magic of his kiss, walking her fingers to the curve of his neck and into the soft strands of his hair.

  And she didn’t let herself think for one second whether any of what they were sharing had a future. She was just amazed that they should be kissing at all and that she’d so longed for it without even knowing why...

  ‘You have the sweetest mouth,’ Dan murmured much later, moving his hands to her shoulders and then cupping her face in his hands.

  She licked her lips. ‘Do I?’

  ‘Mmm.’ He bent to her again, pressing his forehead to hers. It seemed a lifetime later when Dan drew back. He took her hands, absently running his thumbs across her knuckles. ‘I suppose we should get back in there.’

  ‘Yes, I suppose we should.’ Lindsey reluctantly withdrew her hands, swiping a fall of hair back over her shoulder. ‘I imagine the bride and groom will want to get away soon.’

  ‘Come on, then.’ Dan held out his hand and they were linked again. As they made their way back indoors to Rosemount’s beautiful ballroom, they saw the crowd gathering for the farewells. ‘I’d better have a word with Nate,’ Dan said. ‘He looks like a rogue bull caught in the headlights.’

  Nathan’s relief when he saw Dan was almost palpable. ‘Sami and I want to split. Any ideas for a quick getaway?’

  ‘I’ll alert the limo driver.’ Dan pulled out his mobile, his eyes assessing a possible exit route. ‘Have you said your private farewells?’

  ‘All done. And, mate...’ Nathan slung his arm around Dan’s shoulders. ‘Thanks. And I mean for the classic speech and, well, for everything.’

  ‘It’s been a great day.’ Dan’s jaw worked a bit. ‘You and Sami have a fantastic honeymoon. Where is she, by the way?’

  ‘Just here.’ Sami materialised beside them and linked her arm through Nathan’s. ‘Are we heading off, babe?’ She turned a very sweet smile on her new husband.

  ‘As soon as Dan can find us an escape route.’ Nathan bent and pressed a kiss into his wife’s hair.

  ‘Dan.’ Sami let go of Nathan’s arm and turned to Dan, kissing him on both cheeks. ‘Thank you so much. You’ve been the best best man! Oops!’ She put a finger to her smiling mouth. ‘I think I’ve had a bit much champagne. But you know what I mean.’

  ‘It’s been fun, Sami,’ Dan said. ‘Take care of this big guy.’

  ‘Take care of each other,’ Lindsey chimed in, and hugged them both.

  ‘Oh, Lins.’ Sami whisked Lindsey aside. ‘Keep an eye on Cait, would you? She’s a bit emotional about...well, you know...’

  Lindsey nodded. ‘Don’t worry, Eliot’s taken Cait under his wing.’

  ‘Good old El.’ Sami sent Lindsey an arch look. ‘He still has a thing for you, you know?’

  Lindsey just grinned. ‘In your dreams, Samantha. Oh, look, Dan’s beckoning. Grab Nathan and scoot.’

  ‘Thanks for everything, guys!’ Sami threw back over her shoulder as Nathan took her hand and urged her swiftly through the blaze of farewells and good wishes to the white stretch limousine in the forecourt.

  Lindsey smiled softly as they watched the car drive out of sight. ‘Wasn’t it the loveliest wedding?’

  ‘Yes, it was...’ Dan’s thoughts winged back to another time, another wedding...

  ‘You OK?’ Lindsey asked, realising he’d gone quiet.

  Dan blew out a breath that untied the sudden knots in his stomach. ‘Bit nostalgic,’ he admitted, and threaded his fingers through hers.

  ‘You and Nathan go back a long way, don’t you?’

  ‘First day at uni. Shared a house through our training...’

  ‘Parties and girls,’ Lindsey surmised, and smiled at him.

  He gave a half-shrug. ‘All that. I’m immensely happy for him.’

  ‘So, you believe in marriage, then?’ she said casually, although her antenna was tuned for his answer.

  His look became shuttered. ‘Well, people seem to be still doing it.’

  And that, decided Lindsey, was no answer at all.

  They headed back inside. ‘My duties as best man are all done,’ Dan said. ‘The band is on a break, so perhaps we could find somewhere less noisy and have a drink? I believe the champagne is still flowing.’

  Lindsey made a small face. ‘I think I’d actually prefer some tea.’

  * * *

  They made their way through to a kind of garden room where a helpful waiter organised their pot of tea. Lindsey poured, saying, ‘I’m assuming you have the rest of the weekend off?’

  ‘Actually, I have a few days’ leave.’ Dan took the cup she handed across to him. ‘I pulled some extra shifts to make it happen.’

  ‘Oh.’ The tip of Lindsey’s tongue roved her bottom lip. So that was the reason she’d kept missing him at work. He’d been off when she’d been on. ‘You must be running on empty, then, with the wedding on top of everything.’

  He shrugged. ‘I’ll recharge quickly.’

  Lindsey’s heartbeat picked up a notch and an idea began forming. ‘So...what are you doing with your time off?’

  ‘I haven’t quite decided yet. I have the use of an apartment at the Gold Coast whenever I want it. Maybe I could catch some waves. A bit of sun. A bit of fun.’

  Fun? Lindsey dropped her gaze. Did that mean a holiday fling while he was at the coast? That idea didn’t gel at all. She tilted her head back to look at him properly. ‘Do you have friends at the coast?’

  ‘No.’ Dan’s eyes seemed to track over her features one by one before he went on. ‘I’m used to being on my own. It doesn’t bother me.’

  Well, it should. Lindsey’s fingers spanned her teacup. Was Dan Rossi a loner by choice? She didn’t think so. She’d seen how much he’d enjoyed the social interaction at the wedding. And he hadn’t been faking it. He’d been warm and funny. And sexy...

  However hard she tried, she couldn’t remain detached. That assumption had been shattered like eggshells under a heavy boot the moment they’d tasted each other. She’d loved the way he’d kissed. So many men didn’t know how to kiss, she thought. But Dan had it down in spades. Or maybe it was simply that their bodies were totally in tune, their chemistry perfect for each other. She felt her skin prickle at the thought. Suddenly she straightened in her chair. Like a spark on tinder, the idea turned into possibility. ‘I have a much better idea. You could spend your days off here in Milldale. With me.’

  Dan looked up, startled. ‘With you,’ he repeated.

  ‘Well, not exactly with me,’ Lindsey explained. ‘What I meant to say was that we have several holiday cabins at the vineyard. You could have one of those—if you wanted to, of course.’

  ‘Uh-huh.’

  Oh, God, she thought as her heart began pattering. She couldn’t believe what she’d just done. It was so unlike her. She’d jumped in boots and all and had probably put Dan on the spot. But he was a grown-up, she justified. He could say no. ‘There are hiking trails if that appeals, heated pool and spa up at the house. Soft blue sky days and the quiet just seem to settle around you. There’s no feeling quite like it. It kind of all ties together; the peace and the feeling you can let go and just...be.’

  Be. Dan’s breath jammed in his throat. One tiny word with a thousand connotations. Her eyes had turned almost silver. Here I am, they seemed to say. So why on earth was he hesitating? Unless his instincts were leading him astray, Lindsey Stewart was the real deal. Lovely
, exciting. Sexy. He felt a wild heat in every part of his body.

  And he hadn’t had a feeling like this about a woman for the longest time.

  Somehow their hands had met across the table, their fingertips touching.

  ‘That sounds excellent,’ he said almost formally. ‘I’ll be happy to accept your invitation, Lindsey.’

  Lindsey watched as his mouth quirked with humour and acknowledged the almost painful lurching of her heart as it thundered out the heated rhythm of physical attraction. ‘Oh, ha-ha.’ She took her hand away, realising she’d worried about nothing. ‘You’re taking the mickey, aren’t you?’

  His grin unfolded lazily, his eyes crinkling at the corners. ‘You looked so earnest selling me your idea, Lindsey, when in reality you didn’t have to sell it to me at all.’ Reaching across, he took her hand again, slowly interlinking his fingers through hers. A tiny pulse flickered in his cheek. ‘I’d love to spend my days off with you.’ He fiddled with the gold filigree ring she wore on her middle finger. ‘Perhaps we could just be together?’

  Her eyes slanted, their expression sultry and soft. ‘Perhaps we could.’ She reclaimed her hand gently. ‘Now I’m going to call it a night.’ Picking up her clutch bag, she held it against her chest. ‘You know the way to Lark Hill so I’ll see you tomorrow, shall I?’

  Dan was immediately alert. ‘How are you getting home?’

  ‘Cab. I imagine all of Milldale’s taxi fleet is on duty tonight.’

  ‘My car’s here. I’ll drive you.’

  ‘Dan.’ Lindsey shook her head. ‘It’s not necessary. You’ve had a long day—’

  She watched his mouth firm.

  ‘I’ll drive you home.’

  CHAPTER FIVE

  LINDSEY WOKE WITH a start on Sunday morning. She grabbed her phone off the bedside table and fell back against her pillow. It was just eight o’clock. Dan probably wouldn’t be here for ages yet.

  A smile touched her mouth and widened to a full-blown grin. The good Dr Rossi thought he’d played the cool card but she knew her invitation had rattled his composure. She was still a little amazed that she’d asked him to spend his leave with her. But the invitation had bubbled out from somewhere deep within her.