by Gina Wilkins
From the few snatches of Jason’s conversations she caught by accident during the evening, she knew he, too, spent at least part of the evening talking about work. As a family physician, he was hit up frequently for free medical advice. She didn’t get that quite as much as he did. More people were willing to discuss their physical ailments than any possible psychological issues, at least where they, themselves, were concerned. While she was sure Jason knew how to gracefully deflect those inquiries, he seemed to spend more time with them than she would be inclined to do.
The dance floor wasn’t nearly as crowded for this dance as it had been at the costume party. Still, a few men asked Madison to dance, and she accepted. Carl, his brother, BiBi’s dad, a podiatrist introduced to her by BiBi’s mom, a couple of others. Allen notably did not ask, spending most of his time near Hannah. So much for BiBi’s matchmaking scheme that weekend.
She was helping herself to a glass of champagne punch when Jason finally approached her. He did so very casually, plucking a chocolate-dipped strawberry off the snack table near where she stood as if that had been his primary intention. “Having a good time?”
“Yes, lovely, thanks. And you?”
“It’s a nice party.”
So courteous and impersonal. She doubted anyone overhearing would suspect that she knew exactly what lay beneath Jason’s beautifully tailored dark suit, exactly how it felt to run her hands over the sleek chest hidden beneath his snowy-white shirt and deep red tie.
“So, how about it? Want to take a spin around the dance floor?”
She had hoped he wouldn’t ask. Maybe he thought it would look odder if he didn’t. She kept her smile friendly, suitably vague. “Thank you, but I believe I’ll take a break with this drink. It feels as though I’ve been on my feet all day. I’ll see you later, Jason.”
His eyes narrowed, but she turned away before he could respond. As she crossed the room, she remembered his expression. He had not liked her rejection, as polite as she’d tried to be about it. She wasn’t sure if she’d hurt his ego or his feelings, but either way, she still thought she’d made the right call.
Probably no one would lift an eyebrow at the sight of her dancing with Jason, no more than they had when she’d danced with Carl or Curtis or the others she’d danced with so casually during the past couple of hours. No one, that is, except the Lovato sisters. Corinna, of course, probably noticed whenever Jason danced with anyone else, even though she’d missed few opportunities to take to the dance floor, herself. She had partnered with several of the male guests, and Brandon had hovered near her all evening to fill in the gaps.
As for BiBi, she had already homed in on the undercurrents between Madison and Jason. Even if she didn’t know exactly what was going on, she knew Madison well enough to sense something…enough that it had brought back those uncomfortable memories from college. Madison wasn’t sure she could dance with Jason, no matter how circumspectly, without once again triggering BiBi’s intuition where her longtime friend was concerned.
Maybe she would have a chance to explain that to Jason later. Not that she owed him explanations, of course. She was under no obligation to dance with him this evening, no matter what had happened between them last night. After tomorrow, there was a good chance she would never even see him again.
She tried to fill the faint hollowness left by that thought with several long swallows of her punch.
She really wasn’t expecting Jason to follow when she slipped out into the garden a short while later. The last time she had seen him, he’d appeared to be making his way toward the exit, stopping to chat with acquaintances along the way. It was getting late, and he wouldn’t be the first guest to leave. She didn’t plan to stay much longer, herself. After getting a quick breath of fresh air, she would find BiBi and say good-night. Tomorrow was the big day, and they both needed rest.
Sitting on one of the little benches, she closed her eyes for a moment. The autumn air was cool against her cheeks and bare arms, hinting at colder weather ahead. The sound of the fountain in the center of the small courtyard was so soothing that she fancied she could drift off to sleep if she sat there much longer. With a faint sigh, she opened her eyes.
Jason stood in front of her, his arms crossed over his chest, a look of exaggerated patience on his face as he waited for her to notice him. To give her credit, she didn’t jump, though she did blink a few times in her surprise at seeing him. “I thought you’d left already.”
“I was on my way to the exit when I saw you slip out here.”
She glanced automatically toward the doorway.
His mouth twisted. “Don’t worry, I made sure to be discreet when I came out. I doubt anyone knows we’re out here together, actually exchanging words with each other.”
He was definitely aggravated with her. Seemed like whatever she did that weekend, someone ended up irritated.
She sighed and pushed a hand through her hair. “You know why I turned down your invitation to dance, Jason. I just didn’t want to call any attention to us.”
“You’ve danced several times with other people. I’ve been on the dance floor once or twice, myself. I wouldn’t think anyone would find it the least odd that I would ask you to dance with me, considering we’ll be walking down the aisle together tomorrow.”
“Oh, so someone filled you in on your responsibilities for tomorrow?” she asked before she could stop herself.
His eyebrows rose. His response was equally blunt. “That was a bit cattier than I would have expected from you.”
“Sorry,” she said, though she wasn’t particularly. She was getting tired of walking on eggshells this weekend. Around BiBi and Corinna and Jason, too, for that matter.
Looking aggrieved, he said rather curtly, “I’ve apologized to everyone for missing some of the rehearsal this afternoon.”
“Some of the rehearsal?” she repeated. “You missed all your own part.”
“I think I can handle walking unrehearsed,” he shot back. “And I’m getting tired of groveling because I had to take a call.”
She held up a hand. “You’re right. You certainly don’t owe me any apologies or explanations. BiBi’s the one who was upset.”
“I’m getting damned tired of tiptoeing around BiBi, too,” he snapped, far from mollified. “I know it’s her weekend, and I understand bridal jitters and such, but come on. Refusing to dance with me because it might anger BiBi because it just might upset Corinna, to whom I have absolutely no obligation and who looks quite happy dancing with Brandon McCafferty anyway? That’s carrying things a little too far, don’t you think?”
“You don’t understand.”
“You’re right. I don’t understand. It was just a dance.”
“And maybe it wouldn’t have caused any problems at all. I just wasn’t willing to take that risk.”
She sensed him withdraw even more into himself. Surely he understood that she had to put BiBi’s feelings ahead of his, considering that she had known him only a few days.
He took a step backward, his expression shuttered. With his new position, the shadow of a potted palm tree fell over the upper half of his face, so that only the glitter of his dark eyes and the hard set of his mouth were visible to her. “I won’t put you at any further risk of being seen with me. Good night, Madison. I’ll see you at the ceremony tomorrow.”
She groaned. “Jason—”
He turned and walked away without giving her another chance to…what? Apologize again? Explain again?
“Oh, forget it,” she muttered, jumping to her feet. She started toward the ballroom, then made herself pause a few minutes so she wouldn’t be seen entering immediately after him.
Okay, maybe her exaggerated caution was sort of silly. Maybe he was right that she was worrying a bit too much about BiBi’s overwrought s
ensibilities. It would be hard for any guy to understand the complicated history she and BiBi shared. But whether justified or not, it was entirely her decision how much she wanted to cater to her friend.
Deciding enough time had passed, she entered the ballroom and headed straight for BiBi. She would say her good-nights and then go up to her room. She was suddenly very tired. She only hoped she would be able to sleep in the bed that now held too many disconcerting memories.
Though she wasn’t yet asleep, she had already crawled between the sheets when a quiet knock came on her door. Having no doubt who stood on the other side, she hesitated a moment before swinging her legs over the edge of the bed. She knew he would take the hint and go away if she didn’t answer. But she crossed the room anyway, and it wasn’t only because she didn’t want anyone to see him standing outside her door.
She hadn’t bothered with a robe, but he’d seen her in less than the short emerald satin chemise she now wore. She opened the door and motioned him inside.
As he had the night before, he’d changed before coming to her room. His dark suit had been replaced by a black T-shirt and jeans that were no less flattering on him. The cross expression he’d worn when she’d last seen him had also been replaced; now he looked rueful, faintly penitent, even a little grateful that she had invited him in.
“I’m sorry,” he said almost before she had the door fully closed behind him. “I was out of line.”
“You were annoyed because I turned down your invitation to dance.”
He shook his head. “No, it wasn’t that. Not exactly. It was just…well, like I said, I’m sort of tired of tiptoeing around to keep from upsetting BiBi, especially for such a ridiculous reason. I mean, I’ve known her pretty much since we were both in diapers. It feels like I’m having to kiss up to one of my sisters or cousins, and I wouldn’t want to do that, either.”
“I can sort of understand that,” she admitted. “I’ve never been one to mince words with my siblings, either. If Meagan had gone ‘Bridezilla’ on me during her wedding, I probably would have cut her down a size with a good talking to. I just didn’t want to make any waves with BiBi this weekend.”
“I get that. And at first it didn’t bother me. Like we said, the clandestine part was kind of fun. At first. But tonight…well, I would have enjoyed dancing with you. I didn’t care who knew that I liked you and enjoyed being with you. And to be honest, I’m not so sure Corinna cares anymore, either. I think she has taken a closer look at me and decided I’m not really worth all the effort, and she’s probably right. I think this big drama is all in BiBi’s head…or maybe yours,” he added candidly.
“Trust me, it’s not all in mine,” she muttered. Maybe BiBi had apologized for bringing up Steve Gleason’s name, but that didn’t mean she’d forgotten about him.
“Still…”
“I know. You wouldn’t like feeling like you were sneaking around. That’s not in your makeup.”
Jason seemed taken aback by the insight. “Umm, maybe. Is it in yours?”
She shrugged. “I keep my private life private for the most part, but I don’t normally feel the need for strict secrecy.”
“You really think BiBi would be angry with you if she knew you’d been spending time with me, even though there’s nothing between Corinna and me?”
He simply didn’t understand, and she didn’t know how to explain it. “Maybe she’d get over it, but I just don’t want to deal with it right now. Especially since it will all be over tomorrow, anyway.”
Something flashed across his face, an expression she couldn’t quite read. He shut it down quickly, his features settling into an inscrutable half smile that didn’t lighten his dark eyes. “Then I won’t argue with you any longer. I came to your room tonight because I didn’t want our short time together to end on a bad note.”
“Neither do I. I’m sorry everything became so awkward.”
He shrugged. “It wasn’t your fault that things were so complicated between BiBi and Corinna and me this weekend. It will all blow over. Our families have been connected too long for this to get in the way for long. I’m just sorry you ended up in the middle of it. And I’m sorry we never got that last dance because of it,” he added, reaching out to touch her cheek.
“Who says it’s too late?” On an impulse, she stepped toward him, snuggling against his chest. His arms went around her automatically. Linking her hands behind his neck, she smiled up at him and began to sway. Very softly, she began to sing the chorus of “Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered”—what she now thought of as their song.
His mouth curving into a more natural smile, Jason played along, matching his steps to hers, his hands sliding to her hips to hold her closer to him. She was very aware that she wore nothing but bits of satin and lace, and that his hands were very close to the lower hem of her chemise, which had risen when she’d looped her arms around his neck. The sexy glint was back in his eyes, reminding her of the night they’d met. All he lacked was the low-brimmed fedora.
His gaze locked with hers, he lowered his head to cover her lips with his. The lyrics to the song promptly fled her mind, but he didn’t seem to notice the lack of music. Cupping her bottom to draw her even closer to his hardening body, he continued to rock her gently as he nibbled at her mouth, drawing her lower lip between his teeth for a gentle nip that sent a shiver coursing through her. Giving up all pretense of dancing, she leaned into him. Thin satin shifted against her sensitized breasts when she brushed against his chest, making her ache in a way that was both delicious and needy.
The nightie shifted higher, and his hands were beneath it, stroking, squeezing, exploring until she gasped and shifted against him, unable to stand still. Only then did he lift her against him and turn toward the bed. Madison was already tugging at his T-shirt when he lowered her to the mattress, even as he swept her chemise up and over her head.
And to think she’d been tired when she’d left the dance, convinced she would go straight to sleep. Now, as she lay on her side smiling at Jason, who faced her in the bed, she felt wide-awake, unwilling to waste one magical moment in sleep.
“I should probably go. You need to rest for the wedding.” Disinclination underlay Jason’s noble offer, and he made no move to leave the bed, though she knew he would if she gave the word.
Instead, she shook her head against the pillow. “Stay just a little longer.”
He reached out to trace her lower lip with one fingertip. “If it were up to me, I’d stay all night. But that’s probably not wise.”
“Probably not,” she agreed reluctantly. “But just a few minutes more.”
“I hope you’re not too tired at the wedding tomorrow.”
She shrugged. “A little makeup will do wonders. BiBi will never see any bags under my eyes.”
His mouth twisted. “I’m sure she would blame me for that, too. Especially if she were to find out that I really could be blamed.”
Madison made a production of shuddering. “Heaven help us both if that should happen.”
He chuckled wryly. “Don’t worry, I’m sure you’ll look as stunning as ever tomorrow. And I’m going to be on my very best behavior. I swear I won’t make one wrong step during the ceremony.”
Remembering their tiff in the garden earlier, Madison winced a little. “Your role really isn’t that difficult,” she conceded. “All you have to do is follow Allen’s lead.”
“I really wouldn’t have missed the rehearsal if the call hadn’t been important,” he said quietly.
“I know. You said it was a longtime patient?”
“Not a patient, exactly, though I’ve seen her a time or two for minor infections. She’s a family friend who needed me to interpret some news her family was given earlier today and to be straight with her about what it meant.”
“I can tell b
y your voice that the news was bad.”
“The worst,” he agreed. “Her forty-two-year-old son has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Already moved to the heart and the esophagus.”
Madison felt her heart sink. “Oh. And they’re just finding out?”
“Yeah. He didn’t have health insurance. Put off going to the doctor despite the health issues he’s been dealing with for the past year. He kept brushing it off as bronchitis, flu, smoker’s cough…”
“And now it’s too late.”
“Yes. If they’d come to me sooner, I could have helped him work around the lack of insurance. But he lives in Marshall, and Linda said she didn’t know he wasn’t insured or that he was ignoring health issues until he collapsed at home. The doctors they consulted this week gave them all the facts, but Linda wanted me to give her some reason to hope.”
“And did you?”
“I told her the truth. I told her there’s always reason to hope, but that the odds against him are extremely high.”
After a moment, Madison sighed. “That had to be a tough conversation.”
“It was. I would have preferred to talk to her face-to-face at a better time, but she insisted on talking to me right then.”
She remembered now how forced his smiles had been when he had rejoined the wedding party. How dark his eyes had been. She’d been so focused on BiBi’s hurt feelings that she hadn’t paid enough attention to those signs from Jason. “Why did she think you could tell her something different than the doctors they had already consulted? You aren’t even an oncologist.”