by Lavinia Kent
For a moment it was play, tongues twirling against each other, tasting, delighting.
Then everything grew more serious, more demanding. His fingers tightened on her cheeks, pressing her belly to his upper thighs. She took half a step back, but he held her tight, keeping them balanced.
His lips sealed about hers, his tongue now an invader, but a welcome one.
Breath seeped from her body as she melted into him.
Her eyes closed and she gave in, wishing this moment could last forever.
She breathed in again, filling herself with the crisp scent of his cologne. She didn’t remember him ever wearing it before, but it made her toes curl with want—but then, everything about him did.
“Do we have time to go inside?” he whispered into her hair.
Yes. Yes. Who cares about weddings? “No, I don’t want to be late.”
“I can be fast and still not leave you sorry.”
And after the past couple of weeks of seeing him almost every night she knew he spoke the truth. The man could do amazing things with only a few minutes—then again, he could do even more amazing things if given hours. It was tempting, so very tempting.
She stepped back, forcing him to release her. “Sorry, but there’s no way to get me out of this dress quickly—or back into it. And I just spent thirty minutes getting the perfect beach curls. I admit that it’s tempting to show up at Charlotte’s wedding with sex hair, but I want everything to go smoothly today.”
“I wasn’t sure you cared. You’ve made it clear that Charlotte isn’t your favorite person.”
That stung, but she had to admit there was truth to it. “Still, she is my sister and every bride deserves a beautiful wedding. And for some reason I’m convinced that Dad is going to make an announcement today. It would be just like him to use this as the chance to lay everything out.” And that was another reason she was nervous. Normally it would have been the main one, but she had to admit that Brian was drawing more and more of her focus—which might not be a good thing, given that he was leaving, even if it might not be for almost a year.
“It does seem strange, but I’ll trust your instinct. Maybe once I meet your father, I can give you my own opinion.
“You’ve grown quiet,” he said. “Are you having doubts about bringing me, about introducing me to your family?”
And he was going to force her to think. “Yes. No, don’t look that way. I’m actually not scared of introducing you to them—I’m scared of introducing them to you. I’ve loved being with you these last few weeks.” Fuck. Had she seriously used the word love? That was almost enough to have her fleeing back into the house. “I don’t want your opinion of me to change because they act like idiots and snobs.”
“I’m sure you don’t need to worry.”
“I’m sure that I do.”
He reached out and placed a hand on each side of her face. “Veronica, I have a thick skin and I’m not going to judge you based on how your father treats me—and your sister will probably be too busy to even notice that I’m there.”
That second part was true, but she had doubts about the first. Her father could ruin almost anything. “But will you judge me on how I act because he’s there? I don’t tend to behave rationally around him, but you already know that.”
He was still, granting her the respect of thinking about her words. “I don’t think so. I’ve gotten to know you pretty well, and I know how important the firm is to you and that you think winning your dad’s respect is the only way you’ll get ahead. I can give you a lot of leeway knowing that.”
She stared into his magical green eyes, trying to be sure that what he said was true.
He continued, “And besides, my mind is so filled with what I’m going to do to you once I get you out of that dress—or maybe while you’re still in it. Do you think you can kneel? And hey, if you’re too bad, I’ll just have to give you a spanking.” He pulled one of his hands from her cheek and held it before her face. “My palms are starting to itch at the thought. Do you think you want to be bad?”
She snorted, but relaxed. What was it about this man that made her see humor even when her stress levels were high? “Don’t you wish. I should tell you, of all the fantasies I have, getting spanked is not one of them.”
He leaned forward. “Do tell?”
She shoved him lightly. “Not now. There’s not time.”
He held firm. “Tell me one. It will give me something to think about during the wedding.”
Well, it might not be so bad to have him distracted if things didn’t go well. “I’ll admit that after the dining table incident, I keep thinking of various places you could eat me. It’s gotten me through some very tedious meetings at work.”
“Are you dreaming of in private or in public?”
“My fantasies mostly involve public places, but it’s not something I’d ever actually do.”
“Hmm, do you have any you might do?”
She leaned close, licked her lips. “Well, it has not escaped my attention that with everything we’ve done, I’ve never gone down on you. I might be having some lollipop and popsicle thoughts.” She let her tongue trail all about her mouth, slowly tracing her lips. Brian’s eyes followed each careful movement.
Men could be so easy.
She stepped back, but his eyes stayed on her mouth.
She turned. “Are you going to help me into that glorious car?”
“Sure, now that you’ve made sure I can’t sit down comfortably.”
“Well, you did ask.”
* * *
—
Veronica blinked furiously as she walked from the garden where the service had been held toward the country club’s main dining room. She’d been fine through the ceremony, but there’d been something about the look that had passed between Charlotte and Greg as they walked back down the aisle together that had done her in.
They really did love each other.
She’d had her doubts, but there’d been no mistaking that look, mistaking the way their eyes locked with each other, those small private smiles. How had she never noticed it before? They were in love.
Charlotte had found love.
Veronica felt her heart swell at the thought. She might be competitive with Charlotte, but she still wanted the best for her sister.
Charlotte had found love.
Would Veronica ever find a deep love herself?
And then she turned and saw Brian looking at her, his eyes warm, his gaze appreciative.
Their eyes met. She felt herself smile in return, sharing the moment.
A hand brushed her arm. She turned and met Anne’s gaze.
“Wasn’t it a beautiful ceremony?” Anne asked, although it wasn’t really a question—and the ceremony itself hadn’t been any different than a thousand others.
“It certainly was. Charlotte looked so happy, and I loved the simplicity of her dress. I thought she’d chosen a full-fledged princess number. I guess I’m still remembering her at seven or eight and Barbie obsessed.”
“No, she knew what she wanted right from the start,” Anne said.
“And the flowers were beautiful. I know you take some credit for those.”
“Again, it was mostly Charlotte, but the florist did a fabulous job.”
“And I know who chose the florist.”
Anne smiled in acknowledgment.
“I’d love to be introduced, if you’re done talking about flowers and gowns,” Brian spoke from her side, letting a hand slip about her waist.
“I’d forgotten that you two hadn’t met,” Veronica said, moving closer to Brian. “Anne, this is Brian Walsh.” She left it at that. After careful consideration, she had decided that she didn’t need to say more. If asked, she would answer, but she was proud of him exactly as he was. She didn’t need to
explain him. If people thought he was the dog walker, she didn’t really care—and if they knew who he was, then there was no need for explanation.
“Brian, this is Anne Petersen. You were at her party with your aunt, Mrs. Clouster.”
Brian held out his hand. “You must think I have the worst manners. I don’t know how we didn’t meet. I don’t make a habit of attending parties without greeting my hosts, although I did have a good conversation with your husband, Jack.”
“Delighted to meet you—and it was probably my fault. I tend to flit around parties, always trying to be sure everything is in order, and it makes me easy to miss.”
“I would make a sincere comment about you being unmissable, except that I clearly managed to. Although it was probably because I only had eyes for Veronica. Once I see her, I tend to become hopelessly distracted.”
Veronica felt the heat flow up her face. Brian and she hadn’t discussed how they were going to address their relationship, but his words made it pretty clear. He might have avoided defining it, but…
“I do understand,” Anne said. “I was the same way when I first met Jack. In fact, I still tend to be that way. Sometimes he enters a room and I lose my breath.”
Now, that sounded more like the Anne she remembered. Veronica had worried briefly about the marriage when they’d had lunch at Lily’s, but listening to Anne now, there was no doubt how she felt about her husband.
Brian nodded. “I’m sure that I’ll be that way about Veronica years from now.”
Hold it. What? Years from now? She admitted her mind had gone in that direction a few times, but she’d certainly never have said it outright, and he was still planning on leaving Forbidden Cove. And what could she say in response?
She was saved when a waiter came over and started directing everyone into the receiving line.
Her fingers tangled with Brian’s as they stood waiting their turn. It caused her a few nervous knots when she caught people watching, but she pushed them aside.
“It was a beautiful wedding,” she said to Charlotte as they reached her.
“I hardly know,” Charlotte answered. “I have to confess, it’s all been a blur.”
Veronica smiled, understanding. “And this is Brian Walsh, my plus one.”
“I’m so happy to be here,” Brian said, giving Charlotte’s hand a light shake.
“And I’m so glad to have you here. Greg and I were both so pleased that Veronica had someone to bring.”
And that hadn’t been sarcastic. Her sister had spoken with genuine feeling. Veronica leaned in and kissed her sister on the cheek. “I’m so happy for you. It’s wonderful seeing you glow.”
“Thank you. It was really good to have you here,” Charlotte said, sounding like she actually meant it.
Veronica nodded and moved down the line.
Greg clearly knew who Brian was, and made the appropriate manly comments. She resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Charlotte might love him, but Veronica still didn’t quite see the attraction. He was handsome, but she couldn’t get past his smug expression. Maybe he was just incredibly proud of his new wife.
When they reached her father, there were perfunctory kisses and an actual pat on the head. He barely took the time to glance at Brian as his gaze moved past them to someone of more immediate importance.
All she could do was shrug as they moved away and found their table card.
“I don’t know what to think of that,” Brian whispered in her ear.
“To think of what?” Although she was pretty sure she knew what he meant.
“What to think of your father not even looking at me. If we— When I have a daughter, you can be sure I’ll check out any man she brings around. I don’t care if she’s eighty. If there’s a penis in her vicinity, I want to know all about it—and that came out wrong.”
“Yes, it did. And I do hope you’re not implying that I’m eighty.”
“Definitely not.” He looked her over again in a way that had her toes curling. How quickly could they leave the reception?
“And I hope it’s not just your daughters you’ll care about. That sounds awfully sexist.”
He shrugged. “I’ll care about my sons, but I have to admit that it doesn’t feel the same.”
After meandering a bit and having a cocktail, they took their seats and Veronica made introductions around the table. Charlotte had seated her with their older relatives and she didn’t have any real complaints, although her father’s family had never been quite sure how to treat her.
Everything went smoothly until one of her older uncles or cousins—Veronica couldn’t keep them all straight—turned to Brian. “And what do you do, young man? I assume you’re a lawyer too? Do you work for Mr. Anderson?”
Chapter 22
Brian stopped at the words, momentarily unsure. Had Veronica already said anything? He glanced at her. She seemed frozen in the moment, too, but then she smiled and nodded slightly.
“I’ve decided to switch professions, so I’m studying for grad school.” He just wasn’t in the mood to explain his injury again. “I hope to start next fall.”
“Oh, and what school? One never can be too careful in making these decisions,” the man who’d introduced himself as Veronica’s father’s cousin asked. Then without another word the man turned away.
A strange glint came into Veronica’s eyes. “Actually, Brian is my dog walker.”
What the fuck?
“Dog walker? Do you own the company?” the older man asked, his nose visibly rising into the air.
Ah well, two could play at this game. “Nope. I work for my aunt.”
“Oh” was the only reply.
Veronica chimed in. “Yes, I met him because he came to walk Baxter. He gets twenty-five dollars a walk. That’s pretty good, isn’t it?”
Father’s cousin merely nodded and turned away.
“What was that about?” Brian whispered to Veronica.
“I do apologize. It just suddenly all seemed so ridiculous. I was trying to show you that I don’t care what you do, that it doesn’t matter, but I am not sure it came out right. Somehow I feel like I created a problem instead of solving one.”
He stared at her, seeing the honesty in her eyes. She really hadn’t meant to embarrass him. And in some strange way he completely understood what she’d been trying to do. “You truly are talented at saying the wrong thing. Are you sure you’re a lawyer?”
“I don’t know what it is about you that—”
“And you’re feeling nervous, aren’t you?” he asked. He could see how tightly she held the stem of her glass.
Waiters came by with dinner and for the next few minutes all was quiet as everyone sampled the prime rib. Veronica had been right. The food was decent, but not great.
The older couples at the table started to discuss some long-ago party at which a fight had erupted over a college football game. He could understand the sentiment, but had nothing to offer. Veronica looked bored with the conversation, but only in the dullness of her eyes. Her social smile was fixed in place and she nodded appropriately—although she still looked on edge. Was she that nervous about her father making an announcement?
Brian pushed back his chair and stood; the others at the table hardly glanced at him. Veronica raised a brow in question and he held out his hand. She took it and rose to stand beside him.
“I need a breath of air,” he said to the table, although no one acknowledged his words.
He turned and walked away, Veronica following.
“If you want air, you’d do better to head the other direction. The porch overlooks the golf course and then the ocean. It’s quite spectacular,” she said, trying to turn him.
“I’ve got something else in mind.”
“What?” She sounded genuinely confused and distracted. That was be
tter than bored.
He led her to the front hall.
“Do you need something from your car? It can be hard to get the valet’s attention during a party. They tend to sneak off to smoke—which I bet is what everybody at the table thinks we’re doing.”
“I doubt they’re thinking of us at all. They most likely didn’t even notice we left.”
“You’re probably right about that. Once they get talking about how great the world used to be, they can go on for days.”
“Well, that should give me some time to help you with those nerves.” He stopped in front of the cloakroom. “You mentioned the valets would have snuck away—what do you want to bet the same is true of the coat-check girl?”
“But you didn’t have a coat.”
“I know.” He reached over the half door and turned the knob, swinging it open. He stepped in and pulled her with him.
“What?” she exclaimed.
Before she could say more, he pushed her behind one of the racks, hiding them both from people’s sight, except for the most observant.
And then she was in his arms, her breasts tight against his chest. “Have I told you how beautiful you look in that dress?”
“I don’t remember.” She stared up at him, her gaze intent.
“That’s better. You were thinking too much about what your father might say. I don’t like to see you nervous at a wedding. It might bring bad luck.”
“I’ve never heard that.”
“Do you doubt me?” He had just made it up.
A dimple formed in one of her cheeks. How had he never noticed that before? “Never.”
“Good. Now, what do you think we should do to help you relax?” He laid a soft kiss on her brow. His hands wrapped about her waist and then slipped down to cup her ass. “You look so good in this skirt. It’s like it was glued on you.”
“It just about was.” She turned her face up to his. “I couldn’t wear panties with it without having lines.”