“Yet another sin on your head.” But her pulse sped up at his proximity, and her skin flushed with heat.
“Yet another sin,” he agreed. “You want to go get something to eat?”
She sputtered a laugh. “A date? On my last night in town?”
“Something like that.”
“You looking for another one-night stand?”
He gently took her hand in his, rubbing the pad of his thumb over her knuckles. “Absolutely.”
Her mounting desire peaked and crested. She struggled not to stammer. “You have got to be kidding.”
He leaned in, voice lowering to a husky drawl. “I’ll understand if you say no.”
Her breath hitched. “How very magnanimous of you.”
“But I’m still going to ask.”
“I’m saying no,” she managed to say.
“Yeah. I figured.” But his hand moved up to her cheek. His fingers brushed her sensitized skin, and he dipped his head toward her. “At least let me kiss you goodbye.”
She ordered herself to move, to back away, get out of the danger zone. But her feet weren’t cooperating, and her head was tilting to accommodate him. Her lips were parting, and her eyes were fluttering closed.
When his lips touched hers, desire exploded within her. A small sound escaped from her throat. Her knees went weak, and her chest became a tight band of emotion. Before she could form a coherent thought, her arms wound their own way around his neck.
His free arm pulled her close, pressing their bodies together, while his tongue found its way into the hot recesses of her mouth. The kiss continued for long minutes before he broke it off.
“I’ve missed you,” he moaned, cradling the back of her head, pressing her cheek against his strong chest.
Her voice was muffled. “You’ve barely let me out of your sight.”
“You know what I mean.”
She did. She’d missed him, too. But that didn’t make sleeping with him again a good idea. Okay, it would be great. It would be fantastic. But it would also be foolish.
She shook her head and tried to pull back.
“I can’t let you go.”
“You have to.” She swallowed, forcing herself to stay strong. “You’re out of ammunition, and I’m going home.”
She braced her hands on his shoulders and broke free of his arms, stumbling a couple of steps in her high heels.
He reached for her, but she’d already put enough space between them.
“Goodbye, Zach.”
He stilled. But then he dropped his shoulders and gave a sad smile. “Goodbye, Doll-Face.”
Her eyes started to burn, and she quickly turned away, walking out the door.
Watching her two sisters dancing under the sparkling lights of the central ballroom at the Ten Peaks Country Club in downtown Denver, Abigail couldn’t stop smiling. Mandy’s gown was clean and classic, strapless with simple lines that flowed gracefully as she danced in Caleb’s arms. Katrina’s dress had a sweetheart neckline and glittered with shimmering embroidery, beadwork and sequins. Where Mandy had gone with a silver-link necklace and hoop earrings, Katrina wore cascades of white sapphires, interlaced to a point just above her cleavage. Her dangling earrings and elegant bracelet made up the set. She looked delicate and beautiful in Reed’s arms.
Abigail had served as maid of honor, while Lisa was a bridesmaid. Seth and Travis stood up for the grooms. Their father was sitting now, at the head table near the multitiered cake that was flanked by two bridal bouquets. But he’d done an impressive job of escorting his daughters down the aisle. After the wedding, he and Abigail’s mother were definitely considering an extended stay here.
The lights were dim around the dance floor as everyone watched the two bridal couples in their first waltz. Abigail’s feet were sore, but in a good way. It had been weeks since she’d worn high heels, and she felt feminine and beautiful in her knee-length, plum-colored bridesmaid dress. Made of airy chiffon, it had a soft, strapless bodice, a two-layer skirt and a sleek waistline.
“Abby?” A deep voice resonated close to her ear, sending a shiver down her spine.
She twisted to come face-to-face with Zach. She blinked, unable to make sense of his appearance.
“Hi,” he offered.
“What are you
He was dressed in a well-cut three-piece steel-gray business suit, his silver tie in a sharp knot, his crisp, white shirt allowing him to blend with the other guests.
“I need to talk to you,” he whispered.
“I’m a little busy.”
The crowd broke into applause as the final strains of the waltz came to a close. The string quartet immediately launched into another song.
Mandy picked Seth from the crowd, while Katrina laughingly asked Travis to dance. Reed Terrell snagged Abigail’s hand and smoothly pulled her onto the hardwood floor. He swung her gracefully into his arms. For a large man, he’d always been a great dancer. He’d been a year ahead of her in high school, and they’d danced together many times before.
“Who’s that?” he asked, leaning to be heard above the music.
Abigail glanced back at Zach. Her heart tripped at his handsome, sexy looks.
“Zach Rainer,” she told Reed. “He owns Craig Mountain Brewery.”
“He was invited to the wedding?” Reed’s tone was incredulous.
“He’s here looking for me.”
Reed stopped.
“Don’t,” Abigail warned. She knew her neighbor well enough to realize he would step in to solve whatever problem was at hand. Dressed in a wedding tux or not, he was completely capable of tossing Zach out on his ear. “I’ll handle it.”
Reed hesitated a second longer, but to her relief began dancing again. “Why’s he crashing my wedding?” he asked.
“I don’t know yet. I haven’t had a chance to talk to him.”
“He a friend?”
“Sort of.”
Reed stared down at her, eyes narrowed. “There something you’re not telling me?”
She gave a light laugh. “There are many, many things I’m not telling you, Reed. But don’t worry about it. It’s all good.”
“Are you in some kind of trouble?”
“Not at all.” Unless you counted her overwhelming desire to haul Zach off to the nearest hotel room and ravage him. That was a whole lot of trouble.
“He looks ticked off.”
“He’s impatient.”
“Well, he can bloody well wait until my wedding’s over.”
“Stop,” Abigail ordered. “Katrina’s going to kill me if I get you all riled up.”
“I’m not riled.”
“Yes, you are.”
“You don’t know riled, Abby.”
Abigail grinned. “Welcome to the family.” She stretched up and gave him a kiss on the cheek.
“You’ve got a great family,” said Reed.
“It just got greater.” She glanced at Caleb who was laughing with Lisa. “Two new brothers, and a new cousin.”
“Seth just thanked me and Caleb for evening things up between the genders again.”
“We women did have the upper hand there for a few weeks.”
