So he’d forced himself to resist the temptation of her lips. Of her incredible body. A feat that had become increasingly difficult the more time he’d spent around her.
He took a sip of his water, then slumped back on the couch.
Especially the day she’d made it clear she wanted more. He’d walked her to her door, and seen the desire in her eyes. She’d wanted him to kiss her. When he didn’t make a move, she’d rested her hand on his shoulder and pushed herself up onto her tiptoes, then their lips had met.
Oh, God, he could still feel the gut-wrenching need that had swelled within him at the feel of her soft lips. His arms were around her before he knew what he was doing, pulling her tight to him. His cock swelling in response to her soft curves. His tongue had delved inside her, her sweetness becoming like an aphrodisiac. He’d pulled her tighter and she’d murmured softly against his lips.
When their mouths parted, she’d smiled up at him and invited him inside.
He raked his hair from his face.
That’s when he’d come to his senses. He’d explained to her that he couldn’t pursue the attraction between them. That he wanted to be her friend.
He’d been a complete fool. If he had only allowed them to pursue the intense attraction that crackled between them … allowed their romance to blossom … then he would have prevented the tragic events that followed.
And the limbo they both found themselves in now.
Fuck, he wanted her in his life. And not as a friend. Desire had turned to something more years ago.
The fact that she was his friend’s younger sister didn’t matter anymore. Not after so much had happened.
But she was married. To his best friend.
The marriage had failed, however. He’d seen it crumble before his eyes, despite Abi trying to keep it together.
Liam was resisting signing the papers, but Abi wanted the divorce. And they’d been separated for two years.
His lips compressed as he opened the envelope and pulled out the RSVP. He grabbed a pen and filled out the small card—no plus-one—then slipped it into the small pre-addressed, stamped envelope.
It was high time he stopped playing by the rules and did whatever it took to win her heart.
* * *
Abi stepped from the car and stood gazing at the lovely country inn with a beautiful garden of bright-colored flowers adorning the sides of the stone path leading to the front entrance, as Claire’s husband, Bill, started pulling their luggage from the trunk of the car. There was a sparkling lake beyond the building, the shoreline spotted with tall trees.
Claire stepped beside her and drew in a deep breath.
“Mmm. The flowers smell lovely,” Claire said. “Scruff and Suzanne definitely picked a beautiful spot for their wedding.”
Claire hooked her arm with Abi’s and they walked along the path toward the front door.
“Abi.”
Abi’s heart stuttered at the familiar male voice and she turned toward Del.
CHAPTER TWO
Del stood on the walkway leading around the side of the building. He must have come around the corner.
The sight of him took her breath away. He wore a casual light-blue striped shirt and navy jeans, accentuating his broad shoulders and slim waist. His wavy auburn hair was combed back from his face and his olive-green eyes, glittering with golden flecks, lit up as he smiled.
“Del. It’s so nice to see you again,” Abi said.
As he walked toward them, her heart stammered.
“Hi, Del,” Claire said.
“Claire.” Del held out his hand and Claire shook it. Then he turned to Abi. “I was out for a walk. It’s a beautiful place.”
“Yes, it is.” But Abi only had eyes for him.
Bill joined them, pushing a cart full of luggage.
“Hey, Del. Nice to see you.”
Abi watched as the two men shook hands.
“I bet you two have a lot to catch up on,” Bill said as he turned his attention from Del to Abi. “Why don’t Claire and I go check you in so you two can go and talk?”
“We can’t check her in without a credit card,” Claire protested.
“Of course we can,” Bill said. “We’ll put it on ours for now and Abi can change it later.”
Abi knew that Claire held out hope that she and Liam would eventually wind up together again. That’s why her sister was resisting Bill’s attempts to push Abi together with Del. Claire insisted that the man still loved her. Abi couldn’t seem to convince her that the marriage between her and Liam could never really work. He’d married her out of a sense of obligation. That’s all.
Del smiled at Abi. “There’s a lovely coffee shop overlooking the lake,” he said. “Would you like to join me?”
“Yes, I would. Thank you.”
Del stepped ahead of them and held the door open. Abi and Claire stepped inside, followed by Bill and the cart of luggage.
“It’s this way,” Del said, as Claire and Bill walked to the reception desk.
“It really is a lovely inn,” Abi said. “Are the rooms nice?”
“I don’t know. My room wasn’t ready when I got here and then I got busy with the other groomsmen. We just finished dinner and I was going to take my luggage up there now but”—he smiled—“I’d rather spend the time catching up with you.”
She smiled as she followed him up a curved staircase to the second floor, then to a door leading into a light, airy coffee shop. The hostess showed them to a table by the large windows.
A waitress showed up immediately.
“They have black currant tea here. I know you used to enjoy that. Or would you prefer a coffee?” Del asked Abi.
“I would love a tea.”
Del ordered a coffee and the waitress went on her way.
“It is a beautiful view,” she said, gazing out over the water.
“Yes, it is.”
She realized he was staring at her, his eyes filled with a warm glow. Could it be that he was interested in her after all?
But then
