“Why couldn’tyou just let me have the last word?” she bit out, irritatedthis chapter of her life wouldn’t close.
“I still love you,baby girl.” He stepped closer and Celeste stiffened. “Eversince I’ve been back, I’ve thought about coming to seeyou.”
“But you can’tbecause you’re married.”
Ralph opened his mouth tospeak, and then closed it, taking her hand instead. Startled by histouch, Celeste tried to quell her rising anxiety. It was one thingto talk to him at such close proximity, it was an entirely adifferent ball game to have him touching her.
Celeste tried to withdrawher hand from his. Unfortunately, he was just too strong for her.
“I’msorry for what I did. You have every reason to be angry. If thismakes any difference to you, I made the wrong choice.”
He grabbed her upper armsand she dropped the champagne bottle, smashing it in several pieces.
Itwasn’t supposed to happen like this. I was supposed to cussyou out and you were supposed to skulk away. Not pledge your undyinglove.
Her gaze locked with his andshe began to panic. His eyes, that rich velvet brown, so soft anddisarming always did her in.
“I want to talk to youalone,” he urged, tugging her hands. “Let’s goupstairs.”
Despite their history, hestill affected her. So there was no way she could trust being alonewith him and still salvage what was left of her self-respect.
In searchof an escape, Celesteglanced over her shoulder and her gaze collided with Shane’s. He was leaning against the door frame, leading into the ballroom.
Celeste wondered how longhe’d been standing there. Did it really matter when hercurrent predicament was indictment enough?
Caught red handed, sheexpected his derision not a shit-eating grin. Or that he wouldstraighten up from the wall and stalk toward them.
As he drew closer, herheartbeat kicked into high gear, practically pounding in her ears.
“I’ve beenlooking for you,” he said, sliding his arm around her waist.“Have you been a good girl?”
Jolted by his touch, Celestecould barely shake her head.
“Catgot your tongue?” His hand slid over the rise of her buttocksand another jolt ripped down her spine.
“Ah…ah…”Celeste stammered unable to think clearly. One touch and she’dturned into a blubbering idiot.
In an effort to calm hernerves, Celeste sucked in a deep breath. It helped a little, but notenough to keep her from jumbling her words. “Are you long…Imean how long…what I meant was how long have you been here?”
“Long enough,”he said. A lop-sided grin quirked his lips and Celeste bet theytasted like champagne. “Are you going to introduce us?”
“Introduce you towhom?” Celeste blinked up at him.
Withoutwaiting for her to come out of the clouds, Shane unwound his arm fromaround her waist. “Shane Brennan.”
Mortified, Celeste watchedhim offer his hand to Ralph. The handsome lout made her forgeteverything else, but him.
This was bad. Very, verybad.
“Ralph Long,”her ex reciprocated.
“Did I interruptanything?”
Everythingand nothing! Celeste mused, not entirely unsatisfied with the way herapology turned out.
“Well,Celeste and I were in the middle−”
Before hecould continue, Celeste cut him off, “Ralph and I were catchingup on old times, babe.”
To addimpact to her endearment, she wrapped her arms around Shane’swaist and looked up at him with a loving expression. It was abit much, but she needed to send Ralph a message. She’d onlymeant to apologize, not rekindle their relationship.
“Old times, eh? I hopeyou weren’t trying to steal her from me.” Shane’svoice dripped honey, but his eyes were cold.
A nervous, choking sounderupted from Ralph.
“No, no,” hesaid, holding his hands in front of him in a defensive manner. “Wejust haven’t seen each other in a while and we were justcatching up.”
“Good.”Shane pulled her against him and Celeste sucked in her breath.Despite the odd undercurrent, he set her body on fire. “I’veno plans of letting her get away from me anytime soon.”
As Shane’s words sunkhome, Ralph slowly melted into the background. He seemed to sensetheir moment had passed as well because he offered a semblance ofclosure.
“Well, I bettercirculate,” he said, but before leaving he reached out andtouched her elbow, temporarily arresting her attention. With moreeffort than she cared to admit, Celeste dragged her gaze fromShane’s. “You know I wish you nothing but the best?”
Celesteuntangled herself from Shane’s embrace. “Of course, I do. And I wish the same for you and Beatrice.”
Ralph opened his mouth, butwhen his gaze drifted over her head to Shane he shut it. Curious,Celeste glanced back.
Shane still wore a sly grin,but his gaze was trained on her. Despite being in mixed company andCountess Vaughn’s other guests milling about, a wave of heatslammed her, practically knocking her over. She even swayed a little.
Sensing her change in mood,Shane pulled her against him.
Celeste groaned. He felt sodarn good, rock hard and solid.
“Are you okay?”Like warm syrup, his voice rolled over her. Each syllable made herfeel all moist and sticky.
“F-fine,” shemanaged to choke out, “just a little lightheaded. It’shot in here and you’re holding me rather close…”
“Want me to let yougo?”
What could she say to that?
Before she ended up tellingShane when, where and how he could have her, she decided to use Ralphas a scapegoat.
Celeste twisted about, butfound him gone. “Where did he go?”
“Don’tknow…don’t care.”
Ralph’s sudden absenceput a damper on Celeste’s mood. She would have liked to havesaid more, to further cleanse the old wounds, but the tiny window ofopportunity had been shut.
Sincetheir audience was gone, Celestestepped back. She didn’t get far.
“Oh, no you don’t.”Shane grabbed her wrist, trapping her. “You have a debt to pay. And you owe me big time for that boob,” he said, jabbing histhumb in the direction Ralph had most likely run.
Ready totell him where he could stuff his debt, Celeste tipped her head back. But when her gaze met his, the angry retort on the tip of her tonguemelted faster than spring snow. Hands down, Shane Brennan had to bethe most virile man she’d ever come across.
“W-what do you want?”she asked, stumbling over the words. And not liking it one bit. Hehad the darnest
