come.” As she introduced Sloan, Holt realized he'd been surrounded quite neatly. They didn't press. No, the emeralds were never mentioned. But they'd joined ranks, he thought, in a solid wall of determination he had to admire, even as he resented it.
“What is this, a family meeting?” Suzanna hurried up. “You're supposed to be mingling, not huddling in a corner. Oh. Holt.” Her smile wavered a bit. “I didn't know you were here.”
“Your aunt invited me.”
“Yes, I know, but –” She broke off and put her hostess's smile back in place. “I'm glad you could make it.”
Like hell, he thought and lifted his glass. “It's been...interesting so far.”
At some unspoken signal, her family drifted away, leaving them alone in the corner beside a tub of gardenias. “I hope they didn't make you uncomfortable.”
“I can handle it.”
“That may be, but I wouldn't want you badgered at my sister's wedding.” “But it doesn't bother you if it's someplace else.”
Before she could retort, small impatient hands were tugging at her skirt. “Mom, when can we have the cake?”
“When Amanda and Sloan are ready to cut it.” She skimmed a finger down Alex's nose.
“But we're hungry.”
“Then go over to the buffet table and stuff your little face.” He giggled at that but didn't relent. “The cake –”
“Is for later. Alex, this is Mr. Bradford.”
Not particularly interested in meeting another adult who would pat his head and tell him what a big boy he was, Alex pouted up at Holt When he was offered a very manly handshake, he perked up a bit.
“Are you the policeman?” “I used to be.”
“Did you ever get shot in the head?”
Holt muffled a chuckle. “No, sorry.” For some reason he felt as though he'd lost face. “I did catch one in the leg once.”
“Yeah?” Alex brightened. “Did it bleed and bleed?” He had to grin. “Buckets.”
“Wow. Did you shoot lots of bad guys?” “Dozens of them.”
“Okay! Wait a minute.” He raced off.
“I'm sorry,” Suzanna began. “He's going through a murder – and – mayhem stage.”
“I'm sorry I didn't get shot in the head.”
She laughed. “Oh, that's all right, you made up for it by telling him you shot lots of bad guys.” She wondered, but didn't ask, if he'd been telling the truth.
“Suzanna, would –”
“Hey.” Alex skidded to a halt, with two other children in tow. “I told them how you got shot in the leg.”
“Did it hurt?” Jenny wanted to know. “Some.”
“It Wed and bled,” Alex said with relish. “This is Jenny, she's my sister. And this is my brother, Kevin.”
Suzanna wanted to kiss him. She wanted to pull Alex up in her arms and smother him with kisses for accepting so easily what adults had made so complicated. Instead, she brushed a hand over his hair.
The three of them bombarded Holt with questions until Suzanna called a halt. “I think that's enough gore for now.”
“But, Mom –”
“But, Alex,” she mimicked. “Why don't you go get some punch?” Since it seemed like a pretty good idea, they trooped off.
“Quite a brood,” Holt murmured, then looked back at Suzanna. “I thought you had two kids.”
“I do.”
“Seems to me I just saw three.”
“Kevin is my ex – husband's son,” she said coolly. “Now, if you'll excuse me.”
He put a hand on her arm. Another secret, he thought, and decided he would dig up that answer, as well. Not now. Now he was going to do something he'd thought about doing since he'd seen her walk down the white satin runner in the floaty blue dress.
“Would you like to dance?”
Chapter Five
She couldn't quite relax in his arms. She told herself it was foolish, that the dance was just a casual social gesture. But his body was so close, so firm, the hand at her back so possessive. It reminded her too clearly of the moment he had pulled her against him to send her soaring into a kiss.
“It's quite a house,” he said, and gave himself the pleasure of feeling her hair against his cheek. “I always wondered what it was like inside.”
“I'll have to give you a tour sometime.”
He could feel her heart thud against his. Experimenting, he skimmed his hand up her spine. The rhythm quickened. “I'm surprised you haven't been back to nag me.”
There was annoyance in her eyes as she drew her head back. “I have no intention of nagging you.”
“Good.” He brushed his thumb over her knuckles and felt her tremble. “But you will come back.”
“Only because I promised Aunt Coco.”
“No.” He increased the pressure on her spine and brought her an inch closer. “Not only because of that. You wonder what it would be like, the same way I've wondered half my life.”
A little line of panic followed his fingers up her spine. “This isn't the place.”
“I choose my own ground.” His lips hovered bare inches from hers. He watched her eyes darken and cloud. “I want you, Suzanna.”
Her heart had leaped up to throb in her throat so that her voice was husky and uneven. “Am I supposed to be flattered?”
“No. You'd be smart to be scared. I won't make things easy on you.” “What I am,” she said with more control, “is uninterested.”
His lips curved. “I could kiss you now and prove you wrong.” “I won't have a scene at my sister's wedding.”
“Fine, then come to my place tomorrow morning.” “No.”
“All right then.” He lowered his head. She turned hers away so that his lips brushed her temple, then nibbled on her ear.
“Stop it. My children –”
“Should hardly be shocked to see a man kiss their mother.” But he did stop, because his knees were going weak. “Tomorrow morning, Suzanna. There's something I need to show you. Something of my grandfather's.”
She looked up again, struggling to steady her pulse. “If this is some sort of game, I don't want to play.”
“No game. I want you, and this time I'll have you. But there is something of my grandfather's you have the right to see. Unless you're afraid to be alone with me.” Her spine stiffened. “I'll be there.”
The next morning, Suzanna stood on the terrace with Megan. They watched their children race across the lawn with Fred.
“I wish you could stay longer.”
With a half laugh, Megan shook her head. “’m surprised to say I wish I could, too. I have to be back at work tomorrow.”
“You and Kevin are welcome here anytime. I want you to know that.”
“I do.” Megan shifted her gaze to meet Suzanna's. There was a sadness there she understood, though she rarely allowed herself to feel it. “If you and the kids decide to visit Oklahoma, you've got a home with us. I don't
