Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11)

Before she could answer the question, he’d drawn her closer still and lowered his mouth to hers.

His lips claimed hers with an intensity that took her breath away. Technically she could still breathe, but the expression was exactly right, she thought, letting herself get lost in all the sensations. Her eyes drifted closed as her hands settled on his shoulders, and she let herself lean into him.

Wanting swept through her. It was fast and intense, making her want to touch him all over—or maybe just rip off her dress so he could touch her. Either would work, but both would be better.

He moved his mouth against hers. She parted for him immediately and was rewarded by the feel of his tongue against hers. Nerves reacted like a waterfall, cascading all the way down her body. Heat settled in her belly and moved lower.

When he drew back, she smiled. “You make me hot.”

He grinned. “You don’t want to tell me about your chemical reaction?”

“I can, but in this case I think the vernacular works better.”

“You make me hot, too,” he murmured, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. “And I like it when you talk technical...about any of your girl parts.”

She rested her cheek on his chest, enjoying the sensation of being safe and the feel of his hard penis against her belly. His heartbeat was steady, the rhythmic sound relaxing her.

He drew back and kissed her forehead. “Better?”

“Than what?”

“I wanted to distract you so you wouldn’t be so nervous.”

Because of the party, she thought. “Your plan worked,” she said with a smile. Like she’d said before—Gideon was very nice to her.

They turned toward the entrance to the ballroom. Gideon took her hand and together they went inside.

The room itself had a stage at one end with what appeared to be a reggae band. There was a long buffet and three bars, along with a dessert station that featured a chocolate fountain. One side was open to a wide patio with lots of seating and a view of the mountains. Felicia suspected that the glass doors could be left in place or pushed out of the way, depending on the season or the event.

She and Gideon were offered tropical drinks in an assortment of colors. Servers walked by with trays of food. She caught sight of Charlie with Clay. Charlie had on a beautiful white dress in a tank style. While Charlie was more a cargo pants kind of woman, the simple lines of the dress combined with the silky fabric suited her. Dellina walked up to Charlie and whispered something. Charlie nodded. Clay leaned over and kissed Dellina’s cheek, which Felicia thought was strange. It was almost as if he was thanking her. Interesting.

Felicia and Gideon walked through the crowded room. They were greeted by several people they knew. Justice and Patience came over and began to chat. She saw Consuelo having what looked like an intense conversation with Mayor Marsha and Isabel ducking behind a large plant. Obviously her friend had decided to continue hiding from Ford.

About an hour later, a very beautiful, middle-aged woman stepped onto the stage. She was petite and fit, dressed in a red-and-white sarong.

“Thank you all for coming,” she said into the microphone the band had set up. “My name is Dominique Dixon, and I want to welcome you. This party is for my wonderful daughter, Charlie, and her fiancé, Clay.”

She motioned to the couple, who had moved to the front of the crowd.

Dominique’s eyes filled with tears. “I love you so much, Charlie. I hope you’ll always be happy.”

Just then Mayor Marsha joined Dominique on the stage. The mayor wore one of her suits—this one in a light pink. An odd choice for a luau, Felicia thought. Just one of many.

The mayor hugged Dominique, then took the microphone.

“Welcome,” she said with a smile. “I have to say this represents what I love about Fool’s Gold. Friends coming together to celebrate. It has been my honor to be a part of nearly every birth and wedding here, for many, many years. Today is no exception. If those of you in the middle of the room could move to the left or the right, please. We need to create a center aisle.”

Felicia didn’t understand. What were they doing?

Gideon took her hand and drew her back. It was then she was able to see Charlie had moved to the back of the ballroom. She was in the same dress she’d worn before, but now she had a bouquet of white roses and lilies in her hand. Clay had left her side and was standing by the stage. A girl of maybe ten or eleven stepped in front of Charlie. She had obviously been burned at some point, but still smiled happily as she tossed out rose petals.

Felicia found herself oddly teary and excited, without knowing why. A very pregnant Heidi and her husband, Rafe, stepped between Charlie and Clay and the flower girl. Annabelle and Shane joined.