Walking out of the marquee, I glance around the yard looking for Ramon. Where has he disappeared? I sigh to myself and give up the hunt.
My gaze falls on the bride who is standing with her new husband and the same good-looking guy who’d been standing in front with the groom during the ceremony. Michael and Ramon’s brother, I assume, but I’m not sure which one. I know he isn’t Lucien, because I’d met him on arrival so he’s either Ruben or Sebastian. I can’t understand my sudden interest in him. As hard as I try, I can’t keep my eyes off of him.
Before I can head in any other direction my feet start taking me towards him. He hasn’t taken his eyes from me, which makes me nervous and also sends tingles to places I shouldn’t have tingles considering I’m with his brother.
When I’m a few feet away from Lily, Michael and the delicious guy, I force my gaze on Lily. “Hi Lily. Do you know where Ramon is?”
“I haven’t seen him for a while.”
Lily looks to her husband then back to me. The entire time, I can feel Michael’s brother staring at me, his gaze burning right through me.
“Let me introduce you to Sebastian, Michael’s brother. Sebastian, this is Carla.”
I turn towards him and freeze. Never in a million years have I ever reacted to anyone the way I’m reacting to him. His dark eyes hold mine in some sort of trance. I’m unable to look away.
He leans forward and takes my hand into his. “Carla, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” he practically purrs and his voice melts my insides. “Are you really with Ramon?”
His question jerks me back to my senses and I take a small step back. What the hell am I doing being drawn in by Ramon’s brother? My life is too damn complicated as it is without Sebastian adding to it. “It’s great to meet you, but I better go and find Ramon,” I murmur before turning quickly on my heels and dashing away.
What are you doing? I chide myself, but I can’t stop the quickness of my steps as I flee from Sebastian and from the feelings he draws from me. I pray he doesn’t follow me because I’m not sure if I have the strength not to throw myself at him. He has me turned inside out.
Back inside the marquee, I grab a glass of champagne and quickly gulp it down before grabbing another one. Towards the back left of the marquee, I spot a vacant table, which I make my way to, and hope to hide for a while. Maybe I’ll even spot Ramon from my perch.
The ceremony had been beautiful, and Lily had looked amazing in her wedding gown. She really was a glowing bride. When Michael had seen Lily walking down the aisle in her wedding dress, I’d noticed his eyes filled with unshed tears.
I wanted that one-day, someone to love me unconditionally. Someone I can love with my entire being. Someone who’ll look at me the way Michael always looks at Lily. Sebastian.
I shake my head of his image. It won’t do me any good to keep thinking about him. Instead, I smile to myself, at the memory of being in the ranch house with Ramon as the wedding cake arrived, much to Michael’s embarrassment. I’d spent about an hour trying to work out why a wedding cake would embarrass the groom. The cake had four layers with scarves made out of confectioners’ sugar around the base of each one. Nothing embarrassing and even Ramon wasn’t sure of the reason for Michael’s discomfort. I finally found out there was something more about the cake…or rather about the scarves. Lily had snickered when she told me, her only words, ‘it was the scarves and you should use your imagination’.
I feel my cheeks heat as I think of all the things I could do with a set of scarves and the heat intensifies as my imagination casts Sebastian as my willing accomplice.
“Carla, I’ve been looking for you. I’m just going to help Ruben finish getting his car sorted, and then we’ll leave. Is that, okay?” Ramon quickly asks making me jump, my fantasy disappearing on wisps of guilt.
“Yes, that’s fine,” I manage to say to his already retreating back.
The band that’s been hired for the day is very good, and has certainly entertained the guests; young and old alike. They have now started to entertain the more amorous guests, by playing the slower, romantic songs.
Michael is leading Lily onto the dance floor, and then he takes her into his arms as the singer announces it’s the last dance of the evening. He starts to sing, ‘I Don’t Want to Miss A Thing’, the original having been sung by Aerosmith.
I smile, standing up to leave, and practically walk into Sebastian. I lift my eyes to his, not able to look away. I stay frozen to the spot.
“Dance with me Carla. I know you’re with my brother. I don’t like it, but I’ll respect it. Please, just one dance.”
Without waiting for a response, he steps close and places one hand on my hip before caressing my face with the other.
I inhale, rubbing my cheek against his palm as a shiver wracks my body. I need to leave, and quickly because all I want is to stay here with this man, but I won’t break my promise to Ramon. After everything he’s done for me, I just can’t let him down. He’s counting on me…