The sounds of a solo saxophone drifted on the air as Roarke escorted his sister down the aisle. The dark suit and tie enhanced the power of his height and build, drawing her eyes to him instead of the radiant bride.
Despite mentally scolding herself not to dwell on what could have been, she wondered what it would be like to be the woman in his life. In truth, she already knew. A man like Roarke would spoil his woman. She had experienced a sample of it today. Perhaps it was because of the romantic nature of the wedding ceremony, but she knew without a doubt, if he loved her, and she could spend the rest of her life with him, she could look forward to a lifetime of unselfish thoughtfulness and kindness. Words she’d never known in a relationship before.
The wedding planner had timed the event perfectly, so that the burnished orange glow of the setting sun adorned the sky as the bride and groom kissed and the minister announced them to the audience. Afterward, all the attendees except the couple and the wedding party moved to the clear-top tent. Later in the evening, the starry sky would be visible through the ceiling.
No expense had been spared for the nuptials. A bartender mixed drinks, and servers glided around the room with pre-dinner hors d’oeuvres. A band played modern hits on a stage in front of a white dance floor. Lights looped along the ceiling, and red flowers in white vases decorated the tabletops.
“Rum and Coke.”
The words made Celeste’s breath hitch as she stood in front of the bartender, waiting for a glass of wine. He must be directly behind her. She could almost feel the heat from him, warm, like the sound of his voice. Other guests flanked her, but she was only aware of Roarke.
“Are you okay?” he asked close to her ear. She felt the brush of his breath along the back of her neck, exposed by the updo hairstyle.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she murmured over her shoulder, but never looked at him.
She couldn’t. She worried the extent of her feelings would show in her eyes. Her body hummed with the need for even the smallest bit of contact from him. She wanted to lean back into his embrace and have him nuzzle her neck, letting the hairs on his face graze her skin.
“Because of what happened this afternoon. I don’t want to create problems between you and Derrick.”
“Don’t worry about it. We’re fine.”
What did these other people order? Celeste thought impatiently. If the bartender would hurry up and pour her drink, she’d be on her way.
She heard Roarke exchange greetings with someone, then silence.
The bartender handed her drink over the shoulder of the woman in front of her. Quickly, Celeste turned to escape, but he stood right behind her, and she bumped into the solid wall of his chest. Brought up short, wine spilled over the top of the glass onto her fingers.
Staring at his tie, she said, “Excuse me.”
“You can’t look at me now?”
She tightened her clasp on the stem of the glass to steady the shaking of her hand. She stared down into the clear liquid.
“I enjoyed the tour today . . . but we both know . . .”
“Know what?”
“We shouldn’t have.”
“Nothing happened. It was perfectly innocent.”
“I know.”
“Is that the problem?” His voice had dropped even lower, caressing her senses. The people around them seemed to disappear, as if she and Roarke were the only two people standing there.
Celeste swallowed with difficulty. He didn’t have any idea how much torture he inflicted with his words and close proximity. She needed to get away from him. She finally looked into eyes. His stared intently into hers.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
The temptation to bare her soul and spill the secret about how much she wanted him, cared for him, weighed on Celeste. Her heart was beating at an unsteady pace, and she felt the ridiculous need to cry.
“I think you need to leave me alone and let me pass,” she said.
She couldn’t think of another time in her life when the words she spoke had been such a painful contradiction to what she felt. For a moment she regretted them when she saw the transformation in him. His face tensed just before he stepped aside to let her by.