“Mmm, you will make a mighty fine dessert?” she said with a wink, scooping up another bite of her food, groaning as the flavors burst on her tongue.
“Oh, no, you’re the dessert,” he said, looking up and capturing her full attention with his deep dark eyes.
“I’m full,” she said, letting her fork clatter to the plate, only half her meal finished. The growling in her stomach was long forgotten. After making love once more, she could always find the strength, somehow, to seek out food again.
Cold eggs were just fine with her.
Shane looked as if he were going to protest, but when she untied the sash at her waist and parted the soft fabric, she knew she’d won.
Pushing his plate away without another word, he stood from the table and quickly circled around to where she stood. Picking her up in his arms, he kissed her hungrily while he walked through the hotel room, apparently knowing the way by heart, since his gaze never left hers.
Oh, yes, dessert was splendid.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
“I THOUGHT YOU might be the one to skip out on my wedding this time.”
A guilty blush stole across Lia’s face, and Ari was ready to pounce.
It was the day of her wedding and butterflies were practicing ballroom dancing in her stomach, but she knew this was right, and there were no regrets, zero, or thoughts of running. Her feet were happily warm.
Still, she really did want to know where her bridesmaid had been the last few days. She refused to walk down the aisle until Lia spilled all.
“Cat got your tongue? Come on, Lia. We’re not stepping outside these beautiful doors until you tell me exactly where you’ve been. I’m dying here with curiosity!” Ari said, her hands on her hips, not looking nearly as ferocious as she wanted to look, because she was wearing a big, poufy wedding dress with miles and miles of satin flowing off her.
“This is your day, Ari. Let’s keep the focus on you,” Lia said as she walked into the bathroom and began changing into her crimson bridesmaid dress.
“A closed door isn’t going to stop us, Lia. Spill now, or we get Rafe to interrogate you,” Rachel said as she pounded her fist against the heavy wood.
“Go away. I’m changing,” Lia insisted, her voice penetrating loud and clear.
“Not a chance,” Ari said. “You disappear for three days. It just so happens that no one has seen a lick of Shane in three days, either. From what you told us last, the two of you were kaput, so you had better give us the details.”
“Seriously, you two are a pain in my ass,” Lia grumbled, pulling the door open with a scowl.
“Yes, we are, and we’re extremely proud of it. Now, if you don’t want to make Ari late for her second attempt at a wedding, then I’d suggest you start speaking,” Rachel said. She and Ari stood on either side of the dressing room table while Lia began applying her makeup.
“Fine. You two should both work for the FBI. You’d catch all the criminals and get every last secret from them,” Lia replied with a heavy sigh, looking them both in the eyes for a moment via the mirror.
“Yeah, that’s our next job application,” Ari said with a giggle. “Sorry, my nerves are just fried,” she explained as she attempted to stifle her laughter.
“Is everything OK in there?”
The three girls turned toward the suite door, holding their breath, but the knob didn’t move.
“We’re fine, Rafe. Don’t worry. No one is running away or being kidnapped this time,” Rachel called.
“Well, we’re waiting…” he said with a clearly heard sigh of anxiousness. “It’s bad enough that my best man just stumbled in.”
His voice faded away while he most likely resumed pacing.
“All right, Lia, you have to spill fast because I don’t think he’s going to wait a heck of a lot longer,” Ari said, her own eyes a bit anxious as she glanced toward the door.
“Yes, I was with Shane. I saw him at the bar and sparks flew and the next thing I knew, we were still in bed together three days later,” Lia said, and began putting on her mascara.
“That’s it? You have hot, steamy, hopefully long-lasting sex for three solid days and those are all the details you’re going to give us?” Rachel asked. “It’s a mistake to irritate me, sister dearest.”
“That’s all the time we have for now. Ari is ready and Rafe will bust down this door if we don’t get her out there to him ASAP!”
“Fine, but at least tell us what this all means. Are the two of you a couple again?” Ari asked as she stepped back and Rachel assisted her with her veil.
Lia sighed as she finished her makeup, stood up, and turned toward them with nothing but confusion showing on her face.
“I don’t know what it means. I’m scared,” she admitted, her voice catching.
“Oh, sweetie, please, please don’t cry or I’ll join you.” Ari rushed over awkwardly in her overwhelming dress to throw her arms around Lia and bring her as close as the layers of fabric would allow.
“Then quit questioning me, because I’m on the brink,” Lia said with a watery laugh.
“OK, we’ll wait until the reception, and then you are absolutely talking to us,” Rachel conceded.
“Deal,” Lia promised, and then the three women moved slowly to the door.
Rachel opened it a crack and peeked out. “Go to the cathedral, Rafe. We’re coming out,” she said with a chuckle. She waited a heartbeat before turning to Ari. “It’s time.”
Ari smiled as she walked through the door and out into the hallway. This was it. She was finally going to become Mrs. Rafe Palazzo.
Excitement carried her through the hallway and out the front door. Stepping outside, she smiled at the sight of the carriage parked at the curb.
“Oh, Ari, this is so romantic,” Rachel sighed as the groomsmen stood on either side of the old-fashioned door and waited for the bride to approach.
“Yes. I’m glad we’re getting married here. I have to admit that I feel like a princess,” she said before facing Rachel. “It’s quite unreal to think that you could actually be one if you just say yes to Adriane.”
“No, Ari, she would be a queen,” Lia said, lifting an eyebrow at Rachel as if her sister were crazy for not accepting.
“Yeah, that thought isn’t at all appealing,” Rachel had to say, fear obvious in her voice.