Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
“This is all your fault!” Jenn’s voice slammed into Dylan’s back like a knife.
“Wh—what?” he asked, turning to face her.
Jenn poked him in the chest with her finger. “It’s your fault I’m in this mess.”
“Jenn, I really don’t have time for this right now,” he said, turning away, but she grabbed his arm and turned him back.
“You never had time for me! You never made me feel like I was the center of your world. Work always came first with you. Never me!”
He looked at Jenn, really looked at her.
Her face was blotchy, and her eyes were rimmed red.
She’d been crying. He’d only seen her with one cocktail at the pool, but judging by the strength of tequila on her breath, the poolside drink hadn’t been her first. He’d forgotten that about Jenn. When she drank, she got emotional.
“Look, Jenn, I can’t talk now. If you want to yell at me, you can do it later. I need to keep an eye on Raleigh.”
Jenn stepped back like she’d been slapped, a shocked expression on her face. Her eyes narrowed, and she swayed when she jabbed her finger at him. “You have the nerve to mention your girlfriend to me?”
Considering he was attending her wedding a short six months after they’d broken up, yeah, he did have the nerve. He drew a cleansing breath, talking himself off that particular cliff.
“Jenn, look, I don’t know what’s going on with you, but maybe you should go find your mom or grab a cup of coffee.” He tried to move away from her, but her hand lashed out and caught him on the cheek.
Her face had gone dark red. “I don’t need anyone. You! You made me do it, and now I have to marry him. I will make you pay for this. It’s all your fault. Just remember, you brought this on yourself!”
She turned to walk away, and when she started to fall, he instinctively reached out to help her. She fell against his chest and then reached up and kissed him hard on the mouth.
He pulled away from her and steadied her on her feet. Then immediately let go.
“Go drink some coffee, Jenn. Get yourself together.” He crossed his arms over his chest.
“Bastard!”
He watched her storm off down the path and then wiped his mouth.
He used to be so turned on when Jenn kissed him.
He’d been blown away by her when they first met in a bar in the Village.
The upscale bar scene wasn’t his normal hangout, but Matt’s girlfriend wanted to go, and the rest of the crew went along for moral support.
He couldn’t believe his luck that she picked him out of all the guys. But now all he felt was pity.
Things had certainly changed. He shook his head. He’d no idea what that had been about, and now wasn’t the time to figure it out. Raleigh was coming back with her bag.
“You okay?” she asked.
“You saw that, huh?” He rubbed his cheek. “I guess Jenn’s still a bit upset at me.”
“Just a bit.” She smiled. “You want to take a minute?”
He shook his head. “No, I’m fine.”
“Well I’m not. I want to sit in the gazebo and relax for a second.” She turned, went across the grass and went up the steps.
Dylan followed. He’d checked out the gazebo earlier while he was leaning against it. There was nowhere for anyone to hide so Raleigh was safe. “I’m sorry. My personal life shouldn’t be interfering with your work or me watching out for you.”
She smiled. “You’re doing fine. I suspect Jenn screaming at you isn’t your fault. Her friends sort of mentioned she’s not happy these days.”
Dylan shifted his stance so they were closer still as he did a sweep of the area with his eyes. Then he looked back at her.
She looked closely at his cheek and then reached out and touched it. “Did it hurt?”
He grunted and brought his hand up to cover hers. “Not really.” He held onto her hand as she lowered it. “She can get out of hand if she has too many drinks. I’d forgotten that. I don’t miss those times. It was exhausting.”
“Are you sure you’re okay?” Her eyes radiated concern.
“Yes.
His heart skipped a beat. Her fresh light scent drifted toward him on a soft breeze, and the press of heat from her body warmed him.
Her eyes met his and her lips parted slightly.
His body went into overdrive, and without thinking, he leaned forward and claimed her lips. A brief kiss. An exploratory kiss.
He pulled back to make sure it was okay, but she leaned forward and kissed him again. Deeper this time. When she pressed her body to his, he wrapped his arms around her. A warm and soft kiss, a mix of giving and taking. He was lost the moment he heard her soft sigh.
Raleigh’s heart hammered against her sternum.
Could Dylan feel it as he held her against him?
The kiss deepened, making her toes curl.
She fisted her hands in his hair, pulling him closer still.
She moved her tongue over his; gently at first, but soon becoming more demanding.
Her breathing was ragged as desire swept over her.
His hands slid down her back and gripped her rear end, pulling her against his hips.
Heat pooled in her center, and she moaned.
“Um… Excuse me?” a quiet voice said behind them.
Breaking off the kiss, Dylan looked over her head and said, “Yes?”
She attempted to step away, but his arms kept her locked in place. Heat crept up her throat to her cheeks. During the kiss, they’d shifted positions, and now Dylan was facing the doorway to the gazebo. She couldn’t see what was going on. Maybe that was a blessing because the heat wasn’t fading.
“I brought the water the lady requested.”
Dylan looked down at her, but she shook her head. “I didn’t request any water, but I could use it.” Her voice was husky. She turned and recognized Mark, the waiter.
“Did you see who requested it?” Dylan asked, frowning.
Mark looked startled. “Sorry, no. I was just told to bring it here for the lady in the gazebo. I didn’t know it was you, Raleigh.”
“You two know each other?”
“Yes. Mark and I met at dinner last night.” Was it really only last night? This weekend was interminable.
“Who told you to bring the water?” Dylan asked.
“The waitress who works the pool area. She said to bring it here. You sure you didn’t request it, Raleigh?” Mark asked. Raleigh shook her head.
“Did you see who asked her?” Dylan persisted.
“No.” Mark was shifting his weight, as if antsy and upset. “Look Raleigh, if you don’t want the water, you don’t have to take it.”
Dylan examined the water bottle. It hadn’t been opened. “No, we’ll take it. Thanks.”
“Okay. See you later,” Mark said and then left.
“That was odd,” Dylan said.
“Maybe Lydia sent someone to request the water?”
“Maybe.” But he didn’t sound convinced.
Dylan shifted, offering the water to Raleigh. She took the bottle gratefully, opened it, and took a swig. She needed to cool down.
Her passion had gone from zero to a hundred in the blink of an eye. She’d been totally unprepared for her reaction to Dylan. Sure, he was sexy as sin, but no one had ever kissed her like that before.
She attempted to step away again, but he kept her locked in place. “You can’t move just yet,” his voice rumbled. “I’m not decent and these shorts aren’t made to hide anything.”
She laughed while the heat bloomed across her cheeks again. It was very sexy. She cleared her throat. “I guess I can stay here a while longer.”
When her gaze met his, a hundred butterflies took flight in her stomach this time.
She wanted him to kiss her again, just like before, the one that had jumbled her insides like a carnival ride at the fair.
He must have seen it in her face because his hands pulled her hips back toward his and his pulse jumped in his neck.
Then he changed his mind. “On second thought, maybe it’s better if you stand farther away from me. I won’t be able to get control of myself if you keep looking at me like that.” He moved her away and took the water out of her hand. He turned toward the golfers and drank deeply from the bottle.
So much for her hopes for another kiss. Maybe later tonight when they were back in the cabin. That thought sent so much heat through her body that she missed his next words. “Sorry. What did you say?”
He smiled. “I was asking about your plans for the afternoon.”
“Oh, I have to work on the piece I’m writing, and then I want to really focus on the stalker situation.
There must be a way to narrow the field from everyone here at the resort.
Proximity helps, but there are just too many people here I know.
” She focused on him. “And you? What are you going to do?” She got distracted by his chest, remembering how good it had felt while she was pressed against it.
He smiled knowingly at her. “I’m going to spend the afternoon watching over a pretty lady friend of mine. Make sure she’s safe.”
She was in trouble. Her stomach flip-flopped. She had to get away from this man before she jumped him right here in the gazebo. “Ah, well, I’m going to head back now,” she croaked.
His smile broadened. “Would you like some more water?” Yeah, he knew exactly how he affected her.
She narrowed her eyes. “I wouldn’t be so smug, Mr. Don’t Stand So Close to Me.” She grabbed her laptop bag and stuck her tongue out at him as she strolled out of the gazebo. His laughter followed her down the pathway.