Chapter 4
Chapter Four
W ow. Just, wow.
Scarlett tried to stop herself from glancing at Antonio every ten seconds, but she couldn’t. It was as if she was looking at a different man than the straight-lace, reserved guy she’d gone out with several times.
This version of Antonio, the version in a black tuxedo with satin lapels on the jacket that emphasized his powerfully wide shoulders and broad chest, was downright fiiine with a capital “F.” Not that he wasn’t handsome on any given day. Normally, on their dates, he dressed conservatively with a button-down shirt, khakis, or dress pants.
Not this evening, though. Right now, he was absolutely scrumptious. He had her lady parts pulsing with need. It had been awhile since she’d been this turned on by just the sight of a man. Antonio favored Charles Michael Davis, her celebrity crush, and she was tempted to do something insane. Like sashay over to where he stood, leap into his arms, and kiss him senseless.
Yeah, that wouldn’t be weird at all.
If her sister thought she’d been acting strange lately, that would definitely have Mahogany setting up an intervention. But dang , the man was totally lickable. That handsome face with his gorgeous dark eyes, perfectly groomed goatee, and those kissable lips were calling to her. Add all that to the diamond stud earrings glittering in his ears, and he was too sexy to be ignored.
There was another side of Antonio Jenkins which he probably didn’t let many people see often.
And I have clearly lost my mind if this is what I’m thinking about during my sister’s wedding .
Scarlett quickly diverted her gaze when Antonio glanced over and caught her staring. Forcing herself to stop thinking about him, she tuned back into the ceremony, smiling as Mahogany and Ben exchanged vows. Seeing them so happy made her happy, and she had no doubt that their marriage would last until eternity.
“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss your bride,” the minister said, and as the couple kissed, the room exploded into applause and cheers.
Holding her flower bouquet in the crook of her arm, Scarlett clapped along with everyone else, grinning like a proud mama. If she was this excited, Mahogany had to be even more thrilled about this new chapter in her life.
As if reading her mind, her sister glanced at her with shiny eyes and the biggest smile on her face. She turned fully and pulled Scarlett into a tight hug.
“Thank you for being a part of my special day. I love you.”
“I love you too, Sis. I’m so happy for you,” Scarlett said, giving her a squeeze before releasing her.
Music started playing and Ben and Mahogany, hand in hand, started strolling up the aisle. Jayden and Bella fell in step behind them.
Scarlett’s gaze slid over to Antonio, and when he smiled, flashing twin dimples, a frisson of excitement sent goose bumps scurrying over her body. She was a sucker for dimples, and because he didn’t smile often, they always caught her off guard. Even with the light dusting of facial hair, they peeked through as if winking at her.
She couldn’t help but return his smile as they moved toward each other. They’d been instructed to link arms and follow behind Jayden and Bella. There would be a receiving line in the hallway outside of the sanctuary, and then they’d go to the lower level for a sit-down dinner.
“You look stunning,” Antonio whispered when she slid her hand into the crook of his bent arm.
“Thank you. You do too.”
As they strolled up the aisle, his intoxicating fragrance danced around her, and she inhaled deeply. Goodness, he smelled amazing. Whatever cologne or aftershave he was wearing had a woodsy scent with a hint of vanilla and something spicy that made her pulse beat a little faster.
When they reached the hallway, Antonio deposited her next to Mahogany, but he didn’t release her hand. His intense, dark gaze met hers as he slowly brought the back of her fingers to his gorgeous lips.
Scarlett’s heart stuttered, and she swallowed hard as her quivering nerves got the best of her. The tenderness of the kiss was as potent as a hot and heavy make-out session. Then he flashed those damn dimples again and winked at her before taking his spot on the side of Ben. He was really pouring on the charm while she wanted to take things slow with him.
Mahogany cleared her throat, and Scarlett’s gaze snapped to her sister’s knowing look.
“You clearly left a few things out of our conversation,” she murmured with a smirk, and Scarlett sighed heavily as the guest headed toward them.
Yeah, she might’ve underestimated Antonio’s charming ways .
* * *
She’s avoiding me .
Hours after the sit-down dinner, Antonio stood near one of the bars set up in his grandparents’ ballroom. He was sipping from his glass of Jack Daniels, pondering why Scarlett was avoiding him. He shouldn’t have kissed her earlier, even if it was just a peck on the hand. It had been the wrong move.
It was no wonder his cousins used to joke about him being socially awkward. Antonio mostly kept to himself, and when in the presence of an alluring woman, he wasn’t as smooth as some of his cousins. If he were, he wouldn’t have done something so cheesy as kiss the back of Scarlett’s fingers. Not only that, but he also wouldn’t have done it in front of others.
But something had come over him in that moment, and he hadn’t been thinking straight. It was the only way to explain his need to touch her, hold her, hell, even kiss her. He had brought her hand to his lips before thinking, and now he wanted to kick himself for doing it in front of his brother and sister-in-law. Scarlett’s startled expression had quickly turned into embarrassment.
Antonio shook his head in disgust and sipped his drink as he recalled how reserved she’d been during the family’s sit-down dinner at the church. They’d had to sit next to each other, and though small talk flowed between them, it hadn’t been like their usual easy-going conversations. He hadn’t missed her discomfort. Unfortunately, that hadn’t been a good place to apologize for making her uncomfortable after the wedding.
Now, after the toasts had been made, the bridal bouquet tossed, and the reception was in full swing, Scarlett had disappeared. She hadn’t left the celebration, according to Mahogany, but she had done a good job keeping her distance from Antonio.
He brought his glass to his lips as he watched his cousin Martina approach. Gone was her usual T-shirt, blue jeans, and ponytail. Instead, her hair was loosely curled and hung past her shoulders, and she wore a sleek black, halter jumpsuit with sky-high heels. She sure didn’t look like the master carpenter who he worked with every day.
Martina might drive the rest of the family nuts with her snooping and troublemaking ways, but she and he got along great. More like brother and sister than first cousins. Antonio could always count on her for anything whether work related or personal. She always came through.
“So, where’s your girl?” she said over the loud music.
Antonio cocked an eyebrow at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Don’t play dumb. It’s not a good look.” She lifted her hand to get the bartender’s attention. “You and Scarlett have been tap-dancing around each other all day. The way you guys have been stealing glances at each other when you think no one’s looking is almost cute.” She made a gagging noise while pretending to stick her finger down her throat, and then rolled her eyes. “You’re practically in love with her, and there’s no doubt that she’s feeling you. I don’t under—”
“Wait.” Antonio frowned and moved closer, not wanting to have to yell over the music. He also didn’t want anyone else hearing their conversation. “You can tell that by just looking at Scarlett?”
He didn’t bother correcting her about the practically in love comment. Whatever feelings he had for Scarlett were confusing as hell. He was pretty sure it wasn’t love, but today, the strange electric currents pulsing between them was unexplainable. It was also unnerving how Martina picked up on whatever was going on between him and Scarlett.
“You cannot be that dense,” she said with irritation in her tone. “The sister is straight up feeling you. Although, I’m not quite sure why she’s keeping her distance.” She shrugged. “No worries. I’m sure I’ll figure it out soon.”
All Antonio could do was stare at his cousin. It didn’t matter how old he got, he would probably never understand how the female mind worked. Unfortunately, there were days when he didn’t even want to try, but when it came to Martina, there was no telling what she was cooking up. And he already knew she was up to something.
“Don’t give me that look,” she said as the bartender approached, and she ordered a glass of cabernet. It had been an open bar until ten. Now it was almost ten-thirty, and everyone was paying for their own drinks.
“Stay out of it, MJ,” Antonio said, using her childhood nickname. He slipped his wallet from his pocket and set enough cash on the bar top to cover her drink and a sizable tip.
“Thanks, Cuz. Get Paul to pay you back when you see him,” she said of her husband and grabbed her wine. “Oh, and don’t move. I’ll find Scarlett and send her over here, and for God’s sake, ask her to dance. Then make your intentions known.”
Antonio growled under his breath as Martina started walking away. “I said stay out of it!” he called after her. She threw her head back and laughed though he couldn’t hear the sound over the music.
Martina was a mixed bag of brilliant and irritating. Right now, he might be experiencing a combination of both. But he didn’t like the idea of her interfering in whatever was happening between him and Scarlett.
Antonio drained his drink and set the glass on the bar. When he turned, it was as if he was living a Bible story moment—when Moses parted the Red Sea. Scarlett materialized through a throng of people looking like a goddess. And she was headed his way.