Her stepmother was addressing a crowd flamboyantly. She was flanked by Peter and Garrett, two human topiaries she watered with adoring looks but clipped into place with a fast remark if they got more attention than she did. The courtiers around her clung to her every word like it was a toehold on greatness, which explained the happiness radiating from her face.
Or maybe that was just reflected light bouncing off all the jewels, A.J. thought, taking in the choker of diamonds and pearls around Regina’s neck and the pair of matching earrings that dangled from her lobes.
Peter caught A.J. eyeing the group and gave her a stiff nod. By unspoken agreement, the two had studiously ignored each other over the past week. Seeing him across the room, she became even more determined to leave.
As she turned toward the doors that led out to the rear terrace, she halted, feeling odd. She looked down at her flute of champagne. It hadn’t been touched and she hadn’t finished her one glass of wine.
It couldn’t be the alcohol, she thought.
Maybe all the insomnia she’d been suffering from was catching up to her?
Even though she tried to shake it off, the sensation persisted. A quick look behind didn’t yield an explanation, just more of the same people she was determined to get away from. Craning her neck, she peeked over more carefully coiffed heads, wondering what the eerie feeling was all about.
Then she saw Devlin.
Gasping in shock, she watched as he scanned the room. As soon as he saw her, he started moving through the congestion. There was single-minded purpose to his expression but something far warmer in his eyes as he looked at her.
A.J.’s heart began to pound and she felt dizzy, as a feeling of dislocation took over. The sounds of people’s voices and the clinking of glasses, the music and the dancing, everything disappeared except for the image of him striding through the crowd.
Confusing emotions blocked out reason. She was thrilled to see him but still hurt and angry. Ready to hear what he had to say but certain the conversation needed to be private. Pleased that he’d made the effort.
And overwhelmed by how beautiful he was.
In his tuxedo, Devlin was devastatingly handsome. His wide shoulders filled out the midnight jacket like an I beam and the startling white of the shirt brought out the tan in his skin. He moved with the same grace and power he always had, as if the formal clothes were nothing special and the glittering guests were of no more note than stable boys and grooms.
He was who he was, no matter what the surroundings.
She really liked that about him.
Her body flushed with heat and her hand tightened on her champagne flute until she thought it might snap. A powerful impulse to go to him struck her, as though he were her magnetic north. And the pull got stronger the closer he came to her.
“What are you doing here?” she asked when he stopped a few feet away. She sounded breathless to her own ears.
“You said it was important for me to come. I didn’t want to let you down. Again.”
The sound of his voice was like the stroke of his hand over her skin. Enticing and yet tender. She felt his eyes travel across her shoulders, over the swell of her br**sts, down into the dip of her waist. She watched his pupils dilate with a yearning he didn’t hide. When their eyes met again, there was a fierce heat in his. She couldn’t help but be moved even though she remained wary.
“You are very beautiful,” he said roughly.
Before she could respond, a man inserted himself between them. She watched Devlin’s expression darken.
“I’m Cosgood Rhett the Fourth,” he said in an imperious voice as he slipped his arm around A.J.’s waist. “Your father does business with mine, remember? Anyway, I believe it’s my turn. I’ve been waiting all night.”
Devlin stepped in the way, laying a hand on the guy’s shoulder. It wasn’t a friendly gesture.
“And you’re going to wait a little longer. Like until hell freezes over.”
The intruder’s face registered a glare until he looked into the icy pair of eyes trained on him. A.J. suppressed an inappropriate giggle as the hand fell quickly from her waist and a variety of apologies were offered.
“Thanks,” she said after the man left. “It’s been a long night.”
“I bet,” Devlin growled as he watched the other guy disappear.
When he looked back at her, his expression softened.
“That dress is…” His voice trailed off. And his eyes finished the sentence.
“It’s all a lie, if you want to know the truth. My feet hurt, the zipper itches and I think I lost an olive down the bodice.”
“I have to say it again. You’re so beautiful.”
Her expression reflected pleasure and caution.
“How’s the arm?” he asked.
“Better every day.”
“Sabbath really misses you.”
“I’ve been trying to keep in his good graces by bringing carrots. I don’t know if the bribe’s working but he’s getting plenty of beta-carotene. I’m guessing Chester’s been trying to lunge him?”
“That’s right.”
“The poor man must be going out of his mind.”
“They’re both getting tired of each other. And they’re not too fond of me, either.” At her curious look, he explained, “I haven’t been so easy to be around lately.”
“Oh?”
In a low voice, he said, “I miss you. So much it hurts.”
Her eyes flickered from his, trained on the champagne glass.
“A.J., I’ve tried to stay away, just like you asked. But I can’t do it any longer. Is there somewhere we can go and talk?”
“You must be Devlin McCloud,” Regina said with a strident voice.
A.J. turned and saw her stepmother look Devlin over like he was a pork chop up for inspection. He must have passed as Grade A meat because a moment later the woman extended a bejeweled hand to him.
“Welcome. I’m Regina Sutherland,” she said, giving him her best social smile. Broad and calculated, it was a cheerful facade that did nothing to hide her hard edges. “I didn’t know you were coming.”
The woman shot A.J. a look and, like tractor beams, her dark eyes narrowed on the ruby earrings.
My father’s going to pay for these twice, A.J. thought.
“I’m a gate crasher,” Devlin was replying.
“Well, I’m glad our gate was crashed,” Regina cooed.
Peter came up behind his mother.
“I didn’t know you had a date,” he said to A.J. dryly.