“You two would hook up,” Zach finished.
“You said that,” Bianca argued then turned a bright shade of red.
Zach laughed. “Patton does need to relieve some stress.”
Bianca turned an even darker shade of red. “Zach, I cannot believe you said that. And besides, what about Cady?”
Patton watched the two of them with interest.
“I get the impression Cady can take care of herself,” his brother answered, smoothing Bianca’s hair back and looking at her with nothing short of pure adoration. His little brother had no idea how right he was.
“Zach, please,” Bianca whispered, letting his brother know just how much she disapproved of his dismissive attitude. To his surprise, Zach actually looked remorseful as she continued, “I admit, I was hoping you’d fall madly in love.”
Madly into bed was more like it. He grinned.
“And while I’m disappointed you didn’t hit it off. It would have been nice, since we’ll be spending so much time together from now on—”
He was still trying to recover from the images of Cady, naked, in the hotel bed when he realized Zach was watching him. Bianca was still chatting away, but the look on his brother’s face told him he needed to be more careful. His brothers knew him, too well sometimes. If he didn’t take care, they might just figure out what happened between him and Cady.
“I guess I’m just a hopeless romantic.” Bianca smiled.
“Patton’s not the hearts-and-flowers type.” Zach patted her hand. “Don’t let it get to you.”
“Found it.” Carolina returned with a large black leather book. “This has some lovely sample arrangements for the Grecian ruin in the garden where the ceremony will be held.” She sat, smiling at Patton. “Why don’t we look through it before we go see the site?”
Patton stood. “On that note, I’ll let you do your thing,” he said, pointing at the book. “I’ll find Cady for the tour.”
He couldn’t care less about where the we
dding might take place, but he needed space.
And he needed reinforcements. Cady was just as enthusiastic about this wedding as he was; she’d said as much the other night. The other night, when she was sprawled out across that chaise longue, wanting him... He swallowed. Maybe they could spend a weekend alone, just Cady, a bed and no clothes. Maybe that would cool his response to her. Then he’d be able to get on with more important things—like breaking up this wedding. And since Cady knew Bianca best, she might be the key to breaking this off.
He wandered through the gardens, from a hot and dry desert with prickly cacti and spindly trees to a lush and humid rainforest. He was about to turn back when he heard her voice and followed it. She sat on the edge of a fountain, her ankles crossed. She’d kicked her shoes off, so one foot swung back and forth, the grass brushing her bare toes.
“Yes, Charles.” Her voice was cool yet patient, as if she were speaking to a child. “That’s exactly right...No...you don’t need to apologize for calling me. I understand that this is new to you...”
He saw her shoulders slump as she let out a long sigh.
“It is a big account,” she agreed.
Her head was tilted forward, the back of her pale neck exposed. He denied the urge to run a finger along the curve of her neck. He didn’t want to scare her... And once he started touching her, he knew it would be impossible to stop.
Instead he walked around her, taking a seat in front of her.
She glanced at him. And just like that, one of her finely arched brows rose high and her posture straightened. She went from exhausted to defiant in seconds—because of him.
“No.” Her huge brown eyes never left his face. “I understand...Yes. I should be available after nine...No, coffee isn’t necessary.” She stared at the glass ceiling overhead, her full lips pressed flat. “Fine. Coffee—black, great...Yes. See you in the morning.”
He waited as she hung up. “Needy little bastard, isn’t he?”
He’d surprised her. And the smile that lit up her face made him breathless.
“He is,” she agreed, laughing. “This promotion had better be worth it.” Her gaze wandered over his face. “Hunt me down for a reason?”
“Hunt?” He swallowed. “That sounds...predatory.”
She nodded, a rosy hue staining her cheeks. She still had that crystal of sugar in the corner of her mouth. What would she do if he brushed it away? With his tongue... He cleared his throat, shifting where he sat. “I wanted to talk to you,” he admitted.