Page 15 of Stilettos & Secrets on the 7 Seas

“You’re not the least bit jealous?” Gertie asked.

“Maybe a little. I wish my relationship with Jake would have worked out, but we’re better friends than lovers.”

“Do you ever wonder what would have happened If you’d never met Caiyan?”

I opened my mouth to give Gertie a snarky answer, like I’d be working for my brother and wearing shoes off the clearance rack, when the skin on the back of my neck prickled. I turned to see the man with the mysterious stare eyeing me from across the room.

I leaned toward Gertie. “Do you know him?” I gave a subtle tip of my head toward tall, dark, and stalking.

Gertie whipped her head around without any subtly at all and checked him out. “No. Is he a relative of the bride?”

“He was sitting on Durr’s side during the wedding. He keeps staring at me.”

“Maybe he likes your Mee-maw dress.” Gertie giggled at her joke.

I frowned at her. “I like it. It has pockets.”

“It’s not the most flattering style, but he seems to be peacocking you in a Fifty Shades of Grey manner.”

“Whatever. Your imagination always gets the best of you.” I glanced at him again. She had a point. And the guy was wearing Armani.

“He’s wearing one of those expensive dark suits that screams Attorney, CEO, or I Own a Secret Sex Room.” Gertie stood. “I’m headin’ to the buffet. And I’d tell you to go say howdy to the mystery man, but…” Her gaze trailed behind me.

The scent of cinnamon, piney woods, and fine leather wrapped around me as Caiyan kissed my neck. “Hello, Sunshine.”

I jumped to my feet, almost knocking over my chair and forcing him to step back. “You’re… You’re…here.”

He straightened. The custom suit, cut to perfection across broad shoulders and muscular thighs, took my breath. His emerald-green eyes changed quickly from sultry to surprised. “Aye, I texted ye I would be late. Didnae yer mum tell ye I was coming?”

I’d gotten caught up in the wedding and forgotten about my dead phone. “Yes, but?—”

“I missed ye.” He pulled me into him, cutting off my warning with a mind-wiping kiss. It had been too long since I’d had one of those, and when he released me, I blinked awkwardly up at him. “I need to tell you.”

“McGregor.” Jake’s voice projected like a poison arrow across our table, aiming for Caiyan’s heart.

Caiyan searched my eyes for betrayal. I shook my head furiously before he could turn dark and stormy without hearing me out. “I didn’t know he was coming.”

Jake and Angel had returned with loaded plates. Angel put her plate on the table and placed her hand on Jake’s sleeve. “You’re off duty, Agent McCoy.”

Caiyan and Jake glared at each other over the white linen tablecloth, a simple candle, and a ring of daffodils.

“Pardon me,” a deep voice said.

I turned around and stared into mesmerizing blue eyes ringed in gold. They caught my breath for a moment until I realized it was the man in the dark suit. He held a brown shopping bag.

Oh jeez. My stalker had impeccable timing.

“Hello. I’m looking for Jennifer Cloud?” His accent tilted toward the East Coast, Pennsylvania, maybe Boston. His lean frame and sun-kissed face hinted at the build of a guy who jogs every morning, plays golf on the weekends.

“I’m Jennifer Cloud.” I eyed the brown bag. It lacked the fussy designs, satin ribbons, and sparkly tissue paper of a wedding gift.

“Could I speak with you?” The man’s gaze moved from me to Caiyan, then Jake. “In private.”

“Fifty Shades,” Gertie mumbled.

“Uhm.” I wasn’t getting any traveler tingles, but I didn’t want to be alone with Fifty.

“We’re all family here.” Jake motioned for him to take a chair, pulling back his suit jacket for a glimpse of his gun.

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