Page 3 of Dark Obsession

Chapter Two

Daniel looked up atthe beautiful stained-glass window above the two large wooden doors of the old church.He whistled in appreciation of the beautiful art piece.“This is some church,” he commented out loud as he ran up the concrete stairs, knowing he was a few minutes late.

The people turned when the church door opened and the setting sun streamed through, temporarily blinding the group at the front of the church.Logan walked toward the back when he saw him walking in.He smiled and slapped Daniel on the back.“I’m glad you got here, buddy.”

Daniel snorted.“Like I would miss your rehearsal, dude.I’m your best man.”

Logan grinned and tossed his head.“Come on, I want you to meet everybody, especially Keira.”

A scowl crossed Daniel’s face.“Knock it off.I’m not in the mood.”

“Just come on,” Logan said and walked off.

They moved up to a small group of people softly speaking at the front of the church.Logan reached the group and slid an arm around Layla’s waist.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce my business partner, best man, and best friend, Daniel Hayes.”

Daniel’s eyes went to a woman who looked a lot like Layla, and he inhaled sharply.Jesus, the woman was gorgeous.

“Daniel, you know the Sandersons, they are the people helping with music and videotaping the ceremony, and the Reverend Michaels.”Logan held his hand out.“And this is Keira Walker, Layla’s sister.”

Daniel was stunned speechless.Logan had told him she was beautiful, but this woman was stunning.Her hair was very straight with no hint of curls, long and draped freely down to the middle of her back, and the color of wheat with streaks of pale blonde.Her eyes were a clear whiskey brown, oval in shape, and tipped just enough to look exotic.She was tiny, smaller than her sister by a few inches, and over a foot shorter than his own six-four, making the top of her head even with his shoulders.

She was dressed in a long flowery skirt that seemed to float around her, a short-sleeved pink button-down shirt, and tan sandals.She looked like a teenager, but he remembered Logan had told him she was two years younger than her sister, making her twenty-six.At thirty-two he was only six years older than her.

Keira smiled and held her hand out.“It’s nice to meet you finally.Layla thinks very highly of you.”

Daniel swallowed as he reached for her hand.He almost groaned when he felt a spark ignite between them as they touched.He got some satisfaction when he saw it seemed to affect her, too.He grunted when Logan elbowed him in the side, snapping him out of the daze.“It’s nice to meet you, too.”

Keira’s eyes widened when she tried to pull her hand back, and he tightened his for a brief moment before letting her go.

An uncomfortable silence descended around the group as they watched the attraction ignite between the two.

Logan cleared his throat.“Let’s get this rehearsal going.I’m starved.”Everyone took his cue and moved to the area where they would stand during the ceremony.Before they started, Logan’s family showed up, and in addition to his mom and dad, his sister and her boyfriend were present.It took another few minutes to introduce everyone before the rehearsal could start.

Since they were only going to have two people, the best man and maid of honor, stand up with them, and Keira already planned to walk her sister down the aisle, they didn’t have to practice more than once.The rehearsal went quickly, making it possible for them to get to the restaurant before their reservation at seven.

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At the restaurant,Keira placed her napkin over her lap and tried not to stare at Daniel who had been seated to her right.She was pretty sure her sister had something to do with that by the look of satisfaction on her face.

Layla had told her about him, but she hadn’t given a good description and had left out several things.She had told her he was good-looking, but he was incredibly gorgeous in dark grey suit pants and a light blue dress shirt.She said he was large, but this man was huge.His size and masculine persona made him very intimidating.She was also attracted to the intelligence and humor that lit his eyes.

He was so tall, she had to tilt her head back when she spoke to him.His body was thick with muscles, and his chest was easily twice the size of hers.She couldn’t take her eyes off his hands.His fingers were thick, blunt-tipped, and callused.His palms were as big as a small plate, with tendons and veins standing out starkly on the back of his hands.

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