Page 65 of Conail

"I was at the ceremony."

His words had her lifting her head reluctantly to stare at him. It was a mistake. The look on his face had her knees buckling. "Your mother invited me."

"I see." Tearing her gaze from his face, she looked over his left shoulder.

"Will you look at me?" he asked in an achingly soft voice.

"Why?" She challenged.

"Because I want to see your eyes when I apologize and tell you what a damn fool I was."

Her fingers curled into the powder blue of his sweater, her breath shuddering. "Go on." She managed to say.

"I'm sorry." His hand moved to the back of her neck where he started to knead the flesh. It was as if everyone else had faded away. There were curious stares, frenzied whispers as people were starting to recognize him. The way he was holding Yasmine left everyone in little doubt as to the nature of their relationship. But he did not notice. He was oblivious to everything except the woman swaying in his arms. Finally, he was touching her, but he wanted more. With that in mind, he turned her face upwards.

And did what he had been dying to do since he saw her in the church. He crushed her lips with his. She felt the shudder going through his long, lean frame, felt the frantic pounding of his heart against her breasts. Her own heart was doing its happy dance, and she felt herself melting against him.

The sleepless nights, the hurt and pain she had endured after their argument, simply disappeared as if by magic. All that mattered was that he was holding her and kissing her as if she was the most important person in the world to him.

Dragging his mouth from hers, he rested his forehead on hers and took several deep breaths to steady himself. His body was on fire, his heart pounding out of control. His breathing was erratic. If he did not have her, if he did not sink himself into her warmth soon, he was going to die.

"Come home with me." He whispered harshly.

"Why?"

Shaking the cloud enveloping his brain, he stared at her. "What?"

"Why do you want me to come home with you?" She could have simply said yes and oh she wanted to, but this time she neededclarity. He had hurt her with his words, and she could not go through it again.

"Isn't it obvious?"

"That you're attracted to me? Yes. But I cannot go home with you knowing that you're not ready for a relationship."

He lifted his head, his gaze scanning the crowd and realized that they were the cynosure of dozens of eyes.

"Can we discuss this in private?"

She noticed people staring at them and had a second to realize that it had not even occurred to her that they were in the middle of the dance floor with a crowd of people giving them full attention. She had been so caught up with him, nothing else had registered, except his arms around her and his body pressed against hers.

"Yes." She nodded and allowed herself to be led away.

He stopped just long enough for her to press a kiss on her new sister-in-law's cheek and wish her all the best and hug her brother. And say goodnight to her rather pleased looking mother.

His own mother was beaming as they escaped the curious eyes of the guests who were mingling with heaped plates in their hands.

"Come with me. Please." He finally persuaded her to go to his car, which was parked at the end of the road.

"Are you feeling unwell?" he asked as they walked the few feet to where his vehicle was parked.

"I'm fine."

He had retrieved her jacket and his from the hallway closet where her mother had hung them. But he had come prepared. As soon as they entered the sleek looking BMW convertible with the tan leather seat, he snagged a comfortably soft blanket from the back and draped it over her legs.

"You were shivering." He murmured when she gave him an inquiring look. Pressing a button, he reclined the seat for her. "Just relax."

It was surreal. He was treating her like a fragile piece of glass and his expression was different. Instead of the harsh lines of cynicism she was used to, there was a tender look on his face and his touch was gentle.

Closing her eyes, she stretched her legs out and fell asleep like a stone.

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