Page 81 of Moonshine and Magnolias
Her glorious brown hair was down and set in soft waves around her face. The simple flowered sundress plunged into a deep vee, accentuating the soft swells of her breasts. But it was the expression of love on her face that socked his gut. Natural. Real. And for him.
Damn this curse.
He rose and pulled out her chair when she approached the table. “You are stunning.”
Instead of sitting down, she pressed her lithe body into his and kissed him. Pleasure thrummed through him from the heated touch of her lips. The display was a good a declaration as any from the woman who shied away from public affection. The clamor of conversation around them dimmed, then came back louder.
“I think they’re talking about us.” Her lips curved into a naughty grin.
The primal roar in his blood wanted nothing more than to hoist her over his shoulder and carry her to her room where their muscles would strain and scream until an explosion of fire consumed them both. But first he had to deal with that little nagging problem called the truth. There could be no intimacy with this lie between them.
“They’re talking about how lucky I am to have you all to myself,” he said. The wait staff came to their table with his drink, shattering the illusion of privacy. “Minus a few tens of people.”
He’d take her for a walk around the grounds, he decided, to the same tree where she brought him. Away from the orchard, in case she felt the need to throw peaches at him. Confess everything. And then ask—beg, if necessary—to stay and explore the heat between them without their ancestors’ past looming over theirfuture.
Wendy snapped the cloth napkin onto her lap. Soon plates of eggs, grits, and sausage steamed in front of them. The smell was tempting, but Rob’s appetite had abandoned him with his brother’s revelation.
“Did you tell Hal?” Wendy’s eyes lit with happiness as she reached for her juice. “Is he upset?”
“There wasn’t time this morning. He hadn’t yet had enough coffee.” To forestall other questions, he kept talking. “I’m guessing you told Brandi.”
“She’s thrilled.” Wendy snuck a glance at her cousin, who waved from across the room. “Being here won’t get in the way of your work, right? We didn’t talk about the details.”
“As long as there’s Internet, I can do basic research.” He pushed the food around on his plate. Maybe if he moved it around, it would look like he was eating. “I travel though, for clients who need more details. Exotic locations. Like Paris. In Tennessee. Or Venice.”
“In Florida.” She grinned at him and scooped up some eggs. “For the sake of Aunt Eulalee and propriety, you may have to stay in your own room on the third floor.”
“That’s okay.” He swallowed around the tightness of his throat. His tie was showing its disapproval by strangling him.
“We just redid one down the hall.” She licked her lips and dropped her voice. “It has a much bigger bed.”
Her foot rubbed against his leg, and he held onto the warm tenderness. Soon she might use it to kick rather than to caress.
A woman in green came up to their table. Her friendly face seemed familiar, but he couldn’t place her.
“Hey, Wendy. Rob.”
“Anita!” Wendy gestured to the shirt. “The historical society wasn’t exciting enough for you?”
Panic iced his insides. This was the woman helping Hal with his research. Robhad to get her away before she said anything incriminating.
“We usually have one staff member in each class. It’s good for publicity, plus we can relate what’s going on to what happened before.”
Rob stood up, ready to usher her away. “My brother’s upstairs. I’ll take you there.”
“Maybe in a bit, if I haven’t seen him by the time this is over. Wendy, the place looks beautiful.”
“Tell Brandi. She’s the one who set it all up.”
“I have a fantastic idea!” Anita gushed to Rob. “You should use your research to do a lifestyle piece on Fountenoy Hall for the local paper.”
She had to stop talking. “Sorry,” he said. “I’m under contract and my research belongs to my client.”
“Well, that’s a bummer. Okay, I’ll see you guys later.” She went back to her family with a small wave.
Rob relaxed and breathed a sigh of relief. That was too close.
“When did you meet Anita?” Wendy followed the other woman’s movement through the crowd. “Though I don’t know why I’m surprised. No one has private business in this town.”
