Page 47 of Rules of Engagement
Lawsy.
"Jealous?"
"Oh, no."
"Good. Because the only woman I want to flirt with is right here." He lifted a hand and indicated the beautiful setting. "I didn't see how you could top what I'd already seen you do. Thank you, for making their day special."
She couldn't stop the smile that formed at the praise and reveled in the success of the day. "Itwasgorgeous, wasn't it?" The day had definitely been blessed given all the things that could've gone wrong.
"Unbelievably so. Which is why…" He looked around, jogged over to a nearby bar area and swiped an entire bottle of champagne and two glasses from a tray, and returned. "We're going to celebrate. You are coming with me."
"Now?"
A low chuckle rumbled out of his chest, and he moved closer to where she stood. His cologne teased her senses even more and dragged her into the spell he cast.
Why couldn't she date him again?
"Yes, now. You haven't taken a break all day. And I want you to see something," he said.
"What?"
"Ah, Eliza. Trust me, it won't disappoint. Everyone knows their jobs, the guests are leaving as well as the bride and groom," he said, a lift of his chin indicating the couple waving goodbye to their guests as they headed toward Lincoln's home, freeing the well-wishers to stay or go as they pleased. "You can spare a few minutes."
It was true. Her crew—now back on track with Kellie as her second-in-command and Carter's two employees working as extras—would have no problem performing the remaining tasks.
"Come on. You know you want to."
He lowered his head, giving her a compelling look that made her ache to see how far he'd go to convince her.
"It has been a great day."
"Exactly. I heard about the magazine article."
Oh. Yeah, that news? The best. She smiled again and bit her lower lip, more than a little pleased with being featured along with Amelia and Lincoln due to their connections in film and local real estate. "Thatwasa nice bonus for today."
"So what are you waiting for?"
Maybe it was the seemingly effortless day or the fact that things were finally looking up, or maybe it was the utterly breathtaking way Carter looked at her, but Eliza pressed a finger to her mic and told the gang she would be around but was taking a break.
The moment she removed the earpiece and set it safely inside of her bridal binder, Carter's calloused hand slid into hers. He tugged her away from the lights and into the dark toward the waterway. "Where are we going?"
She saw his smile flash over his shoulder and hurried along in her sensible flats as they crossed the back of the lawn to the wooden planks leading toward a dock. A boat bobbed gently up and down in the water. "Carter, I can't actually leave."
"We're not going anywhere," he said.
Carter stepped onto the boat and lowered the items he carried before turning toward her and holding up both hands. The moment she moved close enough, he grasped her waist and lifted her easily but didn't let go once her feet touched the deck.
"I've wanted to tell you all day how beautiful you are."
"Th-thank you." The silvery-gray dress was one of her favorites, with a bell skirt and halter neck that left her back bare.
She shivered as his fingertips skimmed across her skin as he finally released her.
"Follow me."
He plucked up the bottle and glasses once more and then took her hand and led the way up some stairs to the upper part of the boat. Once there, she gasped at the sight of the gorgeous tent resplendent with lights with the houses of "bachelor row" lit up from top to bottom, amazed by the sheer beauty of the reception from their vantage point.
"Uh-huh. I thought you might like that view of your handiwork," he murmured, the words whispered into her ear. “And just so you know, I brought the photographer up here to get some shots for you to use in your brochures and stuff. You’ll get them soon.”
