“We have to quit running into each other. Maybe we should practice walking side by side so we don’t screw up the walk down the aisle,” he said with a grin that normally had women melting at his feet. To his great relief, her smile widened even brighter.
“I’ve been down the aisle so many times, I can’t screw it up. As long as you hold onto me tightly, you’ll be safe in my arms.”
“Isn’t that my line? I’m supposed to keep you safe in my arms. How many times did you practice walking down the aisle last night? Now I feel terrible for not making it.”
She shivered, whether from his words or from his touch, he wasn’t sure. It was enough of a sign that he dropped his hands and backed up a step. The strength it took to do that surprised him.
“We didn’t practice that long. I’ve been a bridesmaid quite a lot. I feel like a pro.” She laughed, running her hands down her dress, then pointed an accusing finger at him. “And don’t you dare say it.”
He held his hands up in an innocent gesture. “I won’t, I swear.” Then he leaned forward with a sly smile. “What am I not supposed to say?”
She giggled, shoving his hands down with a playful push. “You know, the line. Always a bridesmaid…”
“Ah…and you’re never a bride.” He gave her a sheepish grin. “I said half of it. Am I in the doghouse now?”
Every time she laughed or smiled, he mentally prepared how to make her do it again. Her sweet disposition brightened his mood more than anything else could’ve.
“No, I suppose not. Do I have to worry about you running into me again later? I want to prepare myself.”
He laughed. Damn, she had wonderful, witty humor. What a refreshing encounter compared with other women he dated. Not that he wanted to date her. “I would have to say you ran into me both times. Do I have to worry about it?”
“A gentleman would never blame the woman,” she said, raising a brow for him to counter that with as much flare as she gave.
He leaned closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered, “I’m not always a gentleman, but for you, I’ll try not to run into you again.”
Before the temptation to kiss her neck and pepper a small trail to her lips came over him, he pulled away. “Shall we practice walking down the aisle?”
He offered his arm. He wanted her to touch him, and that was so wrong on so many levels.
No touching.
But the minute she looped her arm through his, he couldn’t even remember his name. The only thing that mattered was the beautiful woman next to him and how he never wanted to let go.
2
Sarafina tried not to shake from the pulsing ache that wouldn’t go away. A simple loop of his arm and hand covering hers was making her sweat with desire. She could only imagine what it would feel like for him to really touch her.
Chancing a glance out of the corner of her eye, she inspected his features a little more. He was delicious to look at. Probably even more delicious to taste.
Get your head out of the gutter, Sarafina.
He had brown hair, on the longer side, that he combed back stylishly with a smooth curl. It made him appear boyish in a way, yet sexy. Like a sweet, but very sexy boy next door. It would be better for her if she didn’t think that way. That would only lead her straight into trouble. Because Dax looked like trouble with a capital T, regardless of his boyish looks. Even his name sounded like trouble.
Unable to explain why she thought that but knew deep down in the pit of her stomach he was, she wrapped her heart in another protective layer. She would wait to find a new man until after the wedding. Dax wasn’t stepping into that role no matter how much the idea enticed her.
Her eyes continued their path down his jawline, fascinated by the sharp contours of his face. So kissable.
For heaven’s sake, you are not kissing the man, even if he has a kissable face.
“Are you okay?” a soft voice whispered in her ear, sending another bout of anticipating shivers throughout her body.
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I be?”
“You’re shaking. Did you have breakfast? I know weddings can get crazy, but I hope you managed to grab a bite to eat. It’s not good to have an empty stomach.”
She turned her head a little, figuring that would be better than his hot breath rushing down her body every time a word left his mouth. Boy, she was wrong. The concern sparkling in his eyes almost had her dropping to the floor in a puddle of goo.
“I had breakfast. It’s cold in here. They have the air-conditioning blasted on high.”
He let go of her arm, rubbing her arms up and down. That thick layer of protection to cloak her heart shook a little, crumbling a tiny corner off.
“How’s that? I’d give you my jacket, but considering it’s almost our turn to walk down the aisle, I don’t think everyone else would appreciate that.”
“Much better. Thank you.” She looped her arm through his again, leaning into him. “Are you ready? You were a pro at our practice session.”
The smile that lit up his face was enough to heat her body to an inferno. Maybe they needed to turn the air-conditioner a little lower.
“I appreciate you teaching me the finer techniques of walking down the aisle. I know I’m safe in your arms.”
She giggled. “I thought that you were supposed to say that I’m safe in your arms.”
“Turns out I might like being saved by a woman for once. At least, if that woman is you.” His head moved closer to her neck, his mouth brushing her ear. “How about we save each other? I sense you don’t want to particularly do this again. And I hate having eyes on me. In a way, we’re saving each other.”
How did she respond to those daring words? Because he had her pegged to a T. She didn’t want to do this again. For Lily, of course, she would, but she was getting sick of walking down the aisle as a bridesmaid. It would be wonderful to attend a wedding for once as a simple guest, or as the darn bride.
Saved from having to answer with another witty response, Clara, the wedding planner, swept by them, whispering, “It’s time, people. On my count. One. Two. Three.” And with a point of her finger, she gestured for them to start walking.
Dax took control, leading her down the aisle. A genuine smile formed because no matter how much she dreaded doing this once again, she was truly happy for Lily.
Dax smiled brightly next to her, his eyes centered ahead, looking at his friend Ryan. She thought she saw a flash of anger come from Ryan, a tense movement from Dax, but dismissed it when Ryan’s smile never wavered. Perhaps she misinterpreted what she saw.
Nerves. Everyone had nerves when it came to a wedding. She had an entire bundle of nerves to contend with.
And to her mortification, after teasing Dax that she would save him down the aisle, he was the one who saved her. Halfway down the trek, her eyes met Franklin, Lily’s annoying cousin, making her trip on her feet.
Dax’s steady arm held her upright, not even missing a beat. Her face, poised with a smile no matter how tense she became, never indicated that she almost tumbled to the ground. Dax had kept her upright and stable as if nothing even happened.
Although her body tingled with frightened goosebumps as she could feel Franklin’s eyes on her the entire time, Dax kept her sane and in control. She knew he sensed her discomfort. But he continued down the path with grace as she hung on his arm like a prized jewel.