Love.
Pure love surrounded this room.
Lily and Ryan.
Her eyes zoomed to them immediately talking to a cluster of people, hands together, bodies molded as one. Just pure love.
And pure jealousy. Why couldn’t she find that? All she wanted was someone to love her as Ryan did with Lily. Was that so much to ask for?
“Finally, the most beautiful woman in this place makes her appearance,” a sweet, sexy voice said from behind her.
She turned around, her lips wide with happiness. “Does that make you the most handsome man in this place?”
Travis, Lily’s older brother, made a stylish bow. “But, of course, madam.”
“Shouldn’t your sister be the most beautiful woman here?”
He looped his arm around her waist, guiding her to the bar to the left. “Let me buy you a drink. And, Lily is quite beautiful, but you’re neck in neck with her. What can I say? I can’t resist a beautiful woman.”
She laughed, playfully slapping his chest. “You are such a heartbreaker. We both know you can’t buy me a drink since it’s an open bar. How about a dance?”
“A woman after my own heart. I would love to dance with you.” He guided her to the dance floor where, just in time, a slow song started to play. Pulling her effortlessly into his arms, he held her gently as the song began. “Where’s your lucky man tonight?”
“You know I came here date free. All men stink. Didn’t you know that?”
He laughed with her, his eyes twinkling with delight. “They do, don’t they? Men are such assholes. I’m glad you came alone, more time for me to weasel my way into your embrace. And look, you’re right where I wanted you from the beginning.”
She rested her head onto his chest as she tried to stifle her laughter. Lifting her eyes again, she brushed a soft hand across his cheek. “If only we didn’t see each other as brother and sister, what a perfect couple we’d make.”
His eyes dipped into sadness for a brief moment before flickering back to the happy Travis she always saw. What was that sadness?
“If only. Life would be so much easier. Any eyes on a particular someone tonight. It is a wedding. Love is in the air. It’s hard not to want to fall for someone.”
Sarafina shook her head, not wanting to admit any such thing. Her eyes unwittingly landed on Dax, who stood on the other side of the room mingling with guests. Their eyes met briefly. She looked away first, unnerved by what she saw.
“I’m here to enjoy the night and happily go home alone. How about you? What lucky lady will be joining you tonight?”
He glanced around the room, making an exaggerated play like he was delicately choosing his prey for the night. “Lady to our two o’clock. I like her smile.”
She peeked at the woman in question, chuckling, as she rolled her eyes. “Or you like the nice set of breasts she has. They’re likely to fall out at any moment.”
He grinned like the devil, the seduction clear. “That looks nice on her as well. It’s her smile that drew me in, though.”
“How about the woman to our six? She’s beautiful.”
Barely sparing a glance, Travis shook his head. “Not happening. She’s a nice girl.”
“You know her?”
“No. She’s somebody from Ryan’s side, but she has nice girl written all over her. You don’t take a nice girl home from a wedding, you take an easy girl. Less complicated. They know what’s going to happen and aren’t heartbroken the next day when you have absolutely no intention of calling her.”
“You’re horrible. You are a heartbreaker,” she said, patting his chest with a small chuckle.
“I’m a realist with honesty. I’m simply looking to get laid unless you want to change your mind about me being a brother figure to you.”
His cocky, yet sweet grin almost had her melting in her shoes, except no matter how hard she tried she could never see him as anything but an older brother. “Sure. Let’s find an empty closet now. I’m suddenly horny.”
His laughter filled up the room. Bending down, he kissed her cheek, brushing his mouth near her ear. “Damn, Fina, you are a woman I could easily fall in love with. It really is a shame.”
“Yeah, that’s why all the men keep walking out of my life like a revolving door.”
“None of them were good enough. I’m not sure there’s a man alive good enough for you. You’re too wonderful.”
“So, you’re saying I’m a nice girl.”
“Definitely, a nice girl. Any man who takes you home tonight will know that. And you know you’d never do the one-night stand thing, you’d expect a call the next day. That being said, let me know what man has any intention of bringing you home tonight and I’ll tell you what’s on his mind. I’m not letting any asshole mark you as an easy woman.”
“Rest assured, Travis, I won’t be going home with anyone tonight.”
“Nobody? What about Dax, Ryan’s friend? I’ve seen you two laughing and talking a lot today.”
She rolled her eyes, trying to dispel any reaction that said she would love it if he took her home. “We were paired together. Am I supposed to ignore the man? Plus, Lora staked her claim. I would never barge in on that.”
“Forget about her. Dad already put a stop to that.”
“What do you mean?”
“He told Lora to stay away from Dax. He doesn’t know him, and you know how Dad gets. Ryan picking a guy he hasn’t seen for almost ten years as a groomsman set Dad off a little. He had someone else in mind, but Ryan told him he already asked Dax. Lily was there, so Dad backed off for once.”
“Dax is very nice. I don’t understand why he wouldn’t like him, or why he’d tell Lora to back off.”
Travis cocked an eyebrow. “Seriously, you know Dad when it comes to people he doesn’t know. I thought you’d be happy. I saw a little twinkle in your eye when you were talking with Dax. Or was I wrong?”
“It’s a wedding, not a business deal. He shouldn’t be so concerned about Dax. I saw nothing that would warrant concern.” Although, the flash of anger between Ryan and Dax as they walked down the aisle flickered into her mind. “I’m not looking for a man. Dax is very nice, but hardly my type.”
“Perhaps you need to change your type.”
“Are you suggesting, Travis Chilani, that I make a play for Dax?”
Before answering, he gazed at Dax, then a quick look at his father. “No. I don’t know anything about him either. And after all the losers you’ve dated prior, I want to screen any man who may be in the running with you.”
“So, a full background check on him and then it’s a go,” she said with a chuckle.
He laughed as well, but his eyes flickered with concern. “Something like that.”
“Is everything okay?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t everything be okay?”
“You know you can always tell me anything.”
“It’s been a crazy day. A crazy week.” He shrugged, trying to display a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Dad’s been getting a little more aggressive about me joining the family business. I like what I’m doing. I have no interest in stepping into his shoes.”