Yes, on the flight he’d paid her special attention. They had shared several intense moments. Gracious, he had even soothed her when tears overwhelmed her. But perhaps he’d only done so out of courtesy. She and Miem had been his guests, after all, flying onhisjet. She understood how it worked — she’d built her whole life around makingherguests feel special.
Yet, as the vows were spoken, Suzette couldn’t stop herself from glancing his way. And every time she did, she found his gaze already waiting for hers — steady, intent, and far too knowing.
Her pulse fluttered.Don’t be a foolish old woman, she told herself sternly, forcing her attention back to her daughter.Men like him don’t look twice at women like you.
*
“Dance with me, Suzette.”
He was dying to hold her in his arms. Ever since that moment of shared intimacy in the middle of the night, the ache to have her close had only grown sharper, invading his thoughts, haunting his sleep, even distracting him from business in LA. He’d caught himself checking his watch too often, counting down the hours until he could see her again.
And now he only had tonight. Tomorrow, he’ll be back in the studio.
Seeing her earlier, walking down the aisle beside Esther, her chin lifted, her eyes bright with pride, had undone him completely. Something had shifted in that instant, deep and irrevocable.
It wasn’t just desire anymore.
It was a fierce, unfamiliar yearning to be part of her world — to stand beside her, not as the man on the screen, but as a man who belonged.
It was the wanting of forever.
With her.
And maybe, just maybe, he had imagined her walking down the aisle … to him.
But first — he had to get her to dance with him.
He noted her hesitation, the quick flick of her gaze toward the people around them. Always composed, always aware of what others might think.
So he put on his best smile, the one that melted interviewers and co-stars alike. “The best manalwaysdances with the maid of honor.”
She scowled, a spark of humor lighting her eyes. “Not fair.”
No, not fair at all.Not when every nerve in his body was tuned to her — the woman who’d become far too important for his peace of mind.
His heart stuttered when she placed her hand in his and stood. An effervescent rush flooded his bloodstream, wreaking havoc on his senses.What the hell?He was almost sixty yet reacted like a teenager about to experience his first kiss.
He drew her onto the dance floor, the music low and lilting, the soft hum of conversation fading around them. Her hand rested lightly on his shoulder, her other still enclosed in his. The warmth of her palm, the faint scent of magnolia’s clinging to her skin … heaven.
For a few moments they moved in silence, letting the rhythm guide them. The night wrapped around them, soft and golden, the hum of laughter and clinking glasses fading to a blur.
Then, more to ground himself than anything else, he said quietly, “I wanted to ask … how are the Lawsons treating you?”
“Better than I expected,” she replied. A small smile touched her lips. “And as your body’s still in one piece, I’m guessing Cecelia’s husband didn’t harm you after all.”
He huffed a soft laugh. “Fortunately, death stares aren’t fatal.”
Their eyes met, and for a moment neither looked away. The world seemed to narrow to the space between them — the sweep of her breath, the brush of her gown against his trousers, the steady thrum of a song that suddenly felt written just for them.
What are you doing, old man?he warned himself, tightening his hold just slightly.
But she didn’t pull back. If anything, she leaned closer, so faintly it could’ve been imagined. Except it wasn’t. He felt it. The answering pull, as inevitable as gravity.
And that was all the invitation he needed to forget, for one dangerous heartbeat, where the dance ended and forever might begin.
Before he could stop himself, the words were out, raw and unfiltered. “Spend the night with me.”
*
