CHAPTERFOUR
Mark resisted the urge to bury his face in Jess’s soft hair and inhale her scent as they danced. She smelled like an exotic combination of flowers and incense, a scent as familiar as it was intoxicating. She’d been burning incense for as long as he’d known her, and he’d never been able to smell it since without thinking of her.
It smelled like sex and fantasies.
His fingers tightened on her waist. She tipped her face up, her brown eyes locking on his. Her red lips were plump and glossy, parted slightly, and he felt his head dipping toward them, drawn to her like a parched man to a desert mirage. His heart beat a frantic rhythm against his ribs.
Jess sucked in a breath, leaning forward. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he silently cursed the many layers of his tuxedo for muffling the sensation. Still, a hot thrill raced through him, scorching every nerve ending in his body.
Her warm breath teased his lips, and he was absolutely fucking lost.
Someone bumped into Jess, knocking her sideways. She cleared her throat, stepping backward out of his arms. “The, ah, the song’s over.”
And just like that, the moment was over too. Mark rocked back on his heels.
“Thanks for the dance,” she said, her voice slightly husky.
He nodded. “I’ll call tomorrow about the land.”
She turned and walked away, weaving through the crowd. He watched the way that blue dress hugged her slender waist and flared around her hips. So beautiful.
He drew several slow, deep breaths and then made his way off the dance floor. Weddings weren’t exactly his gig, and that encounter with Jess had left him feeling raw and restless. Too many people. Too much noise. It was time for him to melt into the background until he could leave without being impolite.
He strode toward the exit, intent on the vacant darkness beyond.
“Hey there, Good Lookin’. You want to dance?”
He looked down to see a petite blonde standing in front of him in a low-cut silver dress that revealed ample cleavage. With a grunt, he shook his head and dodged around her.
“Let me know if you change your mind!” she called out from behind him.
Not a chance.
“Yo, what did Jessica say?” Ryan stepped into his path, a beer in each hand. He handed one to Mark.
So much for making a quick escape. He took the beer and drank. “She’s on board.”
“Great, man. That’s great.”
Mark nodded. “It is.”
He and Ryan walked over to the bridal party’s table to tell Ethan the good news. From there, he got sucked into a conversation with Trent, Ryan’s younger brother. Trent had a friend who was thinking about enlisting and looking for some advice.
Then Ethan and Gabby went out onto the dance floor to cut the cake.
“I hope Gabby knows what she’s in for,” Ryan muttered.
Mark smiled in spite of himself. Surely Ethan’s new wife knew exactly what she’d married into. The man was an incurable jokester. No way he wasn’t going to smear that cake all over her face. As they watched, Ethan and Gabby each took a bite of cake to feed each other, intertwining their arms as they went. Ryan leaned forward in his chair, grinning like a fool. Beside him, Emma looked similarly engaged.
Gabby and Ethan lined up their hands in front of each other’s mouths, but at the last moment, Gabby ducked down, simultaneously smashing her handful of cake into Ethan’s face. The tent erupted with raucous laughter and whoops.
Smiling victoriously, Gabby gave a little bow before handing her husband a napkin. Ethan was laughing hysterically as he wiped bits of cake and frosting from his face.
“That’s my girl!” Emma announced proudly, pointing in Gabby’s direction.
“He totally had that coming,” Ryan said, looking impressed.
Indeed, it was about time someone put Ethan in his place, and it seemed Gabby was just the woman for the job. Soon after, plates of cake were being served at their table. Mark dug into his with gusto. He’d always had a sweet tooth, but he’d gone years without anything nearly this good while he was overseas. Fucking delicious.
