She laughed at the sparkle in his eyes.Dear Lord, but she loved this man, so much that sometimes it scared her.She threaded her fingers through his, content for tonight to follow his lead.
* * *
An oblong silver tray glittered beneath the lights of the chandelier in the great hall as the wedding gifts were unwrapped before the guests.Crystal sparkled, fine china gleamed.Lash stood among the crowd, oohing and aahing along with them as each new piece was put up on display, and all the while, the idea he’d been fostering took deeper root in his mind.
Damn her—and him.He stared at the tall man in the chauffeur’s uniform and resented him for not being ashamed.How can he hold his head high?By wearing that ridiculous costume, he’d all but announced to the world that he was nothing but hired help.Yet when Ryder casually tucked a wayward curl on Casey’s forehead back beneath the rabbit ears she was wearing, Lash’s stomach rolled.The look she gave him made gorge rise in his throat.Damn her to hell.She never looked at me like that.And that hurt, more than he was able to admit.
Out on the patio behind him, the band Libertine had hired was setting up to play.The thought of making small talk and pretending for another two or three hours seemed impossible to Lash, but he couldn’t bring himself to leave.
Unaware of Lash’s growing antagonism, Casey undid the bow on the very last gift and then lifted the box lid, pulling out a crystal-and-silver ice bucket and tongs.
“It won’t hold a six-pack, but it sure is pretty,” Ryder drawled.
Casey grinned at him as everyone laughed.By now, the guests had figured out that Casey Ruban’s husband had been one jump ahead of them all night.Instead of trying to be something he wasn’t, he dared them to dislike who he was.They had tried and failed miserably.Ryder Justice was too intriguing to dislike and too handsome to ignore.
“This has been wonderful,” Casey said.“Ryder and I thank you for your kindness and generosity.”
Ryder took Casey by the hand and stood.“All kidding aside, it’s been a pleasure meeting my wife’s friends.Maybe one day we can return the favor.”
Casey was surprised at his initiative, and more than a little bit pleased.He kept coming through for her, again and again.
Libertine waved her hand above the crowd.“This way, this way, my dears.We’ve dined.We’ve showered.The evening can’t end without dancing.”
The crowd followed her through open French doors and out onto a massive flagstone patio.People broke off into couples and soon the impromptu dance floor was crowded.
Inside, Casey wound her arms around Ryder’s neck and leaned her head on his shoulder.
“What’s the matter, Hoppy, are you tired?”
She tried not to laugh, but his jest was entirely too charming to ignore.
“Yes, but deliciously so.”His hands were stroking at the small of her back, right where it ached the most.She wondered how he knew.
“Think you might have one good dance in you?I just realized I’ve never danced with my wife.”
“If you don’t mind dancing with a barefoot bunny, I’d be delighted.”
He cocked an eyebrow.“It can happen.I like bare.”
She ran a finger down the middle of his chest, stopping just above the spot where his belly button would be.“Yes, I know.”
He waited.She kicked off her shoes.He took her in his arms just as the next song began.Drums hammered out a rollicking beat and a guitarist joined in, running his fingers up and down the frets as the strings vibrated beneath his touch.
“Oh darn,” Casey said.“It’s too fast.”
Ryder took her hand and placed it in the center of his chest.“You’re listening to the wrong rhythm,” he said softly.“Feel the one in here.It’s the one to follow.”
He glanced down at her feet.“I’d sure hate to mash one of those poor little toes.Better hitch a ride on my boots, honey, then all you’ll have to worry about is hanging on.”
A lump came to Casey’s throat as she stepped up on his toes.Sure enough, when Ryder started to move, she could almost hear the slow, steady beat of a loving man’s heart.The ache in her feet disappeared.She laid her cheek on his shoulder and followed his lead as he circled them slowly up and down the marbled floors of Libertine Delacroix’s great hall.
Out on the patio, Lash Marlow stood in the shadows, staring back into the house.The intimacy of the lady bunny standing on the chauffeur’s feet was not lost on him, nor were the tender kisses he saw Ryder giving his wife.
Lash’s hand slid to the long sword hanging from the belt around his waist.It would be all too easy to draw it now while everyone was otherwise occupied and slash those stupid smiles off of both their faces, but that wouldn’t get him what he deserved.No, he had other plans for Casey, and it wouldn’t be long before he set them in motion.
* * *
Bunny ears hung on one corner of the bedpost, a chauffeur’s cap on the other.Clothing was strewn across the floor and the chairs.In the bed, Ryder and Casey slept as bare as the day they’d been born, entwined within each other’s arms.
