Her brother glanced at his son and friends, the boys’ attention already back on their game—the sounds of engines revving heard once more before the cars on the screen zoomed off. “Once the baby’s up, they’ll get rowdy. Let’s go outside. I have to check on the grill, anyway. Besides, it’s more peaceful.”
Darci followed Dec, with Blaéz at her back. In the silent kitchen, she pivoted to him. “See? That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
“The evening’s barely started,a leannan. You don’t know what horrors still lay ahead,” he deadpanned. “But, as long as you shield me, I’ll survive.”
She laughed, tugged him down by his shirt, and kissed him softly on the mouth. His hands tightened on her waist, and his tongue stroked the seams of her lips in a tormenting caress, before he straightened. Darci blinked.
At his knowing smile, she scrunched her nose. As if she were that easy…okay, she was after so many days without making love to him. Heck, she’d been seconds from dragging him into the broom closet, but no need for Blaéz to catch on and drive her even crazier.
She walked out into the spacious, paved backyard.Crap!She shivered, the cold air slipping through her sweater and chilling her heated blood. Instantly, her jacket settled over her shoulders. She glanced back and smiled her thanks at Blaéz, gratefully slipping it on. At least the boys weren’t around to witness that little trick.
She skirted around the patio furniture, stepped off the porch surrounding the back of the house, and headed for the built-up barbecue area on the left. Opposite it, a half basketball court took up space.
Darci stopped near her brother, shoving her cold hands into her fleece-lined jacket pockets. Blaéz stood at her side, watching curiously as Declan added steaks to the grill, the searing meat a loud sizzle in the quiet evening. A mouth-watering aroma soon wafted in the cold air.
“Let me get you a drink,” she told Blaéz and crossed to the small wet bar adjacent to the barbecue area. Selecting his preferred whiskey, she poured a shot in a squat glass and handed it to him.
“Dars?” Declan set the empty platter down, wiping his hands on a dishtowel. “The church got back to me this morning. They won’t do the ceremony without the banns being read. Guess we should have attended service, even if sporadically. Father Paul probably thinks we’re all too steeped in sin to traverse his sanctified threshold after such a long absence.”
Despite Declan’s droll tone, her tummy churned with worry. Her gaze rushed to Blaéz.
“If you like,” Declan said then, “we could hold the wedding here. There’s space enough. It’s just a matter of finding someone who could officiate the ceremony.” He cut her an affectionate smile. “Don’t worry about anything, I’ll find somebody.”
She nodded and chewed her lower lip. They were so close to the wedding.
“Thanks for doing this,” Blaéz said quietly.
Declan inclined his head. “No problem. Oh, one more thing…” His gaze shifted between her and Blaéz. “The rehearsal dinner? Do you want to go ahead with that?”
She understood why he asked, considering the Guardians never spent time socializing in public. At Blaéz’s quizzical look, she explained, “It’s another tradition. Dinner after the final wedding rehearsal.”
“I see…”
She quickly added, “It won’t be in some public restaurant or hotel, but a bit more secluded.”
“How about the private dining room at our favorite steakhouse in Westwood Mall?” her brother asked.
“Oh, that would be perfect”—her gaze rushed back at Blaéz—“but only if it’s okay with you. It would be nice if the Guardians could attend, just for dinner, maybe?”
“I can’t promise you they all will,a leannan, but I’ll speak to them and let you know.”
“Thank you—” Laughter and ribbing cut her off as Daniel and his friends rolled outside, bringing the noise with them. One of the boys grabbed the basketball from the wooden chair, and they jostled their way to the court.
Behind them, Grace appeared with the baby. Darci hurried over to her sister-in-law. “Let me hold her.”
Carefully, she took the well-bundled baby and cradled Liana to her chest, then eased the pale pink covering away and sighed. “She’s adorable.”
“A mother will never disagree.” Grace smiled, accepting the glass of juice Declan handed her.
Darci stroked the wispy, fair hair on the baby’s head. The scent of cool night air and leather surrounded her. She glanced up at Blaéz. “Isn’t she gorgeous?”
“Indeed...” With one hand tucked into his jeans’ pocket, the other holding the whiskey glass, he eyed the baby warily.
“She won’t bite,” Darci teased. Then, as if something got ahold of him, Blaéz gently ran a callused finger over the baby’s tiny fist, his expression one of utter awe. “She’s terrifyingly little, isn’t she?”
Her chest constricting with tenderness, Darci whispered, “She’ll grow.”
“Blaéz?” Daniel called out, spinning the basketball on his finger. “You want to play?”
