She clipped her bra into place, reached for the panties in his pocket, slipped it on, and then zipped up her dress. All this she managed without a word. When she smoothed her dress and hair into place, she whispered, “Thank you.”
Her simple smile spoke a thousand words, and Reece understood. She wasn’t his typical lay. Here stood a mature woman who knew what, how, and why she wanted him tonight. Then she turned and walked away.
It took another second before realization dawned. Reece wanted her to stay. “Hey, wait up,” he called, but she didn’t turn. In the time it took him to zip up his jeans, pull his shirt into place, and run down the passage after her, she disappeared.Goddammit, I’m such an idiot.He’d just let a near-perfect woman walk out of his life, and he hadn’t gotten her name.
****
THE NEXT EVENING, REECEdrifted out of the ceremony tent amid the swell of wedding guests, loud, and colorful. He glanced over at his brother, Cody. Dressed in a maroon and gold garment, Samantha called a sherwani; he matched his wife, beautiful in a sari the same color. Reece smiled.
None of his family or friends believed his brother would surrender to the willful charms of Samantha. Marriage never existed in his books as Cody always claimed. He hadn’t counted on Samantha’s charm, though. What began as blatant dislike for each other quickly ascended into love. Reece chuckled. He was happy for them. They complemented each other perfectly.
Guests streamed toward the outdoor reception area. The grounds jutted out above a rocky shoreline, overlooking the Indian Ocean. Ballito, situated on the KwaZulu Natal, was the northern coastline of South Africa. As he entered the tent, he balked. The number of guests, close to three hundred, still shocked him. Earlier, Samantha explained that Indian families consisted of large numbers. If you don’t invite everyone, you risked the embarrassment of a showdown.
Reece scanned each table, unsure what he hoped to find. The mind-blowing encounter with the stranger last night left him a little out of sorts. He avoided Chance and his brother, Jace, like the plague. They wanted details he wasn’t prepared to share. Some part of him wished he’d learned her name, at least. He’d gone back to the hotel after she left spending the night lost in the misery of what-ifs.
With a frustrated sigh, he moved forward. Surprised, he stopped short.Holy fuckballs.What were the chances? He swallowed hard. His breathing quickened. Reece blinked to make sure his mind wasn’t playing tricks on him. The beauty he’d met at the bar sat at one of the tables, stunning in a sari. The soft material matched the shades of the blue-green sea. Her hair swept away from her face in an up-style, amplified the allure of her cheekbones and seductive lips. Unlike the other tables, filled, she sat alone. Reece took a deep breath and headed in her direction.
“Is this seat taken?” he asked when he reached her side.
Her eyes remained downcast as though interested in the silver trimming of her sari but said, “If you’re a guest ofTable 19, then sure, it’s empty.”
“Table nineteen?”
“Haven’t you seen the movie...?” She looked up. Her voice trailed off. She blinked twice, then her eyes widened in surprise as recognition struck.
“So, we meet again.” Reece smiled. Up close, she was even more beautiful. “May I?” He gestured to the chair.
Her gaze darted around as if she were nervous. Then her red lips dipped at the corners in a charming smile. “I’m pretty sure you don’t belong here.”
“Where’s here?” He dropped into the seat.
“You know. The table for the unknowns, last-minute invitees, or just plain not important.” She uttered a soft laugh and ripped up the placard with her name before Reece caught a glimpse.
“I find it hard to believe you’re not important.”
“Maybe someday I’ll tell you how good you are for my ego.”
“Why not tell me now?”
He studied her face. The loose dark tendrils contrasted flawlessly with her creamy skin. A touch of pink to her cheekbones enhanced its height. The kohl liner emphasized her almond-shaped eyes. Reece wanted to know everything about this mysterious stranger.
“Because we don’t have time.”
He cocked a brow in surprise. “Why not?”
She pointed to the farther end of the tent. “Someone’s about to hijack you.”
“Huh?” Reece turned in the direction she indicated. Four older women, ranging in sizes and colorfully dressed, gave him and his friend some hectic eyeballing. Another second passed before the women headed toward his table.Shit.Suddenly uncomfortable with their approach, Reece looked at his companion. “I never got your name?”
“Because I never gave it to you.”
“Come back home with me,” he blurted out.
She threw back her head with a laugh. When their eyes met, Reece caught a hint of hesitation and sadness. She quickly dropped her gaze. “I’m not the woman you’d want.”
“Two mind-blowing orgasms say differently.” Reece grinned as a red flush stained her cheeks. “Let me be the judge—”
A flurry of loud voices cut him off in a language he didn’t understand. Then he made out the words, “No, beta, you’re at the wrong table. You can’t sit with this chood hail.”
