She dragged my name out like she was already exhausted by me, but I was only half listening, my attention already back to the place where the dark-haired stranger had looked at me like I’d somehow profoundly offended her.
Man, I love a challenge, and that’s definitely going to be a good one.
Abruptly handing the bat back to Claire, I leaned down to look into her eyes. “Alright, change of plans. I’m going to let you win by forfeiting. I’m out, guys. See you later. Stay in school.”
I spun around without waiting for their protests or outrage, heading back to the castle in search of the gorgeous woman who’d waved me off. I refused to accept being dismissed by a girl who looked like her.
The temperature dropped noticeably inside, the cool stone walls swallowing the noise from outside and turning it into a muffled hum, but there was absolutely no sign of her. I turnedleft, then right, but chasing a stranger through a castle with half a century’s worth of expansion was less effective than I’d hoped.
Irritation crept in when I realized I’d lost her. It got worse when the distant sound of music swelled, signaling the wedding was actually finally about to begin.Sure. Wait all morning, finally find something to do,thenyou want to get this damn show on the road.
By the time I made it back outside to the tent that had been set up for the ceremony, the chairs were already filling up. I slid into an empty seat near the middle just before the officiant started. I managed at most thirty seconds of polite attention. I did an excellent job of pretending I was invested in whatever love story was unfolding in front of me before my gaze started drifting.
Scanning row by row and face by unfamiliar face, I finally saw her sitting closer to the back. She was partially obscured by a wide-brimmed hat, but I knew it was her. Dark hair spilled over her shoulders in thick waves, and she just had that presence, like she existed slightly apart from everything else.
As my focus sharpened, zeroing in on her, it suddenly seemed like she’dfeltit. Her head turned slowly until bright, golden-brown eyes met mine, a flicker of recognition in them before she wrinkled her nose and looked away, dismissing me once again.
I didn’t take it personally though. A slow smile pulled at the corners of my mouth instead.Okay. I see how this is going. Challenge accepted, gorgeous.
I didn’t pay a lick of attention to the rest of the ceremony, but immediately after, I caught a glimpse of her, a flash of dark hair disappearing through a set of doors. Then she was gone.
I exhaled sharply, dragging a hand through my hair as something familiar started creeping back in. Old instincts. Old habits. Those I’d perfected over years of not caring too much. Isimply enjoyed the chase for what it was without ever letting it mean anything.
Weddings had always been a hunting ground for me, easy and predictable. There was something about them—about the music, the drinks, and the idea of love hanging in the air—that made people receptive. I had never, not once, been unsuccessful with the ladies at a wedding.
I wouldn’t strike out with this woman either, even if she was going to make it more difficult. Grabbing another flute of champagne from a tray, I took a sip. My eyes once again scanned the crowd, searching for her.
God, I’ll be damned if I let that goddess slip through my fingers today.
I might not even know her name yet, but I was willing to work through that. I had a game plan and it would work as soon as the drinks really started flowing.
“Why do you look like you’re about to commit a crime?”
I sighed, turning to find Sterling leaning against the wall, watching me with a smirk that made his eyes bright.
“People always think the worst of me,” I said, shaking my head. “I’ve been on my best behavior.”
He raised an eyebrow, still smirking. “You’re creeping around corners, Jesse. Who are you hunting?”
I opened my mouth to deflect, but then, by some miracle, she appeared. Crossing the hallway at the far end of the room with another woman beside her, a sister, judging by their similar features. I didn’t even try to hide it, nudging Sterling’s arm as I tipped my chin in their direction. “Who isthat? The one on the left.”
Sterling followed my line of sight, his face immediately falling. I didn’t love it at all that the amusement suddenly vanished as he shook his head. “Jesse?—”
“Don’tJesseme,” I cut in. “Just tell me who she is. I’ll just say it since you can’t, being married and all, but she’shot, man. Have youseenthose curves? I know it’s saying something given my track record, but I’d give my right?—”
“Jesse,” he said on a deep sigh and with a definite wince. “That’s Jacqueline Calhoun, your cousin.”
“Bull shit,” I said.
“Sorry to break it to you.”
“No.” Everything I’d just said replayed through my mind with horrifying clarity. My manhood damn near shriveled straight up inside me. “Just no.”
Sterling scrunched his nose up and nodded. “Yes. Well, her mother was adopted into the Westwood family. She’s not related to us by blood. So you’re not a total pig.”
“That’s a relief,” I said. “I’m not trying to bark up the family tree.”
“But more importantly, in terms of what you’re interested in, she’s engaged.” He patted my chest with one hand and a measure of pity. “You sure know how to pick ‘em, little brother.”
