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His eyes narrowed My stomach fluttered I couldn’t explain why

“Thanks,” I said tentatively

His eruntled best man disappeared out the door, then returned to me “Try to be a little more careful”

“Right” I bristled slightly at the admonishment but brushed it off I needed to leave, yet aze held ain It took several seconds to return to myself and head to the door

“Ari”

His tone was low this tihaway the apprehension Makinghs pressed together

I glanced back “Yes?” My voice was suddenly much too soft and breathy I was deeply aroused by the way he so intih attention to pick up on it

His jaw clenched briefly Then he asked, “Are you all right?”

I stared at him for several suspended seconds Why did it matter to him?

Given his size and agility, he probably felt duty bound to rescue girls likefor trouble but somehow inadvertently found it from time to time

“Sure,” I finally said, then dragged aze away and forced myself to walk out

I left the bar and directed theunder h I’d broken the intense eye contact and was no longer in the riveting presence of the devilish stranger

The changing of color overhead began The cumulous clouds had miraculously thinned into wispier ones and they captured the light as the sun burned through thee, gold, and ver hues over the sparkling water

From a parquet platform set off to the side, a pianist and harpist took their cue and eased into a gorgeously haunting version of Aaliyah’s “One in a Million” The last of the guests settled in and I signaled the brides bearer and flower girl followed

I slipped off to get the bride, hly piqued