“Wait right here, Petra.”  He pressed his cheek to mine and went to talk to the DJ. 

I watched him walk back as the first chords of At Last started to play.  It was one of those songs that always got me.

He held out his hand and I put mine in it, sighing when he lifted it to kiss the back.  Pressing my palm to the side of his neck, he took me in his arms and held me tight. 

I stared into his eyes while we danced and he didn’t look away as the lyrics drifted around the room. 

“Petra?”  I waited.  “May I kiss you?” 

“Yes.” 

Gliding his hand up, he stroked my jaw with his thumb as he held my gaze.  Lowering his mouth to mine, the instant our lips touched, his hold tightened on me. 

I’d received many kisses in my life.  None of them ever electrified me. 

Jack was in no hurry.  His tongue licked lightly across my lips and I opened for him.  Willingly, gladly, excitedly. 

For almost a minute, he held me in the middle of the dance floor at my sister’s wedding and showed me what I’d been missing all my life. 

He broke the kiss as the song ended, lifted his head, and immediately kissed me again. 

The next time he raised his face, he gave me a brilliant smile.  “Even better than I imagined.” 

I could barely breathe. 

Not letting me go, he started dancing again but kept his eyes on mine.  “Speechless?” 

“You’ve given me fascinating new material to work with.  My brain is trying to catch up.” 

“I’m going to consider that a compliment.”  He winked.  “Take your time processing.  I’m not going anywhere.” 

Just like that, there was no awkwardness. 

“You’re good-looking, successful, and an incredible kisser…” 

He nodded sagely.  “You’re trying to figure out why I’m single.  I get it.  Who wouldn’t want this hot property?” 

I snorted.  “Something like that.” 

“This may come as a shock…” 

“And me with no fainting couch nearby.” 

“I’ve dated.”  I gave him an expression of disbelief.  “I know.  No purity ring on these fingers.” 

“I’m scandalized.” 

“I imagine.  Women of different backgrounds, ethnicities, and nationalities.” 

“You’ve literally tasted the rainbow.” 

He laughed so hard he had to pull me off the dance floor.  We huddled in a small alcove.  “You realize you shoot my decorum all to hell, don’t you?” 

“Naturally.  I have none so I prefer those around me to act in a similar fashion.  I stand out less and don’t get all the dirty looks.” 

“Good strategy.  Where was I?  Ah, dating.  Of all the women in my past, none has affected me physically as strongly as you did from the moment I laid eyes on you.  No one, male or female, has ever made me laugh so much.” 

I pried for more information.  “By affecting you physically…” 

“I’ve been hard since I watched you walk toward the stage.” 

“Seriously?”  My eyes drifted down and back to his face.  “Good thing you kept your jacket on.” 

“Why do you think I haven’t taken it off?”  He grinned.  “As far as I know, I’m a decent boyfriend, a good son, and I do what I can to be an honorable man.  I’m picky but honest about it.  I knew those relationships were just killing time.” 

I blinked.  “You don’t think I’m the same?” 

Cupping my face in his palms, he said roughly, “I know you’re not, Petra.”  He kissed me again and it was a lot more intense with privacy. 

Failing to hold back the small moan he inspired made him press me against the wall and increase his efforts.

I slipped my hands under his jacket and ran my palms around to his back. 

Against my lips, he groaned, “Yes.” 

Then his mouth was occupied with mine and I took the opportunity to explore as much of his body as I could reach.  He smelled of sunshine and cloves, a hint of cologne I didn’t recognize but exactly suited him. 

It was glorious.

Lifting away, he dragged air into his lungs.  The gray of his eyes was darker and his face was flushed. 

In my years of sexual activity, a man hadn’t looked at me in a way that communicated so clearly how much he wanted me.

“We’ve had a lot to drink tonight.  I want to put something out there but need to be sure how you feel physically.” 

Impressed with the character of a man who’d check on such a thing, I murmured, “Buzzed but not obliterated.” 

“Come home with me, Petra.”

I thought about the women available at Ava’s wedding.  Many of them were single.  Most were thinner and some were prettier.  I knew two of my sister’s friends who would have slept with Kevin’s brother at the wedding. 

For the last several hours, Jack’s attention landed and stayed on me.  It was his unwavering focus that first made my heart race in my chest.

He pressed a kiss to my forehead, each of my cheeks, the tip of my nose, settling on my lips again.  It was a method of gentle persuasion and I’d be lying if I pretended it didn’t work. 

The kiss was slow and deep, full of promise.  I buried my fingers in his hair, my body pressed tight to his as I reveled in the feel of his hands gripping my hips with subdued strength.

I didn’t sleep around.  No seedy one-night stands in this girl’s past.  Usually, when I committed to sex, it was with someone I’d known a while. 

I’d been with Jack’s brother, which didn’t feel as weird as I guess it should have. 

The fact of the matter was, I’d been celibate too long for the general public’s safety and I was painfully attracted to him.

After a long time, he lifted his lips and repeated, “Come home with me, Petra.  Say you will.”

Too many reasons for and not enough against, in my opinion.  “I will.  I absolutely will.”

“You’re a brilliant woman, Petra.”  He turned up the heat of his next kiss as he touched me. 

“Petra darling.”  My mother’s voice was metaphorical ice water and I released a small scream. 

Jack, in contrast, straightened and pulled me into a standing position at his side.  He shot his cuffs and inclined his head. 

“Ms. Andreadis.  Pardon the public display.” 

Mom stared between us for a long moment before her mouth lifted in a smile.  “No need, Jack.”  She met my eyes and added, “Your sister and her husband are leaving.” 

“Oh, that’s great.  I assume they’re still honeymooning at the exotic Disney World Resort?”  He asked the question with curious innocence and my mother couldn’t stop herself from a small snicker.  “I’ll take that as a yes.  Unfortunate.” 

“Not your first choice?  If the roles were reversed?”  Mom folded her hands in front of her and seemed interested in his answer. 

“No.  A honeymoon begs for excitement, new experiences as a couple, and plenty of options to keep one busy when you manage to leave your hotel.  I’d consider Athens, London, or Hong Kong.  Montreal or New York if it needed to be close.” 

“I imagine you’re quite the experienced traveler.” 

He grinned.  “I have a few stamps in my passport.” 

She held his gaze before turning to me.  “You needn’t tell her goodbye or help with gifts.  Demetrius already arranged transport to their hotel.”

I clasped my hands at my chest.  “You mean I’m free?” 

“Yes, brat.  Enjoy the rest of your weekend.  Call me tomorrow afternoon to let me know if you’re free for lunch.” 

Code to let her know I wasn’t dead in a ditch.

“Of course.” 

“I’ll take good care of your daughter, Ms. Andreadis.  I know what it’s like to be a parent’s favorite.”  He winked and she burst out laughing.  “My poor mother would be beside herself if something were to happen to me.” 

Sighing, he wrapped his arm around my waist and shook me slightly.  He said seriously, “It’s a heavy cross to bear but it falls to us, Petra.” 

“You’re as bad as she is.”  To me, she added, “Don’t forget your bag in the bridal suite.  I can’t imagine you’ll want to wear that dress a moment longer than you must.” 

“Amen,” I answered.

“Goodnight, darling.”  She leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my cheek.  “Thank you for today.” 

“All for you, Mom.  Remember that.” 

“As if you’ll allow me to forget.”  She smiled and walked away. 

Jack looked at me and flashed a killer smile.  I felt like one of those idiot women in romantic comedies. 

“Let’s grab your stuff and get the fuck out of here.” 

He was hot, witty, intelligent, and into me.  I’d be a fool to let the opportunity to be with him pass me by. 

My mother didn’t raise a fool.

“Great plan.” 

Jack followed me to the bridal suite and insisted on carrying my bag in one hand while he took mine in his other. 

Dropping a quick kiss on my lips, he released a small groan.  “There’s a damn good bottle of champagne in my fridge.” 

“We can’t drink it if we’re here.” 

“You’re so right.”