“I don’t know. I see a subtle variance around the edges that—”
“Let it go, Rox.”
She spun around to face him and stuck her hands on her slim hips. “You like her.”
He set his empty plate aside and stood. “Pretty wrapping doesn’t change what’s inside. After Brie, you know I wouldn’t touch another cheater with a ten foot pole.”
“Brianna was more than just a cheater, Asher.”
“Yeah, but it doesn’t change that she was a cheater.”
“Fine.” She glanced over her shoulder. “I’m curious, that’s all. Call it job research. And technically, I’m not ignoring Shawn and Miesha’s orders because I love what I do.”
Knowing she’d set her mind, he swiped up his camera. “Do what you want. I’m pretty much done here now that the bride and groom have left, so I’m calling it a night.” He leaned in for a quick hug goodbye. “Behave.”
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She fluttered her fingers as she spun away.
Asher went the opposite direction to gather the rest of his equipment. On his way out with his bag slung over his shoulder, the cake table distracted him long enough for him to wrap two thick slices in Hulk-green napkins. Shawn had hissed at him to shut-up when he wise-cracked about the color, because Miesha loved the sage and cream color combo, but then they’d shared a chuckle the moment the bride stepped out of ear-shot.
Before he left, a cream-colored clump of frosting on the cake knife hailed his addiction. The silky-smooth, sugary indulgence melted on his tongue, triggering another involuntary throaty groan.
“You like the cake?”
The husky-soft female voice sent a jolt of physical reaction through his body. He sucked the remaining frosting from his thumb as he spun around. “I love the—”
His voice froze when he saw the woman he’d been avoiding all evening. Gleaming red curls in a sexy, messy pile on top her head, sparkling green eyes brightened by the luxuriant emerald of her dress, and the sensual curve of glossed lips all combined for a triple threat without the safety filter of his camera lens.
“Cake,” he finished as he lowered his hand. “Have you had a piece?”
Humor warmed her smile, as if his answer pleased her. “I’ve tasted it.”
To combat the flustering effect of that smile on his racing pulse, he dropped his gaze. Her dress revealed an alluring hint of cleavage before skimming along the rest of her curves. The high, strategic slit along her right thigh gave him a glimpse of one of the shapely legs he’d appreciated from across the street earlier that day.
The top of her head barely reached his chin, and without heels, her petite height would no doubt stimulate a man’s protective instincts. His were fired up and ready to go right now—until he realized he’d given her a thorough once-over as if he were a man who hadn’t eaten in weeks and she was a freshly grilled steak.
Or a slice of Honor Hartman wedding cake.
Asher cast a casual glance around for the boyfriend. Nothing like another guy—or two if he counted the proposer on the lawn—to put his mind back where it belonged.
Instead of the blond boyfriend, he caught sight of Roxanna, shaking her head while waving her hands in a strange circular motion in front of her. She started making some other gestures, none of which made any sense. He shifted his gaze to his brother standing next to her, but Merit just shrugged with his palms up.
What the hell? You’d think a psychic could communicate better.
“You’re the photographer, right?”
The question brought his gaze back to the woman in front of him. Her green eyes had flecks of gold around the irises. The right one had an intriguing freckle next to the pupil that made him want to lean in for a closer look.
He managed to stay right where he was as he replied, “Guilty. Actually, I was pulling double-duty today; Shawn and I have been friends since the second grade.”
“Ah, got it.”
When her gaze dropped slightly, his pulse leapt with the realization she was staring at his lips. He quelled the urge to lick them even as her eyes darkened the slightest bit. A heady thrill of anticipation shortened his breath, and then she lifted her hand to swipe her thumb against the corner of his mouth.
A spark of electricity transferred from her skin to his. Asher automatically lifted his left hand to cover hers, but she’d already pulled back. He had a split-second glimpse of cream-colored frosting before her lips parted and her tongue darted out to lick the sweet confection from her thumb.
A molten tsunami of heat shot straight to his groin as their gazes locked once again.
Her eyes widened. A fierce blush camouflaged the freckles on her cheeks and she slapped a hand over her mouth. “Oh, God, I’m sorry. I can’t believe I just did that.”