“You should not meddle. Sean is too busy for a relationship and so am I.”
“Which is why a dance is perfect. If you want to make an old man happy, you’ll say yes.”
“That’s blackmail, Walter.”
“At my age you do whatever works. How was dinner? Did he poison you?”
“You know about dinner?”
“I don’t know why everyone around here assumes there’s something wrong with my eyesight. He brought his grandmother flowers. I happened to see food and wine in the back of the car and I’m sure he wasn’t cooking for his brothers.”
“He bought flowers for Alice?” Her heart squeezed. Strong, inscrutable Sean had bought flowers for his grandmother.
“Yes. And talking of Alice, I’ve left her alone long enough.” Walter’s eyes were fixed at a point over her shoulder and then he squeezed her shoulder and stepped back. “You promised.”
“Walter—”
But he’d already walked away from her, making his way back to the table to join Alice.
And Élise knew the reason he’d walked away was because Sean was standing behind her. Anticipation curled in her stomach and when she felt his hand on her back, she closed her eyes briefly.
Her insides churned with a mixture of delicious thrill and trepidation.
“I thought I was going to have to wrench you away from my grandfather.”
She turned, smile at the ready. “He is doing well, I think.”
“Very well.” He raised his glass in a silent toast. “Your party is a success.”
“So far no one has fallen through your deck so yes, I’d agree it’s a success. I didn’t think you were coming tonight. I thought you’d gone back to Boston.” Up close he looked impossibly handsome. Showered, shaven and dressed impeccably.
“I did. Had a call first thing this morning from a colleague about a patient he was worried about. I agreed to drive up and help out. Given that he’s been covering for me all week it was the least I could do. While I was there, I caught up with a few jobs and picked up some clothes. I’ve had enough of wearing my brother’s shirts.”
“I suspect that sentiment is mutual.”
“Definitely.” He removed her glass from her hand and put it down on the edge of the deck with his own. “Since I ruined a good pair of jeans on that deck, there is no way I would have missed the party.”
“Walter is pleased you made it. Jackson will be, too.”
“And how about you?” He spoke softly, those blue eyes sharp and perceptive as they lingered on her face. “How do you feel about it?”
That was a question she didn’t want to ask herself. “I’m pleased to see you back with your family on an evening that is important to them. And it’s always good to have a friendly face at a party.”
Smiling, he pulled her into his arms. “I have to dance with you. My grandfather’s orders.”
She melted against him. “This must be the first time in your life you’ve followed his orders. And I shouldn’t dance. I’m working.”
“The work is done. People are having a good time.” They were dancing in a quiet corner of the deck instead of on the dance floor inside the Boathouse. “People are fed and happy and the Boathouse will get rave reviews. I’d say you’re officially off duty.”
“I won’t be off duty until the last person leaves.”
“At this point in the evening most people are too drunk to notice or care what you’re up to, and anyway, you deserve to enjoy yourself, too.” His cheek brushed against her hair. “You smell delicious. And I love the dress. Especially the bits
of it that don’t exist.” His hand rested on her bare back, his thumb stroking seductively over her spine. “You’re beautiful.”
The words and the tone made her head spin. She had to remind herself that he was smooth. That charm was as much a part of him as his smile. “Sean—”
“Relax. My grandfather is watching. If you walk away now he’ll blame me. You don’t want to make things worse between us, do you?”