Search and Seduce

“I’ll take you after the opening.”

He said the words as if his place was here, helping her, becoming a part of her life. Amy rose slowly. “Mark, about last night...”

His expression turned serious. “Rule number five. No regrets. Not between us.”

Relief washed over her. She didn’t want him to feel remorse for what had happened.

“I like that one,” she said softly. “And you don’t have to take me shopping.”

“You either let me or I tell Elizabeth Benton that the only thing in your cabinets was a box of cereal so stale I wouldn’t touch it.”

She pictured her well-intentioned mother-in-law checking her kitchen for food every few weeks. “You win. I’ll go.”

“And take this.” Mark held out the to-go container. “Eat. You’ll need your strength to face your two hundred guests.”

Amy groaned, closing her eyes. “Don’t remind me.”

“Hey,” he said, holding a fry to her lips. “You’ll get through this.”

She nodded, knowing he was right. She’d survive today. She didn’t have a choice.

Thirty minutes later, Amy was securing blue ribbon to the side of the building. Working beside her, T.J. unwound the spool as she ran her hand over the satin, pressing it flat. They rounded the corner heading for the front door, where Amy planned to hang a giant blue bow. In two hours, the first guests would arrive.

Glancing at the tent, she spotted Mark on a ladder adjusting the speakers. It was warm again today, and he’d cast off his flannel shirt. With his arms raised overhead, his T-shirt rose up revealing his toned lower abdomen. She wanted to run her lips over the contours of his sculpted body. She wanted another night, blindfolded in his bed...

Her face heated. Carrying a secret with her through the day was nothing new. But this one threatened to melt her from the inside out, leaving her wet and needy from the memory of their very naughty dance. She turned away, running her hands back and forth over the ribbon.

“Are you okay, Ames?” T.J. glanced over at her.

“Nervous, that’s all.”

Country music filled the tent. It wasn’t the same as last night, not even close, but she heard the drums in the background, and her mind turned to Mark pressing up against her. Naked. The ribbon was soft to the touch, but his skin felt better.

“About getting everything ready,” she added quickly, feeling her cheeks heat up.

T.J. studied her a moment longer as if trying to decide if he should probe further. But then he looked away, and Amy breathed a sigh of relief.

“Looks like the stragglers are finally here.” T.J. nodded to the open field connecting her property to the Benton family home. “With the added manpower, we’ll be ahead of schedule in no time.”

Amy spotted Gabe and her cousin walking briskly through the freshly cut grass. They’d been glued together for the past few days. But now they were maintaining their distance. Warning bells went off in Amy’s mind. If Gabe had hurt her...

But no, this was Eloise. Her cousin steered clear of serious. She definitely knew more about how to have a fling than Amy.

They approached the tent, heading straight for her and T.J.

“About time you guys showed up,” T.J. called. “Did you at least bring doughnuts?”

Gabe shook his head. No one would label Gabe the easygoing, fun-loving brother, but Amy would generally stop short of severe. Not today, she thought, stepping away from the ribbon, her concern brewing.

Gabe stopped in front of her. “Amy, I’m sorry. I have to leave. My team’s going wheels up. For all I know, it is just a training exercise, but I have to go.”

Beside her, T.J. let out a soft curse. But Amy just nodded, feeling the color draining from her face as her body switched to autopilot. She’d heard those words so many times. I have to go. Just a training exercise. But there was always a chance his SEAL team would be headed for the latest conflict. And some of them might not come home.

“I understand,” she said, wrapping her arms around Gabe, hugging him tight. The familiar, helpless feeling of saying goodbye to a man who might never return surfaced, and she knew it would linger.

Under the tent, the music stopped. She spotted Mark, his expression grim. He might not know yet, but he’d guessed. He’d gone through these motions so many times.

“If there was any way to stay for the opening and dedication, I would,” Gabe said, drawing back and releasing her.