Wild Zone (Rough Riders Hockey 4)

She realized then that was where his subtle but deep sense of confidence came from. One that Lexi found both attractive and soothing on a subconscious level. On a conscious level, she knew too well it also lulled her into a false sense of security.

LEXI: Miss you too. Unfortunately the reception is showing no signs of letting up. Will keep you posted.

She slipped her phone into her wrist purse, took a fortifying breath, pasted on a professional smile, and headed back into the throngs.

The rock band on the northernmost patio of Greystone Mansion played a really great rendition of “Heaven” by Theory of a Deadman and made Lexi ache for Jax. She turned toward the patio on the opposite side of the complex to check on the mother of the bride.

The click of her heels on the marble terrazzo drowned in the music of voices and laughter floating on the soft summer Beverly Hills air. She nodded and smiled as she passed guests she recognized. Everyone who was someone was here, including some very big movie stars, billionaires, musicians, and the mayor. The level of security was almost stifling.

She squeezed between one of the mayor’s guards and the doorway onto the patio, patting his arm. “Excuse me, Emilio.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He turned with a serious expression, met Lexi’s eyes, and smiled. His dark gaze heated and skimmed over her body. “Oh, hey, Lexi.” He put a gentle hand on her arm. “Can I grab you for dinner next week?”

He’d asked her out every single time he’d seen her. Her path tended to cross with the mayor’s relatively often at these events. “No, but thank you—”

“For asking,” he finished, his grin sparkling in his handsome dark face. “One day, Lexi, you’re going to say yes.”

She squeezed his arm and skirted the patio slowly, searching for Jessie’s mother. The woman stood among a group of rich and famous, a glass of wine in one hand. Lexi scanned her slim body, searching the gold dress for any imperfections. When she found none, she spotted a bridesmaid in crimson and continued around the patio toward her. This woman had very large breasts and was pushing the design of the bodice to its limits—even though Lexi had reinforced the fabric with a corset-like structure.

“Lexi.” A hand closed over her arm. She turned and faced Stan Love. “I haven’t gotten that dance you promised.”

The musical quartet assembled near the fountain started playing “Somewhere in Time,” a piece that always reached into Lexi’s heart and tugged. She smiled, took his hand, and walked to a small area alongside the band.

“One of my favorite pieces.” She sighed as the older man took her smoothly into his arms and picked up an elegant, slow waltz.

“For one of my favorite women.” He smiled down at her, his gaze she could only describe as paternal, even though she’d never known her father and had never had a paternal source in her life.

They danced for a few moments in comfortable silence. Stan was strong, well-built, and smelled of spice and citrus.

“What a beautiful day, Stan,” she murmured. “You must be so proud.”

“She’s my baby,” he said. “They’re all gone now. I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself.”

Lexi laughed. He was one of the busiest producers in Hollywood. “I’m sure Claudia will keep you plenty busy,” she said of his wife. “But I don’t know what I’m going to do with myself. With no more of your babies to marry off, I might go out of business.”

He chuckled. “I happen to know of a young man who would like to take up a lot of your time.”

Oh Lord. She’d had two dozen people try to set her up in the last twelve hours. Still, she feigned mild interest.

“Jax asked me to put in a good word for him.”

Lexi stumbled. Stan smoothly carried her through the step until she’d fallen back into the rhythm.

“He thought that might be your reaction,” he said, grinning down at her.

She lowered her gaze to Stan’s open collar. He’d taken off his tux’s bow tie the second they’d left the church. Lexi’s gut burned with an automatic flight reflex. And when all she’d been able to think about or want for the last three days was Jax, the reaction both confused and troubled her.

“He mentioned that he’d worked for you.” She finally managed to say something coherent. “He had great things to say.”

“It’s mutual.”

She glanced up, tried to read his clear blue eyes. They were sparkling with amusement. Lexi relaxed. “That’s it? He asked you to put in a good word for him and that’s all you can manage?”

“He said not to overdo it.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Do you always take direction from your stuntmen?”

“From this one, always.”