“Are you sure you can ride in that?” Lucian gave the young woman in front of him a doubtful look.
“Oh, sure, sure,” she deflected, hooking the straps of her heels together and then linking them through her the chain of her fancy confetti sequined purse. “It’ll be fine,” she assured him. “It’s not that far.”
“Where did you say you were you headed?”
“To my wedding,” she said, hooking her purse straps over her arm.
Lucian’s chest tightened. “What?”
“Not mine,” she quickly told him. “It’s my friend’s. I’m the maid of honor.”
“Oh, I was wondering.” A feeling of relief washed over him and he didn’t know why. It’s not like he cared. Hell, he didn’t even know her.
“Yeah, I know,” she sighed, taking his look for something other than what it was. “It’s a horrible dress.”
“No. It’s…nice.” She was right, the dress was horrible.
“Yeah, right,” she laughed.
A strange fluttering whirled in his stomach. He shook his head—maybe he was dehydrated, too. “You ready?” He leaned forward, making room for her on his bike.
“Yep.” Molly grabbed hold of the bottom of her dress and wiggled back and forth until the slick material slid up on her hips. “See,” she laughed. “It’s good.”
“If you say so.” His gaze traveled up from her sneakers to her shapely legs.
Molly lifted her leg and lost her balance.
Lucian grabbed her arm and jerked her upright.
“Thanks.” Grabbing hold of his muscular forearm, she managed to climb on the back of his bike.
“Here.” He handed her his helmet.
“But don’t you need it?”
“I think I’ll be okay.”
“But what about the bugs?” she asked.
“I have sunglasses.” He slid on a pair of aviators, which only made him look, if possible, even more delectable. “See.”
“Yeah, I see.” Her stomach did another little funky flip. She chalked it up to hunger.
“You situated?”
“I’m good.” She slid on his helmet and adjusted her bottom.
“Put your feet here.” He pointed at the small metal rungs on either side of the bike.
Molly lifted her feet and immediately her body lurched forward, making her boobs press into his muscular back. “Sorry,” she said, trying to back away from him.
“Here,” he said, grabbing her hands and putting them on his waist. “Hold on.”
“Okay.” The helmet slipped over her eyes. She let go of his side and pushed it back up.
“You good?”
“Yep.” She was better than good—she was in heaven.
He started the ignition.
The bike vibrated underneath her bottom. Damn. She reflexively grabbed hold of him again and tightened her hold.
“Which way?” he asked, turning his head slightly.
“Just head up that way,” she yelled over the roar of the engine, pointing up the winding road. “I’ll tell you when to turn.”
“Sounds good,” he called over his shoulder, revving the bike. Before she could say another word, he took off.
♣
Ten minutes later, the bike rumbled into the nearly deserted hotel parking lot. Several quaint shops with art from local artisans and souvenirs, along with a coffee/ice cream café lined the brick walkway on the left side of the lot. The hotel was over to the right, which was where a lot of the guests were staying over for the wedding. A bright emerald green and white striped canopy covered the entrance to the hotel.
Down the brick walkway, near one of the shops, Molly spotted a bathroom. Taking off the helmet, she braced her hand on the back of the seat and climbed off the bike. Her leg stuck.
“Whoa.” Lucian grabbed her hips and steadied her until she could get her leg off the bike.
Just as his hands touched her, Molly felt another zing. She looked at his too handsome face wondering if he felt it too but he didn’t seem fazed. “Thanks for the ride.” She handed him back his helmet.
“Anytime.” He gave her a cheeky grin and her stomach did another involuntary flutter.
“Would you mind waiting here for a minute?”
“Not at all,” he said. “I’ve got nowhere to be.”
“Great. I’ll be right back.” She grabbed her purse from the ground and jerked her skirt back down.
“I’ll be here.” He stood up, straddling his bike and placed his helmet on the back.
With her dress lifted, Molly ran/stumbled down the uneven bricks to the bathroom. Once inside, she yanked out paper towels and wet them in the sink. The porcelain had chipped away exposing a brown metal underneath. Quickly, she patted her face, armpits, and wiped the sweat from between her boobs. Her reflection showed she didn’t look nearly as bad as she had thought. “Thank God for small miracles.”
Plucking a few wilted flowers from her hair, she dropped them in the white plastic trashcan beside the sink.
She used the toilet, yanked her gown back in place, and pulled open the door.
“Molly!”
She turned to see Peggy rushing toward her in a flurry of toile and satin. “Oh, Peggy,” Molly gushed. “You look beautiful.”
Peggy preened. “Thanks.”
“What happened to you?” Her brows creased as she gave Molly a sweep with her eyes.
“My stupid car broke down.”
“Where’s the alcohol?”
“Back down the road.”
“How far down the road?” Peggy looked like she was about to have heart failure.
“Not that far. Here,” Molly said as she handed Peggy the keys to her car. “Can you get one of the guys to get it from my car along with my bag?”
“Sure. I’ll get Tim to run down with Steve in one of the Golf Carts.”
“Perfect.” Molly tried to cut around Peggy.
“Wait…” Peggy grabbed her arm.
“I have to tell you something…” Peggy said.
“Can it wait? I kind of need to do something,” Molly said evasively, trying to cut around her again.
“Where are you going?” Peggy turned and her eyes rounded. “Who is that?”
“Oh,” Molly said. “He gave me a ride.”
“He’s …wow.” Peggy made eyes at Molly. “Did you ask him to the wedding?”
“No.”
“What is wrong with you?”
“Nothing. It’s not my place to ask…”
“Well, I can.”
“Peggy…”
Peggy didn’t even wait for her to finish. She lifted her skirts and cut across the parking lot.
Closely on her heels, Molly followed her friend over to where her ride had parked his bike. “Peggy, this is uh…” Molly waited for him to give her his name, not able to believe she had completely forgotten to ask.
“Lucian,” he said. “Lucian Scott.”
Peggy shoved out her hand.
He grabbed hold. “You are a vision.”
Peggy’s mouth popped open.
Molly elbowed her.
“Oh,” she laughed, sounding a bit hysterical. “Thank you.”
“This is Peggy,” Molly supplied a little harshly trying to get her friend’s eyes back in her head.
“Nice to meet you,” he said, releasing her hand.
“So where do you know our Molly from?”
A shot of irritation rang through Molly, with prolific sharpness, like the bells of the Sistine Chapel before mass. Inwardly cringing, Molly gave Lucian an apologetic look, for she knew only too well where this conversation was headed. Now that Dan had dumped her and Peggy was getting married, she wanted to play matchmaker for everyone else. “He gave me a ride,” Molly reminded her.
Peggy didn’t seem to hear. “Are you from around here?”
Molly tensed. She was sure he would make excuses and want to leave to avoid any more probing questions from her friend.
“No.” He gave her a winning smile, the kind that bespoke of good social graces. “I’m just visiting for a while.”
“Really?” Peggy became bolder. “Where do you hail from?”
His lips twitched. “England,” he told her.
“Across the pond?” she asked, beaming, apparently quite pleased with her elevated wordage use and deductive abilities.
What was she saying? Hail? Across the pond? Molly gave Lucian another apologetic look, not sure what had gotten into her friend. She couldn’t help wondering if Peggy had been reading Historical novels again. Whenever she did, she completely changed her vocabulary to match whatever she was reading, which was a bit unsettling and annoying.
“Oh, I’ve always wanted to go there,” Peggy, gushed a little too exuberantly.
Stunned, Molly blinked. Since when did Peggy want to go to England?
“It’s a nice place.”
“I love your accent.”
Molly gave her friend a cutting look. He didn’t have an accent, at least not a prominent one.
“I’m not actually English,” he corrected her. “I moved there when I was younger.”
“How exciting…” Peggy practically purred.
Molly wanted to smack some sense into her. She was acting ridiculous and definitely not like someone that was getting married to the love of her life in just a few short hours.
“I really have to thank you, again. It was really nice of you to give our Molly a ride.” She reached back, yanked Molly forward.
“It wasn’t a big deal,” he said, smiling. “I’m just glad I got her here in time for the wedding.”
“Are you staying for the wedding? I mean… you have to, now that you have saved the day.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose…” he began.
“Nonsense,” Peggy cut him off. “You have to stay.”
“Well…” His eyes slid to Molly, surprised he actually wanted to stay. “If it wouldn’t be too much of an imposition…I do love a good wedding.” Where the hell had that come from? Since when did he give a damn about weddings? Actually, he usually steered clear of anything resembling the leg-shackled life of matrimony.
“Perfect.” Peggy clapped her hands. “Now, I must be off. I have to go tell Steve and Tim to get the alcohol. What’s a reception without booze, you know.” She giggled.
Molly couldn’t help rolling her eyes.
“If you like, you can use the groomsman’s room to freshen up. They are already at the mine.”
“I really don’t have the proper clothing…”
“Don’t worry about that.” She waved her hand dismissively. “You look divine,” Peggy assured him boldly.
“Thanks.” He gave her a heart-stopping smile.
In that moment, Molly felt a surge of jealousy towards her friend.
“Oh…Lucian,” Peggy purred as though they were long lost friends, “would you be a dear and give our little Molly here, a ride over to the wedding? My cart is full.”
“Sure.”
“You’re the best.” She reached forward and gave him a big boob-squishing hug.
Granted, Peggy had always been the more outgoing of the two women, which was why she was getting married in the first place. The first time Peggy laid eyes on Marshall, she informed Molly that he was going to be her husband. When Peggy saw something she wanted, she went after it. And sure enough, even though Marshall was in another relationship at the time, Peggy had boldly given him her number with a “if you break up with her, give me a call.” Low, and behold, not four months later Marshall called Peggy and they had been together ever since.
It still amazed Molly it had been so easy for her friend. But Peggy was one of those people. She took chances and this time it had paid off tenfold. Now, they were the quintessential perfect couple, and Molly wished she too could find someone who loved her as much as Marshall loved Peggy. She thought she had found that with Dan, but of course, just like every other relationship she had, it didn’t pan out.
“I better get going, wedding, and all.” Peggy let out another childlike giggle and took off across the parking lot in a flurry of toile and satin.
“I’m sorry about that,” Molly said, her face flushed.
“Don’t be,” he said. “I love weddings.”
“You do?” Molly squeaked.
“Sure.” He grinned and his eyes twinkled mischievously.
“Are you messing with me?”
His brow lifted. “I’m serious—I mean, what’s there not to like?” What the hell was the matter with him?