Maddie had never met him, but she’d heard of him. Max Hamilton was another man who showed up in the gossip pages far too often because of his wealth and power. “You’re obviously friends. He’s here.”
“Yeah, he’s a friend, but right now I don’t like him. I don’t like the way he was eyeing you,” he answered briskly. “We do a lot of business deals together.”
The wedding had broken up and people were making their way to the lovely tents that were set up at the waterfront with tables of food, a bar and a monstrous cake. The sun was beginning to set and the reception area took on a fairytale appearance. Maddie took a deep breath of the salty, humid air, enjoying the mild evening. “Everything looks so beautiful,” she sighed.
“Yeah. Everything. You look breathtaking, Maddie. Did I tell you that?” Sam’s gaze was trained on her, his eyes moving over her, lingering at the plunging neckline of her dress.
“Once or twice,” she answered, blushing as he continued to stare. Actually, he’d told her at least five times since she had come down the stairs to make her way to the area where the ceremony was being held, and her face had flushed every damn time. It wasn’t the words that Sam said, it was the way he said them. He might as well have told her that he needed to fuck her or die, so needy was his tone, the timbre of his voice sending chills down her spine and moisture to her pussy.
“How do you wear a bra with this dress?” he asked, his voice husky and desperate as he fingered the delicate sleeve.
“I don’t,” she whispered back to him, giving him a look of feigned innocence. “It’s not possible.”
A deep, vibrating groan came from his throat, sending a thrill to her core. Only with Sam had she ever felt this kind of feminine power, and it was heady.
“Jesus, Maddie. I’m already tied in knots from the last few days. I don’t know if I can take much more.” His jaw was clenched tight. “For God’s sake, don’t bend over. Every male at the reception will be salivating. Fuck! I need a drink.”
He took her hand, his grasp completely encapsulating her smaller one, and twined his fingers through hers in a proprietary way that had her heart leaping with joy. Every one of the wedding preparations had gone incredibly smoothly, everything perfectly planned. All the wedding party had to do was enjoy the festivities. Watching Simon and Kara together for the last few days had been achingly poignant, but satisfying. Maddie had no doubt that her friend would be happy with Simon. The two of them were like two parts of a whole, so happy together that it was almost painful to watch. Kara had been through so much, suffered for so much of her life alone. Maddie was grateful that Kara finally had a man who would make her ecstatically happy. Her friend was pregnant, but not enough to be showing yet. Although Maddie hadn’t thought it possible, it had made Simon even more protective and nurturing with Kara. They would both make good parents. Any child born to the two of them would be blessed.
Sam tugged her hand, leading her toward the luxurious silk tent closest to the water. “Sam, slow down. Heels,” she reminded him as she yanked on his hand, pointing at her feet when he turned. They were walking across the lawn, and she wasn’t used to stiletto heels. If he didn’t slow it down she was going to turn her damn ankle.
He looked at her remorsefully. “Sorry, Sunshine. I forgot how petite you are.” He scooped her up in his arms and cradled her close to his chest. “Problem solved,” he said, shooting her a wicked grin. “I like this better anyway.”
“Put me down,” she hissed, mortified. “Everyone is watching.” Swatting Sam was completely useless. Her hand bounced off the powerful muscles of his arms like she was smacking at solid rock. It hurt her palm more than it bothered him.
He strode toward the tent, ignoring her. “Let them watch,” he answered, unconcerned.
“Damn it, Sam. Are you trying to cop a feel?” she asked, her expression admonishing, but she could barely contain a smile. One muscular arm was under her knees, but it encircled her legs, his palm caressing her thigh under the flimsy skirt of her dress.
“Yep. I’m trying to get a look down that skimpy bodice too. A guy takes what he can get when he’s desperate.” He shot her a cocky look and then returned to leering at her breasts in a proprietary way that had her whole body tingling.
Maddie sighed, inhaling deeply, letting his masculine scent drift over her senses. God, he smells so good. Closing her eyes for just a moment, she let the impact of Sam seep into her being, her arms closing around his shoulders and fingering his silky curls at the nape of his neck. Being close to him again, feeling his rock hard body against hers was completely decadent. Everything about Sam drew her to him, made her want to sink into him, be joined to him. It was a carnal feeling, and one that she never felt with any other man. As if Sam were emitting male pheromones, and she wasn’t capable of ignoring the masculine, enticing beckoning of her senses.