Maybe his reasons for stopping were as simple as he said. It was too soon. Too quick. She'd fallen into his arms at the slightest touch. Offered herself willingly and brazenly. Men such as Cade liked the chase, and she'd been so damned available it was embarrassing. Another woman might tease, lead him in. But she wasn't that type of woman. She already knew she wanted Cade. Had known for years. But he wasn't to know that.
Thinking back over her eager response, a blush heated her body. She'd been totally willing. Wanton, even. She'd never been so bold with any man before, never felt the raging passion that had set her aflame in Cade's arms.
The urge to forget about the shower and sleep was overwhelming. Yes, slowing things down was probably a good idea. As well as being slightly less available. No one liked a sure thing, did they? Time to play it cool.
****
"Aren't you ready yet?" Rosa stood in the middle of Melo's bedroom, looking aghast at her sister's dripping hair.
She was wearing a beautiful silver dress which clung to all the right places, and ended a couple of inches above her knees. Her blonde swathe of hair swung in the light, and her makeup was perfect. A smoky grey shadow highlighted her eyes to stunning effect, and she looked like she'd spent hours on her appearance. Melo glanced at the clock, and rolled her eyes.
"I fell asleep."
She'd dreamed of Cade. In all his glory. And woken up with frustration burning a hole in her gut. Now she had to get ready for the party, and there wasn't enough time. Wasn't nearly enough time. Panic rose in her chest. She'd look like the dull sister. Her heart sank. Why hadn't she wakened earlier?
Rosa's eyes softened. "You need help. I'll get Marie and Anna."
Marie was one of Rosa's best friends. She also made a lucrative living as makeup artist to the stars. If there was anyone who could rid Melo's nose of shine, and banish the dark circles shadowing her eyes, it was Marie. And Anna was the hairstylist seconded to the wedding party for the duration.
A glimmer of hope sprang to life.
"Back in a minute," Rosa said, slipping from the room.
Half an hour later, Melo gaped at her reflection in the mirror. Her bird's nest hair had been teased into a soft cascade of waves that tumbled down her back.
Anna had done something magical to her face. She'd accentuated Melo's cheekbones with a tawny blush which matched her skin tone, highlighted her eyes with a subtle application of brown shadow that looked revolting in the tiny glass pot, but fantastic on, and lengthened her lashes with a liberal application of black mascara.
"With your coloring, less is definitely more." Anna'd confided, as she drew a careful line of eyeliner above the lash line. "You're so lucky, like Sophia Loren, or someone." She leaned closer and whispered. "This is exactly the makeup I used on the film with the kick-ass female bounty hunter. You have exactly the same coloring." She brushed on coral lipstick. "And a really good mouth." She blushed, and grinned. "Sorry, I'm used to evaluating faces. It's my business."
Melo's smile echoed Anna's. "Well, you're saying such nice things you're forgiven." She grasped Anna's hand and squeezed it. "I really appreciate it, Anna. I couldn't have made myself look as good as this."
She angled her head in the mirror, still bemused at the transformation.
"Practice makes perfect." Anna packed up her box of tricks, and waved at the wardrobe. "Now, get dressed. Time's a-wasting."
****
Cade couldn't stand still. He strode across the room to Adam.
"What's up?" Adam asked, raising an eyebrow.
The impressive trick always prompted a smile, but not this time. Cade's gut clenched at the thought of Melo's arrival. He'd completely blown it this afternoon. She probably wouldn't want to have anything to do with him.
"Nothing," Cade replied, hoping that for once Adam would just drop it.
Adam shrugged. "Come on, let's go into the hall. The girls will be arriving soon."
Adam walked across the marble floor, every inch the happy groom in his tailored tuxedo.
Cade ran a finger around the collar of his shirt, wishing he could dispense with formality and rip off the constricting bow tie.
"You're worrying me, Mate." Adam stopped and skewered Cade with his stare. "What the hell's the matter with you? You're so twitchy you're making me nervous. Come on, out with it."
Cade pulled in a breath. He couldn't tell Adam. The last thing he was supposed to be doing was getting involved with someone this trip. Especially Melo.
The bridesmaid and the best man. It was every corny movie's cliché. And Melo meant something to Adam, too. They'd kept in touch over the years, and Adam considered her one of his dearest friends.
The sound of voices outside heralded the arrival of the coach, and Adam threw him one last glance. "Cheer up, Mate. It's my wedding." He flung the door open, and stood back to allow the guests to enter.
Rosa came first. A vision in silver. Smiling, Cade kissed both cheeks. Then raised his gaze to the woman standing behind her. Melo. Wearing a sort of greeny dress that clung to every curve and dusted the ground. Like a mermaid. A very, very sexy mermaid. Her hair flowed over her shoulders inviting his touch. He clenched his hands at his side as she stepped closer, reaching up to kiss him on both cheeks as her sister had. The silken touch sent a shudder racing through him, and he barely resisted the urge to angle his head so their lips met.
He breathed in her perfume, remembered images of her naked in his arms on the floor of the cabana flooding through him. Before he had a chance to react, she stepped away, and another glamorous Italian took her place. His gaze followed her as she strode into the palazzo, heading for their hostess Signora Bettina, and out of his reach.
For now.
"Aha."
Cade's guilty glance flicked to Adam. His friend stared back with knowing eyes that, as usual, saw right through his clumsy attempt at deception. The familiar irritation itched and burned, like sand in a swimsuit.
"Got a little crush, have you?"
Cade's blood heated to a boil. "None of your business."
He should be gracious. Shouldn't snap at his friend, who was only speaking the truth. In fact he had one hell of a crush, but the last thing he wanted was Adam pointing it out. He felt as transparent as the glass of champagne one of the waiters offered from a silver tray. He grabbed it and drank deeply.
Adam's gaze narrowed. "She's not for you, Cade."
Cade clenched his jaw and bit back the words trying to escape. It was Adam's day. Adam's week. He had to keep it together. He dragged a smile from somewhere, and slipped it on like a mask. "Melo and I have been friends for years, there's nothing going on."
"Yeah, and I was born yesterday," Adam replied.
Rosa was chatting to her friends, oblivious, and Adam took advantage of the situation to talk to Cade sotto voce. "Melo's always had a thing for you. I don't think you've ever noticed, but she hung on your every word when we were teenagers. She looks like a woman of the world, but she's not." He glanced at Rosa, then back to Cade. "She's not in your league, Cade. She could get hurt."
He pressed a hand to Cade's arm.
"Don't be angry with me. You know I care about you more than any bloke in the world. But Melo's going to be my sister. And she has no brothers of her own to warn you off. So if you're only playing, play with someone else. What about the girl from last night-Sophia?"
Cade's heart twisted in his chest. Yes, he'd played hard after his broken engagement, what of it? He was known as a man who treated women well, but never stayed the night. But he'd never treated a woman badly. Never. The fact that his best friend thought him capable of toying with Melo's heart stung.
He squared his shoulders. "I care about her too, Adam. If anything happens between us, I won't be playing."
There was surprise in Adam's eyes. Surprise and respect. "Okay. Say no more."
Cade's gaze focused on Melo as she wove through the crowd.
"Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to claim a dance."
****
Sebastiano Volpi circled the room like a vulture. He must have been invited by Signora Bettina; neither Melo or Rosa would have added his name to the guest list. His eyes lit on Melo with a predatory gleam, and her heart fell as he started across the room toward her. Once, she'd found his dark, Italian perfection attractive. But she wasn't eighteen any more. And the way Sebastiano treated her during their brief fling had opened her eyes. He might have a gorgeous face, but he had an ugly mind. A very ugly mind.
"Ciao, Bella. You look very beautiful tonight."
Melo angled her body away from Sebastiano, keen to avoid his embrace.
He smirked, grasped her hand and smothered its back with damp lips.