And he was determined to add fuel to the embers.
****
Looking good is the best revenge. But apparently two could play at that game. Melo glanced up the red carpet in the centre of the polished wooden floor and swallowed hard. Her sister, a vision in white, glided up the aisle on their father's arm.
Adam stared at Rosa, his love shining unguarded in his eyes, and next to him, Cade watched her with equal intensity.
One foot, then the other. How difficult could it be to walk? Melo faced forward, imagining a book balancing on her head. Determined not to drop her gaze under the heat of his. Her eyes flickered sideways watching the eager faces tracking their progress. She forced a tight smile and tried to ignore the tingling in her body as they neared the altar.
She stepped to the side, as her father handed his daughter over to the man who would love her for the rest of her life. And couldn't resist a quick glance at Cade.
He was still staring. In a way that would leave no one in the church in any doubt as to his interest in her.
She frowned and her mouth tightened at his rudeness.
A dark light of attraction burned in his eyes as his gaze fell to her lips, and she pulled in a shuddering breath as waves of attraction broke over her. He had lied to her, used her, yet her traitorous body somehow missed the message. She wanted his hands on her shoulders. On her back. His mouth on her neck. His big body pressed up against hers. She'd dreamed of standing at the altar with Cade, but this was a cruel parody of her dream. A harsh reality of two people tied together by lust, not love.
The priest was speaking.
Melo clenched her eyes tight to block Cade out, then opened them to focus her gaze on her sister. At least someone was happy today.
As was tradition, she had to walk down the aisle on Cade's arm.
His body heat suffused through his black Armani tuxedo, and he pressed her captured hand tight against his ribs.
Thank God they didn't need to talk, and she didn't have to look at him, instead smiling at the familiar faces that beamed at her from the aisles. The whole day she'd have to play the part of happy bridesmaid, and of course, the best man was part of the whole darned package. But once they got to the end of the aisle, and walked out into the sunshine, she could unfasten her body from his, and put well needed distance between her and the man who'd managed to break her heart.
The bells were ringing as they walked out into the sunshine.
Melo tugged, but Cade didn't release her. She couldn't make a scene. Not with so many curious eyes tracking her every move. "Let go," she hissed from the corner of her mouth.
"Nope."
Could a man be more irritating? "Cade, let me go." She faced him, trying to ignore the deliciously subtle scent of aftershave and Cade, and surreptitiously tugged again.
"If I let go, will you make another run for it?" His eyebrows rose, and his lips curved in a sardonic got-you smile.
"Damn right."
"Well, there's your answer." His arm tightened. "You look … " his eyes swept her head to toe, heat in them scorching, "edible."
"Edible?" It came out as a squeak. Not the impression she was trying to give at all.
Cade nodded. "Definitely." His voice lowered to a deep rumble that vibrated through her, setting her alight. "I could eat you all day."
Melo's mouth opened and closed like a goldfish. She stared into Cade's eyes, noting a strange new emotion flickering in their depths. It almost looked like desperation.
Then his lips twitched at the corners and the strange light disappeared.
"Honestly." She shook her head. "You're incorrigible."
"Come on, Melo. I can't stand you being so angry with me." His fingers traced a smooth track over her arm, and every traitorous hair stood to attention. "We had problems before in the past, remember? We always were able to overcome them."
"We had fights when you ate all the sandwiches. This hardly compares."
"Give me another chance."
Melo searched his face for any sign of deceit, but there was none. He was so still it was as though he'd stopped breathing. She pulled in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. "I'm not giving up on my claim. You should be aware of that."
"I wouldn't expect you to." He smiled a tight smile. "In fact, I've made an appointment for you to meet with a lawyer tomorrow. I'm having him flown in from Rome; he's the leading man when it comes to these things." He mentioned the prestigious firm, and Melo's heart thumped in her chest. With the family in such trouble financially she couldn't possibly afford to retain such high profile legal advice.
"I'll pay, of course." Cade walked smoothly, pulling her along with him. "While he's working on verifying your claim, we can spend time together and get over this."
The bride and groom were climbing into the vintage Rolls Royce, and the crowd pushed forward, breaking Cade's link on Melo's arm.
Cade greeted Adam through the wave of people, then walked around to kiss Rosa through the window. Her sister beamed at him, and touched the hair that fell forward as he leaned in.
Everyone had forgiven him. They knew how manipulative Marco had been. Melo did too, if she was honest with herself. She breathed in deep, released the tension from her shoulders and forced a smile. It was Rosa's big day, and her sister was happy, and that was what Melo wanted after all, wasn't it?
****
The long top table was covered in white linen and silver. And flowers. At every place setting a small crystal vase of flowers was just above the place setting. Cade wouldn't have ever thought of putting flowers on a table, after all there were plenty growing outside the open French windows, but the effect was stunning.
Melo had effortlessly known how to make everything perfect. She had a wonderful eye. He pulled the chair for Rosa, helping her to settle into her seat.
Cade looked out into the chatting throngs of brightly colored guests, searching for Adam's mother. Adam's parents had arrived late last night, and he, Adam and Rosa had buried their differences, taking them to dinner and making sure they'd settled in and had everything they needed. In the hours forced together the atmosphere had eased, and when they'd finally got back to the hotel he and Adam had spent an hour sitting under the plane trees, drinking and baring their souls. His gaze darted to Melo, smiling at Adam's father as she sat next to him.
"Sylvia." He took Adam's mother's arm, and guided her to her seat.
"Thank you, dear."
Her smile lit up the room. She'd always loved Rosa, and by the look of her, was truly loving the day. "Wasn't it just perfect? And everything looks so beautiful. Rosa and her mother have been so busy."
"And Melo. She organized everything."
"Did she? I didn't realize. I thought they must have employed a wedding planner. Everything came off without a hitch, I felt sure a professional must have been involved."
"She did a great job." Cade couldn't see Melo from his position at the table. "She's always been well organized."
"The family is very lucky to have such beautiful daughters." Sylvia's fingers lightly stroked the little vase of flowers. "I suppose Melo must be promised to someone here too."
Cade's heart tightened. "No, Melo is still unattached."
"Well, the way she looks today she won't be for long. She's totally gorgeous!"
Cade resisted the urge to look over. He'd have to lean forward to look down the long table, and watching her wasn't enough. He wanted to hold her. Look into her eyes and talk to her. Unfortunately Melo has shown no such desire. Since their talk outside the church, she was avoiding him like the plague. When he'd stood to deliver the best man's speech he'd glanced her direction, but unlike the entire room full of people with faces angled toward him, she'd stared down at her plate.
The band started to play.
"Oh! Their first dance!" Sylvia clasped her hands together, her excitement palpable as her son and his bride pushed back their chairs and made their way onto the dance-floor.
Adam held Rosa close, his cheek brushing hers as his hand pressed into the small of her back.
"Now, everyone, join the happy couple on the dance floor," intoned the bandleader.
Cade rose and walked to Melo. "I believe it is tradition for the bridesmaid to dance with the best man?" His mouth pulled into a tight smile. She couldn't refuse. Not in front of all these people.
"I don't want to dance with you," she hissed under her breath. "You know I don't."