“You’re exaggerating,” she scoffed, very aware of his long fingers tangled with hers. They were alone and not headed to bed, yet his most casual touch made her breath come unevenly.
“I am not exaggerating,” Jared denied firmly. “Your family might have a more varied tree, but mine is way weirder.”
“No way,” she refuted.
Jared tilted his head back against the leather seat. “Okay. You must have heard the snoring during the ceremony.”
“Was that snoring?” She raised her head to look at him in question. “I thought someone was having an asthma attack.”
“Nope,” he denied. “Great uncle Matthew. As loud as a freight train and he’s just as oblivious. He refuses to believe he snores at all. Unfortunately, churches tend to sedate him.”
Kelsey giggled, as she knew he meant her to.
Her hand still cradled in Jared’s, the sense of unreality clung to her. She’d accomplished her goal with Jared’s help. Doug had to believe she was in love and permanently unavailable so he could go on falling in love with her sister. Jared’s kiss at the altar would have convinced even the greatest skeptic.
But still, she felt like a bride, like a woman cherished and full of hope, starting a new life with a steady, stalwart swain at her side. It couldn’t be real, she knew, but she didn’t want to remind herself of that. This was now. She only wanted to enjoy being wrapped in a golden illusion. Tomorrow she’d be realistic. What could the harm be in that?
***
Jared took her in his arms as the orchestra played the first strands of the waltz. Kelsey followed him easily, remembering their first dance in the hotel elevator the night of the banquet. The same awareness of him washed over her, his strength and the heat of his body starting a drum roll in her chest just as it had that night. So much had happened since then.
Some things were the same, however. He danced with confidence and grace, his movements smooth but not showy. No wonder mothers had thought the waltz scandalous when it was first introduced. Here in the circle of his arms, Kelsey was swamped with his aura, a mix of smell and warmth and energy.
She tilted her face up to smile at him, feeling a rush of intimacy. It was both familiar and…strangely exciting to be close to him.
Jared smiled back, tugging her closer as they swung around the room. They had the dance floor to themselves for this first number, though they’d probably be dancing with their relatives and guests for the rest of the evening.
The turnout had been phenomenal. All her friends and co-workers from the agency were there, of course. They all thought she’d hit the jackpot, marrying a wealthy and personable man. Cinderella come to life.
At this moment, in his arms, she wanted to believe it, too.
She just needed to keep her heart out of it and she’d be all right. Needed to remember that he was a man like many others, one who already had one broken commitment to his credit, not because he was any more flawed than others, but because forever was an illusion.
A beautiful illusion, though, and one that seemed so vivid and real at this moment.
She’d always prided herself on keeping her head in relationships, but this man affected her more powerfully and presented a greater risk. Maybe it was lust, an odd sort of physical chemistry. Living together put that kind of thing in perspective. He’d probably snore, scratch himself and throw towels on the floor.
Right now, however, she couldn’t imagine caring.
As Jared swung her around in a turn, Kelsey caught a glimpse of Doug and Amy standing together in a group of Jared’s friends.
There were a lot of people here tonight, Kelsey knew, who were surprised at Jared’s marrying, particularly to a woman most of them had never heard of. They were probably making bets on how long it would last. From the comments she’d overheard, Jared had shown no interest in a committed relationship since his youthful marriage.
She was sure there had been women, of course. His wealth aside, Jared was just too darned charming and virile not to have attracted his share of bed partners.
But she didn’t want to think about that, she realized.
Wrapped in his arms like this, so close to him she could feel his deepest breath, Kelsey had to admit to herself that she was looking forward to…touching him. And having him touch her.
She looked up at him, anticipation buzzing through her veins.
The song came to an end, their guests breaking into applause.
Kelsey dropped Jared’s hand, half turning away to greet a friend, but his arm tightened around her waist. He drew her closer, bending to brush his lips against hers.
Jared thought he felt Kelsey falter, her movement halted. He pulled her body against his, opening her mouth beneath the heat of his kiss.