Right Billionaire, Wrong Wedding (Sexy Billionaires)(17)

Because after all, he really was one of a kind.

She cleared her throat, trying to think of anything other than the romantic setting in which they stood.

“This is where they say the ‘till death do us part’ bit,” she said.

“Or at least till something better comes along,” he added, his thumb gliding across her knuckles.

“How cynical of you,” she said, trying to ignore the absentminded caress.

He arched a brow. “Are you telling me you believe in true love? You spend as much time chained to a desk as I do.”

Careful, she thought. Don’t let those lines blur even more. “For Jenny’s sake I hope there can be something lasting between two people.”

“It’s a nice fairytale,” he agreed.

She tilted her head to the side. “This is why confirmed bachelors shouldn’t plan highly romantic events.”

He scoffed at her words. “I can be objective about all this. It makes me the perfect planner.”

“If you ever end up married, make sure you warn your wife about that imminently practical heart of yours.”

He looked down at their clasped hands, quiet for a moment. “I doubt I’ll ever end up in a gazebo like this, but I’m sure you will.”

A curious pain stabbed her chest. He’d never marry, but she would. She’d have to be blind to miss the implication there. Swallowing the unexpected lump in her throat, she shook her head. “I’d never need something this elaborate.”

“You’re a simple girl at heart.”

She lifted her chin, telling herself the words weren’t meant as an insult. “Yes,” she said. “I wouldn’t need to spend thousands on a single day to be happy. I’d be fine with a trip to city hall and a promise to spend our lives together. At the end of the day, it’s our commitment that would matter, not any third party’s opinion or blessing.”

A soft smile shaped his mouth. “I’ve said it before. You’re one in a million, Ali.”

“I’m not that special.”

His hands tightened on hers. “Now there I have to disagree.”

Startled, she glanced up to find his gaze boring into her eyes.

Standing with him, their surroundings fell away. With his hands on hers, her mind stopped cycling through all the dozens of things they needed to do. Instead, stillness filled her. Anticipation she had no business feeling.

His gaze dropped to her mouth and she couldn’t help darting her tongue out to wet her lips. The blue in his eyes darkened at the action.

He can’t, she thought. We can’t.

She wasn’t the kind of woman he wanted. That truth had been the foundation of their relationship for years. Surely the tension in the air was just in her head.

But what if it wasn’t?

Her heart rate quickened.

It was one thing to have a secret fantasy or two, but it was quite another to think that dreams might actually come true.

Did he just lean closer? She held still, eyes on his mouth, too nervous to even breathe.

Kissing Darian was nothing if not a bad idea. It would change everything between them. She wouldn’t be able to rely on their professional relationship to keep him at arm’s length anymore.

You’re leaving, a wicked part of her whispered. Where was the harm in one taste of the forbidden before she quit?

The thought wasn’t as insane as it should be. In a month they’d be over anyways. If there was ever a time to act on reckless desires, wasn’t it now, when the clock was already ticking?

All she had to do was rise onto her tip toes, tilt her lips up to his, and—

“Well, aren’t you two pretty as a picture.”

Allison jerked back at the interrupting voice. Darian’s hands left hers as they both spun to see Sam in the path.

She didn’t know what the winery owner read in their faces, but his cheerful smile dropped away.

“Uh,” he said, embarrassment coloring the words. “I came to give you our services package.” He held up an innocent brochure. “I thought it might help you make your decision.”

“Of course,” she said, struggling to slip back into her assistant guise when what she really wanted was to tell Sam to go anywhere else. “That is very thoughtful. Thank you for bringing it out to us.” She took the pamphlet and reached down to grab her bag.

“I think this place is a real contender,” Darian said.

She fished a card out of her wallet then held it out to Sam. “I’ll be in touch tomorrow to let you know what we’ve decided. Is that all right for your timeline?”

“Yes, I’ve no problem holding the space for a few days. I hope we’ll be able to help you have a wonderful wedding here.”