He took a deep breath and held back. He understood why Jasmine wouldn't want her sister's night to be ruined by a fight between two of her guests. But another word from the intoxicated idiot and he might do something he'd regret.
"You should leave now, Tim," Jasmine said quietly. "Unless you want both our fathers to hear about this."
"Fine. But I'm not done with you yet, Jasmine," Tim threatened as he ambled towards the exit.
Kane felt Jasmine sag against him. With relief, he assumed.
"You okay?" he asked, tightening his arm around her.
"Yeah. Sorry. I'm just glad he left."
"Who the hell was he?"
"That was Tim Smith, the son of one of my dad's business partners. He's been pursuing me for a while now but I'm just not interested. I think he got really ticked off when I dated his friend George a few months ago. Since then, he's been really intense and pushy."
"So his parents are here tonight too?"
"No. His dad's not well so they couldn't attend. He's here by himself."
"You shouldn't have come out here all alone with him, Jasmine," he rebuked.
"He's never tried anything inappropriate before. But I must admit he spooked me a little bit tonight."
"Shouldn't you tell your dad about him?"
"No. There's no need. He's gone now."
Kane was unconvinced Jasmine had heard the last of Tim but he let it go for now. "I'm glad I followed you."
She gave him a startled look. "I thought you just happened to be around again."
"No. I saw how upset you got in there. I wanted to make sure you were fine."
"Do you make it a habit of playing hero to damsels in distress?" she teased.
"Only to beautiful distressed damsels in pretty bridesmaid's dresses. You look stunning today, Jaz. I haven't had the chance to tell you that until now."
"Thank you," she murmured, her long lashes fluttering as she gazed into his eyes.
Jasmine licked her lips and his breathing shallowed. He felt the pull of her mouth and his tongue itched to explore it. He stopped breathing altogether when Jasmine tilted her face to his in an open invitation.
Damn it. Not yet.
"Uh, I think we should go back in," he croaked.
Jasmine seemed to snap out of a mesmerised state and her cheeks reddened. He could imagine what was going through her head. She would be thinking he didn't want to kiss her.
He decided he owed her an explanation. "Jaz, I'm afraid I'm engaged."
"What?" she asked in shock. "I had no idea."
"It's complicated and —"
Jasmine shook her head and raised her hand to stop him from explaining. "You're right. We should go back in." She turned on her heels and hurried away.
He wanted to kick himself for sticking to principles.
CHAPTER THREE
"No way. Not again," Jasmine said heatedly to her best friend over the phone.
"Weren't you just a little curious as to why it was complicated?" Samantha Lane asked.
Jasmine rolled her eyes although her friend couldn't see. "Sam, he's engaged and that's that. I don't care why it's complicated. I just don't understand why he kept making moon eyes at me and felt compelled to rescue me from a boozed-up admirer."
"Well, he sounds keen on you."
"I'm not a fiancé-stealing slut," she said bitterly.
"Of course you're not! Will you stop saying it like you think everyone thinks so?" Sam demanded.
"George's fiancée thought so. And I bet you George told Tim something along those lines, and that was why Tim treated me like he did."
"I thought Tim stopped talking to George when George dated you. You really think George badmouthed you to Tim?"
"Why else would Tim be so disrespectful of me all of a sudden? He wasn't like that before."
"Maybe Tim just feels frustrated. Like you said, he seemed to wonder why you were giving everyone else a go and not him," Sam suggested.
"He said I was giving everyone else a turn. That has a totally different connotation from giving everyone else a go. I'm positive he believes I sleep around and he wants his turn."
"That's ridiculous. I'll slap him hard the next time I see him," Sam declared loyally.
"Thanks, Sam. I'm still wishing I slapped him hard last Saturday."
"I'm worried that Tim's there in Sydney with you. What if he follows you around and does something unthinkable?"
"Don't worry. Most of the time, I'll be in the house writing. I'll keep the doors and windows locked."
Sam snorted. "You went there to see if you'll enjoy living in Sydney, not lock yourself indoors to write your book."
Jasmine laughed. "I know. But you know I like Sydney already. The only thing I'm still considering is if I want to be away from my parents and you and Kris," she said, thinking of Kristen McCann, her other best friend and Sam's cousin. "Although you did promise me we'll have fun girls' weekends often if I do decide to move."