Wolves in sheep’s clothing, every one of them. The media. The senators, wealthy oilmen, the few city officials that were scattered about. All drinking, clanking their glasses, and patting themselves on the back for their vast generosities. For an event that supported local artists, she’d have thought there might be at least one of the artists in attendance. So far, all she’d seen was stifling male arrogance in a sea of bling and fake breasts, enough to make her eyes ache.
The soft, sultry sounds of the grand piano wrapped around her as she strolled around the room. Tables were scattered about, each draped in a black table cloth, adorned with candles and colorful floral arrangements.
The lure of the botanical gardens drew her to the outer wall of windows. Tiny, white lights sparkled along the landscape. Pathways were illuminated by torches. The affect was magical, a temptation hard to resist.
She loved this place. Especially this time of year, when everything was colorful and new. Out of the ashes of winter came something precious and beautiful.
As a teenager, she’d spent hours wandering the paths, absorbing the serenity of the gardens and the beauty of the flowers in bloom. She’d been able to think here, clear the cobwebs that threatened to overtake her as she worked through one problem after another.
She gazed into the night, wondering if the gardens would still offer her the same clarity she’d found here before. As though the shrubbery would help her decide what to do about Caleb.
She loved him, but she wasn’t so naive as to think love could conquer all. So much stood between them—the biggest obstacle being while he might like her enough to sleep with her, he didn’t love her. Somewhere out there, her life waited. Caleb would expect her to get back to it.
At least they’d become friends, which was more than she could’ve hoped for. She’d dreamed of a time they could laugh and joke together. She’d have paid good money to get through one holiday dinner without him growling at her. Now, it seemed, the friendship she’d longed for was going to break her heart.
Be careful what you wish for, Sammie.
The reflection in the glass revealed Caleb was still where she’d left him—in a heated debate with the governor. Her mouth watered as she stared at Caleb’s handsome form. Dressed in neck-to-toe black, he looked every inch the rogue. Dangerous. Forbidden. Drop dead sexy.
His broad shoulders strained the bindings of his suit. His tie had made it to the truck before he’d mumbled a curse and pulled the thing from his neck. He’d unbuttoned the top two buttons, which showed off his tanned, muscle-lined neck and just a hint of what lay below.
Joe stood to Caleb’s left. The only difference between their attire was Joe’s silver shirt and tie. Amanda stood next to Joe. Her long, blonde curls and pink, strapless dress made her look like a princess.
They were good together. Last year, Samantha had suggested Amanda have a one-night stand to get her confidence back. She’d never expected Amanda would find her soul mate.
Warmth filled Samantha’s chest as Joe’s arm wrapped possessively around Amanda’s waist and pulled her closer to his side. Any man in the room would get the message. Amanda was his.
They shared a love beyond anything Samantha had witnessed. It gave her hope for the future. Amanda and Joe would have kids and raise them to be loving adults. The world needed more love like that.
Samantha might have felt a slight twinge of jealousy for what the two shared, but she was truly happy for Amanda.
Samantha had been glad to put their disagreement at lunch behind them. It seemed Amanda had too. Neither of them had been eager to dwell on it.
“Miss Quinn.” A deep, male voice drew her from her thoughts. “What a surprise to see you this evening. I dare say, I thought you preferred venues with sawdust on the floor.”
Vincent Matteo spoke with the same aristocratic accent that her father tried to emulate. Since Thomas Quinn was a native Texan, it only served to make him sound like a pompous idiot. At least Vincent had the New England roots to pull off the dialect. Still, his inflections gave her a chill.
Her heart pounded as she looked from Vincent’s reflection back to Caleb’s. As if he sensed her watching, Caleb’s concerned gaze met hers. She offered him a reassuring smile, realizing from his vantage point he couldn’t see her unwanted companion.
She had two choices. She could engage Vincent and goad him into doing or saying something stupid, or she could honor the deal she’d made with Caleb and let him handle it.
Caleb didn’t know Vincent was here, but that wouldn’t last long now that Vincent had found her. Caleb had made her promise not to wander out of his line of sight when she’d gotten restless. She’d rolled her eyes, but agreed, discovering she liked the idea that he’d be watching. Vincent had five, maybe ten, minutes before Caleb was at her side.