Tall Dark and Hungry(42)
Terri considered his words: You are more than welcome. I enjoy your company. Both were in the present tense, not the past tense as if whatever they had were over. She wasn't sure what to make of it, or how Bastien was feeling. And all of it made her really wish they'd had the chance to talk. The uncertainty was killing her. Terri had no patience for games, no wish to waste time guessing at what people thought or felt. She had always preferred to have the cards on the table. It was better that way and, while it could be painful at times, at least it prevented misunderstandings. Terri decided this case was no exception; she wanted to know where she stood. Last night she'd thought waiting to see what he did would be the smart move, but now that he was being so polite and she still didn't have a clue, Terri decided she was damned well going to find out.
Taking a deep breath, she turned to him and blurted, "I like you. I don't know how you feel about me, or what what we've done means to you, but I like you. If it was just good fun, and you don't want Kate and Lucern to know about it, or if it-"
Terri's opening gambit came to an abrupt halt as Bastien suddenly took her face in his hands and pulled her forward to cover her mouth with his. She sighed into his mouth with relief as he kissed her, uncaring that they were standing in the middle of the church. He snogged her senseless, actually, she decided a moment later as her arms slipped around his waist. The man wasn't just giving her a hello kiss.
"Okay, you two, cut it out. The minister's getting nervous.»
Bastien ended the kiss at Lucern's words, but not quickly. He eased the kiss, then turned to nibbling Terri's lip. Once, then twice, then he straightened with a grin.
"Hi,"he said with the sexiest grin Terri had ever seen.
She smiled and covered the hands still cupping her face. "Hi, back,"she whispered.
"So, when's the wedding? And am I invited?"Chris Keyes asked.
Terri blushed scarlet and turned to make a face at the editor. He had been released today, just in time for the wedding rehearsal. Lucern had chosen the man as his third groomsman, to make up the numbers needed to match Kate's bridesmaids. Etienne and Thomas were the other two. Bastien was, of course, the best man, and Terri was maid of honor. And Kate's two sisters and her friend and coworker Leah made up the bridesmaids.. Leah, Terri, Chris, and Bastien were the only members of the wedding party in town for the rehearsal, though. The others wouldn't show up till the end of the week.
"If you two are done, maybe we can go to the restaurant now,"Lucern said, preventing any further embarrassment from the editor.
"Okay,"Bastien agreed. "Lucern, you're riding with Kate. Terri's with me."He paused and eyed Chris and Leah with what might have been dread. "How did you two get here?»
"I had a car pick them up, just like with us and the girls,"Lucern announced. He added, "The driver will take them to the restaurant too, then drive each of them home afterward.»
Terri glanced at C.K. with surprise. "Are you back in your own apartment then?»
"Yes."C.K. grinned. "They finished the painting, which was the last of the repairs, last night. Tonight will be my first night home.»
"Oh, good!"Terri exclaimed. "I'm sure it will be a relief for you to be back in your own bed.»
"I'm looking forward to it,"the editor admitted.
"Well, let's get this party moving,"Kate said, gesturing toward the church doors.
"Good thinking."Bastien was much more relaxed now that he knew that he wouldn't have company in the car. "Come on, baby.»
Terri blushed at the affectionate endearment as he steered her toward the exit. He'd called her baby! Right there in front of everyone! He wasn't trying to hide their relationship at all. Man, she was going to get so hurt if this went wrong.
Grimacing at her thoughts, Terri slid her arm around Bastien's waist and concentrated on matching her step to his.
"I missed you last night,"he said, quietly pulling her into his arms as soon as they were in the backseat of the chauffeured car. Then he added, "When I wasn't worrying.»
"Worrying?"Terri pulled back in surprise as he tried to kiss her. "Why were you worrying?»
He hesitated. "Well, you seemed to change once Kate and Lucern arrived. I was…"He shrugged. "Just worried that maybe you didn't want them to know about us, or something.»
"Oh,"she said softly, then smiled. "I was worried you might feel that way.»
"I'm glad we were both wrong,"Bastien said. He kissed her as the driver began to back the car out of its parking spot.
Terri sighed and leaned into him. A moment later, she caught his hand with a choked laugh. It had gone wandering down her upper leg, then tried to wander back up under the skirt of her baby-blue dress.
"Be good,"she muttered against his mouth, trying to sound firm.
"I'd rather be bad,"he whispered, trailing his lips to her neck.
Very aware of the driver, Terri caught back the moan that threatened to slip from her lips. Excitement raced through her, brought on both by Bastien's words and what he was doing. Bastien had already managed-with just a kiss-to make desire unfurl inside her. She was so glad that she had spoken up. Silence might be golden, but good communication was priceless.
Terri was really wishing they could skip the rehearsal dinner and go back to the penthouse for a quick refresher course on Bastien and Terri 101. Or a long refresher course. Possibly a really long one. Several days would have been good. But, of course, that wasn't possible. Bastien wasn't the only one sighing with regret when they arrived at the restaurant and had to untangle from each other's arms.
"I know we aren't going to get any time alone tonight,"he said as he slid out of the car. He took her hand to help her out. "But it's occurred to me that we really have to get together tomorrow for a meeting.»
"A meeting, huh?"Terri asked with amusement. She straightened on the pavement beside him.
"Yes. To discuss the stag and doe.»
Terri blinked. Bastien had a wicked grin that told her he wanted to do more than just discuss something. But his mention of "stag and doe"made her realize that she had forgotten all about her intention of arranging a bridal shower for Kate. Terri had intended on setting to work on that the moment she arrived, and holding it whenever was possible. She'd known it would be last-minute, but being from England made it difficult to arrange, and she'd hoped Kate's friends would understand. However, the chaos that had ensued after she arrived had driven the thought from her mind. Now she was reminded. A stag and doe party would eliminate the need for a bridal shower, which was great. It would be more fun. The guys could be there. Bastien could be there.
"Yes. We'll have to get together. I could come to your office and meet you for lunch,"she suggested.
"Perfect."Bastien kissed her again, then they walked into the restaurant.
"Hi."Terri paused before the desk in the outer office and smiled widely. "Meredith? I'm Terri.»
"Oh."The woman was on her feet at once and taking the hand Terri held out. "Miss Simpson, what a pleasure to meet you in person.»
"Terri,"she repeated firmly. "And it's a pleasure to meet you, too. Thanks so much for all the help you gave us with the florists and caterers. Really, you were wonderful.»
"Oh."Meredith flushed and waved a hand in dismissal. She started around the desk. "It was nothing. Just doing my job.»
The secretary gestured for Terri to follow as she moved toward the door to Bastien's office. "Mr. Argeneau said you were coming. The caterers haven't arrived yet, but they should be here soon. As should he,"she added. Meredith opened the door and stepped to the side to allow Terri to enter. "He had a meeting with lab guys from Clinical Testing on the third floor, but said he'd be back by noon. He should be along shortly. In the meantime, you're welcome to wait in his office.»
"I'm a little early,"Terri apologized as she stepped into the office. In truth, she was fifteen minutes early. Not that she was eager or anything, Terri thought dryly. She'd actually got out of the cab in front of the building more than half an hour ago, but, knowing it was way too early, she'd window-shopped a bit and popped into a Starbucks for one of their iced drinks before making her way back to the office building.
"Sit wherever you'd like,"Meredith said. "There are magazines on the table. Books on the shelf. There's even a television and stereo in that console there if you'd like. Can I get you a drink while you wait?"the secretary offered. Then, when she got no response, she said, "Terri? Can I get you a drink?»
"Oh."Terri closed her gaping mouth. She turned to blink at the woman. "No, thank you.»
"Okay."Meredith grinned. "Well, if you change your mind, there's a fridge full of them behind that bar. Of course, there's alcohol as well. Help yourself. And if you need anything else, just let me know. I'll be out here until Mr. Argeneau returns.»
"Thank you,"Terri called as the woman stepped out of the room and closed the door. Then she turned back to gape at the office again. Dear God, she'd never seen anything like it! Bastien's office was bigger than the whole of her little cottage in Huddersfield. Eyes wide, she peered around as she moved farther inside. A huge desk the size of a double bed sat in front of a wall of windows with an awesome view of the city. There was the bar Meredith had pointed out in the corner, a black leather overstuffed couch, two matching chairs…