of candles. The white catering shirt and black slacks didn’t do much for her figure, which he guessed to be slim and toned. She didn’t have the lush curves he usually favored, but what she lacked in body she made up for in attitude.
And attitude, as he well knew, made a huge difference in bed.
As a waiter passed, Axel plunked his empty glass down onto the tray and headed for the sliding doors. He hated uptight, formal affairs, but being a doctor often obligated him to attend. That didn’t mean he had to linger. That didn’t mean he had to mingle.
Especially when more enlivening entertainment waited outside.
Making certain no one paid him any mind, he slipped through the doors and onto a wide balcony lit by twinkle lights that mirrored the stars in the evening sky. He waited, saying a silent prayer that no one followed him. Every time he attended a gathering, women hit on him. And that’d be okay, fine and dandy by him, given that he adored women, but not within his professional circle.
He absolutely never, ever, dated anyone in his field. Not even anyone related to someone in his field.
Despite the marital bliss of both his brother and his best friend, he had no intention of settling down any time soon. That being the case, it wouldn’t be wise to get involved with relatives, friends, or associates of the people he worked with. Walking away could cause a scene, and then the entire situation would get sticky and uncomfortable.
There were plenty of women who weren’t interested in medicine, like secretaries, lawyers…or caterers.
He’d been prepared to be bored spitless tonight. Then he’d seen her hustling around the crowded room with robust energy. At first he’d assumed her to be a mere waitress for the catering company, but given how she performed each and every job, from putting out food to collecting empty dishes to directing the others, she might actually be the one in charge. Given her air of command and confidence, he figured her to be late twenties, maybe early thirties. Sexy. Mature. Flirtatious.
His heartbeat sped up, just imagining how the night might end.
When no one followed, Axel went down the curving wooden stairs to the garden paths behind Elwood’s home. The pompous ass loved to flaunt his money, and why not? He had plenty to flaunt.
Spring had brought a profusion of blooming flowers to fill the air with heady scents. The chilly evening breeze didn’t faze Axel as he searched the darkness for her. Then he saw a flare of light, realized it was a match, and made his way silently toward her.
She had her back to him, going on tiptoe to reach the top of an ornate torch anchored to the ground and surrounded by evergreens. Just as the wick caught, Axel said, “Hello.”
She went perfectly still, poised on tiptoes, arms reaching up to the top of the torch. Slowly, in an oh-so-aware way, she relaxed and turned to face him.
Insufficient moonlight left long shadows everywhere, and with the torch behind her, silhouetting her frame, Axel couldn’t read her features.
She cleared her throat. “You’re not enjoying the party.”
A statement, not a question. He put his hands in his pockets, his mood already improved. “I never do.”
“Then why attend?”
He took one step closer to her and reached for her hand. Her fingers were chilled and felt very small in his light grip. He shrugged one shoulder. “You never know when something’ll happen to make it worthwhile.” Using his thumb, he stroked her knuckles. “Like this.”
“This?”
She didn’t pull away, but wariness had entered her husky tone, cautioning him to go slowly. “You’re a smart woman. You feel it.”
Her teeth shone briefly in a quick smile. “What I’ve felt is you watching me.”
“Mmmm. Watching—and wishing.” He tugged her a bit closer. “Wishing for a private moment, just like this.”
Sexual tension hung in the air between them. Axel counted the heavy beats of his heart, tried to judge her response…
She turned away, saying lightly, “I have other torches to light.” Her hand remained held in his.
“I’ll keep you company.” Axel followed along, trailing her as she wove her way into the gardens. Elwood owned ten acres, all of it wooded but meticulously manicured. The acreage closest to his home was especially lush with ornate landscaping.
“The path leads down to the pond,” she explained. “It’s not a quick jaunt.”
Filling his words with innuendo, Axel murmured, “Quick is overrated. I prefer going slow.” The scent of her heated skin carried back to him on the breeze, more delectable than the sweet fragrance of the flowers. He breathed deeply, and his gut clenched with need.
She made a sound that could have been a chuckle or exasperation. “It’s deeper into the woods.”
Grinning to himself, Axel growled, “I can go deep.”
Now that was a laugh. She glanced over her shoulder, eyes twinkling, white teeth showing in a grin. “I meant that there might be mosquitoes.”
“It’s too early in the season.” His thumb pressed her palm. “The bugs won’t be biting—but I might.”
Another husky chuckle, then: “You’re pretty outrageous, you know that?”
He loved the sound of her voice, playful and not at all shy. “Just trying to make headway with a beautiful woman.”
“Trying for a one-night stand, you mean.”
His fingers tightened on hers, pulling her to a halt beside a gurgling fountain of marble nymphs, flanked by benches and a profusion of flowers. Small colored lights within the fountain sent a rainbow of subtle color to dance in the air.
She stared at him, her gaze level, even challenging.
Lifting a hand, Axel touched the cool velvet of her cheek, trailed his fingers into the warmer silk of her hair. Damn, but he loved how women felt, and he especially loved the feel of this particular woman. “Is that a problem?”
Her lips parted. Her eyes almost closed. Then she snapped them open and cleared her throat. “You are a temptation. But if I succumbed—the key word being if—then no, one night is all I could spare, believe me.”
The way she said that…“You’re married?” God, he hoped not. His disappointment at the thought was extreme, far too exaggerated for the brief time he’d known her. He didn’t confine himself to many rules, but dallying with married broads headed his personal list of taboos.
“Hardly.”
She made it sound as if marriage were a heinous act, a sentiment he shared. He used both hands to cup her face. Her softness seemed addictive, sending his mind into a tailspin of erotic images, making him wonder just how soft she might be in other, more carnal places.
Those thoughts brought about a semi-erection, urging him to clear the way, and quickly. “Engaged then?” Let her say no.
She
