latest fumble. His Texas cousins weren’t cutting him any slack, either.
He’d been thinking about the divorce his wife insisted on pursuing.
While the love had left their marriage, he’d heard plenty say that marriage had ups and downs. He wasn’t a quitter. And damn it all, he still burned to have her.
His gaze skimmed the guests around the pool, landing on his wife. Her trailing curls and slim curves called to him, reminding him of the enticing feel of her back as he’d tugged her zipper up.
She smiled at whomever she spoke to—a man with his back to the rest of the crowd—and nodded as she walked away. The man turned and Henri’s breath froze in his chest. He knew the man well. Dr. Carlson was a partner in the practice Fiona used to see before they’d transferred her to another physician for the surgery.
Fear jelling in his gut, Henri charged away from his brothers and cousins, shouldering through the crowd to his wife.
“Henri—”
He grasped her arm and guided her toward the shore of Lake Pontchartrain. “In a moment. When no one can overhear us.”
Lights from yachts and boats dotted the distance. Along the shoreline, couples walked hand in hand. Henri opened the boathouse door and stepped inside. Moonlight streaked through the windows, across Fiona’s face. Confusion and frustration stamped her lovely features.
He angled them beneath a pontoon boat on a lift. The boat was still wet from use, and water tapped the ground in a rhythm that almost matched his pounding heart. Inhaling deeply, he caught the musty scent of the boathouse mixed with the cinnamon notes of Fiona’s perfume. He’d bought it for her on a trip to France before all of these difficulties had really gotten out of control.
“Enough already, Henri. Would you please tell me why we’re out here?”
He clasped both of her shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“What do you mean?”
“I saw you talking to Dr. Carlson.” He looked in her sherry-colored eyes, trying to read her. Something flickered there, something he could have sworn was fear, but then she looked away, her lashes shielding her expression.
Staring at the floor, she chewed her bottom lip for an instant before answering, “We were discussing a fund-raiser and party for the pediatric oncology ward. The planner had a heart attack and they need someone to step in and help.”
Okay, but why was she looking away? “You’re sure that’s all?”
She hesitated a second too long. “What do you mean?”
Fear exploded inside him. “Are you feeling all right?” He clasped her shoulders. “Physically. Is there something wrong? If so, you know I’m here for you. Whatever you need, just tell me.”
She squeezed her eyes closed, shaking her head, tears sliding free.
He reached to sketch his knuckles along her cheeks and capture the tears, hands shaking. “Oh, God, Fiona, is it...” His throat moved in a long swallow. “Do you have...”
She touched his mouth. “You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. Thank you, but you have no reason to feel obligated.”
“Obligated?” He kissed her fingertips. “You are my wife, my responsibility—”
“Please, Henri.” She took his hands from her face and clasped them briefly before letting go. “You are a good man. I’ve never doubted that. This is an emotional time for both of us, and let’s not make it worse with confrontations. Let’s just return to the party.”
He wouldn’t be dismissed so easily. “What were you laughing so hysterically about?” Anger edged through the fear. “And would you like to clue me in on the joke? Because right now I could use something to lighten the mood.”
“No joke,” she said with a sigh, meeting his gaze. “Just so ironic.”
“Then what are you hiding?”
“Henri.” She chewed her bottom lip again, her gaze skipping around evasively before she continued. “Um, he asked me out for a drink to discuss the fund-raiser.”
Henri saw red. Pure red. “He asked you out for a drink? As in a date? Not because of the fund-raiser?”
“Because of the fund-raiser, but yes, he clearly meant a date, as well.” She pulled at her curls, color mounting in her cheeks.
Henri had to stay calm. Had to make it through this conversation. “And what did you say?”
“I told him I’m still married, of course.” Gaze narrowing, she launched the words at him like daggers.
“Clearly that wasn’t a problem for him, since you are wearing my ring.”
She shrugged her shoulders, chandelier earrings swaying. “That didn’t bother him in the least.”
Henri turned toward the door, ready to return to the party and deck the guy straight into the pool.
Fiona placed a hand on his shoulder. “Stop, Henri. He mentioned hearing we’re splitting up. He thought I was available.”
“How would he have heard such a thing?” His mind went back to the original concern. “Were you at the doctor’s office where he’s a partner?”
She swallowed hard. “You seem to have forgotten his brother is our lawyer.”
“Not anymore.”
“I was thinking the same thing, actually.” She picked at her French manicure. “We should get separate attorneys.”
Dammit. This conversation was not going the way he intended. He just wanted to pull her into his arms and take her here. Now. To say to hell with the past and future. No more jealousy or discussion about...hell.
He just wanted her. “This is not the time or the place to talk about lawyers. Enjoy your party and your success.” He cupped her face in his hands, his thumbs stroking along her cheeks as he stepped closer, the heat of her lithe body reaching to him. “You’ve raised enough seed money for the shelter tonight. They can start their capital campaign for a whole new building. Let’s celebrate.”
She swayed toward him for an instant, as if she too was caught in that same web of desire. Her gaze fell away from his for a moment, roving his broad-shouldered body, then returned to meet his hungry gaze. There was something there still. He could feel it in the way her lips, slightly parted, seemed to call him to her.
Stepping back abruptly, she grasped the door latch. “Enjoy?” She shook her head, a curl sliding forward over her shoulder. “I don’t think that’s possible. There’s too much left unsettled for me to think about anything but getting my life in order.”
In a swirl of French perfume, she walked out the door and raced along the dock back to the party. The forcefulness of her reaction left him wondering what he was missing, but the speed of her departure closed the door on finding out.
* * *
She
