actions.
Now here he was, just yards away across the ballroom, with a drink in his hand. Women smiled at him while he watched the bride and groom dance. Suddenly, Ashley was conscious of herself in her pale yellow linen suit, yellow silk blouse and matching pumps. She smoothed her skirt and tucked a stray strand of her blond hair in place.
She hadn’t seen Ryan’s name on the guest list. If she had known he would be here, she would have given the job to her assistant today. Ryan Warner was the last person on earth she wanted to encounter. So far, he hadn’t seen her and she hoped to keep it that way.
If at all possible, she hoped to avoid him. She did not want to renew her acquaintance with him. At least, not until she was ready to deal with him. Though he didn’t know it, he was involved in the enormous secret she kept from her family.
Her gaze drifted over the crowd again. At four inches over six feet tall, Ryan was easy to find. He was dancing now, with a gorgeous brunette, and to Ashley’s relief, he seemed focused on his partner. Ashley prayed he had arrived with the woman and would soon leave with her.
Ashley melted into the crowd, glancing occasionally at Ryan while she moved around the room. Reassured the reception was progressing smoothly, she checked that the waiters picked up empty glasses, serving dishes were filled and guests seemed to be enjoying themselves.
Ashley had another brief surge of reassurance that the wedding and reception were going off without a hitch as she made her way toward the newly married couple. Emily and Jake Thorne looked radiant, both glowing, with constant smiles. She thought they looked the perfect couple together—a beautiful, brown-haired bride with her tall, black-haired, handsome husband. During the early stages of planning the elaborate wedding and reception, Emily had confided in Ashley that her union with Jake was a marriage of convenience. Ashley had soothed her client’s jitters and doubts, and now gave herself a mental pat on the back for helping to make this day great for them and a time to remember the rest of their lives.
Finally, it was time to cut the cake, and the second the next dance stopped, Ashley approached the bride. “Cakecutting time,” she stated. “I have the photographer ready and waiting.”
“Thanks, Ashley. This is wonderful!” Emily gushed.
“I’m glad. By the way, I don’t recall Ryan Warner’s name on the guest list,” she added casually.
Emily shrugged. “Ryan and Jake and our best man, Nick Colton, are the closest of friends. They all grew up together. Ryan was in Europe and tied up in business and said he couldn’t make the wedding, but then he surprised us this morning, and here he is. Do you know—”
“There’s the photographer,” Ashley interrupted, having another rush of apprehension. “Go get some great pictures!” She hurried away, relieved that soon all eyes would be on the bride and groom.
Certain nothing would go wrong with the photographer and that cutting the cake would be uneventful, Ashley rushed to the powder room to get herself together. Jake still had to throw Emily’s garter and she had to toss her bouquet, but little by little, they were getting through the reception. It would be over soon, but not soon enough.
When Ashley rejoined the crowd, the band still played and couples danced. She didn’t see Ryan and, praying he had left the reception, she hurried to check on the tables of food. She was looking at the swan ice sculpture on the center table when a hand wrapped lightly around her wrist.
“Well, hello,” said a deep voice, and her heart missed a beat.
She turned to look into curious green eyes, eyes fringed with thick black lashes beneath a head of wavy black hair. Eyes as green as a meadow and sexy enough to make her pulse jump. It was those unforgettable eyes that could wreak havoc with her insides.
“What are you doing here?” he asked. “Do you know Emily and Jake?”
“Yes, I do. It’s nice to see you,” she said, intending to escape, aware he still was holding her wrist lightly. With his hand there, he might be able to feel her racing pulse.
“Let’s dance,” Ryan said, drawing her the few steps toward the dance floor. Dressed in a navy suit and white shirt, he stood out in the crowd of other well-dressed men. She suspected that it was due to an aura of self-assurance and his commanding manner.
“I can’t dance today. I’m the wedding planner and I’m working.”
“I knew you were a wedding planner. It didn’t occur to me that you might be hired to do this wedding.”
“When I’m working, I don’t dance,” she said, pulling back slightly as they walked a few more steps to the dance floor. She didn’t want to make a scene, yet she knew she had to get away from him.
“Nonsense,” he said, smiling at her and taking her into his arms.
Even though she hoped to escape, she couldn’t keep from noticing his firm jaw, prominent cheekbones, straight nose and broad shoulders. She remembered the last with absolute clarity—shoulders that were muscled, and a chest that was rock hard. She recalled everything about him in detail. As her face flushed, a mixture of emotions battled in her.
She had to get him out of her life, and the sooner, the better. Memories of his kisses taunted her as her gaze drifted over his features. When his attention lowered to her mouth, her breath caught.
“You ran out on me,” he said, steadily watching her.
“Yes, well, that weekend was a mistake I’ve regretted terribly.”
“Ouch! You didn’t seem so unhappy at the time,” he said, studying her.
“It was uncharacteristic for me. I’ve never…never let go like that. Frankly, I’m working, and I’d rather not discuss it,” she said, wishing her voice was firmer, too aware of each time their legs brushed.
“You look as beautiful as I remember,” he said in his deep voice, and she grew warmer, pleased in spite of her concerns.
“How many women have you said that to recently?” she asked. “Look, I need—”
“No, you don’t. The reception is going great and the bride and groom are having a blast. Relax and enjoy a dance with me. Uncharacteristic or not, why did you run out like that?”
“I just told you the reason. I meant it.”
“Then you had a big change of heart, because for forty-eight hours, we got along great. The best,” he said in a deeper voice, and she knew he was remembering when they had made love.
“That’s over,” she said. Ashley wondered where the firmness in her voice had gone and why he had such a potent effect on her.
“You don’t say,” he murmured. “I hunted for you, but there wasn’t any A. Smith, wedding planner listed in the phone book.”
“I don’t have a landline,” she said, thinking how civilized they were behaving. At the same time, she was torn between wanting to kiss him and wanting to run from him.
“And here my buddy Jake hired you and has been working with you.”
“Actually, I’ve worked more with Emily.”
“Maybe,
