Page 6 of Taming a Heartbreaker

He glanced down at her. “Yes, but it won’t start until after midnight. I understand Nadia’s sisters, Pam, Jillian and Paige, will be hosting a wedding after-party for the ladies and expect the men to make an appearance for at least an hour.”

“Are you going to the after-party?”

“No. I’ve had enough partying for one day.”

She nodded. “Like you, I’ve partied enough today, too.”

“So, what are your plans for tonight?” he asked her.

“I don’t have any.”

He slowed his pace. “I have a suggestion.”

“What?”

She wondered if this was where he would suggest that they go to her cottage or his. If that was his plan, she had news for him. It wouldn’t happen. Although she would admit that just being near him had desire like she’d never felt before twisting inside her. This was all new to her, but regardless, she wouldn’t lose her common sense over it.

“A wine and cheese moonlight picnic by the lake,” he said.

She stared at him. Why had he suggested something so romantic? The smart response would be to decline. Now that he seemed to be showing interest in her, she should set a pace that wasn’t too fast.

“Carmen?”

She was about to say she wasn’t interested in such a picnic, when instead she said, “A moonlight picnic sounds wonderful.” He smiled and she wished that smile didn’t stir her insides the way it was.

“Good. How about we meet at the gazebo in about thirty minutes? I need to get everything.”

She lifted a brow. “Get everything?”

“Yes, the food, wine and blanket.”

Blanket? Right. They would need one to sit on. “Okay. I need to change out of this dress anyway.”

His gaze roamed over her. “No, don’t change. I like seeing you in that dress. It looks nice on you.”

Why did his compliment make her heart skip a beat? “Thanks. I’ll see you in half an hour.”

“And I’ll be waiting.”

Chapter Three

Redford watched Carmen walk away while thinking he wanted to be the one to take that dress off her tonight. There was something about her that brought out the primitive male in him. It had been nearly too much for his heart to take, while they’d been dancing, to focus on her face and not her cleavage.

And whatever perfume she wore was also doing a number on him. The scent made him want to growl at the moon instead of sitting on a blanket beneath it. Why in the hell had he suggested a picnic instead of proposing they go to her cottage and have their own party?

When Carmen was no longer in sight, Redford released a deep breath, stunned by the degree of desire he felt for her. They’d danced to every single song, and he had loved it. Seeing how she’d moved her body during the fast songs, and then the way she felt in his arms during the slow ones, had fired up his libido even more. There had been something about holding her in his arms while their bodies were close that made him think of sharing even more intimacies.

He glanced at his watch again. Carmen would be back soon, and he didn’t want her waiting. Leaving the area, he went back inside Westmoreland House and approached Alpha, who was married to Riley Westmoreland, and who’d been the wedding planner. She assured Redford there was more than enough food left for a picnic. After telling her he only wanted a bottle of wine and an assortment of cheeses, she left and returned within minutes with a basket for him. She’d even brought a blanket.

Redford was glad he hadn’t run into Sloan or Leslie. Leslie had watched him like a hawk when he and Carmen had been on the dance floor, and he’d deliberately ignored her stare.

With the picnic basket in hand, Redford rounded a corner and saw a crowd standing around Bailey Westmoreland Rafferty. She and her husband Walker were the proud parents of a newborn son they’d named Thomas, after Bailey’s father.

Before reaching the exit door, he ran into Maverick and Phire who were pushing their son, Legend, in a stroller. Following not far behind the couple were Cash and Brianna Outlaw with the newest member of their family, a son they’d named Brian.

Babies seemed to be everywhere. He recalled the look on Carmen’s face when he’d stated he didn’t want kids. Like he told her, he liked kids. After all, he was godfather to Sloan and Leslie’s daughter, who he adored. However, that ordeal with Candy had shattered his life in so many ways. Her betrayal had cut deep, right into his heart. After that, nothing else mattered in his life other than succeeding in college and career. It was then that he’d vowed to remain a bachelor for life and dismiss all the things that went with loving a woman. Such as marriage, children and a house with a white picket fence.

Tucking the blanket firmly under his arm while he carried the picnic basket, Redford continued walking to where he and Carmen were to meet. So far none of those he’d passed had asked about the basket and blanket. They seemed in a hurry to get to the after-party.

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