Page 69 of Jilted

“Let me try a different approach. What about having fun? No expectations, just get back on the horse andride, girl, ride.”

I smiled. “Now that is tempting…”

“So do it. Listen to Nike andjust fucking do it.”

“I don’t think Nike said it exactly like that.”

“They should have.”

Hedsor House was breathtaking. A private Georgian estate set on a hundred acres of manicured gardens, it made me wonder how I’d ever thought my wedding venue was special. Even the ceremony was beautiful. The bride and groom cried as they exchanged vows, making my own eyes well up with tears. Wilder and I had shared secret smiles a few times, but he’d been on groomsman duty, and I’d been busy talking to the bridal party to get material for my article. After getting off to a rough start with Piper’s wedding, thisgroup had proved themselves to be sophisticated and tasteful, and the series had turned out to be a smart addition for the magazine. All because of a nip slip…

At the cocktail hour, I noticed a willowy brunette walk over and greet Wilder with a big hug and kiss. She was difficult to miss, being drop-dead gorgeous and probably close to six feet tall. When he spoke, she leaned in, gave good eye contact, and rested her hand on his arm or his chest. A woman could spot another interested woman a mile away, and it made me wonder if the ease with which she touched him was because they’d previously spent time touching each other. I looked the other way and went to the bar for a glass of wine, rather than let it bother me. Though the simple exchange dented my confidence.

But once the reception was in full swing, Wilder made his way over to my table.

“Can I have this dance?” He held out a hand.

“Sure.” I smiled.

Wilder led me to the dance floor, pulling me close as we slipped into the crowd of people. His hand rested at the small of my back, making my skin tingle.

“Not leaving room for Jesus again, huh, Hayes?”

His lip twitched. “Have I mentioned you look gorgeous tonight?”

“You have. But thank you. A girl can never hear it too many times. And thank you again for this beautiful dress.”

He nodded. “I intentionally picked one with an open back, for this very moment.” His fingers stroked my bare skin. “The things I’ll do just to get to touch you.”

I giggled, trying to lighten the moment, but the sexual tension was so thick, my breaths felt more like pants already.

Wilder spun me around the dance floor. “Is it weird that I really like shopping for you?”

“No, but I’ve noticed you seem to like shopping in some departments more than others. I think I have two outfits left, yet I have twenty thongs and lacy panties.”

“I never knew dressing a woman could be so titillating.”

“Titillating, huh?”

“Every time I pick something out, I imagine myself peeling it off of you.”

His hand at my back tugged me closer, and I suddenly felt every hard inch of his body.Everyhard inch. I gasped.

Wilder moved his mouth to my ear. “I’ve been this way since the damn day I met you. It never fully goes down.”

“Maybe you should see a doctor?”

He groaned. “A psychiatrist. Because my mind seems to have only one track lately.You.”

There was something so sexy about the way Wilder wasn’t afraid to tell me what he thought. Our attraction wasn’t a one-way street, but I hadn’t had the courage to admit that—at least not yet. I took a deep breath. “You know, I…”

My words trailed off when a woman appeared beside us—the tall brunette from earlier. She was even more stunning up close. She flashed a megawatt smile and looked only at Wilder. “I hope you won’t find me too much of a daft cow if I cut in?”

Great, that face comes with an equally sexy British accent.

Wilder’s grip on me tightened. “Maybe the next song.”

As if on cue, the band played the last note of the song and rolled into a new one.

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