Joan Hohl - A Man Apart

“And you did. It’s a perfect color for so soon after the holidays,” the older woman said, smiling as she stepped into Justin’s waiting arms. “It’s lovely on you.”

Wrong on both counts, Mom, Justin thought as he swept his mother into a hug and planted a kiss on her cheek. That dark green was great against Hannah’s blond hair and creamy complexion any time of year. And she didn’t look merely lovely, she looked ravishing. And as for it being lovely on her, he’d rather see it off her. And he intended to…soon.

Naturally, Justin didn’t say any of that to his mother. She just might have decided to step in and protect the lovely Hannah from her “bad boy” son. He complimented her instead. “As always, you not only look wonderful, Mother, you smell terrific, kinda sexy. I’ll bet Dad loves that scent.”

“Justin Grainger!” His mother sounded shocked, but she couldn’t quite control the amusement twitching the corners of her lips. “Behave yourself.”

“He doesn’t have a clue how to do that,” his father drawled, the glimmer in his eyes similar to the light dancing in his son’s. “But, you know what?” he said, drawing his wife from Justin’s loose hold. “He’s exactly right. I do think that perfume’s sexy. It turns me on.”

His mother gasped and proceeded to scold her grinning husband. Justin thrilled to the soft sound of laughter from the woman by his side. He smiled at Hannah.

“They’re a trip, aren’t they?”

“I think they’re perfect together.” Her returned smile caused sudden heat and potentially embarrassing sensations in all parts of his body.

“I think we’ll be perfect together, too.”

“To quote a wise woman I recently met, ‘Behave yourself, Justin,’ before you embarrass me,” she said sternly, giving him a brief, pointed look at one particular part of his anatomy, “As well as yourself.”

He laughed aloud, he couldn’t help it. This gorgeous woman thoroughly delighted him.

Hannah simply shook her head in despair of him and turned her attention to the line of waiting guests. Then she ignored him until the last couple of guests had finally departed.

Thinking her advice prudent, at least until he got her on the dance floor at the reception, Justin conducted himself like the perfect gentleman throughout the boring ordeal of being prodded and pushed into position by the fussy photographer during the snapping of the wedding pictures.

While he drew impatient with his self-imposed restraint, and at the seemingly endless procedures, he still was distracted and amused by the quick, suspicious glances Hannah winged his way every so often.

Although he felt at the point of busting loose, Justin maintained his circumspect demeanor during the time-honored rituals of the start of the reception. He didn’t even suggest that Adam again change partners with him as the wedding party made their entrance.

Toasts were raised, seemingly never-ending toasts. As best man, Justin gave the first one, and even managed to deliver it without firing one risqué shot at Mitch. Adam stood up after him, and followed his lead of propriety. It was their father, the unrepentant, rugged seventy-five-year-old zing-tosser that scored with a couple of sly innuendoes.

Braving their mother’s startled and annoyed expression, Justin joined his brothers and the guests in laughter. He was happy to notice that Maggie, Karla, his sisters and even the tempting Hannah were laughing.

Within seconds, at a teasing, endearing smile from his father, his mother gave in to laughter, too.

It set the mood for the celebratory party. Growing impatient to hold Hannah in his arms, Justin remained stoic throughout the rest of the preliminaries.

There was dinner. A buffet fairly groaning with the weight of the food. Servers stood behind the long table, slicing roast beef, baked ham and roasted turkey. Then there was an array of all kinds of hot vegetables, salads and fruits.

Would this never end? Justin wondered, filling his plate then only picking at the food. Not anytime soon, he concluded, hearing the announcement for the bride and groom’s first dance.

The first dance ended and the frontman for the small band called for the attendants to take the floor. Schooling himself, Justin swept Hannah into his arms and onto the floor, keeping a respectful distance between them.

She gave him a wary look, as if recalling the way he had held her the night before.

Justin offered her a polite smile. “Did you enjoy your dinner?” he asked, his tone every bit as polite as his smile. “I noticed you didn’t take very much to eat.”

Hannah still looked wary. “I really wasn’t hungry.”

“I suppose you didn’t notice, but I wasn’t, either.” He smiled at Adam and Karla as they danced past. “At least, I wasn’t hungry for food.”

“Justin.” Her voice was soft, stern. Her gaze narrowed on his. “Are you going to start up again?”

“Oh, honey, I’ve barely begun.” He grinned. “May I see you back to the house?”

Her eyes glittering defiance, she raised her chin. He was tempted to take a tasty bite of it.

“No. Thank you.” She gave him a superior, mocking smile. “I have my own car.”

Releasing her hand, Justin took a half step back, feigning shock. “You mean, my brother didn’t send a limo for his prospective bride and her attendant?”

“Of course not. Why should he? I rented a large SUV. And he did have the limo to bring them here from the church.”

“Even so, I’d have sent a limo for my intended.” His eyes refuted his self-righteous tone. Reclaiming her hand, he whirled her around.

“And do you have an intended hidden away somewhere?” She was slightly breathless from his sudden quick movement. A becoming color bloomed in her cheeks.

Justin was intrigued, wondering if his swirling action had caused her pink breathlessness, or if it had sprung from her question. “No.” He gave a fast and sharp shake of his head. “No intendeds for me.” He lifted a dark, chiding eyebrow. “If there were, I wouldn’t be here, now, wanting to make love with you.”

She made a sound that to him was part gasp, part sigh. He waited for a response from her, feeling breathless himself.

At that moment the music ended, and she slipped out of his arms and damned near ran to the bridal party table.

For someone who was usually calm and collected, Hannah was feeling more than a little rattled. Rattled, excited and annoyed.

No intendeds for me.

What was he trying to tell her with his emphatic statement, the quick negative shake of his head? He had no use for women? Hannah gave a silent but definite “Ha!” Justin obviously had one use for women.

Just then, Maggie found her. “Hannah, I want you to come with me.” Her friend grasped her arm, tugging to get her moving.

Trailing along, thoroughly confused by the urgency in Maggie’s voice, Hannah asked, “Where are we going…and why such a hurry?”

“We’re going up to the suite Mitch reserved for us for tonight,” Maggie explained-kind of-continuing to tug on Hannah’s arm.

“I don’t understand.” Now she was more than confused.

“Of course you don’t.” Maggie exhaled as the doors to the elevator slid together after they stepped inside. “I want you to help me out of my dress.”

“Me?” Hannah could only stare at her in disbelief. “Maggie, isn’t that Mitch’s job?”

“Yes, yes, I know all that.” Maggie waved the question aside. “But Mitch is the one who asked me to give you another heads-up.” The doors swished open, and Maggie swished into the corridor. “Besides,” she added over her shoulder, “I would like you to take my dress back to the house for me.”

“I’d be happy to take it with me.” Tired of trailing in her friend’s wake, Hannah strode forward to walk with her to the suite. “Heads-up about what?” she asked, with wide-eyed innocence, as if she didn’t know damn well it would concern Justin somehow.