It wasn’t a formal reception, more like a cocktail party with drinks and gourmet finger food being regularly circulated. Tammy had never thought of eating being sexy. Somehow Fletcher made it so, watching her mouth when she bit into puff pastry or spooned in the yummy mornay scallops served on shells. He used a drop of sauce falling on her chin to wipe it off with his finger and put it in his own mouth with a slow sensuality that seemed terribly erotic. She found herself licking her lips and it wasn’t in appreciation of the fine food. She wanted to taste him, wanted to experience everything about the man he was.
It shocked her how intensely he made her feel. She had no idea if he viewed tonight with her as an end in itself or the start of a relationship he wanted to pursue. She wanted to believe the latter, wanted to believe it had been wrong to close the door on him before, wanted to take whatever he was offering her now.
Despite his sister’s and Max Hathaway’s presence at the celebration party, he concentrated his interest solely on her. None of her friends interrupted their togetherness and Max Hathaway only briefly intruded on them, pausing to say ‘Hello,’ and eyeing Tammy with keen curiosity as he remarked to Fletcher, ‘I see why you wanted the invite.’
‘Thanks for obliging me.’
‘You’re welcome.’
He nodded to both of them and moved on, without any reference to getting together later or tomorrow or any other time.
So it was true, Tammy thought. Fletcher had come for her. But for how long?
‘When do you fly out again?’ she asked, needing to know how much time was possible with him.
He grimaced. ‘Tomorrow afternoon. I have to be back in Washington this coming week.’
There was only tonight!
‘So this is another flying visit to Australia,’ she said, trying not to sound desolate with disappointment.
His eyes locked on hers. ‘The thought of you drew me here.’
Blatant, burning desire—no attempt to hide it.
‘For what, Fletcher?’ she blurted out, needing truth from him.
‘For whatever we make of it,’ he replied.
He was holding out possibilities, no promises. Which was probably fair enough in the circumstances. Yet emotionally, she had an instant recoil against the idea of being a one-night stand which might or might not be extended into a future relationship. Was it a risk she had to take?
‘Then I’d better enjoy your dancing expertise while I can,’ she said, forcing a challenging little smile. ‘If you’re up for it.’
It sparked a wicked glitter in his eyes. ‘Definitely up with you.’
The DJ was already in action, spinning popular rock music that everyone could jig to. The small dance floor was crowded. There was no room for any showy flair, but room enough for some extremely dirty dancing and Fletcher was every bit as good at that as he’d been with the jazz waltz.
Tammy did not object to the sinfully sensual moves he made. She loved his hands sliding over the curves of her body, loved the feel of the muscular strength in his thighs, and exulted in the hardness of his obvious erection when they rubbed together, grinding rhythmically to the beat of the music.
She felt gloriously, dangerously sexy, every female cell in her body buzzing with feral excitement. This man was her mate. Instinct insisted it was so. Instinct was screaming at her to seize this chance to claim him, to burn herself so deep in his consciousness no other woman could ever reach that place. He would come back to her because he had to.
The music came to a halt and the DJ announced that a few speeches were about to be made. Guests started crowding into the main room to hear them. Waiters were carrying around trays loaded with glasses of champagne. Fletcher grabbed two bubbling drinks, passing one to her as they moved off the dance floor and found a space where they could stand and listen.
Tammy didn’t hear a word about the bride and groom. Fletcher positioned himself directly behind her. He played with her hair. He ran a finger down the length of her bared spine. He blew softly on the nape of her neck. He whispered in her ear, ‘Can we go after the speeches are done?’
‘Go where?’ she murmured, acutely sensitive to his touch, the heat emanating from him.
‘I have a suite booked in a hotel at Double Bay and a car parked in the grounds behind this house, ready to take us there.’
The low rumble of the words he spoke was like a drumbeat on her heart. A hotel room. A bed for the night. It was a huge moment of decision for her. Yet she couldn’t bear to turn away from him now, couldn’t bear the thought of losing him.
‘I’ll have to speak to Kirsty first.’
‘Kirsty has four other bridesmaids.’ Fletcher reminded her, a terse note of impatience in his voice. ‘She doesn’t need you to stay on till the end.’
‘I won’t, but I can’t go without saying goodbye.’ That was wrong. Maybe going with him was wrong, too. Uncertainty roared through her mind. She swung on him, a harsh bolt of truth shooting out of her mouth, challenging the caring he’d shown her earlier. ‘The bond of friendship is worth more than a tumble with you, Fletcher. Kirsty will still be here for me when you’re long gone.’
His jaw tightened as though she had slapped him. The light of battle blazed in his eyes, then slowly simmered down to a steady flame of purpose. ‘You’re not a tumble to me, Tamalyn. I didn’t fly halfway around the world for a tumble,’ he bit out. ‘Perhaps we’ll both be able to measure the worth of it tomorrow.’
‘Yes,’ she said recklessly. ‘I’m looking forward to doing precisely that. In the meantime, I won’t leave with you until I wish Kirsty every happiness in her marriage.’
The kind of happiness Fletcher might never give her.
She turned her back to him again, frightened of the decision she’d just made, a turbulent whirl of emotional conflict ripping through her as she remembered Celine’s warning about her brother—running through women like there was an endless supply of them. Was she any different? Could she hold his interest?
His hands gripped her waist as though needing to claim possession of her. ‘Okay. Do what you have to,’ he muttered darkly. ‘I’ve waited this long. What’s another hour?’
This long… Had she caused him to be disinterested in other women these past six months? Hope soared over her fears. Maybe going with him tonight was not such a mad gamble.
The speeches were followed by the cutting of the cake and a bridal waltz. Tammy had to leave Fletcher to join in the waltz with the groomsman who’d partnered her for the wedding ceremony. As soon as the dance was over, Kirsty announced she was off to the powder room, and Tammy quickly excused herself to go with her.