Chapter Two

"Thank you for a lovely evening, but it is time for us to retire," Mrs. Saunders said as Emma sat down. She rose and stood behind Mr. Saunders' chair. The old man was struggling to keep his eyes open, seemingly exhausted by the dinner and toast. Emma jumped up and gave Mrs. Saunders a friendly hug. She was determined to win Jack's mother over eventually. Mrs. Saunders returned the affection and Emma bent to give Mr. Saunders a kiss on the cheek. He beamed up at her, and waved as Jack's assistant, Rachel, wheeled his chair away. The table watched quietly as they disappeared around a perfectly manicured hedge and into the deepening night.

"I think we'll hit the hay too," my dad said as he pushed his chair out. He stood and shook Jack's hand before giving Emma a kiss. Mom gave them both a hug, her eyes bright. Her baby girl was getting married, and she was so incredibly proud and excited. She kissed my head as she walked past. I watched my parents walk hand and hand down the stone path, still very much in love. I hoped to find a love like theirs someday.

"I think that leaves just us young-uns," Jack's little brother said with a grin. "Bring on the tequila!"

"Sorry, Robbie, I have an early morning," Jack said. "Technically so do you, but since you just have to stand there and look pretty, it shouldn't be too hard." He leaned back in his chair, in no obvious hurry to get anywhere.

"What about the amazing bachelor party I have planned?" Robbie asked with mock seriousness.

Jack grimaced and Emma laughed. From what I had heard, the New York bachelor party had been a crazy enough party for Jack. He wouldn't say exactly what they did, but he had refused to drink anything besides water and Gatorade for a week.

"What about you, Kaylee?" Owen asked. He said my name slowly, as though he liked the way it felt on his lips. To be honest, I liked the way it sounded coming out of his mouth, but I was not about to do anything to encourage him.

I shrugged. "I'll probably have an early night. We have a busy day tomorrow."

Owen nodded, his blue eyes intent on mine. "Perhaps I can interest you in a drink before you go?"

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. I wanted to say no, but it was as if he was hypnotizing me to say yes. The way he held his body, his eyes catching mine and the seductive tone of voice, it was all incredibly hard to say no to. No wonder the guy was a marketing VP.

"Count me in!" Robbie said with a smirk before I could actually answer. Owen gave him a sideways glare. The spell was broken.

"You oversold it. Even I was tempted," Jack said, finishing his drink. Owen gave him a dirty look to match the one he had shot Robbie.

"If I wasn't marrying this handsome man tomorrow, I would have been all over that," Emma said and smiled sweetly at him. Owen raised his hands in defeat. It was easy to tell that his method of picking up women was a known thing among the four of them.

"Fine, too obvious. Question still stands though Kaylee. Would you like to get a drink?" Owen asked, his smile hopeful. I had to nip this in the bud before he could try that hypnotizing look again. Girls probably fell for him left and right with that smolder.

"Sorry, no. I've sworn off men for a little while," I said. I did not want to get burned by a man like I did last time. "Especially men who buy me drinks."

Possibly forever, I thought.

Owen tipped his chin down and gave me the biggest blue puppy eyes I have ever seen. I'm not sure quite how he did it, but it took a lot of willpower not to give in. When he started to tremble his lower lip, I almost caved, but then Jack started to laugh.

"Oh Kaylee, I think he likes you! He never does the puppy thing unless he's desperate," Jack just barely managed to say before he began to laugh. He and Emma were both snorting into their wine at the pathetic face Owen was making.

"You guys are seriously ruining my mojo. This works every time." Owen glared at the happy couple, sparing an angry glance for Robbie, who was cracking up in the corner.

"I think I'm going to go to bed," I said, knowing full well those blue eyes would get me if I stayed. I needed to avoid men for a little while for my own good. Owen smiled up at me as I stood from the table.

"Would you like me to join you?" he asked. He practically oozed charm. It wasn't a bad thing. In fact, it was rather nice to be so obviously desired, but I had no interest in a random hookup. I wasn't looking for a good time, and I certainly wasn't looking for a relationship. Not that he was even offering the latter.

"You are persistent! Thanks, but no thanks," I said, shaking my head. I gave Emma a hug and Jack surprised me with a hug from him. I was liking Jack more and more.

"You sure? I give excellent back rubs," Owen tried again. I knew he was just playing so I pretended to think about it, holding a finger up to my lips.

"Hmm... nope."

"Break my heart!" he cried, falling back into his chair as though I had wounded him. He grinned and gave me a wink as I made sure I had my room key. Robbie came around the table and gave me a big bear hug, practically lifting me off the floor.

"Have a great night, Kaylee," Robbie said with a grin before turning to Owen and adding, "and that's how you do it."

"Well, if that's how it's done," Owen said, rising gracefully. He stepped close to me and my heart started pounding in my chest for no apparent reason. I had told myself I wasn't going to give into him, and I was going to stick by it, no matter how much he made my insides heat.

"Have a wonderful night, Kaylee. Dream sweet," he whispered as he wrapped me up in his arms. For one glorious second, I let myself imagine being his. My body ached to be touched, to be wrapped up with his. His cologne was masculine but not overpowering, his arms strong and confident around me. I honestly didn't want him to let go, but he released me before it could even be considered awkward. I hoped I wasn't blushing too noticeably.

"You all have a good night," I managed to stutter before heading down the stone pathway off the porch. I stepped into the twilight, feeling the warm tropical evening surround me. The waves shushed in the distance and night insects sang in the bushes while the stars twinkled above. It was something that I would have typically enjoyed, but right then, all I could think about was how good Owen had smelled.

***

I watched as my dad walked my little sister down the aisle. Or rather, down the beach we had made into an aisle. Dad kissed her softly before reluctantly letting go. Jack grinned like the happiest person in the world as she stepped toward him.

Emma was stunning. She wore a flowing white dress that billowed slightly in the breeze and was just formal enough for a wedding, but casual enough that it screamed Emma. Her long dark hair was half up in a complicated series of braids. and the rest blew softly in the gentle wind. She chose not to go with a veil, instead having tiny white flowers that matched her bouquet sprinkled throughout the dark braids. She looked like something out of a fairytale which, considering the man she was marrying, was appropriate.

She handed me her flowers and turned to face Jack. Everything about her was glowing. Her happiness was infectious. I couldn't have wiped the smile off my face if I tried. The minister began in a deep voice, the audience sitting with rapt attention. My mother kept dotting her eyes, tears of joy spilling down her face.

"Do you, Emma LaRue, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband? To have and to hold, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse, for as long as you both shall live?"

Emma's voice shook slightly as she answered, "I do." I knew she was happy, her entire being vibrating with joy. Jack grinned as she promised herself to him, a boyish enthusiasm radiating out from him in waves.

I really liked Jack. I hadn't gotten to spend much time with him up until now, as he was often busy with the job of heading a major oil company. The transition of leadership from the elderly Daniel Saunders leading the company to the younger Jack Saunders had been stressful, but he seemed to overflow with confidence now. Emma and I had discussed how swamped he had been, and how that meant she didn't get to see him as much as she would have liked. She had been overjoyed when the transition period ended and he was able to leave work every night to be with her.

The fact that Jack adored my little sister made him a good guy in my book. Every time she walked into the room, his eyes followed her, gleaming with love, and that told me that he was head over heels for her. I loved the way she smiled and lit up whenever they were together. The money was an added bonus, but I knew she would have loved him even if he had been broke.

Jack slid a ring on her finger, the light catching on a massive diamond that cast a bright fire across the entire crowd. It was fitting, because their love burned like a fire that cast happiness across everyone they met.

Still, I hoped she wasn't going swimming later because with that rock on her hand, she would drown. Owen put the ring box back into his pocket and caught my eye. We made eye contact and he grinned at me. My skin went hot, and I looked back at the ring, flustered.

I had dreamed about him all night. Dream sweet, he had said, and sweet dreams I had. I tried to pay attention to the rest of the ceremony, but I could feel Owen's eyes on me. And why not? I thought. Jack's assistant had picked out a great dress for me, a strapless coral-colored dress. She had contacted a tailor out in Iowa to measure me and modify the dress to hug all my contours. I couldn't believe how good it looked on me, the color accenting my dark hair and the cut making me look like a supermodel.

I wanted to look back up at Owen, but I knew if I did, I would blush. The man was too charming for his own good. Why is it this hard to just ignore a man? I thought. I was lost in thought for a moment as Jack recited his vows.

"I now pronounce you husband and wife! You may kiss the bride!"

Everyone let out a cheer as Jack leaned forward and kissed Emma. I let out a whoop and raised my bouquet to the sky, genuinely happy for my little sister. The cameras flashed and clicked as the two of them broke apart, grins plastered on their faces. Jack grabbed her hand, and together they took off down the aisle, the rest of the bridal party following at a more sedate pace.

Owen met me at the center point and offered his arm. I took it, and he grinned as he walked me down the aisle. His arm felt strong against mine, his muscles flexed as he escorted me back toward the resort. I wondered if the rest of his body would feel as nice under me.

Stop it, I thought. I had promised myself no men for a while, and no matter how good Owen looked in a suit or how much he flirted with me, I wasn’t about to give in. I braced myself for the inevitable flirting that I knew I would endure as soon as the ceremony was over.