Deep Autumn Heat (17 page)

Lexie and the team at the Kitchen had worked like demons since Wednesday night, and their hard work had paid off. By four o’clock on Saturday, the completed wedding cake and retro desserts had been transported to the Inn, the appetizers were almost ready, the preparation of the side dishes had begun, and the main dishes were all well underway. Lexie glanced at the clock.

“Buster?” she called out.

“Yep,” he replied, without looking up from the carrots he was chopping.

“How are things with the side dishes?”

“Fine.”

“Isis,” she called across the room. “Give me the rundown.”

“Chicken and fish prep are done, right?”

“Right,” Lexie affirmed. “Cornbread stuffing?”

“Prepped for baking.”

“Sweet potatoes.”

“The pecan–brown sugar topping is on, and it’s ready to go under the broiler.”

“Root vegetables?”

“Back in the oven for final crisping.”

“Brussels sprouts with almonds?”

“I’m still chopping them. I could use some help.”

“Knife?” she asked Buster.

While Buster pulled out the proper knife from his cloth knife bag, Lexie took a peek in the oven under the foil wrapping of the root vegetable dish. “Mmm … beautiful. Great work, guys.”

Buster handed her the knife and she made quick work of the towering pile of Brussels
sprouts. Isis nodded at her gratefully. “Thanks.”

Lexie smiled. “No problem.” She wiped her hands off and removed her apron. “It looks like you have everything under control here. I’ll go check on the serving table to make sure we have what we need.” Wending her way through the Inn, she dodged the florist and a few other people who’d been hired to set up for the wedding. She reached the side door and walked out to the front lawn.

To her left she saw that the tent for the reception had been assembled, and the tables and chairs were being arranged by a small crew of men. To her right, in front of the water, the wedding canopy and rows of chairs had already been arranged. Guests watching the ceremony would be able to see the ocean and the harbor. It was stunning, and the perfect place for Emma and Jimmy to exchange their vows. Suddenly, she stopped short.

Sebastian Grayson was standing at the edge of the lawn, staring out over the harbor. She could only see his back, but even from sixty feet away she knew it was him and not one of his brothers. It was the way he held himself. The powerful, casual elegance of his lean body. She’d know those broad shoulders anywhere. They filled out his suit to perfection.

Lexie had a sudden impulse to turn around and return to the kitchen—and a warring one to walk toward the harbor and join him.

She forced herself to march into the tent instead. She had a job to do, and she wasn’t going to let any thoughts of Sebastian Grayson get in her way. Suppressing her nervousness, Lexie approached a confident-looking man in his mid-forties.

“Hi, I’m Lexie Meyers, owner of the LM Kitchen in town. I’m doing the catering today. You in charge here?”

“Yes, I am,” the man said in a smooth voice. “Jeremy Owens. I run an event rental business out of Barnstable.”

They shook hands.

“Is there any particular way you’d like the serving tables arranged?” he asked Lexie. “I’ve got the two large ones over there,” he said, pointing with his finger, “and a smaller one for
the cake over there,” he finished, pointing again. “Will that suit you?”

“It looks great, but I’d like to make a suggestion for the table seating,” she responded. She and Jeremy spent the next thirty minutes sorting through the final arrangements. Satisfied, she finally turned to head back to the Inn. On the way, she couldn’t help but steal a glance in Seb’s direction. He was gone. She was disappointed, but relieved. Deliberately, she pushed any other thoughts of him from of her mind.

The next two hours passed in a blur. It was a mad dash to the finish line, but somehow, it all came together. Sooner than she’d realized, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Lexie changed from her kitchen clogs into strappy sandals, and walked out the front door into the dimming light.

She almost ran straight into Seb. Her breath caught in her throat. Now that she was up close, Lexie could see he was wearing an elegant dark gray three-piece suit. His black hair complemented his attire and his eyes glowed a greenish-yellow in the early evening light. His beautiful mouth was set in a straight line.

“Lexie,” he said, his voice a deep rumble as he held out his right elbow for her to take.

Lexie hesitated for just a second, and then tentatively placed her hand in the crook of his arm. After a millisecond she thought about pulling it away. As if he could read her mind, he immediately covered her hand with his own. She felt a jolt of electricity stab through her and she shivered slightly.

Seb looked straight ahead as he led her to one of the ushers. Heat emanated from him in waves. Being so close to him was a jolt to her senses, just like it always was. It was difficult, if not impossible, to ignore the way he made her feel.

Keep it together, Lexie
.

It wasn’t until Seb had handed her off that Lexie could relax and enjoy her surroundings. Tiny paper lanterns lined the aisle path and a gorgeous bower of branches and flowers made up the marriage canopy. About sixty people were in attendance, most of whom Lexie knew. She was seated next to Cameron Stahl, and she chatted quietly with her until the ceremony began.
Though she was curious, she didn’t look to see where Seb had been seated.

The string quartet from the Berklee School of Music started the wedding march and Cole came down the aisle, a picture of masculine grace. Val followed, wearing an identical tuxedo that hid his also-impressive physique. Two other men Lexie knew only by sight walked down next. All four men sat in the front row, on the groom’s side. Next came Rob and Mary Bishop, Jimmy’s father and mother. Lexie thought it was sweet that Jimmy had asked his father to be his best man. Then Jimmy himself appeared, looking extremely handsome. His tuxedo matched the ones the groomsmen were wearing, but his vest was deep gray rather than black. Slowly, he walked to the front and turned. Emma’s sister, Avery, walked out wearing a stunning dress of deep blue satin. She carried a bouquet of flowers in autumn colors that only served to emphasize her gorgeous red hair. Then there was a pause in the music and everyone stood.

Emma’s parents had passed away years before, so when she floated down the aisle she was escorted by her aunt, Kate Everhart. Lexie gasped; her friend looked serenely beautiful in her dress—a confection of ivory satin that hugged her small, slender figure. A veil extended over Emma’s head and down to her feet. Under the veil, Emma’s russet hair was twisted up in an elegant knot. Entwined in the artfully arranged coif were parchment-colored roses.

At the end of the aisle, Kate raised her niece’s veil and gave her a kiss on the cheek. Emma smiled warmly at her before stepping up to the canopy. Jimmy took her hand in his, his huge frame contrasting with her petite one.

Lexie had never seen either of them look happier.

The ceremony was simple and elegant. Father Phillips pronounced them man and wife just as dusk fell. Jimmy embraced Emma and kissed her tenderly, reverently.

Lexie sighed and joined in the applause.
This
was what a real wedding should be—filled with the love of two people who had found each other and wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Behind the couple, the lights from the harbor twinkled underneath the stars. It had grown cool, and Father Phillips gestured for everyone to follow the wedding party into the reception tent, which was warmed by space heaters. Instead of listening to the toasts, Lexie raced
back to the kitchen, threw on an apron, and helped her team as they put the finishing touches on the main courses. The appetizers were already out, circulating in the reception tent.

For the next thirty minutes, she prepped and served, making sure every guest had plenty of hot, delicious food.

Lexie was exhausted by the time the cake was cut. She’d been on edge, wanting everything to be perfect, both for the newlyweds’ sake and for her own. It was, after all, her reputation on the line. She’d put her heart and soul into this job and she was proud of how everything had turned out. She’d gotten a lot of compliments, too. Royce Hogan, the town’s mayor, had even asked for second helpings—always a good sign. Hopefully, she’d be able to launch LMK Catering with some actual clients after tonight.

For the last time, Lexie returned to the kitchen and untied her apron. She gave cleanup instructions to her team, then returned to the reception tent and snared a glass of Riesling from the bar. Moving to a darkened corner, she sat, resting her weary legs and feet.

It was late, and Star Harbor was an early town. Many of the guests had already headed home. Only a handful remained, along with the bride and groom, who had nowhere to go but upstairs to their room after the festivities were over.

Watching Jimmy and Emma sway on the dance floor, she took a sip of wine and flicked off her shoes under the table. Her feet throbbed along with her head. She’d put the uncomfortable sandals back on later, but right now, she needed a moment to relax before driving home. This would be the last time she catered an event in heels.

What a night! She was glad she’d gotten the chance to witness the ceremony, but she wished she’d been able to enjoy some of the party as well. She had sore feet and not a dance to show for it. Absentmindedly, she reached down and began to rub a heel, sighing with pleasure as some of the ache dissipated.

The next thing she realized, Seb was standing over her. His suit jacket was gone, and his hard body was outlined by his fitted vest and slim pants. He’d rolled up the sleeves of his shirt, displaying his strong forearms.

He held out one large hand. “Dance with me,” he softly urged.

“You haven’t said more than a word to me all night and now you ask me to dance.”

“You were working,” he said simply. “I didn’t want to disturb you.”

And Lexie understood. More than anything, Seb was a consummate professional. He had expected her to be the same. Luckily, she was.

“The food was delicious,” he said, still holding out his hand. “Especially the crab cakes. You should have won that competition, you know.”

“Th-thank you,” she stammered. It was a huge compliment coming from him.

“Dance with me, Lexie.”

“You told me you’d stay away after the competition.” It was a lame excuse and she knew it. One last-ditch effort to protect herself, and a half-hearted one at that.

“No, I told you I’d stay away from your restaurant if you won. Since it was a tie, and I said nothing about staying away from
you
, there’s nothing to prevent me from asking you to dance. So please,” he asked, “do me the honor.”

“Well … all right.” She reached out and her hand was immediately enveloped in his. He pulled her up. “Wait! My shoes …”

“Forget the shoes,” he said, leading her toward the dance floor. “They’ll only hurt your feet more.”

“But—”

“We’ll find them later,” he said firmly, before pulling her into his warm embrace. He took her right hand in his left and wrapped a long arm around her waist. She put her left arm around him as they slowly swayed to the music.

It was his nearness. That was the only explanation she had for why the whole room seemed to fade away. All she heard was the music playing softy in her head like a dream and all she felt was him—his body pressed up against hers in invitation.

Without her shoes on, he towered over her, making her feel even smaller than she already did. His body was massive, providing welcome warmth from the cool air. The hand resting on
the small of her back slid up, running lightly over the bare skin above her strapless dress and making her shiver. He seemed to enjoy her response, so he moved his hand across her shoulder, then back down to her waist.

She looked up at him.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” he asked.

“I’m trying to figure you out. Emma says you’re an angel. Babs says you’re the Devil. Which is it?”

“You don’t want to know,” he said almost ruefully.

“Two weeks ago, I would have agreed with you. Now, I’m not so sure.”

He looked at her and sighed, then trailed a finger down her cheek. “You really have no idea how beautiful you are.” Lexie blushed and looked down, her heart beating even more rapidly in her chest. He took her by the chin and tipped her face so that she was looking up at him. “I wish I could keep away from you, but I can’t get you out of my mind.”

Lexie knew her eyes reflected the confusion she felt. “You make me nervous,” she whispered truthfully.
Except when he was kissing her
. Then it was the force of her response that made her nervous.

He laughed briefly but didn’t release her chin. “You should stay away from me.”

“I’ve tried. Believe me, I’ve tried. But for some reason, you keep coming back and I keep liking it. Why?”

“Why do you think?” he asked before bending down to kiss her.

Seb’s mouth was full of dark promise. Of untried delights Lexie had only dreamed about. He’d been everywhere, tasted everything. And now he was tasting her.

The intensity of his kiss told her how much he wanted her. Despite everything she knew about him, everything she felt about him, Lexie wanted him, too. She simply couldn’t help herself.

She skimmed her hands up his hard chest and wound them around his neck, pulling him closer. Her breasts pressed against his chest and grew heavy with desire. Still, he made no movement, save to tighten his grip. She wanted him to touch her, even here on this dance floor, in front of everyone. But he wouldn’t. He was testing her, making sure she was with him. Making sure she wanted this as much as he did.

She did.

To show him how much, Lexie kissed him back the way he was kissing her. Deeply, passionately, as if he were the only being in existence. Time stood still.

Finally, slowly, he lifted his head. “I … can’t … do … this …,” he managed to get out.