Secret Words (Secret Dreams Contemporary Romance 1) (2 page)

Jasmine flushed at the meaningful look exchanged by Jessa and Faye. She wondered what they were thinking. Would they have a problem if she and Kane dated?

Whoa, Jasmine, slow down. You're getting ahead of yourself here.

At twenty-seven, she had dated plenty of guys. But even though her family thought she fell in and out of love too often, the truth was she hadn't fallen in love with a single one of her past boyfriends. She didn't see the point in extending the relationship when she was sure it had nowhere to go.

With her sister's upcoming nuptials, her desire to find that special someone had become stronger. But finding that one guy might have become harder due to her fear of exposing her little secret—a secret only two other people in the world knew about. She hadn't even told Jessa, although there were times she had wanted to open up to her only sibling. But she still wasn't prepared for the repercussions.

She had a mental picture of people—of Kane—finding out about her secret activity and shivered at the thought.

"Too cold?" Kane asked, his concerned look quickly warming her up.

She shook her head and smiled at him.

"So did you two meet outside the bathrooms?" Faye asked.

"I heard Jasmine yell so I went back in and found her on her bottom. Then we introduced ourselves to each other," Kane answered, his eyes still fully on her flushed face.

"
Back
in
?"

Kane grinned while her face reddened even more. He raised an eyebrow at her. She shrugged and gave a resigned chuckle.

"Jasmine slipped in the men's room," Kane stated.

"What?" Faye and Jessa exclaimed.

"The nearest ladies' room was out of order and I was desperate to go," Jasmine explained. "So I used the men's. I slipped as I was about to come out and Kane heard me. He was waiting outside to make sure no one else went in while I was in there."

"That's so sweet of you, Kane," Jessa said. "Thank you."

"Aww, it was nothing. I'm just glad I was there or one of your bridesmaids might not be able to walk down the aisle on your wedding."

"If Jaz is still in pain next week then she doesn't have to walk. Things don't always work out as planned," Jessa said pragmatically.

"Don't say that, Jess! I want to be fine for your wedding," Jasmine insisted.

"Well, then, you have to make sure you rest your ankle until it's recovered. It doesn't look too bad but we'll stop by a medical centre on our way back home."

"If you're going to sit around for the rest of the afternoon, you better sit on a picnic blanket so you can keep your ankle raised," Kane suggested.

"Good idea," Jessa agreed. "You can lie down and read a book or something so you won't get too bored while the rest of us play games. But I'll sit and chat with you most of the time."

"Don't be silly, Jess. I'll be fine reading. You guys should be enjoying yourselves with Rob and not worrying about me. It's his birthday, and all I have is a sprained ankle."

"Okay. We better help you move to the blanket, then."

"I'll carry her," Kane said. With easy movements, he scooped her up in his muscular arms and sauntered towards one of the picnic blankets under the shade of a tree.

Good heavens, this man is literally sweeping me off my feet.

*******

Kane's heart thundered in his chest and his body hardened. There it was again, that delicious reaction to Jasmine. He'd known her for less than twenty minutes and he already craved being close to her. What was this called? Instant chemistry?

He pressed her closer to him, wanting to bury his face in her long black hair that smelled like some exotic flower.

He was glad he had stayed behind and waited for her while she used the bathroom. He'd always been a sucker for damsels in distress, especially when the damsel was as beautiful and attractive as the one in his arms.

He gently laid her down the blanket and immediately felt bereft when he released her.

"All right?" he asked.

Jasmine nodded, her eyes locking with his with a look of wonder that seemed to reflect what he was feeling. Did she feel it too? That irresistible pull between them? She looked so mesmerising and vulnerable sitting there that he had a great urge to kiss her.

"Here, put your foot up on this, Jaz," Jessa said, placing a rolled-up jacket underneath Jasmine's left calf and breaking the spell that encapsulated them.

"Stop fussing. I'll be fine," Jasmine told her sister. "All I need now is my handbag so I can read from my phone, then you can look after your birthday boy. He looks lonely without you over there."

"Which one is your bag?" Kane asked, wanting to continue to do something for her.

"Uh, that red one next to the white one," Jasmine replied, pointing her finger at the location of her purse.

He went to retrieve it for her. On his way back, he noticed the curious looks Faye and Jessa were throwing at him.
You're being too obvious,
he berated himself.

If things were different, he wouldn't have cared if anyone thought he was interested in Jasmine. But he was in a messy, difficult situation with Hannah and he needed to fix things with her before he could move on. Faye knew that and, knowing how close his sister was to her best friends, he was certain Jessa knew that, too. He would be frowned upon if he pursued Jasmine at this time, and he couldn't blame them if they did.

He smiled at Jasmine as he handed her her purse then went to join the boys by the barbecue table. Right now, it was all too complicated. So he knew what he had to do. Stay away from Jasmine.

CHAPTER TWO

Kane clapped and whooped with the rest of the guests as the bridal party was introduced pair by pair by the smooth-talking, funny MC at Rob and Jessa's wedding reception. When Jasmine and her partner entered the room, his heart skipped a beat. Again. It seemed to have developed a habit of doing that whenever his gaze landed on Jasmine.

She looked absolutely stunning in her iris-coloured bridesmaid's dress. He couldn't tell if her ankle still bothered her but judging from the happy grin on her face, she wasn't in much pain. She smiled at people on her way to the bridal party table but she appeared to be scanning the room.

Until she found him and their gazes locked for a few breathless seconds. Her smile widened and her eyes lit up.

He inhaled deeply as warmth flooded him. He really should stop pretending to himself there wasn't anything major going on between him and Jasmine. It was plain to see. She was interested in him and he was interested in her. They'd been exchanging glances since earlier that day—before, during and after the wedding ceremony.

And he had to admit that since he first met her at the picnic seven days ago, he hadn't been able to stop thinking about her. A few times during the past week, he was tempted to contact her—just to see if her ankle was healing nicely. He had gone as far as asking Faye if she knew how Jasmine was doing and Faye assured him she was fine. Then his dear, perceptive sister followed it up with her own question: "How's Hannah?"

That was enough to stop him in his tracks. Things with Hannah weren't sorted yet. Far from it. And it was frustrating the hell out of him.

It didn't stop him from daydreaming about Jasmine, though.

Yes, him. Kane Summers. Thirty-four years old. Daydreaming
about a woman. Seriously.

If he didn't know any better he would think he'd fallen in love at first sight. But he did know better. What people called love at first sight was nothing more than instant attraction, which had more to do with lust than love. And Jasmine Allen definitely stirred his loins.

Unfortunately, he wasn't free to do something about his fascination for her. Not yet.

And he didn't know when he would be.

~~~~~~~

Envy needled Kane as Jasmine waltzed in another man's arms. If he wasn't aware that her dancing partner—the brother of the groom—was a happily married man with two kids, he might even have been downright jealous.

He consoled himself with the thought that he'd get his turn shortly. He figured a dance or two with her would be innocent enough. A slow song would be perfect—

"I feel for you, bro. It must suck," the man sitting next to him whispered in his ear, bringing him out of his musing.

Kane peeled his eyes away from Jasmine to turn to Ray Thackery, Faye's fiancé and the boss of Faye's best friends, including the bride. "What do you mean?"

"Jasmine. Hannah," Ray responded cryptically.

He smiled wryly. "I guess it's kind of obvious I'm interested in Jasmine, isn't it?"

"Kind of? Bro, all you've done all day was gape at her."

Kane took a deep breath. "I can't afford to give Hannah more reason to get upset. It will make things even more difficult."

Ray smiled sympathetically. "I know. What do you plan to do?"

"What can I do but wait until the time is right? Problem is, I don't think it will be anytime soon."

Ray patted his shoulder consolingly. "Everything will turn out fine eventually."

"Does Jasmine know about Hannah?" he asked his future brother-in-law.

"I don't think so," Ray responded. "But both Jess and Faye hope that what you and Jasmine have for each other is just a little crush."

"What? Jess doesn't approve of me?" he asked with feigned indignation.

"She just doesn't want her sister to get hurt. And
your
sister doesn't want you to have more problems. I don't either."

"Is this your way of telling me not to make a move on Jasmine?"

"No. That's none of our business. We're just hoping things don't get any harder for you than it already is."

"Yeah, thanks," he said with a heavy sigh.

The MC's voice rose over the music and encouraged everyone to join the bridal party on the dance floor.

"Well, I'm off to waltz with the most beautiful bridesmaid of them all," Ray announced as he stood up and made a beeline for Faye.

Kane watched as Ray pulled Faye in his arms and smooched her right in the middle of the room with no care in the world.

He chuckled at the demonstrativeness of the couple as his eyes searched for Jasmine in the crowded area. He was determined to have her in his arms for as long as he could tonight, if only to move with the music.

Except that another guy had already claimed her.

His face flushed as a wave of sheer possessiveness hit him. His eyes slitted at the way the guy was running his hand seductively over Jasmine's back while keeping her plastered against his body with a tight arm around her waist. His chest constricted at the intimate picture unfolding before him.

Who the fuck is that guy? A boyfriend?

His gut clenched when he caught the expression on Jasmine's face. She looked angry and upset. Then worry enveloped him as the pair left the dance floor and went out the door.

With no other thought, he followed.

Kane kept a discreet distance as Jasmine's companion led her to a quiet corner outside the ballroom. He stopped behind a post, hidden from their view. It was rude to eavesdrop on a private conversation but he wanted to make sure Jasmine was okay.

"Listen to me, Tim," he heard her say with controlled anger. "I am not going to put up with you touching me like you just did."

"I'm sorry, sweet pea," the guy called Tim droned. "You know I'm just hot for you."

Kane's hands fisted at his sides. He didn't like the way the punk talked. But he stayed where he was. Jasmine might not appreciate him interfering.

"Stop calling me sweet pea!" Jasmine cried. "Do you realise how drunk you are already? You are at my sister's wedding, Tim. Please behave yourself. And please leave me alone."

"All I want is one chance with you, Jasmine. Just one. Please," the jerk whined.

"I'm sorry, but no."

Jasmine's voice was firm and Kane felt proud of her.

"Well, I have two weeks to wear you down," Tim said smugly, his tone turning into something more sinister.

"What do you mean?"

"I took a couple of weeks off work so I could stay here in Sydney with you."

"What? I'm not going to spend any time with you so you might as well go back to Melbourne." Jasmine replied, her voice losing some of its bravado.

"I heard you'll be all alone in Jessa and Rob's big house while they enjoy their honeymoon. You might want a warm body to keep you company," the creep slurred suggestively.

That's it. This has gone on long enough.
Kane stepped out and showed himself.

"Jaz. There you are. I've been looking for you." He reached out for her.

"Kane!" Jasmine cried as she practically ran to him.

His breath hitched as he put his arm protectively around her shoulders. "Everything okay?"

Jasmine nodded, smiling up at him with grateful eyes.

He turned his attention to the other man. "Hi, I'm Kane Summers," he said coldly, not even gesturing for a handshake.

"Well, well, Kane Summers. Who might you be? Her new boyfriend?" Tim asked with a sneer.

"Yes," he responded, the lie rolling off his tongue easily.

Tim glared at Jasmine, his lips twisting with contempt. "You give everyone else a turn, Jasmine. But not me. What do they have that I don't? A bigger bank account?"

Kane took a menacing step towards the jerk but stilled when Jasmine clutched his arm.

"Kane, it's Jessa's wedding," she whispered frantically.

He took a deep breath and held back. He understood why Jasmine wouldn't want her sister's night to be ruined by a fight between two of her guests. But another word from the intoxicated idiot and he might do something he'd regret.

"You should leave now, Tim," Jasmine said quietly. "Unless you want both our fathers to hear about this."
 

"Fine. But I'm not done with you yet, Jasmine," Tim threatened as he ambled towards the exit.

Kane felt Jasmine sag against him. With relief, he assumed.

"You okay?" he asked, tightening his arm around her.

"Yeah. Sorry. I'm just glad he left."

"Who the hell was he?"

"That was Tim Smith, the son of one of my dad's business partners. He's been pursuing me for a while now but I'm just not interested. I think he got really ticked off when I dated his friend George a few months ago. Since then, he's been really intense and pushy."