“I’m not sure. He did ask me to pass the information along to you. I would speculate he simply assumed we’d attend together.”
“Why don’t you let me have the list. I’ll attend the dinner and then bring back suggestions based on what they’ve put together. There’s no need for you to come with me. It’s really a simple event. No need to...” She took his hand and squeezed it before letting go. “I can do this more quickly and efficiently if you’re not there to distract me.”
“First, I’m here on behalf of my sister and her groom. It only makes sense that I see what’s being proposed. Second, dining alone is never as entertaining as dining with a partner.” He traced the line of her jaw, a smile playing at each corner of his mouth. “Distractions aren’t necessarily a bad thing, Ella.”
“Clearly you’ve never tried dating in Los Angeles.”
He arched a brow, inquiry unspoken.
“My dates usually wrap up with me trying to avoid the awkward good-night kiss while wishing I’d told the guy no when he asked, picked up Chinese takeout and brought it home to watchThe Big Bang Theoryreruns...alone.”
Liam shook his head, the look on his face one of disappointment. “You are, without a doubt, choosing the wrong men.”
She tapped a finger against her pursed lips and pretended to consider his words. “You know, you might be on to something.”
He studied her with an intensity that left her shifting her weight from foot to foot, and then he spoke, each word registering low but clear. “Have dinner with me, and I’ll show you how the men who’ve taken you out should have done it.”
She considered him, truly curious as to what he’d do differently. Before she could respond, he pulled her close, pressed a kiss to her temple and said softly, “Those are my terms, Ella. Accept them and I’ll provide the list of amended guest preferences as well as a night you won’t forget.”
“Deal.”
He tucked a wayward strand of hair behind her ear. “I’d say I’ll pick you up at seven, but to make things easier, why don’t we meet in the living room?”
“Again, deal.”
He kissed her then, kissed her like he meant it. Stepping back, he set himself to rights before offering a hand and leading them back onto the path. An approaching couple smiled and looked away.
Ella blushed.
“That color looks good on your cheeks,” Liam murmured. “I’ve a favor, if you don’t mind.”
“What’s that?”
“Would you allow me to shower first? It will give me a few extra minutes to revise the list and print it for you.”
Visions of him in the shower, wet and soaped up, rendered her mute. An answer was necessary, but words eluded her. All she could do was nod.
Her mind flashed over dinner and went straight to the point when they would head back to the bungalow, where Liam Baggett had promised to show her how a dateshouldend.
Even her imagination knew there were things he’d be able to show her, things she’d never considered. But come morning, she’d know.
Firsthand.
CHAPTER FIVE
LIAMDIDASPROMISED, showering first and then retrieving and printing the list. What he hadn’t told Ella was that the list had already been modified. Well before his arrival at this tropical paradise, Liam had created several versions of the list, unsure which would be necessary. So while Ella had showered, he’d found the list with no names but guest characteristics, some accurate and others, well... He’d switched guest preferences, omitting some items and outright changing others.
He hadn’t once hesitated, had never questioned the outcome because he’d been so clear in his focus, had known what he needed to do to unravel the wedding at its very seams. He’d done all this well before he’d met Ella. Long before he’d even considered he might suffer some form of remorse for setting the wedding planner’s career back. Not destroying it, certainly. That hadn’t been the plan. But even now, as drawn to Ella as he was, he would do whatever he deemed necessary for his sister, Jenna, to emerge happy and whole. He’d just be sure to help Ella recover from whatever societal storm resulted from his sister’s dissolved nuptials.
Printout in hand, he wandered through the bungalow’s living room and stood on the deck. The sun had settled low on the horizon. Everything was cast in broad, rich strokes of pinks and purples and oranges. Night would follow quickly, and the stars would dominate the night sky.
Soft footfalls drew his attention, and he turned. The barefoot woman in the doorway dulled the sunset’s brilliance. His thoughts swung from planning a seduction to being seduced.
“Ella,” he said, his voice saturated with something akin to reverence.
She wore a dress that, at first glance, appeared to be a full-length, sleeveless number in predictable black. But the simple sheath enhanced her silhouette. Every curve seemed like a fantasy yet unfulfilled, hidden by a touch of shadow here and a hint of promise there.
His mind was so jumbled that his entire vocabulary disappeared in a blink. He couldn’t do more than stare like an obsessed idiot who wouldn’t have been able to reply had he been at gunpoint.