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  He stuck his hand out and repositioned her glass just in time to keep her from pouring a ladleful of bright-red punch onto the hotel’s carpeted floor. “Hello again, Imani. Or should I say Dr. Grant? I heard about your new practice. Congratulations on that.”

  She blinked a few times, then seemed to recover her senses. Replacing the empty ladle in the bowl, she took a sip from the glass. “Thanks, but no need to be so formal. I’d prefer you call me Imani.”

  “Good. I prefer that as well.” He felt an overwhelming urge to reach out and stroke her satin jaw but restrained himself since there were a few folks hanging around.

  Still looking a little uncomfortable under his scrutiny, she asked, “So, what have you been up to since high school?”

  “I’m a CPA, and I run my own little firm. It’s probably not going to make me wealthy, but working for myself gives me the time I need to do community work.”

  The corners of her mouth turned up a bit. “I know. I’ve read about some of your work in the paper. I see you still have that good heart.”

  Honored by her acknowledgment, he gave a smile of his own. “I know this is kind of a crazy weekend, but if Georgia doesn’t need you for anything else tonight, would you mind if we went somewhere to talk for a bit?”

  The rapid blinking started again, her lids fluttering over those chocolate-brown eyes. She inhaled deeply, then answered, “Okay.”

  Pleased, he offered her the crook of his arm. She slid her delicate hand inside, and he led her out of the room.

  * * *

  Navigating the corridors of the hotel, Imani kept her arm looped loosely through Xavier’s. Despite her attempts to avoid him tonight, he’d charmed her, and now here she was, heading off with him to “talk.” She was partly annoyed at having to face the complicated array of emotions he evoked in her, but partly flattered. Apparently, in the years they’d been apart, he’d retained at least two of the qualities she’d known him for back then: persistence and handsomeness.

  “Have you been here before?” She felt a need both to break the awkward silence that had fallen between them and to see if the long strides she struggled to keep up with were leading them somewhere in particular.

  He nodded, not slowing his steps. “Yep. Came down here a few weeks ago with Georgia, Tyrone, and Gail to tour the hotel. Our bride and groom wanted us to be familiar with the property.”

  “Okay” was all she could think of to say.

  “Don’t worry. I know the perfect place to sit and talk. It’s nice and quiet, too.”

  And secluded, I bet.

  She let him lead her around a corner to the right, then down an interior hallway of the hotel. There were a few small meeting rooms on the left side of the hallway, but none of them seemed to be occupied. On the right side, however, she spied a section of the wall entirely made of glass. It looked out on a beautiful courtyard situated between two wings of the hotel.

  Xavier stepped to the glass door and swung it open. “After you, Imani.”

  She stepped outside, and immediately lamented the loss of air-conditioning. Though the hour was late, the air was thick with the heat and humidity customary for early summer in North Carolina. The tart aroma of the salty waters lying just beyond the hotel property permeated the air. Lush tropical plants filled the small courtyard, some blooming with bright-colored flowers. In the center of it all, three stepping-stones led to a wrought-iron bench positioned among the leaves and vines.

  By the time she finished gawking around, he had already taken a seat on the bench. He patted the empty space next to him. “Come sit with me. I won’t bite unless you ask me to.”

  The sexy wink he threw her made her traitorous nipples pebble again beneath her dress. Ignoring her body’s reaction as best she could, she eased into the spot.

  Gently, he draped his arm around her bare shoulders.

  The feel of his touch radiated through her, the growing warmth inside her far exceeding the temperature of the sultry June night. Being in his arms again didn’t feel foreign, the way it should have after so many years. His touch felt as natural and familiar as her own heartbeat. She noticed the rapid pace of her breathing and wondered if he noticed it as well.

  The low timbre of his voice broke the silence. “If I’m making you uncomfortable, just say so. That’s the last thing I want to do, Imani.”

  So he had picked up on her nervousness. She shook her head. While her mind told her not to let him get behind her defenses, her heart didn’t want him to withdraw his touch. Instead, she answered him but kept her eyes directed at her lap. “No. It’s all right.”

  “If you say so. I brought you out here to talk, so let’s talk. What have you been up to these last ten years, other than growing more beautiful?”

  She felt the smile creep over her face at the smoothly delivered compliment. “Let’s see. I did undergrad in biology at Spelman, then med school at Meharry, then my dermatology certification—”

  “Whoa. Are you telling me all you’ve been doing for the last decade is being a student?”

  She shrugged. “I guess so. But I had a goal in mind, and hard work and lots of school were the only ways to reach it.”

  That drew a low, rumbling chuckle from him. “I can’t say I’m surprised. You always were intelligent and determined. I’m glad to see you’re accomplishing your goals.”

  She took a chance and raised her gaze to his. His rich, dark eyes held the same sincerity she’d detected in his words. “Thank you, Xavier. I appreciate that.”

  A silent moment passed between them, their gazes connecting.

  When his scrutiny became too intense, she broke the silence. “So, uh, what have you been up to? I’ve read in the paper, and heard from Mama, that you’re doing a lot of good work in the community.”

  A broad smile spread across his face. “I’m glad to know Ma Alma speaks of me so highly. When I’m not in the office handling the books for my clients, I volunteer at a youth center in the old neighborhood, and I do a little work at Second Harvest Food Bank from time to time. I’m no saint, but I do what I can for the community.”

  “I’m really impressed, Xavier.”

  “Thanks.” His smile broadened, dazzling her. “Then I hope I can count on your vote in the city council race. If I win, I can do even more.”

  Listening to him talk about his good works in such a modest way, she realized he still had a wonderful heart. In the few weeks she’d been home, her mother had gone on and on about Xavier’s activism. As an all-star athlete and scholar in high school, he could have chosen any career path he’d wanted. But instead of taking some high-paying, high-profile position, he’d chosen to make a modest living so that he could give back to the community that had nurtured him as a child. Yes, Xavier Whitted was a rare bird, and if the look in his eyes was any indication, he was ready to build a nest.

  There, beneath his searching gaze, she could feel her very soul opening up. Once upon a time, she’d been certain she’d marry this man. Now, she felt like an inexperienced adolescent. No matter how she tried, she couldn’t look away from him.

  The heartbreak she’d suffered at Xavier’s hands had colored her perception of men. He’d been her first love and had shown her a first glimpse of real pain. Maybe she should thank him for that, because it had allowed her to focus on her goals, rather than be consumed by chasing after a suitable mate.

  “Imani, I’m going to kiss you. Is that all right?”

  She heard his soft words, and even as her brain yelled at her to back away before she lost her heart to him a second time, no words would come. All she could manage was to look into the endless pools of his eyes.

  An instant later, his lips touched hers. The sweetness of his kiss and the buttery softness of his lips made her eyes shut. Her body overtook her brain once again, and she pressed herself closer to him. He pulled her close, surrounding her wit
h his strong arms, and she loved it, God help her. The kiss deepened, and as his skilled tongue stroked against the interior of her mouth, she could feel her insides melting down into her shoes like hot wax.

  When he finally broke the kiss, she sighed. It was a sound of pleasure, and by the time she covered her mouth to stop it, it was too late. Feeling the warm blood pooling in her cheeks, and in locations much farther south, she turned away from him.

  His fingertips grazed her chin as he gently turned her back to face him. “It’s chemistry, Imani. It can’t be helped, and there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

  She nodded. “I wasn’t ready for all of this. I just came to be here for Georgia.”

  “I know, and I won’t interfere with that. I’m here as Ty’s best man, so that’s my priority now.”

  That made her feel somewhat relieved.

  “Make no mistake, though. When this wedding is over, I intend to continue discovering the woman you’ve become, if you’ll let me.”

  She drew a deep breath. “Xavier—”

  He silenced her with a fleeting kiss on the cheek. “We don’t have to talk about it now. It’s late. Come on. I’ll walk you to your room.”

  He got up and extended his hand to her, and she accepted it. Together, they reentered the hotel, navigating the corridors and elevators again until they stood before the door to her suite.

  He squeezed her hand, then released it. “Get some rest, Imani. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

  “Good night, Xavier.”

  He inclined his head, then began striding down the hall.

  She slid her key card into the slot and opened the door.

  But instead of going in, she stood in the doorway and watched him until he was out of sight.

  Chapter 2

  Xavier raised his champagne flute and took a sip. Looking around the grand ballroom of the hotel, he watched the wedding guests mingling, dancing, and chatting. He caught sight of Tyrone and Georgia, occupying a quiet corner of the room behind the head table. Even from a distance, he could see the passionate gazes the newlyweds had fixed on each other. Seeing them cuddling and kissing made Xavier smile. A twinge of jealousy accompanied his happiness for his friend, not that he’d ever admit to it. His day would come around soon enough.

  Throughout his early adulthood, he’d searched for a woman just like Imani. Of course, he’d never found anyone, because she was one of a kind. He wondered if he even deserved to have someone like that in his life after the way he’d hurt Imani back in the day. A frown turned down the corners of his mouth as he remembered Jessica, his ex. She’d been his last serious relationship, and her conniving ways had almost ruined his political career before he could even get it off the ground. Perhaps Jess was his karmic punishment, a penance he had to bear for his callous disregard for Imani’s feelings.

  Draining his drink, he placed the empty glass on the tray of a passing waiter. He made a quick visual sweep of the room, and he could easily spot his other fraternity brothers, decked out in their green and silver. Orion and Maxwell were on the dance floor, each having chosen a partner from the wedding party. Maxwell seemed particularly attracted to the silver-gowned bridesmaid he’d snagged. Bryan, on the other hand, was seated at one of the white-clothed tables near the dance floor, watching the revelry as he nursed a glass of dark liquor.

  Everyone seemed to be having a great time, and Xavier felt relieved that he’d succeeded in completing his duties as Tyrone’s best man. Having Imani around certainly didn’t help his focus, but he’d managed to get things taken care of in spite of the distraction. Now that he’d gotten his best friend over the broom, he could place his full attention on Imani. He hoped she could forgive him for his past mistakes, so that they could explore what they might be now that they’d both evolved.

  He loosened the Windsor knot of his green silk tie, letting his gaze travel the space until it landed on Imani. Her bridesmaid’s dress was one-shouldered and made of some wonderful, figure-draping fabric in a shimmering silver. The bottom of the dress just grazed her knees, leaving the lean expanse of her golden-bronze legs visible. She eased around the room with an air of grace he would have thought impossible on those tall, green, peep-toe stilettos. Her shoulder-length brown curls were swept up and pinned at the crown with a small bunch of greenery and baby’s breath. She was a vision, the picture of elegance and sophistication surrounding a molten core of sensuality.

  He removed his tie and tucked it into an inner pocket of his sport coat, and opened the top button of his shirt to let some of the rising heat he was feeling escape. Beneath the formal wear, he felt as if he were roasting. He knew some of it was from the sheer quantity of bodies in the room, but most of it came from watching Imani. Ever since he’d first laid eyes on her more than fifteen years ago, she’d had an uncanny ability to make his body temperature rise like a boiling kettle.

  She was engrossed in conversation with one of the other bridesmaids, and she tossed her head back and laughed. Watching the humor light up her face brought a smile to his own lips.

  Her laughter quieted, and she turned her head, as if she sensed him watching her.

  Their eyes met. Her lashes fluttered, then dipped as she lowered her gaze. The gesture, both coy and alluring, tightened his groin.

  Before he could draw another breath, his feet started moving in her direction.

  She stayed where she was, waiting for him.

  When he entered her personal space, he stopped. The last time he’d gotten this close to her, she’d seemed uncomfortable. As was always the case when he got close to her, his hands itched with the desire to touch her. But as much as he wanted her, he knew better than to press her. So, trying to remain considerate of her feelings, he kept his hands at his sides as he spoke to her. “Imani. You look lovely today.”

  A small smile tilted her glossy lips. “Thank you.”

  He took note of her body language, the way her torso tilted subtly in his direction, the relaxed curve of her shoulders. Wanting to keep the conversation going, he asked, “How did you sleep last night?”

  The tip of her tongue darted out, passing over her bottom lip briefly. Her gaze locking with his, she answered, “I slept fine, once I actually got to sleep.”

  He said nothing, but let his cocked eyebrow ask the question for him.

  “You gave me a lot to think about, Xavier.”

  “Really?” He reached out, rested the open palm of his hand on her hip.

  She didn’t dodge him or try to move away from his touch. “Yes. And after the night I had, I think we need to have a long…chat.”

  He felt a bit taken aback by all this, even as he thanked the heavens for whatever had changed things in his favor. “Is that all you think we need to do, Imani?”

  She hummed low in her throat. “There might be more to it. But it will have to wait until the festivities are over. It would be rude of us to sneak out before the bride and groom have left.”

  He agreed with her, but parts of him lamented her insistence on propriety. Still, there was another way he could get her into his arms, one that was perfectly proper for their current situation. “Would you like to dance?”

  She grinned. “Sure.” The idea of dancing with her filled him with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation, like a runner poised on the block, waiting for the starter pistol to fire.

  He grasped both of her hands and led her out onto the polished dance floor. The DJ was spinning a great mix of classic soul and R & B from the eighties and nineties. Just as they eased into an empty spot on the floor, the beat dropped for the Somethin’ for the People hit “My Love Is the Shhh!” He chuckled to himself, thinking of how serendipitous the song choice was for the moment, and looked to Imani. Her smile revealed her approval of the track. He pulled her body close to his, swaying his hips to the bass-heavy rhythm of the song.

  She wasn’t the kind of woman
to twerk or grind; he knew her to be much too classy and reserved for that. Out of respect, he kept the dance tame, resisting the urge to palm the enticing curves of her body. She looped her arms loosely around his neck, leaving a bit of space between their bodies. Her movements were subtle, rhythmic, and incredibly seductive despite the distance between them. He had a great deal of respect for her and the way she carried herself. Honestly, the class she’d always exuded had been one of the main things that attracted him to her.

  The music changed as the DJ played the LeVert classic “Casanova.”

  A broad grin crossed over her face. “This is my jam!”

  He couldn’t help mirroring her contagious joy. By the time the first chorus of the song played, they were both laughing and singing along. Something about sharing this moment with her, seeing her so carefree and happy, touched his heart. It reminded him of what they’d once had and what he hoped they could have again.

  When the song ended, she chuckled. “I know I probably look silly, but I can’t help myself when I hear a great song.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze. “Don’t worry about it. We looked silly together.”

  She started to say something but then stopped when the familiar opening notes of “The Electric Slide” filled the ballroom. A squeal of delight escaped her lips. “Come on. We gotta do this.” Grasping his hand, she pulled him farther out onto the floor, to join one of the lines forming up for the dance.

  He dropped her hand once they were in position, her standing a few feet in front of him. His feet immediately fell into the steps as the crowd moved in unison, but his eyes stayed locked on Imani whenever he faced her. More than anything, he wanted to get some time alone with her. He just hoped he could hold on to his patience long enough for the newlyweds to make their exit. After all, his duties as best man weren’t officially over until the happy couple dashed off to the honeymoon suite.

  After the dance ended, fate kindly bent to his will. The sound of cheering drew his eyes to the head table, where a crowd had gathered. He took Imani’s hand and led her through the onlookers to see what was going on.