Page 29 of The Wrong Husband

Our gazes meet. The air heats between us. The chemistry between us is thick enough to set fire to our surroundings.

Her pupils dilate. Her cheeks flush. She feels this connection too. Having that confirmation again makes me want to thump my chest and growl my delight. Then one of her friends clears her throat.

I blink, coming out of the trance. Goddamn. Meeting her again has turned my world upside down. But I can’t show her how much she affects me…yet… “I don’t mean you any harm. The fact that I approached you in front of your friends should confirm that to you,” I say smoothly.

"It doesn’t answer how you've managed to keep crossing paths with me since I saw you rescue that cat.” She sets her jaw.

“I’ll be happy to reveal that to you, over dinner.”

The light in her eyes changes to one of challenge. I have no doubt, she’s going to turn me down, regardless. Best to change the topic…for now.

"I don’t believe I’ve met everyone." With practiced ease I hold out my hand to the woman on the doctor’s right. "Connor Davenport."

"Zoey Malfoy." She shakes my hand.

"Harper Richie."

"Grace McFee."

“Good to meet you again, Dr. Hamilton.” I level a slight smile at her.

Disregarding me, she turns to Skylar. "You know him?"

"He’s my brother-in-law." Skylar casts a shrewd look in my direction. "Who’srarelyin town."

There’s a question in there, one which would be rude not to acknowledge.

“A friend needed me, so I scrapped my travel plans and stuck around.” I glance at Skyler but make sure Phoenix hears every word. “Besides, I’d forgotten how irresistible London can be.”

The corner of my mouth lifts as I say it.

When I glance at Phoenix, there’s a spark in her eyes—she knows exactly what I’m talking about.

"I'm sure everyone is happy to see you home for a longer stint, especially Arthur," Skylar offers.

I wince and turn my attention back on her. "Gramps is happiest when he’s plotting the demise of us brothers."

"Demise?" Phoenix murmurs.

"Since Arthur’s brush with the Big C, he’s very aware of his mortality. He wants to see us, his grandsons, settled ASAP."

"Which is natural." Phoenix finally meets my gaze. "He sounds like my mother, who constantly frets about all her children."

Taking advantage of the thaw in her demeanor, I nod to the chair next to her. "May I?" I address my question to Phoenix.

She hesitates.

“I only want to explain the sequence of events which brought me here,” I plead.

She firms her lips.

“And I’m sure, you want to find out too?” I lower my voice to a hush and am rewarded by a subtle shiver of her shoulders. I love how responsive she is. Not that it sways her, for she juts out her chin. “Have dinner with me and I’ll tell you.”

She glowers at me, then tosses her head, before turning to the group. "If you ladies are okay with it…"

She’s greeted by a chorus of assent.

“Thanks, ladies, I owe you all.” I flash them my most charming smile. I’m rewarded by Skylar’s speculative look, Zoey’s piercing one, and Grace’s curiosity-filled expression. Only Harper smiles back.