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She had no doubt he was telling the truth when he said he wanted to have sex with her. Part of her thrilled that even that was possible after a year and a half of him seeing her as a sexless colleague.
But she knew his attraction was circumstantial. That he’d want to sleep with any halfway attractive woman he’d brought with him this weekend. It wasn’t her specifically he wanted. Just that he was a highly sexual man and she was a young, healthy woman. Of course his hormones would be kicking in. She didn’t fool herself that him wanting her could possibly mean more.
If she even slightly let herself believe him wanting her meant more, she’d be a goner.
Imitating the style the hairdresser had done the day before, Faith loosely piled her hair on top of her head, securing the strands with a rhinestone comb. She brushed make-up across her cheekbones, accented her eyes, painted and glossed her lips until she looked like a perpetual pouter.
When she’d finished, she stood back, surveying her handiwork. Not bad. Not enough to erase the first scary image of her that morning that was probably forever imprinted on Vale’s brain, but not bad.
She made her way down one of the matching curved staircases, careful not to disturb the white silk ribbon and flowers tied to the handrail.
People were everyw
here. Caterers, wedding guests, more family members and friends she only recognized from having seen their photos in magazines. What was she, Faith Fogarty, doing here in this paparazzi orgy?
Following the trail of people, she made her way to the back of the house, reminding herself with each step that she was a successful neurologist and she was here because Vale wanted her here. The patio area had been decorated with hundreds of white flowers and miles of white silk ribbon. Beyond the gated pool, a pristine white carpet ran the length of the rows of chairs to where the gazebo had been laced with white gardenias, vivid green leaves, and ribbon. The sun slowly beginning its descent toward the ocean provided the perfect backdrop.
If she wasn’t so anti-weddings, she might think Sharon’s wedding beautiful. Oh, who was she kidding? This was a beautiful wedding. Just as her mother’s weddings had all been beautiful.
Just that, like the beauty of the sunset, none of the marriages lasted.
Where was the beauty of putting all your hopes and dreams in another person only to have those hopes and dreams trampled on?
Would Sharon’s wedding last? With her mega-wealth and role as former Miss Pennsylvania, she was a celebrity, just as her professional footballer husband was. The odds were against them even before they made their vows.
“You look absolutely stunning but, then, my son has superb taste,” Vale’s mother interrupted her thoughts, meeting Faith at the back of the chairs. “Come with me. The family is sitting up front.”
Faith blinked at the woman wearing a designer dress that probably cost more than she made in a year. “I’m not family.”
“Nonsense.” Virginia smiled at her. “You’re here with Vale. That makes you family.”
Touched by the woman’s continued unexpected generosity, Faith followed her to one of the front aisles and sat down. “Do you treat all Vale’s guests so warmly?”
His mother’s blue gaze, so similar to his, met Faith’s. “If you’re referring to the women in his life, he’s never brought a guest to a family function. You’re the first and only.”
A warning went off in Faith’s head, leaving her feeling dizzy and unsure of what she’d thought she’d known about him. “Vale’s never… But…”
His mother laughed at her astounded expression. “I know my son is no saint. I see the pictures of him with all those women. But family functions aren’t a place for him to bring some woman he’s passing time with. He knows that. That’s why we were all so excited when he said he was bringing you.”
And Vale thought bringing her was going to protect him from his family? Hello, he’d created a whole new range of problems by bringing her.
“B-but we work t-together,” she stammered, still digesting the news that Vale didn’t bring women home. None of the beauties he wined or dined had ever slept in the big bed occupying his suite in the beach house. Just her.
“Which explains why my son works so much.” Her eyes twinkling with delight, Virginia patted Faith’s hand. “You don’t have to explain your relationship with Vale to me. Just know that I’m happy you’re here. We all are because it’s been so long since Vale’s let down those shields of his.”
Faith wanted to crawl under the seat at the hopeful anticipation in his mother’s eyes. Besides, what was she referring to? Vale’s shields? That made it sound as if Vale had once had his heart broken. Had he? It seemed a strange thought. Faith couldn’t imagine any woman not falling under Vale’s spell. The man was a hypnotist, a wizard of wondrous proportions when it came to wielding power over the opposite sex.
“Vale and I really are more friends.”
His mother’s penciled on brows rose in perfect arches. “Are you saying I’m wrong? That you’re not in love with my son?”
She studied her so intently Faith closed her eyes, took a deep breath. “You’re not wrong.”
Faith swallowed. Hard. Had she really just said she loved Vale? She didn’t. Did she? Sure, she was fascinated by him, admired him, wanted him. What sane woman didn’t? But love? Did such a fanciful emotion even exist?
Dear Lord. He was a hypnotist and she’d fallen completely under his spell this weekend.
“Good.” Virginia squeezed her hand. “Now, let’s sit back and enjoy this wedding we’ve been planning for years. I can’t believe our little Sharon is all grown up and getting married.”
