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There wasn’t any. Meaning there was no excuse for even the most casual of kisses.
She cursed the way her heart fell.
“You should be careful. I hear there’s a law in this country against outshining the bride.” Darius handed her a glass of wine before helping himself to the seat next to her.
“Little chance of that, I’m afraid. Did you see Arianna?” She nodded to where the princess and her husband were posing for a photograph. Given the circumstances, Arianna had forgone a traditional gown in favor of simple pink satin, but her happy glow made her easily the most beautiful woman in the room.
“She looks good, but you’re definitely a close second.”
Rosa rolled her eyes. “Sounds like someone’s been helping himself to the champagne.”
“Sounds like someone needs to help herself to a little more.” To prove his point, his added the remaining contents of his glass to hers. “Here, drink up,” he said, sliding the glass toward her. “It’ll make watching them a little easier.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Surely she wasn’t that transparent.
Apparently she was, because the man immediately gave her a look. “Sweetheart, I’m a New York bartender. I know how to read people. In your case, it’s not that hard. You’ve been watching the guy since last night’s main course.”
No sense pretending she didn’t know what he meant. Directly across the dance floor, Armando and Mona were talking to her father, Omar. Mona was the one dangerously close to upstaging the bride. Her strapless gown looked sewn onto her body.
She paled compared to Armando, though. Both he and his father were in full regalia for the wedding, navy blue uniforms complete with sash and sword. He looked like he belonged on a white charger.
“For crying out loud, you’re staring at him right now,” Darius said. “Damn good thing I don’t have self-esteem issues.”
“I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be rude. I...”
“Got a thing for the guy?”
Rosa felt her cheeks burn. Quickly, she grabbed her wine and swallowed. “I’m afraid it’s complicated.”
“I know. I met her last night. What’s her deal, anyway?”
Rosa told him.
“Fiancée, huh? Then why were you two sneaking off last night? I told you, I’m observant,” he added when she gasped.
Because Armando got jealous and said he wanted her. He kissed her like she’d never been kissed before, and probably never would be again. He let her pretend for a moment that a woman like her could be a princess, and now she was sitting at a wedding angry at her own foolishness.
“I told you,” she said. “It’s complicated.”
“I bet. Complicated is why I’m glad I’m single. Come on.” He stood up and held out his hand. “Let’s fox-trot.”
Rosa shook her head. “I don’t think...”
“You really want to sit here looking like a sad chipmunk all night, or do you want him to see you enjoying yourself next time he looks in your direction?”
Rosa looked over to see Mona place a proprietary hand on Armando’s arm. The woman certainly didn’t waste time marking her territory. “There’s a good chance I’ll step on your toes.”
“Good, that makes two of us.”
Darius, it turned out, was a worse dancer than she was. By the second song, they were both laughing over how much they were tripping up the other. Rosa had to admit, it felt good to make mistakes and laugh about them. Made her forget her heartache for a little while.
That was, until a familiar hand tapped Darius on the shoulder. “May I?” Armando asked. His eyes, as well as his request, were directed at her.
Rosa could feel Darius tightening his grip in an effort to protect her. “It’s all right,” she told him. Actually, it was probably a mistake, but the chance to be in Armando’s arms was too great a temptation to pass up.
“You two seem to be enjoying yourselves,” Armando said when she stepped into his arms. “I’m sorry I had to interrupt.” Rosa bristled at his barely disguised jealousy. What made him think he had any right?
“Isn’t that the point of a wedding? To enjoy yourself?”
“I didn’t mean that the way it sounded,” he replied. He twirled their bodies toward a far end of the dance floor. “That’s a lie. I meant it exactly as it sounded. It killed me to see you in his arms.”
“Really? Because watching you with Mona is a picnic.”
Her jab hit its mark, because he immediately winced. “You’re right. I have no business saying anything, and I’m sorry.”
