AllFreeNovel
Share Us
‘I suppose.’
Joe had a point—maybe her imagination had gone into overdrive. So affected by Steve’s defection to Simone that she found bugbears where there weren’t any. But …
She shrugged. ‘Well, bear it in mind as a possibility.’
Before Joe could answer Luis waved at them and headed over. ‘It was a beautiful ceremony, yes?’
‘Absolutely.’
‘And now your change of clothes is in the beach huts. If you come this way, and once you have changed please head for the yacht. Women this way—men that way.’
Joe stepped onto the garlanded deck of the yacht and blinked at the dazzling array of glittering disco balls and spinning lights that strobed the deck with multicoloured lights. Men in tuxedos and women in various Bond girl costumes chattered, their voices mingling with the Bond-themed music. As he scanned the crowd for Imogen he realised that he had no idea what she would be wearing. Not that it mattered—he would know her by her stance, her glorious shape, the sweep of her dark hair.
‘You must be Joe,’ a breathy voice proclaimed.
Before he could sidestep her a curvy petite woman had launched herself at him on a wave of overpowering perfume.
‘Oh, my! You’re every bit as gorgeous as Leila said. I’m Katrina. Part of your line-up. I know you’ve come with some other woman, but I wanted you to see what you’re missing, sugar.’
Was she for real? ‘No need, thanks. I’m—’
‘Oh, come on, darlin’ … no man can resist me. Just one little kiss.’
As Katrina pressed her over-glossed lips to his Joe looked over the top of the petite blonde’s head to see Imogen walking straight towards them, her gown a swirl of Bohemian tangerine-orange. Her smile dropped from her lips and she faltered for a heartbeat as she took in the scene. Then her lips tightened, and if she could have lasered him with her glare he’d be dead by now.
Taking Katrina firmly by the arms, he hoisted her away from him.
‘I’m taken,’ he finished.
Katrina turned on one stiletto heel and gave a little giggle. ‘Dear me. Caught red-handed. Catch you later, Joe honey.’
‘Why don’t you chase after her, Joe honey?’ Imogen asked.
The cool sarcasm caught him on the raw. Surely she didn’t believe he’d instigated that interlude?
‘Don’t mind me.’
‘I don’t want to chase after her. That was Katrina. One of the line-up you’re here to protect me from.’
‘Didn’t look to me as though you needed protection at all.’ Imogen emitted a mirthless laugh as she gestured to his pants pocket. ‘Apart from the type that comes in foil packets. And no doubt you’ve got plenty of those handy in your wallet.’
A flash of anger stabbed him as he leant back against the railings. Did she really think so little of him?
‘You don’t think you’re overreacting a touch?’
‘I’m the one who found you with a woman draped all over you, her tongue practically stuck down your throat. And you think I’m overreacting?’
‘Yes, I do. Nice imagery. Even better point: Katrina was draped over me—believe me, short of dodging her and letting her fall flat on her face there wasn’t much I could do.’
‘Oh, please. That is ridiculous—a big, strong man like you couldn’t defend himself? I’m sure you have plenty of moves to avoid women of all shapes and sizes, and Katrina is hardly wrestler material. F
rom where I was standing you looked pretty happy.’
Shaking her head so that the orange flowers woven into her hair vibrated, she hoisted her palms in a get-away-from-me gesture.
‘I cannot believe I could have been so stupid as to come to this wedding with you. I actually bought that whole spiel you gave me.’
What the hell …?
