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"You’re beautiful, Penny, and you’re young enough to be my daughter, so you should know I’m not coming on to you at all—" He releases my hand. "However, thanks to my age and experience, I’m able to see when a couple is about to make a mistake they might regret for the rest of their lives. And then, my conscience tells me if I don’t step in, I’ll never forgive myself."
I laugh. "You always this generous with your interventions?"
"Only when it’s too easy to push the wankhead involved into making a move."
"You know Knight, I take it?"
His smile fades a little. "I know of him. My son, Declan, is his friend. I happened to be in town for work, so Abby insisted I come. She thought it wouldn’t hurt to have a few newish faces around; though now, I wonder if she asked me precisely so I’d do something to make the proceedings more interesting."
"You’re wrong about that. Knight might be a little pissed off at the fact I’m talking to you, but he’s not going to make a move."
"You sure?"
I nod. "He told me he isn’t interested in pursuing a relationship."
Philippe laughs. "There’s a difference between saying something and then being put in a situation where you have to act on your instincts. And given how yourbosshasn’t taken his gaze off of us, I do believe it’s not long now before he does."
I draw in a breath. I think he’s mistaken. I think it's possible Knight might feel a little jealous, but he’ll probably brush it off and go about his business. Still, if I can have some fun at his expense, then sure. Anything to get His Snarliness a little hot under the collar. I reach up and put my hand on Philippe’s collar. Then, for extra effect, I tip up my chin and flutter my eyelashes. I have the satisfaction of seeing the older man’s eyes glaze. I lean in enough to draw in his spicy, citrusy scent—nowhere as much of a turn on as Sir’s sea-breeze and pepper one, but it’s not unpleasant, at all.
One side of his lips curl. "I hope he realizes he may have met his match."
I blush again. "You’re too kind."
He smirks. "And he’s underestimating you. You’re going to be running circles around him, girl. He’s not going to know what hit him."
I laugh. "Not likely."
He winks. "Shall we test the theory?"
33
Knight
"Who the fuck is that?" I grab the drink Rick offers me and toss it back.
"That, is Declan’s father."
"Huh, fucker’s old enough to beherfather."
"He’s in his late forties, not that old."
I scowl as he takes her hand in his, and then the bastard kisses her knuckles. He. Kisses. Her. Knuckles. A growl rumbles up my chest. I take a step forward, but Rick squeezes my shoulder. "Easy, ol’ chap."
I try to shake him off, but someone grips my other arm. "You sure you’re ready for this?" Edward shoots me a sideways glance. "Once you go down this path, your future as you know it is going to change."
I hesitate.
That’s when Philippe turns and gestures to her. She steps forward, and he cups her elbow and leads her toward the door that leads out onto the opposite side of the garden.
The fuck?My vision tunnels. That anger simmering in the background of my mind begins to bubble. All of my senses focus. I can’t see my future, so anything would be better than the dark quicksand that spreads out in front of me. The only patch of light is her. And I’ll be damned if I’m letting go of her that easily. I shake off the restraining hands, then stalk through the room.
Cade steps forward, looks at my face and freezes. "Are you okay?" He frowns.
Without bothering to reply, I brush past him and out the door, catching a glimpse of them as they disappear around a curve in the garden path. I take the steps two at a time, then quicken my pace. I jog up the path around the curve, past a few flower beds, until I burst into a clearing. This one has a fountain in the center. I walk around it and freeze. They’re sitting on a bench, heads bent toward each other. They’re not touching, but that doesn’t mean anything.
She looks up at something he says and smiles. Her features are soft, her hair flowing about her shoulders. The neckline of her dress dips in the front, showing her cleavage. I tighten my fists at my side. The wind blows her hair back from her face. She shivers. I’m too far away, but I swear, I can feel the goosebumps arise on her skin. And then Philippe pulls off his jacket.
He places it around her shoulders, and something inside me snaps. My feet don’t seem to touch the ground as I stalk over. They’re so engrossed in each other, they don’t hear me approach. It’s only when I’m standing in front of them that she glances up.
