told her if she hadn’t screwed around on you in the first place, maybe she wouldn’t be in this position.”
I threw my head back with a laugh. “Damn, Jade. You must be driving Dee crazy. All I needed was a little help getting her to leave me alone. You’ve more than done your job with that.”
“Oh, I don’t think she’s going to give up. She told me she knew you still loved her deep down inside.”
“That’s ridiculous. I don’t think I ever said the word love. We dated for a bit, and I went overseas. Yes, we stayed in touch. Yes, I thought we were exclusive. But for God’s sake, I don’t think many people can understand the concept of love when they’re that young and that far apart. Myself included.”
A slow grin unfurled on Jade’s face. “I thought she was full of it.”
Our waiter returned at that moment with our drinks. While he was serving us, Dave and Jenny meandered over to join us. Conversation moved on, and Jade seemed to relax again. I couldn’t help but wonder about the flicker of tension and fear I’d seen in her eyes when that guy tried to buy her a drink.
Chapter Nine
Jade
When I opened my eyes, nothing more than a glimmer of light was coming through the sheer gray curtains. My mind was hazy with sleep, and I felt strangely warm and safe. As I came more fully awake, for a flash I was confused and almost scrambled out of bed. But then, I remembered where I was. I closed my eyes tightly again.
I was at the wedding with Walker, and we’d piled pillows between us last night. I was surprised I even remembered that because I’d let myself get tipsy, something I rarely did.
The pillows hadn’t done their job. I was pressed against Walker’s side where he lay on his back. His muscled arm was curled around me, his palm cupping my bottom. I even had one of my legs thrown over his. I was as closely tangled up with him as I could possibly be.
Once my sleep muddled confusion cleared, I considered my situation. I should’ve wanted to get out of the bed as fast as possible. But I didn’t want to move. At all. It felt so good to be curled against Walker and held tight.
Opening my eyes for the second time, I let my gaze examine him in the almost darkness. Walker’s profile was strong and clean. With his dark brow, the elegant angle of his cheekbone and the square edge of his jaw, his lips were a sensual tease in contrast. He had full lips that curled slightly at the corners even in sleep. He wasn’t the cheeriest guy by nature, so it was almost funny, as if his mouth was attempting to debate the point with his tendency to be all broody and quiet. Broody wasn’t quite fair. He was more quiet and reserved, as if he only let some people beyond that guard. I wanted to be lucky enough to see behind that exterior. I’d seen hints of it last night in his easy banter with his friends.
Walker’s breathing suddenly changed in rhythm and I tensed, thinking I should move away. After a beat, he opened his eyes, immediately rolling his head to the side. His silver gaze met mine.
“So much for those pillows,” he said, his voice, softened by sleep, curled around me. His soft drawl did funny things to my belly.
I never thought a man’s voice could get to me. I’d always appreciated a Southern accent, but more in an objective way. With Walker, it was downright sexy, bordering on naughty, every time he spoke. And, the way his voice made me feel was the opposite of objective. It sent sparks of heat skittering through me, which left me tingling from head to toe.
“I guess,” I finally managed.
My body had other ideas, but I managed to force myself to move away. I’d fallen asleep in a pair of lightweight cotton pants and a T-shirt. My feet swung to the floor, and I eyed my painted toenails, acutely aware that my nipples were tight and achy.
Considering the state of my body, I was certain Walker had felt them pressed against his side. Of all the things I hadn’t thought through when I offered to do this, I had grossly underestimated the intensity of my response to him.
I did what I usually did when I was uncomfortable. I reasoned I could ignore it, and