she spoke she realized she probably should have told him he could watch the ceremony from the back. The next one, she told herself.
“It was a learning experience for sure,” he said. “Silver hustles with the drinks. She said there would be a rush, but I had no idea what she meant until it happened. I enjoyed being thrown in the deep end. I really do learn by doing.” His gaze locked with hers. “I want to apologize again, for going behind your back. I am sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. I believe you. Of course if it happens again, I’m going to hire someone to beat you up.”
“I’m sure you have the name of someone in your contact list.”
She smiled. “I just might.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised. So was this a typical wedding?”
“There is no such thing. They’re all different. Not just the themes but the people involved. The families generally set the emotional tone and that makes a difference. I’ve had bitchy brides like you wouldn’t believe but if everyone else is normal, then it’s not so bad. Weddings are highly stressful so we often see the best and worst of people. Every now and then either the bride or groom surprises me on their wedding day, but usually not. I generally know who’s going to be easy to work with and who is going to make me earn my paycheck.”
They’d finished the pizza and beers. Jasper opened a second bottle, then stood and pulled her to her feet.
“I learned a lot today,” he said, drawing her close.
Renee slipped into his embrace and let a sense of anticipation wash over her. Yes, she was tired, but Jasper was exactly what she needed to end her night.
The thought of him touching her, arousing her, bringing her to climax had her on her toes and pressing her mouth against his. He kissed her slowly, deeply, as if they had all the time in the world. His hands moved up and down her back even as his tongue claimed her. She was just about to suggest they take this party into the bedroom when he stepped back.
He handed her the open beer and pointed to the sofa. “You need to relax and then get some sleep. I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
He was leaving? He was leaving?
“What are you doing?”
He gave her a slow, sexy smile. “You said you wanted foreplay. That was foreplay.”
Before she could say anything, he kissed her again, then left. Renee stared at the closed door, then shook her head. And people said women were complicated.
CHAPTER NINE
MONDAY NIGHT RENEE sat across from Jasper at The Boardroom. While they’d texted a few times yesterday and this morning, she hadn’t seen him since the “foreplay” kiss at her place, Saturday night.
She still wasn’t sure what she made of what had happened. While she respected his willingness to go along with her requests, she had kind of been interested in a little more. Maybe later tonight, she thought happily as Nick and Pallas joined them.
“Does anyone know what the game is tonight?” Pallas asked, concealing a yawn behind her hand.
“Rough night with Ryan?” Renee asked sympathetically. “Is he teething?”
“He was pretty good, but that wedding on Sunday about did me in.”
Renee tried not to react as a jab of guilt pierced her. “I should have been there, Pallas. I’m sorry.”
“No, you shouldn’t have. You’ve been working six days a week for months now. It was a small wedding party of thirty people and it was a brunch. Everyone was gone by three in the afternoon. I’m not complaining, I’m just saying I’m out of practice.”
“Weddings are a lot of work,” Jasper said. “It’s no wonder you’re tired.”
Pallas smiled at him. “That’s right. You went to the apple wedding. I heard there was some excitement. So what did you think? Did you find out who your serial killer is?”
“He’s going to crash the weddings he goes to. That allows me to set them up however I want. I think he’s righting wrongs—killing a cheater, or a child abuser. Doing the wrong thing for the right reason.”
“I’m not sure there is a crime that deserves someone being killed by a serial killer,” Renee said.
“That’s because you’re a good person,” Jasper told her. “I look forward to being around more weddings to get a real feel for them. The level of drama means everyone is on emotional high alert. That’s good for me.”
He glanced at Renee as if expecting her to say something. She supposed she should mention