"It's a wonderful place," she protested softly.
"We've known each other for—how long?—A month?"
"About that."
Of course, people have fallen in love in less time than that, haven't they?" Kurt reasoned away the shortness.
"A lot less," agreed Alanna.
"We should be in some luxurious restaurant, drinking champagne." He shook his dark head.
"In Minnesota?" Alanna teased.
"Yes, in Minnesota," Kurt grinned. "That's where I should have taken you tonight instead of here. Or I should have waited to tell you until we were alone."
"Does it matter?" She tipped her head to one side, lips parting in an invitation. "I mean, does it really matter where we are?"
"Not if you say you love me again."
"I love you."
"Alanna!" He breathed her name in a caress as his mouth descended toward the promise of hers.
"Kurt—Alanna. What a surprise to find the two of you here." Rolt? dryly mocking voice separated them instantly. "I would have thought you'd take Alanna to some place less public."
Alanna's head was up, as if scenting danger. That moment of feeling secure and safe was gone. She no longer was certain that Kurt's love would be able to protect her. Not from Rolt.
"At the time, it seemed a likely spot. It's only now that I'm beginning to see its disadvantages," Kurt conceded. Alanna felt his smiling look turn sad briefly returned a strained imitation of it.
"What are you doing here, Rolt?" The flash of her eyes accused him of spying.
"I stopped by for a quiet drink, forgetting it was Saturday night," he returned evenly. "I was on my way out when I happened to see the two of you."
"Don't let us stop you," she returned sarcastically.
Rolt laughed and pulled up an empty chair to sit down at their table, uninvited. "Sometimes, I think you don't like me, Alanna."
"Only sometimes?" The taunt was drawn through clenched teeth.
"Yes, only sometimes," he agreed lazily. His gaze drifted suggestively to her mouth, almost physically touching it to remind her of the kisses he had stolen.
Alanna crimsoned. Somehow he made her feel as if her resistance had only been a token thing. Added to that was the sensation of guilt for failing to tell Kurt of that one visit. An arm circled her shoulders and for an instant she tensed, recalling another strong arm that had trapped her in its vice grip. She had to force herself to relax against Kurt's reassuring much.
"The way I've been monopolizing Alanna's time lately," Kurt spoke, "hasn't given you much of a chance to compete for her, Rolt. I hate to tell you this, older brother, but you're too late now." His arm tightened around her shoulder, drawing her closer. Then he pressed a kiss on her temple. "In the not too distant future, Alanna is going to be a member of the family, all legal and binding."
His statement brought a brief surge of confidence. Alanna veiled the glitter of triumph with her lashes as she glanced swiftly at Rolt to see his reaction to Kurt's announcement. Th
e long look he gave her was hooded and unreadable. He seemed neither surprised nor upset by the news.
The acknowledging tip of his head seemed indicate resignation, "That's something I can drink to," Rolt smiled crookedly, "Waitress?" he turned, signaling to the girl passing their table with a tray of drinks. "A scotch and water for me, please, and two more of the same for them."
"There's one thing about my big brother," Kurt told Alanna. "Once he knows he's beaten, he admits it. Of court, he loses so seldom that he can afford to be gracious in defeat."
Yet Alanna didn't trust Rolt. She hoped that what Kurt said was true, but she couldn't forget the positive way Rolt had declared she belonged to him. When the drinks arrived, she fingered her cold glass and eyed Rolt warily.
He lifted his glass and touched it first to Kurt's, then held it against Alanna's. His enigmatic gaze held hers, not allowing her to look away.
"To the day—" his voice was firm and strong "—when Alanna becomes Mrs. Matthews."