CHAPTERFIVE
He called me beautiful.
She knew he wasn’t talking about the weather. She’d caught how he’d been looking at her when he’d said it out of the corner of her eye.
She giggled. A true giddy, schoolgirl giggle. It was the most euphoric feeling passing through her mind and body, both at being called beautiful and at the fact that, for some reason, Rhett had felt the need to fib about what he’d said.
He smiled in response to her giggle, and almost started laughing along with her, when he asked, “what’s so funny?”
She shook her head. “Nothing.”
Not for the first time, she tried to take her hand back from his arm, but again, he held it in place.
Not fiercely enough that she couldn’t get away if she wanted to. Just firmly enough to let her know that he didn’t want to let her go.
Oh, how that surge of energy had passed right through her fingers and straight to her core the second she’d placed her hand on his arm. It had taken every ounce of her damn willpower not to throw herself into his freaking arms. Right there! Around the bonfire in front of everyone!
That so wasn’t her. It had never been. She had always been reserved, and even when she’d had a boyfriend, she had never really participated in public displays of affection. Instead, she only wanted to share those sensual moments in private.
But right now, all those thoughts seemed to go down the drain. She wouldn’t have cared less if anyone saw them making out. All she wanted was his lips on hers.
The party had everything she could want. The night air, the big forest nearby, and a very sexy man holding onto her as though she were a life preserver.
She wanted to ask him if they could go for a walk in the woods but wondered if that would be inappropriate if it were off-limits to anyone who wasn’t looking for a mate.
But she didn’t ask him because she felt it was too risky. If she went into the woods with him, she very well might end up kissing him, letting him hike up her skirt …
Yes, the whole event and being out in nature like this had made her feel friskier than usual.
That, and the fact that Rhett was the hottest man she’d ever seen. She wondered if his lips were as soft as they looked.
“How are you two enjoying the party?”
Sara turned toward the voice and saw Barbara approaching.
Suddenly, she felt like she’d been caught acting like a horny teenager, and she finally pulled her hand away from Rhett.
“It’s absolutely lovely,” Sara said, hoping Barbara didn’t sense how hot she was for this guy.
“I’m glad you’re enjoying yourself. And I see you’ve met Rhett.” Barbara raised her eyebrow at him.
“You’re right about that,” Rhett said. “And about so many other things.”
Sara didn’t understand what he meant, but Barbara seemed to. Her face lit up as she exclaimed, “I knew it!”
“Thank you for inviting me,” Rhett said, his voice holding a solemn note.
Sara felt like something else was going on between Barbara and Rhett, but she still added her thanks as well. “It’s been so nice to be here. Thanks again.”
Barbara nodded. Then, her eyes squinted as she looked back and forth between Rhett and Sara.
“What? Do I have something in my teeth?” Sara blurted out the first thought that came to mind, even though that wouldn’t explain why Barbara was looking at them both oddly.
“No, hon, you look fine,” Barbara assured her. “I was just wondering whether or not you two were going to go off into the woods.”
Rhett stiffened up beside her, but Sara gasped in excitement. “I would love to walk in the woods. I just didn’t know if it was for wolves only.”
“Well, Rhett’s a wolf,” Barbara said. “He can surely escort a witch into the woods.”