He parked in front of his house, went inside and the loneliness of his life glared at him like a bare electric bulb swinging from a ceiling. He’d lived for thirty-five years and what did he have that was meaningful to show for it? Certainly not the ribbons and braid on the jacket he’d once worn as a commander in the navy SEALS. Or his citation for bravery during the daring exploits in Yemen that had cost him his right foot and a good part of his right leg. Prior to that, he been self-assured and fun loving, but what woman would settle for a man with his disability? The navy didn’t want him, and surely Ruby deserved better.
So he continued to love her from a distance and to be there for her whenever she needed him. All the while, wanting her.
He changed into a black tuxedo, white shirt and red cummerbund that he wore with a white carnation boutonniere. A pair of black patent leather shoes replaced his lizard-skin shoes and he slipped on his Oxford gray chesterfield coat and left home for the reception. He thought of calling Ruby to ask if she’d like him to accompany her, but realized that she would probably already be at the reception handling last-minute details. With God’s help, he’d get through the evening without being miserable. At times, he wanted her so badly that the pain became almost unbearable.
As the doyenne of the Lockhart family, Ruby stood at the head of the receiving line, greeting guests and making small talk. She’d been standing there about fifteen minutes, enjoying the drone of chatter that had become increasingly loud and the laughter that could be heard above it. Relaxed and happy, she let her smile tell all around her of her pride in the occasion.
“Good evening, Ruby.”
Her lower lip dropped, and she gaped at the man, helpless to do otherwise. “Luther, for goodness’ sake,” she exclaimed. “You…went home and changed.” What a stupid thing to say to a man, even if the man was Luther. “Gee, you look like a million dollars.” He winked, and tiny shivers raced through her. This was Luther? She managed to regain her aplomb and attempt to introduce him to the person standing beside her but suddenly couldn’t remember that person’s name or why the woman was standing there. As it happened, Luther was already acquainted with the woman.
Ruby watched Luther as he continued down the receiving line. Around six feet one inch and one hundred and ninety pounds, he carried himself so gracefully, no one would know he’d had that terrible accident.
And he was handsome. Why hadn’t she ever noticed that his long silky lashes cast a shadow over his big brown eyes? And those dark eyes against the olive tones of his face…Oh, well, there was no reason why she should have noticed, she told herself. After all, he was practically a member of her family. She shook her head in wonder. At least she should have noticed his mouth; that lusty bottom lip would win a prize.
The best man’s announcement of the bride and groom interrupted her lustful thoughts. The lights dimmed, and Mr. and Mrs. D’marcus Armstrong danced the first dance. Just as Ruby removed her jacket, exposing bare shoulders covered only with spaghetti straps, Luther asked her to dance. She hadn’t known that he danced, and she wondered how she should behave.
“Don’t be so careful,” he said. “I never attempt anything unless I know I can do it.”
“You look good,” she told him. “In fact, you look…uh…great.”
“Thank you,” he said, staring into her eyes. “I like the way you look, too.”
Why did he unnerve her? This was Luther, and she had always felt safer with him than with anyone else. “Thanks. Amber doesn’t like me in blue.”
A grin formed around the sensuous mouth that she’d just noticed for the first time, and a smile made his eyes sparkle. “Amber’s a woman. What would she know about what looks good on you?” He laughed, and she joined the mirth, although she wondered why she laughed when, in truth, she was thoroughly confused.
He led her in a slow fox trot, and it occurred to her that his disability made no difference. As they danced, he clasped her right hand lightly, but his hand at her waist proclaimed power and authority. She relaxed in his arms, and let the music flow over her. When the music stopped, he stepped back and half bowed, a bit mockingly, she thought. With his hand at her back, he walked with her to their table for ten, sat opposite her and fastened his gaze on her.
“Champagne, ma’am?” the waiter asked her. She took a glass from the silver tray and thanked the waiter. “They’ll be cutting the cake in a few minutes,” he said. “Right now, we’re preparing for the toast.”
She drank sparingly, usually an occasional glass of wine with dinner at a good restaurant. She hadn’t tasted champagne in ages. The best man offered the toast, raised his glass and invited the guests to join him. They had splurged on an expensive champagne, and after tasting it, she licked her lips approvingly and slowly drained the glass.
“This is good stuff,” her cousin, Paige Richards, said. “Just the thing in this candlelit room with the orchestra playing this soft, romantic music. It’s enough to make a woman say yes.”
Ruby’s gaze drifted to Luther, but she spoke to Paige. “Is that so? Then I think I’ll have another glass.”
Paige’s eyes widened. “I’m not sure you should do that, Ruby. This isn’t like you.”
“Of course it isn’t,” Ruby said as she accepted a second glass of champagne from the waiter. “Now, if I put on an apron and went into the kitchen back there to help with the cleanup, that would be just like me, wouldn’t it?” She took a long sip of champagne and the pit of her stomach immediately served notice that she shouldn’t drink too much more of it. “I’m sitting here in front of this good-looking man, listening to this befuddling music and with nothing to do with myself, so why shouldn’t I enjoy this champagne?”
Paige whispered something to Pearl, and Pearl leaned toward her older sister. “Ruby, maybe you shouldn’t have any more of that champagne.”
Ruby looked at Luther, raised the glass to her lips and let the wine drizzle slowly down her throat. Then she put the empty glass on the table. “Why can’t we have another dance, Luther? These two old fuddy-duddies are cramping my style.”
Luther got up immediately, put an arm around her waist and walked with her out to the dance floor. This time, he put both arms around her and moved in a slow drag. She put her head against his shoulder and let the champagne, the music and the aura of man encourage her recklessness.
When she missed a step, he held her a little closer. “Do you want to go back to the table?” he asked her.
“Nope. I’m perfectly happy right where I am.”
“If I were you, I’d be careful of my words,” he said.
She snuggled closer. “I’m always careful. Don’t you know that careful is my middle name? Careful Ruby, that’s me.” She glanced around his shoulder and saw Pearl and Amber talking. “I’ll bet they’re talking about me.”
“Who?” He stopped dancing and guided her back to their table.
“My guardians,” she said. “Amber and Pearl.” She took another glass of champagne from the waiter’s tray, sat down and took a few long sips. “What are you two saying about me?”
“That you shouldn’t drink any more champagne,” Amber said.
“Oh, pooh,” Ruby replied and, realizing that Luther had taken the chair beside hers, leaned over and kissed his neck. His eyes widened and he ran his fingers back and forth over his hair.
“Let her alone,” she heard him say. “She deserves to have some fun. I’ll take