PATTON ALMOST BROKE the champagne stem in half. What the hell was she doing here? Now? When his tension was at an all-time high and his patience at an all-time low. Best course of action—avoid her and prevent his total loss of control. She hadn’t seen him yet. There was still time. But he couldn’t move.
She was mesmerizing, demanding his attention. He swallowed. Her green dress plunged low, revealing too much of the silky soft breasts he remembered so fondly. The skirt skimmed the tops of her knees, showcasing killer calves in mile-high heels. He’d kissed the dip behind her knee, caressed every inch of those legs. And damn, seeing her now, he knew he would to do it again.
When she tipped back her champagne glass, those big brown eyes locked with his. The bolt of recognition, of want, of need, knocked the air from his lungs. Color flooded her cheeks as she tipped her glass in silent salute. But it was her smile that forced him toward her, right as the music stopped. The crowd around the dance floor broke up, milling about and blocking his path. When he looked again, she was gone.
Was he going crazy? It was possible. He sure as hell spent too much time working and too little time sleeping. When he wasn’t working, he was walking the dog, skimming books or aimlessly flipping channels. Cady had given him something to think about, something to soothe the ache in his chest. She’d been the first thing to push aside from his mind the accident, his brother Russ’s death and the fallout with his father. He’d thought about her a lot—too much. And thinking about her had side effects—like wanting her. Wanting her so bad that long cold showers had cut into his already limited sleep time. Maybe that’s why he saw her. Because nothing sounded as good as touching her, of losing himself in her. God knows he’d rather be in bed with her right now than be here.
“Guess it’s a good thing we had to take dance lessons when we were little?” Spence clapped him on the shoulder.
Patton shook his head, still scanning the room. “I have yet to find a use for them.”
“I think you actually have to dance,” Spence teased. “Speaking of which, Ellie is here.”
“Why?” But Patton knew the answer. Ellie had been his fiancée—for less than two months—four years ago. She couldn’t handle his long hours or the danger his job put him in. When his brother Russ died, Ellie had waited a few weeks before quietly breaking it off. He hadn’t blamed her. Or been hurt by the breakup. The accident had changed a lot of things. Since Ellie had never become involved with someone else, she must still be pining for Patton. Or so his mother suggested—over and over.
Patton shook his head. “Great.” He sighed. No sign of Ellie. He frowned. He’d been too busy imagining his hot one-night stand to notice Ellie anyway. He was in serious trouble.
“Damn, Patton, Zach might not have noticed your hangdog expression yet, but it’s kind of hard to miss.” Spence shook his head. “Want a drink?”
He nodded. His brother was right. No matter how he felt about this engagement—or this party—he didn’t need to ruin it for everyone.
“Be back.” Spence wandered toward the bar.
“Ladies and gents, the buffet is open, so enjoy. We’ll be back soon,” one of the band members spoke into the mic.
The buffet. One of the many things he’d disapproved of. And renting the Tucker House. And flying in their great aunt and uncle for the weekend. It was an engagement party—not a wedding. If his mother continued to spend big, the wedding might just bankrupt her. He was still frowning when he took in the buffet spread. Only the best for their guests. Shrimp cocktail, canapés, mini quiches, cheese puffs, crab cakes and a make-your-own salad waited. And that was just the appetizers. He closed his eyes, refusing to think about the bills he’d be poring over at the end of the month.
Might as well enjoy it. He loaded his plate up then went in search of a quiet corner.
“Patton.” Zach waved him over, Bianca smiling brilliantly at his side.
Patton swallowed his curse and forced himself to smile. He hoped it was a smile, it felt more like a grimace. For the next twenty minutes, he ate his appetizers and attempted to make small talk with his friends and family. He grinned when he should, he answered questions concisely—not rudely—and tried to let go of his restlessness.
“You’re the big brother?” Leticia Garza, Bianca’s grandmother, asked as she sized him up.
“I am.”
“Too bad my Bianca didn’t meet you first.” She grinned. “Zach is a sweet boy. But you, Mr. Patton, are a man.”
Patton couldn’t hold back his laugh.
“You should do that more often,” Ellie’s voice was soft, but Patton recognized it nonetheless. He turned, smiling at the woman he’d once considered marrying. “How are you, Patton?” she asked, leaning forward to press a kiss to his cheek.
Patton returned the kiss, catching a whiff of her sweet perfume. “Good, Ellie. How about you? How’s the family?”
Ellie smiled. “You know Dad. Now that he’s retired, he’s built a small village of bird houses. I think he’s given one to everyone we know.”
Patton grinned. Angus Shaunessey had worked in the medical examiner’s office for over thirty years. He was a quiet, introspective man. One Patton respected. But Angus wasn’t one to sit still, so it was almost impossible to imagine him retired. “Give him my best, please.”
“I will.” Ellie had light green eyes, alabaster skin and blond hair. She was waiflike, fragile, the sort of woman a man wanted to protect. He used to. Now he hoped she’d find someone who’d do the job right.
“You look gorgeous, Ellie,” his mother gushed. “I hear Mrs. Matthews retired? You’re the head city librarian now?”
Ellie nodded, her cheeks flushing.
Patton listened halfheartedly, his attention zeroing in on the happy couple. His brother only had eyes for Bianca. She was equally smitten, holding Zach’s hand yet blushing furiously and leaning away when Zach tried to kiss her on the lips. Was she teasing Zach? Or was she really uncomfortable with a public display of affection?
If Bianca was that...old-fashioned, it was refreshing. It had been a long time since he’d met someone that innocent. Especially in his line of work. If anything, it was suspicious. His focus sharpened, noting the flush of Bianca’s skin, the way she shifted from foot to foot—her discomfort was real. It had to be. Or she was a master of deception. He sighed, his frustration mounting. This wasn’t a crime scene and Bianca wasn’t a criminal. He might not be happy about this party or this engagement, but he didn’t have any reason to be suspicious of Bianca. Not yet...
It didn’t change the fact that they were rushing things.
He nodded at familiar faces, smiling now and then. Almost everyone in Greyson, Texas, was here. Half the force was here—there better not be any emergencies tonight. His gaze wandered. He nodded at his cousin, Lucy, and smiled at the sight of his cousins, Jared and Dean, checking out women. They weren’t being very subtle about it.
Spence stood apart, talking to a woman. He was smiling, talking animatedly. The woman’s hand came up, tucking her hair behind her ear. Patton froze. The green dress tied at the back of her neck, leaving the fabric to sway enticingly between her bare shoulder blades.
Cady was here. She was here, almost within arm’s reach, and she was talking to his brother. A brother who looked a little too charmed by Cady. A surge of possession rose up, urging him to grab one of Cady’s soft hands and take her away somewhere—just the two of them. He wanted to touch her. To press her against the wall and kiss her until she was wobbling in her heels and clinging to him for support. He wanted to hear her say his name, broken and desperate and—
“Don’t you