Takes the Cake by Lynn Chantale

would be Keegan. The question was, could she resist his charms when all she wanted to do was sit back and enjoy the moment?
    * * * *
    Keegan sat on the porch swing nursing a beer. For a week, he couldn’t stop thinking about Liz. At any time, he could’ve gone to her job, but he’d sent flowers. He wanted to see if maybe she’d contact him first. When she didn’t, he couldn’t quite disregard the disappointment rolling around in his gut. Now she would be at the estate again.
    Tires crunched over the freshly graded gravel driveway, and he lowered the bottle to watch the progress of the pale-blue-paneled van as it ambled up the drive. His heart thumped a little harder against his rib cage. The van stopped, completed a half circle, and then backed up to the kitchen door before it cut off. Silence reigned while the slow tick of an engine could be heard.
    The doors opened, and a couple of workers he recognized from the wedding exited the vehicle. Disappointment flooded his limbs. He’d expected to see Liz. Maybe she wasn’t coming. This was ridiculous. What was wrong with him that he was standing on the porch spying on the catering staff, hoping to catch a glimpse of one woman?
    He shook his head, bent to retrieve his bottle, and headed indoors. There were other, more productive things he could do with his time. Maybe a swim before dinner tonight would clear his head.
    * * * *
    Servers clad in white shirts, bow ties, black slacks, and maroon aprons milled through the guests offering canapés, other finger foods, and wine on silver trays. What couldn’t be placed on a tray overflowed from the lavish buffet spread. How the caterer managed to put together something so grand in such a short amount of time boggled his mind.
    Keegan filled a small plate with what looked like crab cakes, snagged a glass of wine, and headed for the veranda. Not once had he seen her. Somehow, he thought she’d at least have wanted to say hi to him.
    He slipped through the double doors, mildly surprised that no one else was outside enjoying the warm but breezy night, which was not unpleasant. He settled on his favorite swing and stared at the fireflies flashing their bright yellow light low to the ground while he nibbled on the goodies he’d procured from the table.
    A gentle breeze blew across the porch, bringing the subtle scent of sweet and a soft perfume that made him sit a little straighter. He scanned the area, and a caramel-skinned woman in a pink tank top and khaki slacks stood at the bottom of the steps. Keegan set his plate and glass aside and pushed to his feet.
    She paused, hand on the wrought-iron railing and one foot on the stone step. Her full, luscious lips creased into a smile, yet her light-brown eyes held a bit of uncertainty.
    “Word from my staff is you’ve been looking for me?” She tilted her head to the side. Her soft curls brushed one shoulder.
    He longed to slide his fingers through her silky tresses and hold her against him. Somehow, he managed to refrain from his impulses. Instead, he gripped the banister. “Yes.”
    “Mind if I join you?” She swept a hand toward the swing.
    He studied her a moment. “Let’s go for a walk.”
    She nodded.
    He bounded down the stairs and ushered her away from the house with a hand at the small of her back. His fingers grazed bare skin. Awareness sidled through his veins and settled in his cock. He caressed her flesh. Smooth temptation he could spend the rest of his days exploring. He dipped his head and swept his lips over the curve of her shoulder.
    She tensed beneath his hand but didn’t pull away.
    Lights, laughter, and the muted conversations from the house faded the farther they walked. The night seemed to close in around them, wrapping them in a secure blanket of intimacy.
    “I shouldn’t have left without saying good-bye,” Liz began.
    “No.”
    “But it was a very busy and hectic weekend.”
    “And I didn’t help with bombarding you with the cake