So she stood and took his hand. She couldn’t help comparing it to Surlock’s. His grip was strong and firm. Peter’s was, well, a little on the soft side.
Once they were on the dance floor, he pulled her tight against him. She wiggled away until there was some distance between them. He laughed.
“What? Do you think Surlock will get jealous?”
“Why are you trying to start a fight with him?” She leaned back until she could look into his face.
He sighed deeply. “I care about you. I always have.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Okay, so tell me about this guy.” He nodded his head toward Surlock. “How much do you know about him?”
“Enough,” she hedged.
“That’s what I thought. You barely know the guy.”
“That’s not true. Can we talk about something else?”
“Fair enough. How about this? I love you and I always have. I’ve wanted you to be my wife since the night of the prom, but you always wanted to do something else with your life. I’ve been waiting patiently for you to see what’s been right in front of your face. Now it seems I need to rock the boat before you run off with this Surlock guy.”
“Oh, Peter.” She felt awful. “I never guessed.” But she should have. All those years of the laughing and playing together. He’d been her first kiss. Nothing more than that, but he had been the first guy she’d ever petted with. She had to admit that he was a pretty good kisser.
“Then say yes. Tell me that you’ll marry me and make me the happiest man on earth. We have everything in common. The same backgrounds. And your parents would be thrilled if we married.” He raised her chin with one finger. “You’ve always wanted to make your parents proud. This would do it.”
The music stopped and he pulled her toward the table before she had a chance to say anything. He was beaming when they stopped beside it.
“Champagne!” He snapped his fingers toward the waiter. “We have reason to celebrate. I’ve just asked the love of my life if she will marry me.”
“Peter!”
He hugged her close. “It’s okay, sweetheart. They’re both thrilled for us.”
She met Surlock’s fiery eyes. Thrilled was not the word she would have used to describe him. And poor Annette looked as if her heart were breaking in two.
How the hell did she get herself in these predicaments?
CHAPTER 10
Darcy looked at Surlock, hoping he didn’t think she had said yes. His expression told her nothing, though. He slowly got to his feet. Oh, God, please no fight.
“You left out one small detail, Peter,” Darcy said.
“What’s that, Dar?” Peter turned away from Surlock’s steady gaze. His words didn’t sound as strong and confident as they had a moment ago.
“I didn’t say yes.”
“I just assumed you would.” His expression was genuinely puzzled. “It’s what our families would want.”
“But it’s not what I want. And I really doubt it’s what you want.” She tried to be as gentle as she could. She might do a lot for her parents, but marrying a man she didn’t love was not one of them. She really didn’t think they would ask that of her.
“Darcyyy,” Peter whined.
How embarrassing. And Surlock was glowering. At least she didn’t have to wonder what he was thinking anymore.
She looked at Annette, who was starting to look more than a little pissed off. Not that Darcy blamed her. Annette’s date had just asked another woman to marry him.
“I have an early day tomorrow. Since this date is a bust, I’m ready to leave.” Annette rose to her feet, dropping her napkin on the table.
“Good idea.” Darcy followed suit. “I think in light of the circumstances, Surlock and I will take a taxi home.”
“Darcyyy.” Peter was starting to look like a whipped pup. Old times reared up in front of her. He had always been like a brother to her. She could feel her resolve weakening.
“You have a problem with that, Peter?” Surlock stepped closer to Darcy, slipping his arm around her shoulders. “If I were you, I wouldn’t push my luck. Darcy’s with me, not you.”
Darcy glanced up and watched as a feral gleam entered Surlock’s eyes. His lip curled slightly. Her mouth dropped open as she stared. Then his expression changed, softening, almost as quickly as it had hardened. For a moment, Darcy could’ve sworn she had been looking into the eyes of the wolf.
Yeah, right. She mentally shook her head and glanced up at the twinkly crystals on the chandelier. A reflection from them must have gleamed in his eyes. Nothing more.
Well, duh, of course, that’s all it had been. What, did she imagine Surlock was part wolf? Now that was ludicrous. She stifled a laugh. Maybe he was a werewolf.
They weaved their way through the crowd, stepping outside into the warm night air. Thousands of stars were scattered across the sky.
“We need a taxi,” she told the doorman just as Annette and Peter stepped from the restaurant.
“No, Darcy. I promise I’ll be good. Just ride back with us. I apologize to you all for what I did. I’ve ruined your evening and it wasn’t my intention.”
Darcy looked at Surlock. He finally sighed, then nodded.
“We’ve changed our minds,” Darcy told the doorman. “We’ll go back in the limo.”
“As you wish,” he said with a slight bow as the limo pulled to the curb.
They got in, no one saying a word as they drove away. They stopped first at Annette’s modest little house.
Annette pulled a business card from her purse and handed it to Darcy. “Call anytime for your appointment. That is, if you’re still interested.”
She took the card, lightly squeezing Annette’s hand. “I am, and I will.”
“Well, it’s been—interesting.” She glared at Peter. “Keep your seat. I can make it to my own front door,” she told him, but smiled at everyone else, then turned and walked to her door. They waited for her to unlock it and go inside before they drove away.
“You don’t have to keep staring at me like that,” Peter told Surlock, finally breaking the silence when they were nearly home. “It’s not like she said yes.”
Darcy squeezed Surlock’s hand. He broke his demonic glare at Peter and smiled down at her. She breathed a sigh of relief when they pulled up to the gate. It slowly swung open and the limo drove inside the compound.
A few moments later, the car came to a stop and the driver opened the back door. She slid out of the car, glad the evening was finally over.
“I’ll join you in a few minutes,” Surlock said and shut the door.
There was a distinctive click as the door locked. Then a high-pitched scream came from Peter. Oh, no, this wasn’t good. She tapped on the window.
“Surlock?”
Nothing.
She hit the glass with her fist.
“Surlock!”
“Should I call 9-1-1?” The driver asked.
He was starting to look as worried as she felt. Before she could tell him that that might not be a bad idea, the door opened, and Surlock stepped out, straightening his jacket and tie.
“Is Peter okay? You didn’t kill him, did you?”
She glanced in the backseat. Peter was curled into a ball, tears running down his face, and he whimpered.
She slammed the door closed and glared at Surlock. “What the hell did you do to him?”
“I merely told him that you were already taken and that he shouldn’t bother you again.”
Her eyes narrowed. “That wasn’t all you did.” She watched as the limo pulled away.
“No, but I didn’t touch him if that’s what you’re afraid of. I only spoke to him.”
She shook her head. “I saw him. Peter was terrified. He’ll probably need therapy.”
“He’ll be fine in a day or two.”
“Are you sure?”