Tempting a King (King Family Romance Book 1) by Isla Drake (small books to read .txt) 📗

before striding into the room and speaking to the others. I can’t hear what she’s saying, but she’s smiling and gesturing to different people in the room who nod in response. I watch her for a few more minutes until she makes an announcement that dinner will be served in the main dining room. The guests begin to file through the door toward the food. When the ballroom is empty, I stroll inside, taking note of the flowers and lighting. Hannah made this happen, I know. She somehow manages to make every occasion original and perfect for the guest of honor. I don’t know how she does it, but it never fails to amaze me. I take a few minutes alone in the ballroom, trying in vain to expel the image of Hannah in that dress from my mind. I still need to go into the dining room and smile, nod, shake hands and sip champagne. All while knowing Hannah is somewhere in the room. In that dress.

Chapter Ten

Hannah

I stand near the corner of the room, surveying the crowd as the servers bring out the dessert course. The bride and groom sit together surrounded by friends and family. Whitney leans her head on Brad’s shoulder, and he kisses the top of her head. They’re so clearly in love. I can't help but smile at their obvious bliss. There's such a feeling of hopefulness and optimism surrounding them. That's one of the reasons I love weddings so much. Despite all the planning and stress that goes into making it look effortless and perfect, none of that really matters in the end. Ultimately, it all comes down to the love between the two people getting married. I turn away from the happy couple and my eyes scan the crowd before me, making sure nothing is out of place.

I haven’t seen Finn since earlier, outside the ballroom. I tell myself I’m not looking for him, but I know it’s a lie. My heart speeds up when I remember the way he’d looked at me as we stood in the doorway. I didn’t imagine the fire in his blue eyes this time. Not that it matters. He might find me attractive, but that’s not enough for him to break one of his rules. His honor is worth more to him than whatever he might think of me in a clingy dress.

"Careful," a man's voice says softly. "If you keep looking like that Whitney won't let you into the ceremony." I turn to see Luke standing next to me. He'd approached me so silently, I hadn't noticed. I managed to hide my surprise at his sudden presence. He holds out a champagne flute. I take it with a smile.

"Oh?" I say, brows raised in question. "Why is that?"

He leans closer, conspiratorially. "Can't have the wedding coordinator looking more beautiful than the bride," he whispers. "It's bad form."

I laugh. I can't help it. He's a shameless flirt. Besides, I've seen Whitney in her dress and there's no way I'm going to outshine her. Especially not when she gets a look at her groom at the end of the aisle. Happiness is beautiful, after all.

"You," I say, tipping my champagne flute in his direction. "Are full of it."

But I'm smiling. Luke is harmless, mostly. I get the feeling that he'd be more than that if I gave him any indication that I’m interested. I'm not. But it's fun to flirt a little. It's been so long since I've done it, I feel out of practice. Since he's leaving in a few days, I don't see the harm in a little casual flirtation, even after yesterday’s incident with Finn.

"I'm only saying what everyone else is thinking," he says over the rim of his own glass. He winks as he takes a sip. I just shake my head and sip from my own glass. The champagne is delicious. The light bubbles race across my tongue and I smile again thinking back to my own “wedding”. Well, it hadn’t been an actual wedding. Paul and I had stood before a judge and recited our vows. Afterward, he’d bought a bottle of cheap champagne and brought it back to his crappy off-campus apartment.

"What's that?" Luke asks softly.

"Hm?" I say, distracted.

"That secret little smile," he says. "What was that about?"

My smile grows wider and I shake my head. "I was just thinking about the first time I drank champagne."

"Ah," Luke says in a knowing way. "A good memory?"

"Yes, actually," I say, surprising myself. Despite how things had ended up between Paul and me, we’d had some good times too. "But it's a long story."

"I like stories," Luke says, grinning. "Especially when a beautiful woman is telling them."

"There you go again." I smile. "You're completely shameless."

Luke shrugs. "No shame in telling the truth."

I take another sip of champagne then set the half-empty glass on a passing waiter's tray. I need to stay focused. For a moment I'd let myself imagine what it might be like to sit down with Luke and see where things might go. We could drink more of the expensive champagne while we laugh and flirt the night away. What would it be like to be that carefree again? To not worry about tomorrow or next week? Consequences be damned. The idea comes and goes in a flash. That isn't who I am anymore. I'm no longer that spontaneous girl who ran off with her college boyfriend to elope after knowing him for six months. I haven't been her for a very long time and I'm glad for it. I prefer the woman I've become in the years since.

"Thank you for the champagne," I say, turning to face Luke fully. He studies me for a long moment before seeming to come to a decision. His expression shifts slightly, but he's still smiling when he takes my hand.

"Miss Travis," he says, lifting my hand to his lips. "If you change your mind, you know where