Free My Ex-Boyfriend's Wedding by T. Sue VerSteeg Page A

brow. "That goes all the way through the second story, which just so happens to be my bedroom. If you're nice, I might let you see it later." A sensuous grin curled one side of his lips.
    "Honest? You'd do that for me? How nice," she said, sweet sarcasm dripping from her words. Jemma matched his smirk and followed him through the patio doors to the backyard.
    Her fascination with the fireplace paled in comparison as she surveyed the huge brick deck. A café table and two chairs were tucked away in one corner. A white cloth covered the tabletop, along with two place settings of the china she'd just admired. Two crystal flutes and heavy silverware finished the ensemble. Next to the table stood an ornate silver stand, a bucket filled with a bottle of champagne nestled in ice on top. Lit candles, set on every available surface, danced in the light breeze. The deck stepped down to two other levels spotted with deck chairs and canopies then gave way to a lit, kidney shaped swimming pool.
    "This is amazing," she whispered, as though she might scare it away.
    "It's my second favorite place to be." He led her to the table, pulled out her chair, and poured a glass of champagne. "Enjoy this while I finish up with our meal." He kissed her forehead and disappeared back into the house.
    The evening air cooled her skin, a welcome relief from the day's earlier heat. Jemma brought the glass to her lips and enjoyed the tiny bubbles tickling her nose as she tasted it. Smooth, sweet, and decadent.
    Kicking her flats off under the table, she took her glass and sauntered down toward the water. The pool glittered, a small waterfall at the end sending ripples across the smooth surface. She walked around the edge, admiring the view. She couldn't help but look back into the living room, follow the fireplace upward, and stare into the window of Tony's bedroom. She pictured him as a king-sized kind of guy. Giggling at the many nuances of 'king-sized,' she turned her attention back toward not taking an unexpected swim.
    Standing sideways, she dipped a toe into the inviting water. Cool and refreshing, it tempted her to strip down and dive in. She thought better of it and set her glass down carefully, before bunching her skirt up around her thighs and sitting on the edge. Slowly, she immersed her dangling feet into the silky depths.
    Leaning back on one hand, she picked up the champagne flute with her other, and kicked her feet out, splashing water into the air. Tony pushed the patio door open with his hip and carried their plates to the table.
    He laughed and shook his head while arranging their meal on the table. "Come eat before it gets cold."
    Jemma struggled to a standing position with as much dignity as she could manage, simultaneously making every effort not to topple head-first into the water. Managing both, she picked up her glass and made a cautious trek back to the table.
    "It smells heavenly." She sat, and he helped her scoot toward the table.
    Pouring her another drink and himself a first, he wedged the linen-wrapped bottle back into the ice. He lifted his glass for a toast, and she leaned across to touch her glass to his.
    "What shall we drink to?" he asked.
    "World peace?" She feigned innocence at first. "How about drinking to us?"
    "Perfect. To us." He tipped his glass, clinking it against hers.
    "To us," Jemma repeated and took a sip. She did her best to concentrate on the food in front of her, instead of his king-sized bed.
    The chicken breasts lay on top of a bed of tortellini and marinara sauce. Slices of bread filled a basket between their plates with two small bowls of Greek salad to the side. He'd obviously gone to great lengths to make sure everything was perfect. She watched him cut a piece of his chicken, spear a ring of tortellini on his fork, and raise it to his mouth.
    Hmm, he has great lips.
    Evidently, she stared a little too long.
    "Is something wrong?" Tony returned his fork to his plate with the food untouched.
    "Nope, I