couples. As he looked anxiously toward the door for the umpteenth time, he noted the arrival of his brothers as Luke and John entered the room at the same time. Luke’s friend Michelle was nowhere to be found.
Marah rushed to greet them, wrapping both men in a deep hug. “This is so exciting!” she gushed, her gaze racing around the perimeter of the room. “We’ve had a great turnout tonight.”
John nodded his head, looking from one sister to the other. “It looks like you and Eden have done a great job,” he said as he leaned his six-foot-plus frame down to kiss her cheek. “Congratulations, baby,” he said, hugging her tightly against his solid body.
“Thank you,” Marah said excitedly.
“Is Michelle still coming?” Mark asked, moving to join the trio. His attention fell on Luke’s face, eagerness flooding his expression. He glanced toward the door one more time.
“Hello to you, too,” John said, rolling his eyes skyward.
Luke echoed his sentiments. “Boy, is that how you greet your family?”
“Hey,” Mark said with a quick nod. “So, is she?”
Before Luke could respond, the entrance door opening and then closing pulled at their attention. The small group turned at the same time to see who was coming through the doorway. Mark was suddenly taken aback as he caught sight of the exquisite woman making her entrance.
“Hot damn!” Mark exclaimed under his breath, his eyes widening with excitement.
Donning a silk dress that was the color of summer-kissed peaches, Michelle surveyed the room in search of a familiar face. The woman cleaned up nicely, Mark thought, admiring the formfitting dress that hugged her lean body. Michelle was long and slender with more leg than torso and the length of her legs was displayed boldly from ankle to upper thigh. Mark’s gaze raced the length of her body, taking in every taut muscle he and everyone else was privy to see.
The moderate length of her hair was cut in a neat bob, the silken strands barely brushing against her shoulders and her chiseled features were perfection personified. Michelle was so beautiful he thought she could have easily rivaled any top model maneuvering a Parisian catwalk. Mark found himself tongue-tied when Luke called out Michelle’s name. He watched as his brother excused himself and then headed in the direction of the door.
Marah tossed a look in Mark’s direction then turned her attention back to Luke and Michelle as they stopped to greet each other with a warm embrace. She leaned into her husband’s side, whispering softly as she glanced up at him. “I think this is going to be the easiest love connection I’ve ever made,” she said with a low giggle.
John laughed with her. “Sorry to disappoint you, baby doll, but I think this connection was made well before you,” he said, eyeing his brother curiously as Mark continued to stare at Michelle.
Marah giggled. “I hate to agree, honey, but I think you’re right,” she said, watching as her brother-in-law stood oblivious beside them.
Still standing in the entrance, Michelle was suddenly aware that she was being admired, Mark’s gaze burning hot in her direction. She met his stare with one of her own, her palms running the short length of her silk dress as she moistened her lips. Beside her, Luke was chatting eagerly, but Michelle didn’t have a clue what he was saying, his words lost as her attention was diverted elsewhere.
Mark stood well over six feet tall, his solid frame strong and sturdy. His complexion was Hershey’s chocolate dark, richly decadent and teasing to the senses. His thick dreadlocks hung down his back, framing the lines of his face like the majestic mane on a lion. Dressed in a classic, charcoal Armani suit, his smoldering bedroom eyes and engaging, enigmatic smile had Michelle’s full attention.
The man gestured with his head, every ounce of his body language welcoming her into the room. Nodding slowly, Michelle took in the sculpted features of the man’s face. Mark Stallion was drop-dead gorgeous. She found herself staring at the curl of his full lips as he grinned at her, unable to stop herself from wondering what it might be like to kiss the lush pillows. She had to force her attention back to his eyes, shaking the clouds of fantasy that had suddenly washed over her.
Before Michelle realized what was happening, Luke had her by the elbow, guiding her in the direction of his brother and the gaze that suddenly had her weak in the knees. When they were standing side by side, everyone smiling widely, Luke made the introductions. “John, Marah, you remember my friend, Mitch, don’t you? Mitch, this is my oldest brother John and his wife, Marah. Marah and her sister are our hosts for the evening.”
Michelle nodded her head, extending her hand in greeting. “It’s very nice to see you both again,” she said softly.
“It’s very nice to see you again as well,” John responded.
“We’re glad you could join us,” Marah added.
Luke gestured toward his other brother. “And I think you’ve met my brother Mark.”
Michelle nodded, her eyes locking with Mark’s. The man’s gaze was still blistering, his excitement shimmering like a raging fire from his dark eyes.
“We did. How are you?” Michelle said, her smile warming the contours of her face. She extended her hand toward his.
“I’m very well, thank you,” Mark said, squeezing her fingers noticeably between his own. “It’s really good to see you again.”
Michelle smiled widely, the warmth of the gesture flooding her face. She suddenly felt herself blushing, a wave of color rising to her cheeks. She pulled her fingers from beneath Mark’s, drawing her palm against her abdomen to stall the quiver of muscle that had her shaking. Drawing in a deep breath, it took everything within her to keep standing on her quivering knees. There was a shared current of electricity that passed between them. The energy was so palpable that everyone around them could feel it. The moment was interrupted as Luke told the story of how he and Michelle had come to be friends.
“My goodness,” Marah exclaimed. “What a blessing it is that neither one of you was injured. Anything could have happened!”
Michelle nodded. “I’m grateful that Luke arrived when he did.”
Marah nodded her agreement. “Well, Mitch, we’re just delighted that you could join us this evening. Can I get you something to drink? Eat?”
Michelle shook her head. “Nothing, thank you. I didn’t mean to crash your party like this, but Luke insisted that I meet him here.”
“You’re not crashing at all,” Marah said, her gaze sweeping up to her husband’s. “We’re delighted that you could join us and I hope that you enjoy yourself. You might want to take advantage of some of our services,” she said, sliding into her salesperson tone. “Then again,” she continued as her eyes met Mark’s, “maybe you don’t need them.”
Michelle responded with a smile.
John’s eyes met Mark’s stare, Mark still looking at Michelle with longing. “If you and Mitch will excuse us, please. I need to steal my woman away for a moment,” John said, clasping his fingers between Marah’s. Marah gave Michelle and Mark a wink as she followed her husband.
Mark nodded, suddenly feeling nervous. The rise of anxiety intensified as Luke excused himself as well, leaving him and Mitch alone together. There was a moment of awkward silence that suddenly filled the space between them.
“So, Mr. Stallion, how was your trip to the beach?” Michelle asked, moving to ease the rise of tension between them.
He nodded. “It was great. The bike rode like a dream. And please, call me Mark.”
Michelle nodded ever so slightly. “Well, Mark, do you come to many of these things?” she asked, glancing around the room.
Mark shook his head. “This is my first and I’m only here because Marah insisted.”
Michelle raised one eyebrow, eyeing