It All Started With a Lima Bean (45 page)

Compassion meets redemption head on. Will life destroy Stefen and Leah, or will they find that they are
An Exceptional Twist
?

Leah sat at the large rectangular, linen covered table under a canopy of silk, poking away at her third piece of wedding cake. Yes, third piece. This delectable confection was from her favorite bakery, Portos, and she didn’t care who noticed her eat every single piece she’d swiped. She was tempted to lick her plate, but she figured that might be taking it too far. Seated to left of Leah, her sister and her cousin spoke in Spanish so that none of the “gringas” could understand the crap they were saying about everyone. Leah had to admit that most of their babble was pretty spot-on.

Glancing across the pool illuminated by floating candles, she focused on her best friend, Abby, intimately embracing her new husband and stepdaughter while swaying to the music that played through the speakers.
What a sweet picture that would make.
She was reaching for her camera when the wedding photographer captured the moment. She would have to ask for a copy of that one.

Staring at her best friend’s happy little family, Leah couldn’t help but wonder if it was in the cards to find someone who could love her as much as Caleb loved Abby. It wasn’t as though Leah was an old hag. Her twenty-sixth birthday had been a couple of months prior, but something about being at weddings brought doubts to the surface. The toughest part was that since she was a florist, she had to attend these damn things a couple of times a month.

Pulled from her depressing thoughts, Leah glanced up at the groom’s cousin, Stefen, who stood in front of her with his palm extended. “Would you care to dance?”

Leah nodded and placed her fork next to the last bite of cake on her plate. “I’d love to,” she said, grasping his hand as he pulled her dramatically from her chair and whisked her onto the dance floor.

Stefen, a native of Chicago, had been visiting Santa Barbara for a week now. Leah had enjoyed that time of ogling him when he wasn’t looking. He was gorgeous in that naughty boy attempting to appear as though his intentions are honorable way. However, his objectives were the furthest from chivalrous. Leah couldn’t help but compare him to the naughty brother from that popular vampire TV show. Stefen had this whole wicked hot vibe going on, devious look in his dazzling eyes, crooked smile, and attitude to match. He had the slightest overbite that drew her eyes to his full kissable mouth. Not to mention, he was a lawyer, which in Leah’s book just added to his sinister character.

Catching herself gazing into his seductive hazel eyes, she could see that he was trouble. Not wanting to give him the satisfaction of witnessing his effect on her, she used her ninja skills to devour him visually the moment he turned away.

A slow song crooned through the speakers, and she didn’t complain when he held her close to his firm body.
Damn he could move
. It would not surprise her if he’d taken dance lessons to fit into the social gatherings his family undoubtedly attended. Most likely, he knew ballroom dances such as the foxtrot, waltz, and tango. She was familiar with these as well, but she used her dance knowledge to instruct a great group of special needs kids, not to climb a social ladder. This realization drew her attention to the fact that this probably wasn’t their only difference.

They’d flirted all week, but she honestly didn’t know too much about him. Trying to be nice, she’d offered to show him around town while Caleb and Abby were on their two-week honeymoon. For some reason, Caleb didn’t seem particularly happy when she’d made the suggestion in front of him.

Stefen was staying in Santa Barbara for three more weeks, and she was smart enough to realize that she was going to have to watch her step around him. The flirting was fun, but he’d made enough comments that led her to believe he was accustomed to an entirely different caliber of woman than her. No matter, he would be leaving soon enough.

“So I guess you are my tour guide the next couple of weeks.” One of those devious smiles covered his charming face. He captivated her eyes with his as they moved their united bodies back and forth to the melody surrounding them.

“I have to work most days, but I can still show you around so that you don’t have to fend for yourself the whole time.” She teased, then although difficult, purposely removed her eyes from his.

Capturing her sight once more, Stefen nonchalantly pointed out, “I actually have to work too. I decided to take some time away from the office but need to continue working on some cases remotely.” Something told her there was more to this story, but she didn’t dare ask. “Let me know when you are free so I can get that tour.” Dang, she was staring into his beautiful hazel eyes again, and then at his mouth. Her sister Daniella and she always said that a guy’s lips and eyes had the same effect on women that boobs and behinds had on guys.

Leah cleared her throat and tried not to look like a drooling puppy. “I was planning on coming back here tomorrow to get things in order after the tents, tables, and chairs are gone.”

“What time is that?” Stefen cocked his left eyebrow. He was trying to make her melt and damn if it wasn’t working.

“Abby has a cleaning crew coming at 10:00 so I’ll be over around that time. Are you staying here or at Abby’s bungalow? I didn’t hear what was decided.” Abby had told her that he was welcome at either house but thought he probably wouldn’t want to stay at her girly bungalow, plus the family nanny was about to move in and he probably didn’t want to stay with her.

“I’m staying here.” A pompous attitude came off him as if she should know better than to ask such an absurd question.
Well that was not sexy.

“I’ll bring breakfast then. What do you like?” She would keep up her polite manner even when he was going to act like a jackass.

“I’ll enjoy anything you are willing to give me, Leah.” The cunning smile was back, and her tan face turned crimson. She was sure he intended those words to have a double meaning.

She couldn’t keep her quick breath from his attention. Smirking, he turned toward her family members. “Who is the woman that is standing by your sister? She’s pointing at you, and checking me out. Relative of yours?”

Leah glanced in the direction he was motioning. “Oh yeah, that’s my cousin. She and Abby are friends as well.” Leah’s female family members were always trying to embarrass her. Then again, she had no right to complain because she did the same to them.

A wide smile broke out on his face before drawing her body even closer. “So she’s trying to figure out who the hot guy is that looks like he wants to ravage her little cousin, huh?”
Hot? Did he just call himself hot? And ravage her? WTH?
If her embarrassment wasn’t already evident before, she was certainly not able to hide it now. There was that damn smirk yet again. He knew he was getting to her. “Why don’t we give them something more to talk about?” His lips were suddenly an inch from hers as he dipped her backward.

“Wh… what?” Leah questioned breathlessly with her heart pounding in her throat.

“Relax. I’m kidding Leah; boy, you are so easy to mess with. I’m going to have fun with you.” He gave her an eyebrow wiggle as he pulled her back up on to quivering legs.

She tried to get the upper hand by smiling and shooting back. “Mr. Hunter, you sure are a tease aren’t you? I’m going to have to keep my distance.” Leah turned and attempted to walk away.

Catching her arm, Stefen brought their bodies together once again. After possessively wrapping his hands around her lower back, he growled, “Oh, no you don’t. I’ve been told that I’m irresistible, and I don’t tease. You are welcome to any part of me that you can handle.” They were eye to eye and she was unable to control her heavy breathing. He unexpectedly released her. After peeking to their side, she realized that Caleb was standing next to them. He had his arm around Stefen and practically dug his fingers into his cousin’s shoulder as he squeezed.

“Hey guys. Are you enjoying the reception?” Caleb looked downright pissed off at Stefen.

“Uh, yeah. It’s a great party.” The once arrogant guy in front of her now looked like a little boy that just got busted doing something he’d been told many times not to do.

“Leah, do you mind if I talk to Stefen for a minute, sweetie?” Seeing through Caleb’s fake smile, she didn’t dare ask what was going on. However, she would hate to be Stefen right now.

“Sure, no problem.” Leah quickly rushed back to join her relatives.

Her older sister, Daniella or Dani as she was better known, stood next to their table pursing her lips while checking Leah out from head to toe before grabbing her hands and pulling her forward. “Hermana, Stefen is one fine ass man and he sure can move on the dance floor.” Dani picked up, and then fanned herself with a cocktail napkin from the table.

“Never gonna happen. You are correct; he is an ass.” Leah was irritated after her interaction with him, but for some reason her blood was still rushing through her veins.

“Never say never, baby sister.” Dani bumped her sister’s hip with her own curvy behind.

“Stefen, I thought I told you that she was off limits!” Caleb snarled through his gritted teeth before releasing his vice grip.

“Damn, that hurt.” Stefen rubbed the shoulder that was sure to show a bruise by the next day. “I didn’t do anything. We were only dancing.” Stefen was pissed too now.
Why the hell did Caleb feel as if he had the right to decide whom Leah could and could not be with?

“I saw how you were dancing and holding her as well as everyone else here.” He raised his arm and motioned to the crowd. “There are a lot of women at this reception that are more your style that you can dance with. Why her?” Caleb now stood close to Stefen with his arms firmly crossed in front of his chest. They hadn’t fought in a long time, but Stefen was not about to back down.

“I don’t know. There is something that is attracting me to her.” He looked down, not believing the words that just came out of his mouth. “Why the hell is she so special to you anyway? She’s just another girl.”

“Do. Not. Screw. With. Her. I’m not kidding Stefen. She is an important part of my family, and I will not let you do something to mess that up. I will drop you before her.”

Stefen stepped back, trying to comprehend what Caleb had just said. “What the hell? Nice, bro. You genuinely would choose her over me.”

“Without even having to think about it. She is my wife’s best friend and you don’t screw with that. I know she is going to show you around while we are gone, but I’m telling you right now, leave it at that.” Caleb stood a full four inches above Stefen, which would normally intimidate another man, but this was his best friend threatening him.

“Whatever.” Stefen shook his head as he exhaled his furious breath. He was fuming, but also hurt.

“I’m going to find Abby. We are leaving in a minute.” Caleb turned his back and stomped away.

Stefen’s sister, Bri, timed her approach. “What was that about?”

“Your overbearing cousin thought he should warn me to keep my distance from Abby’s precious friend.” He couldn’t even hide the fact that he was offended.

Bri placed a delicate hand on his back and spoke softly. “Stefen, I’ve spent the whole week with Leah. I’m sorry, but I agree with Caleb. She’s a lovely girl and doesn’t deserve heartbreak from you. Please be gentle with her, for me.” This approach pulled on his heartstrings. He would do anything for his baby sister.

“I will. For you.” Moving in closer, Stefen kissed her cheek. Needing a change of subject to dampen his temper, he asked, “So what time are you and Leah’s sister leaving for San Francisco?”

“Right after the bride and groom leave. Dani’s car is already packed, and it’s only a five hour drive from here.” She was excited. Bri had traveled all over the world but had never been to the Bay Area before.

“I really wish you would wait until the morning.” He worried about his sister far more than any brother should, and had done that their whole lives. Their parents had never extended any concern for either one of them.

Pointing to Abby and Leah hugging, Stefen said. “Well, it looks like that time is coming now.” The bride had already changed into a short forest green dress, small black jacket, and killer black heels. He hadn’t seen her dressed like that too much; it seemed as if she usually wore more casual clothing.