she felt about Leo.
Speaking of Leo – where was he anyway? She looked around but didn’t see him anywhere. Shouldn’t he be at the head table?
Especially now as the speeches were starting. Jasmine’s mind began to wander. Like a tongue searching out a cavity, her mind was eagerly going to its new favorite obsession: Leo. Right now it was thinking about his legs, long and muscular in his trousers, leading up to his ass. And what an ass it was: pert, strong, sexy. Perfect. Where was he?
The champagne glass in front of her was discreetly filled, as there was about to be a toast.
“And now, I’ll have your attention – it’s time for the best man to give us the inside scoop on his brother, Victor, the man of the hour.” There was an awkward moment where people looked around, murmuring. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who had noticed his absence.
Jasmine’s and Kerry’s eyes met, in a little moment of panic.
“Leo Wellington-Kerr, the best man,” the emcee said. “Please come to the stage.” As an aside to the crowd. “You know how these rock stars are, always late.” The awkwardness was momentarily allayed as the crowd members looked at each other in amusement.
A murmur started in the crowd, still waiting. Someone was dispatched to find Leo, and finally he appeared, a little unsteadily, in the doorway. He shambled up on the dais, all eyes on him.
He looked at the crowd for a moment, and then gave them all a killer grin. She could feel the excitement in the room rising, although subtly. After all he was a rock star, and gorgeous. But it wasn’t just that. There was a sense of near fear, covered up with mockery: how is Leo going to behave now? Will he embarrass or entertain us?
As the black sheep of the family, he was always a cause for gossip, but the family rarely had the chance to have him right there in front of them – usually he was on tour. They were used to dull royalty, after all, and the predictability of tradition, and Leo was none of those things. His speech could be a wild card, or it could be nothing out-of-the-ordinary – one never knew.
Jasmine’s own excitement was rising parallel to that of the crowd, but for entirely different reasons - to see his strong shoulders stretching the perfect cut of his suit jacket, his collar open, bow tie hanging rakishly around his neck, and blue eyes twinkling as he raised his glass.
He was just the kind of person who just looked cool. And sexy. No matter what he did. And everyone’s eyes were glued to his every move.
“Here’s to my brother, a better man than I’ll ever be. I’m sure we’d all agree,” he looked pointedly around the room, the glint in his eyes showing that he was aware of his reputation. When his eyes alighting on Jasmine’s for just a moment, it sent a thrill through her to her center. She shifted in her seat, and lowered her eyes, a soft smile growing on her face. “Always, but especially at this moment, today, it’s clear that he’s the good son – by marrying Eugenie, he’s really stood up and shown what it means to be a real man. Let’s all drink to him, on this most special day.”
At that moment, he leaned his head back and drained his glass completely, cuing the crowd to do the same. Jasmine raised her own glass and took little sip. She did notice that Leo seemed a little overeager for someone who was just toasting his brother, but that was probably the life of the rock musician – hard partying.
While the small crowd cheered and clapped in celebration Leo stumbled off the dais, his short and sweet speech hardly quenching the crowd’s – not love, but desire for him – but he knew the cardinal rules of show business: Always leave them wanting more.
When the band started, and the dancing had begun, Jasmine was stunned to feel a hand on her shoulder. She looked up to come face-to-face with Leo, seeing his stunning blue eyes, gasped a