A Rogue And A Pirate

‘He makes me feel about ten years old,’ Graham told her uncomfortably.

‘Don’t be silly,’ Caitlin dismissed brittly, knowing the feeling only too well!

‘He almost makes me feel guilty for slipping out to the garden to kiss the woman who is almost my wife,’ he said in a disgruntled voice as they reentered the lounge.

‘Just forget about him,’ she advised, knowing that was going to be impossible with Rogan in this baiting mood.

Not that there was much evidence of that as he concentrated his attention on Gayle throughout dinner. Caitlin was very quiet, as was Graham, still resentful of the other man’s condescension if his glowering looks in Rogan’s direction were anything to go by.

But Gayle flowered under the undivided attention of such an attractive man, her blue eyes sparkling her enjoyment, even her dark cap of hair seeming to take on a new vibrancy. No one else but Caitlin and Graham seemed aware of the friction at the oval table, Brian and Beth enjoying themselves as usual, the two sets of parents talking over the last-minute details of the wedding.

For a bride and groom they were singularly lacking in enthusiasm for this discussion!

‘I wonder what Graham would say if he knew that last night I was the one kissing you and receiving that passionate response that frightened the hell out of him!’

Rogan had moved to stand behind her as Graham went to get her an after-dinner brandy, having been delayed returning to her as her brother waylaid him, teasing him about the wedding Saturday if the good-natured laughter was anything to go by.

She turned sharply to Rogan. ‘It didn’t frighten him,’ she defended. ‘He was naturally cautious about our location!’

‘Like you were last night when we sat outside your parents’ home?’

‘Please keep your voice down!’ She looked about them uncomfortably, returning her father’s smile shakily as she caught his gaze on them.

Rogan shrugged. ‘I should think it would mess up all those expensive wedding plans somewhat if I were to mention who you were with last night.’

‘You wouldn’t.’ She frowned her distress. ‘Tell me you wouldn’t, Rogan!’

‘I wouldn’t,’ he repeated obediently.

‘You would!’ she groaned, closing her eyes, a deeper blue when she opened them again. ‘Do you have any idea how long my mother has been planning this wedding?’ she accused.

‘Since you were in your cradle, probably,’ he drawled uninterestedly.

‘Longer,’ she said flatly. ‘Brian was supposed to have been a girl. It was another nine years before I came along.’

‘And you’ve been spoilt ever since,’ Rogan grated. ‘Did no one ever explain to you that you can’t have your cake and eat it as well?’

Her eyes widened indignantly. ‘You must have heard Gayle say she was the person I was supposed to be meeting last night!’

‘I also heard you telling Graham how you missed him last night,’ Rogan taunted. ‘You didn’t seem to be coping too badly when we were together.’

She shot another frantic look about the room. ‘We were not together,’ she snapped.

‘Don’t kid yourself—or me, Caity,’ he rasped. ‘Another couple of minutes and we would have been making love on the front seat of my car in front of your parents’ house!’

‘No!’ She shook her head in firm denial.

Rogan gave her a scathing glance. ‘I know damn well that you wanted me.’

‘No. I——’

‘Here we are, Caitlin.’ Graham finally arrived back with their drinks, looking at the other man with questioning eyes as he noticed Caitlin’s flushed face. ‘Sorry, old man, I only brought two glasses,’ he dismissed smugly.

‘That’s all right—son,’ grated Rogan, taking both glasses of brandy out of the other man’s hand, giving one to Caitlin and keeping the other one for himself. ‘I’m sure Caity and I can amuse ourselves while you get yourself a drink.’

Good manners warred with indignation in Graham’s good-looking face, the former winning out as he left them with a mumbled ‘excuse me’.

Rogan raised dark brows at Caitlin as she demurely sipped her brandy. ‘No comment?’

She shrugged. ‘Graham doesn’t like you.’

The feeling is mutual,’ he bit out, his eyes narrowed as he watched the other man. ‘I wonder why that is?’

She turned away. ‘I have no idea.’

‘Don’t you?’ Rogan taunted.

Her face became flushed. ‘The time to make trouble for me was when we were first introduced, not now!’ She glared at him.

‘Oh, I don’t intend making trouble for you, Caity,’ he drawled.

‘No?’ she scorned.

‘No,’ he confirmed calmly. ‘I’m sure that in the end you’ll make the only decision that you can in the circumstances.’

She frowned. ‘There’s no decision to make; I’m going to marry Graham on Saturday.’

Dark brows rose over mocking eyes. ‘Why bother, when you’ll be unfaithful to him within a couple of months?’

Her eyes flashed. ‘You don’t know what you’re talking about——’

‘Don’t I?’ he challenged softly, one lean hand moving up to caress her cheek. ‘I can assure you I do, you see I’ll be the man you’re unfaithful with! It’s going to be worth hanging around in England just for that,’ he taunted.