Christy McKellen - Mills & Boon Showcase

‘Can’t he see how gorgeous you are?’ Sandy asked. In an emerald silk dress that clung to her curves and flattered the auburn of her hair, Kate looked anything but the girl next door.

Kate pulled a self-deprecating face. ‘Thanks. But it doesn’t matter what I wear. To Jesse I’ll always just be good old Kate, his childhood pal.’

‘You never dated him?’

‘We kissed when I was thirteen and he was fourteen. I never stopped wanting him after that.’

‘And Jesse?’

Kate shrugged. ‘He was a shy kid, and I guess I was a convenient experiment. It never happened again. Though I must have relived it a million times.’

‘He certainly doesn’t look shy now.’

Jesse’s full attention was beamed on the attractive blonde award finalist.

‘Yep. He’s quite the man of the world these days, and quite the flirt.’ Kate kept her gaze on Jesse for a moment too long before returning it to Sandy.

Sandy’s heart went out to Kate. ‘That must be so tough for you. Ben told me Jesse’s only visiting for a few days.’

‘Yes. Jesse leads a construction team that builds low-cost housing in areas that have been destroyed by natural disasters. Think India, Africa, New Orleans. He only ever comes here between assignments.’

Sandy glanced again at Jesse. ‘Good looks and a kind heart. No wonder you’re hooked on him.’

‘Kind hearts run in the Morgan family—as I think you well know.’

Was Kate about to give her another lecture about Ben? If so, she wasn’t in the mood to hear it. ‘Kate, I—’

Kate laughed and threw her hands up in a gesture of self-defence. ‘I’m staying right out of the you-and-Ben thing. I’ve been warned.’

‘Warned? By Ben?’

‘Of course by Ben. You’re important to him. Ben protects the people he cares about.’

Sandy loved the feeling Kate’s words gave her. But, again, she sensed she might be getting out of her depth. Three more days in Dolphin Bay. That was all she was talking about after this evening. Deep in her heart, though, she knew there was a chance it could end up as so much more than that. She didn’t know whether to be excited or terrified at the prospect.

* * *

After the starter course Ben took his place on stage. To Sandy, he looked imposing and every inch the powerful executive as he took the microphone to give a brief review of the year’s past business activities. From the applause and occasional catcall from the audience it was apparent Ben was still very much the town’s favourite son.

As he made a particularly pertinent point about the growth in revenue tourism had brought to Dolphin Bay Sandy thought she would burst with pride at his achievements, and at the way he had overcome such tragedy to get to this place. She wanted to get up from her seat and cheer. She caught his mother Maura’s eye and saw the same pride and joy reflected in her face.

Maura acknowledged the thread of emotion that united them with a smile and a brief nod, before turning back to face the stage and applaud the end of Ben’s speech.

Sandy smiled back—a wobbly, not very successful smile. Maura knew. She bit her lip and shredded the edge of her dolphin-printed serviette without really realising she was doing so.

Could she kid herself any further that all she wanted from Ben was a fling? Could she deny that if she didn’t protect her heart she might fall right back in love? And then where would she be, if Ben decided four days of her was enough?

CHAPTER TWELVE

BUT SANDY’S HEART was singing as she danced with Ben. He danced as he’d danced with her that first time twelve years ago, and it seemed as if the years in between had never happened. Although they kept a respectable distance apart their bodies were in tune, hips swaying in unison with each other, feet moving to the same beat.

Most of the people in the room had also got up to dance once the formalities of the evening were done, but Sandy was scarcely aware of them. She couldn’t keep her eyes off Ben or stop herself from ‘accidentally’ touching him at any opportunity—shoulders brushing, hips bumping, her hand skimming his as they moved their bodies in time to the music of a surprisingly good local band. And, in spite of the other guests’ ill-concealed interest in the fact they were dancing together, Ben did nothing to move away.

She longed to be alone with him. He had rhythm, he had energy, he had power in that big, well-built body—and she ached to have it all directed to her. Upstairs in her bedroom.

When the band changed to slow dancing music, she was done for. As Ben pulled her into his arms and fitted his body close to her she wound her arms around her neck and sighed. ‘How much longer do we have to endure this torture? If I have to explain to one more person than I’m just here for a few more days, I’ll scream.’

‘Same. The strain of all this focus on us is too much.’

‘How much longer do we have to stay?’

He nuzzled into her neck, murmured low and husky. ‘See those doors that open up to the balcony?’

She looked across the room. ‘Yes.’

‘We’re going to dance our way over there and out on to the balcony, as if we’re going for some fresh air—’

‘Won’t everyone think we’ve gone to make out?’

‘Who cares?’ He pulled her tighter. ‘That way we don’t have to announce our escape by exiting through the main doors.’

‘What about your duties?’

‘I’m done with duty.’

‘So now you’re all mine for the rest of the evening?’ she murmured, with a provocative tilt of her head.

His eyes darkened to a deeper shade of blue and his grip tightened on her back. ‘From the balcony we’ll take the door to the empty conference room next door and then to the foyer.’

‘And then?’ Her voice caught in her throat.

‘That’s up to you.’

Her heart started doing the flippy thing so fast she felt dizzy. She pulled his head even closer to hers, brushed her lips across his cheek. ‘Let’s go,’ she murmured.

He steered her through the crowd, exchanging quick greetings with the people they brushed past, but not halting for a moment longer than necessary. Sandy nodded, smiled, made polite responses, held on to his hand and followed his lead.

They sidled along the balcony, then burst into the empty conference room next door, laughing like truant schoolkids. Ben shut the door behind him and braced it in mock defence with an exultant whoop of triumph.

Sandy felt high on the same exhilaration she’d felt as a teenager, when Ben and she had successfully snuck away from their parents. She opened her mouth to share that thought with him, but before she could form the words to congratulate him on their clever escape he kissed her.

His kiss was hard and hungry, free of doubt or second thoughts. She kissed him back, matching his ardour. Then broke the kiss.

She took a few deep breaths to steady her thoughts. ‘Ben, I’m concerned we’re moving too fast. What do you think?’

Ben glanced at his watch. ‘This day is nearly over. That leaves us three days. I want you, Sandy. I’ve always wanted you.’

‘But what if we regret it? What if you—?’ She was so aware of how big a deal it was for him to be with her. And the heartbreak she risked by falling for him again. She feared once she made love with him she would never want to leave him.

‘I’ll regret it more if we don’t take this chance to be together. On our terms. No one else’s.’

‘Me too,’ she said. No matter what happened after these three remaining days, she never wanted to feel again the regret that had haunted her all those years ago.

Please, let this be our time at last.

‘My room or yours?’ she said, putting up her face to be kissed again.