Christine rolled her head on the pillow so she could look at him. “She called me yesterday at the office, right before the snake incident, and she said we needed to ‘do lunch’, which translates into she needs to talk to me about something.”
“She couldn’t do it over the phone?”
She rolled her eyes. “Oh, she could, but she likes the whole ‘see and be seen’ aspect of lunch in a nice, expensive restaurant.”
“Okay, then we’ll go and ‘see and be seen’,” he said, his teasing comment coaxing a smile out of her.
Lifting a hand, she cupped his cheek in her palm, her thumb scratching over the light stubble on his jaw. “Ahhh, you’re such a trouper.”
“You forget, as your bodyguard, I don’t have much of a choice.”
She laughed. “Regardless, I appreciate the buffer. Having you there will hopefully make the lunch, and the conversation, more pleasant.”
Ben wasn’t sure about that, but kept the comment to himself as she switch off the light.
He laid back down, and she automatically snuggled up against his side, her cheek resting on his chest and one arm slung across his stomach. It had been forever since he’d actually slept with a woman all night long, let alone cuddled with one. But after living a solitary life for so long, he couldn’t deny that he liked the intimacy of holding Christine close throughout the night, and waking up to her in the morning.
Unfortunately, he knew better than to get used to the feeling. By this same time next week, he’d be back in his own bed in his stark apartment. Alone once again.
At noon the next day, Ben and Christine walked into The Capital Grille and were led toward a private area of the restaurant where Audrey Delacroix was already seated and had already consumed half a glass of wine. Instead of wearing his normal jeans and shirt, today Ben had opted for a pair of nice brown trousers and a collared shirt. Considering that most everyone was decked out in business attire, he was glad that he’d dressed up for the occasion.
The host stopped at Audrey’s table, and Ben waited while Christine greeted her mother and bent down to give her a kiss on the cheek before saying hello himself.
“Good afternoon, Mrs. Delacroix,” he said politely.
She didn’t even glance his way. “Hello.” Her tone was rigid and forced, as she’d replied only because etiquette demanded she do so.
The host pulled out a chair for Christine, and once she was seated, Ben moved to sit down beside her.
“You’ll be sitting with Dominic over in the other room.” She waved a dismissive hand in that direction, still not meeting his gaze, making him feel once again like the lowly hired help.
Christine leaned forward in her seat and shot Audrey a mortified look. “Mother!”
“It’s okay.” Ben settled a hand on Christine’s shoulder to reassure her. “As long as I can see you at all times, I don’t have a problem with that.”
Christine glanced up at him apologetically, and he let her know with an easy-going smile that she had absolutely nothing to be sorry for. It wasn’t her fault that her mother felt compelled to be so rude to him, or anyone else that didn’t meet her prominent criteria.
So much for providing a buffer for Christine, Ben thought as he followed the host to a table in the adjoining room, where he said hello and shook hands with Audrey’s security agent, Dominic, before sitting down. The two of them were seated in a way that they could see and watch Audrey and Christine, but were far enough away not to be associated with them while they ate lunch.
Ben went ahead and ordered the grilled swordfish with lemon herb butter, along with a soda, and while their entrees were being prepared he conversed with Dominic, who Ben knew from working as a part-time bodyguard for Nathan. The other man used to be an undercover agent before going into the security business, so between the two of them they had plenty to talk about to keep them occupied during lunch.
Over the next hour, while Ben enjoyed his tender, flavorful swordfish and kept up a steady stream of conversation with Dominic, he also watched Christine and Audrey interact and came to the conclusion that the other woman was as cold as ice. After learning from Christine just how glacial Audrey actually was, physically and emotionally, he couldn’t help but feel sorry for her being so caustic all the time—and wanting everyone else around her to be just as miserable.
He also found it interesting that Audrey never smiled at Christine, and she never displayed any warmth or outward affection for her only child. She sat in her chair with her back straight and her hands folded in her lap, immaculately dressed in her long sleeved silk top and not a blonde hair out of place as she finished off four full glasses of wine.
They could have been two strangers having a meal together, if not for the myriad of emotions he witnessed passing over Christine’s features that told him their conversation was very personal. He was seated too far away to hear what they were discussing, but whatever was on Audrey’s mind caused a look of disdain to pinch her features, and made Christine increasingly upset—to the point that she cut the lunch short and didn’t even finish her salad. Even more telling was the fact that Christine pushed back her chair and left her furious looking mother sitting at the table by herself as she headed straight for him in the other room.
She stopped at his table and managed a sweet and genuine hello to Dominic before turning to Ben. She glanced from his empty plate to his face. “I’m glad to see you at least enjoyed your meal,” she said pointedly, making it clear that her lunch hadn’t settled as well as his had. “I’m ready to go.”
Oh, boy. Christine looked like a woman scorned, and Ben decided it wasn’t a pretty sight.
Since the meal was expensed to the Delacroixs account and he didn’t have to wait for a check, Ben scooted back his chair and escorted Christine out of the restaurant. The Valet brought her Lexus around to the carport, and after opening the passenger side door for her, he slid behind the wheel and directed the vehicle back to The Main Event.
He spent the first half of the drive watching Christine fume and stew as she stared out the side window, waiting patiently for her to either tell him what was wrong, or explode from the tension building within her.
When she did neither, he decided to see what he could wheedle out of her. “What happened back there at the restaurant with your mother?”
“Nothing,” she replied succinctly.
He wanted to laugh, but opted for another form of humor instead. “The food was that bad, huh? Or was it the service? That waiter did seem a little slow getting your salad to the table.”
She shot him a bewildered look. “What are you talking about?”
After making a left hand turn on the street where her business was located, he shrugged casually. “Something has you a little irked. I figured if it wasn’t something your mother said or did, it had to be something related to your lunch.”
She sighed, releasing some of the stiffness from her shoulders, as well as softening the taut line of her lips. “The lunch was fine. My mother, however, was in fine form today.”
He parked the car in Christine’s designated spot behind the business, cut the engine, but didn’t make any move to get out of the vehicle. Instead, he turned toward her and rested his arm along the back of her seat.
“Care to talk about it?” he asked gently. Honestly, he was damn curious what had gone on between the two women to make a normally carefree and cheerful Christine so antagonized.
She released a long “arrgghhh!” of frustration that seemed to deflate most of her anger, then met his gaze, her expression taking on that impish quality he adored. “Sorry, I just had to let that out.”
He grinned. “I completely understand.” He grew silent again, leaving the decision to talk up to her. She was quiet for so long, he almost thought that she was going to keep everything to herself.
But then she finally spoke. “My mother received a phone call from one of her friends who told her that she’d heard that I was dating my bodyguard. So, she asked m
e if it was true.”
Ben winced, belatedly realizing how Christine’s little scheme had come around to bite her in the butt as far as her mother was concerned. No doubt, Audrey hadn’t been pleased to hear that her daughter might be dating someone far beneath their social stature. Not when Audrey expected far better for Christine—even if that meant marrying a man that didn’t love and cherish her, as Jason clearly had not.
He wrapped a silky strand of her hair around his finger, feeling just ensnared by the woman herself. “What did you tell your mother?”
“That my personal life was no longer any of her business,” she said with a mutinous lift of her chin. “But she wouldn’t leave it alone and kept pushing for an answer, so I told her the truth, that I was dating you, and it shouldn’t be an issue with her since I’m an adult, I’m single, and it wasn’t her choice to make. And that, of course, led to a heated argument about…”
She let the rest of her sentence trail off as she shook her head and looked away, giving Ben the distinct feeling that unpleasant verbal exchange had been all about him, and not in a positive way, either. And knowing that made him all the more aware of the many differences between them when it came to living in the Delacroix’s world of wealth, politics, and high society precedence.
Christine rubbed her fingers across her forehead. “Anyway, she made me so mad that I had to put an end to the lunch or I knew I’d end up making a scene she wouldn’t have appreciated.”
With his fingers still tangled in her hair, he caressed his thumb along her soft cheek. “Well, in a few more days, she’ll have nothing to worry about.” The election was in five days, and once that was over and Christine’s safety was secured, they’d revert back to being friends and acquaintances, which would undoubtedly thrill her mother.
Christine’s cellphone rang, interrupting the moment between them. She dug into her purse for the unit, checked the caller ID, and grimaced. “It’s Craig. He’s been trying to get a hold of me for the past two days to talk about something regarding my party next week. I should take his call.”
She answered the phone, and Ben listened as she discussed a few last party details with Craig. As much as he despised the man for various reasons, Ben was beginning to think that he was fairly harmless—especially in comparison to Jason, whose bitter antics were starting to get more personal and public. Craig definitely liked Christine and had no qualms about making his attraction known, and even though those intimate feelings weren’t reciprocated, there was no crime in a man being interested in a woman.
Even if Ben didn’t like it one bit.
After the crazy, stressful week Christine had, Ben was glad that she’d agreed to accompany him to Joel and Lora’s wedding—a small, casual affair equivalent to a warm, family gathering that everyone felt a part of. The Saturday outing provided them both with the much needed opportunity to get out of the house, and gave Christine a welcome distraction from her mother’s silent treatment after their lunch a few days ago, as well as the fact that Jason was out on bail and her father had received yet another threat to drop out of the upcoming election.
It was a perfect cool and sunny day for an afternoon, outdoor wedding. The guests sat on padded folding chairs as Joel and Lora stood beneath an archway decorated with bright, colorful flowers and exchanged their vows in front of family and friends. Their expressions were full of the kind of love and adoration a person couldn’t help but envy, and as Ben cast a quick glance at Christine sitting beside him, he could see that she was just as caught up in the ceremony, and the genuine emotion between the couple, as most of the women there were.
Joel and Lora were flanked by Lora’s best friend, Sydney, who was standing in as the Bridesmaid, and Lora’s brother, Zach, as the best man. Considering everything that Zach Marshall had been through—in the Iraq war and then dealing with the aftermath by burying his painful past with addictions to gambling and alcohol that nearly ruined his life, he finally looked clean and sober. Zach had spent a good amount of time in rehab and was still working through his personal demons, but thanks to Joel and Lora’s unwavering support, as well as becoming a security agent at ESS that offered him a strong comradery with his ex-Marie buddies, the man was finally making a stable life for himself. And because of that, Ben was very happy for Zach.
As the minister read an intimate poem to the guests that spoke about love and friendship and the kind of eternal promises made between a husband and wife, Ben felt Christine’s hand slide into his, gentle and warm. Palm to palm, their fingers intertwined, and something within Ben filled with a longing so strong, it nearly overwhelmed him. It amazed him that this woman who was no doubt used to elaborate weddings was so touched by such a simple ceremony.
Then the minister introduced Lora and Joel as a married couple, and the moment between Ben and Christine dissipated as they stood up with the rest of the guests and cheered as Joel kissed his blushing bride with enthusiasm.
A casual reception followed in the backyard, with a buffet of food, upbeat music for dancing, and an abundance of babies and toddlers courtesy of all the Wilde family members that had gotten married over the past few years. With his hand resting on the base of Christine’s spine, he led her toward where Joel and Lora were standing off to the side, mingling with guests.
As soon as Ben reached Joel, he shook the other man’s hand and gave him a firm slap on the back. “Congratulations, Wilde man,” he said, then turned his attention to Lora, who was wearing a flowing white wedding dress and a very happy smile. “You look absolutely beautiful.” He kissed her on the cheek. “I’m glad to see that Joel found someone who can keep him in line.”
“All that military training has come in handy.” Lora’s eyes sparkled with female humor as she hooked her arm through her groom’s. “He knows how to take orders very well.”
Joel rolled his eyes, silently conceding to his wife’s comment. Ben laughed then went on to introduce the woman by his side. “I’d like you both to meet Christy.”
Lora’s eyes widened in delight. “Oh, you brought a date!”
She seemed so excited, mainly because Lora had spent the past year trying to find a suitable woman for him. He almost hated to burst her bubble. “Actually, she’s a current client of ESS.” Ben explained her relation to Nathan Delacroix, which garnered Christine a round of promises from the newly married couple to vote for the man.
“It’s a pleasure to meet both of you,” Christine said sincerely. “It was a beautiful ceremony.”
“Thank you.” Lora beamed. “I hope you two plan to stay a while and enjoy the reception.”
“Absolutely,” Ben replied. “We were just heading over to the buffet for something to eat.”
A young boy ran by them, but before he could pass Joel, the other man reached out and caught him up in his arms. Ben recognized the cute, energetic four year old as Cody, Steve Wilde’s son.
“Whoa, partner!” Joel exclaimed in an animated voice. “Where do you think you’re going at the speed of light?”
Cody squirmed in his embrace and pointed to a table near the buffet. “I wanna see the cake!”
Joel glanced in that direction. The confection the boy was interested in was a double tiered chocolate frosted cake that looked rich and delicious. “Just keep your fingers out of it, okay?”
The boy grinned impishly. “‘Kay!” As soon as Joel set him back down, Cody took off once again, with another one of Joel’s little nephews following behind to see the cake, too.
Joel chuckled and shook his head. “Talk about double trouble.”
“And you and your three brothers weren’t triple trouble at that age?” Ben asked, certain the Wilde siblings had been an equal handful. “Besides, I’m sure you and Lora will be adding to the brood in a year or so.”
“I’m looking forward to it,” Lora chimed in. “Maybe a little girl who’ll wrap Joel around her finger.”
A half-grin curved Joel’s lips as he met Lora’s gaze. “Oh, man, you know I don’t stand a
chance against that.”
She gently touched his cheek, the abundance of love between them so evident. “That’s what I’m counting on.”
The photographer came up to the new couple and pulled Joel and Lora away for some wedding photos with his parents. Ben guided Christine toward the patio area where the food was located, and introduced her to a few other people on the way. They said a quick hello to Scott and Ashley, whom Christine had met at the charity event the previous weekend, and Adrian and Chayse stopped to chat with them, too.
After loading his plate with finger sandwiches, potato salad, fruit, and a few other appetizers, then picking up a drink at the bar, they made their way back to a table where Ben’s buddies and co-workers, Kevin, Jon, and Zach, were sitting with their own meal. Christine sat down next to Kevin, the most familiar face of the group, and Ben took the chair next to her.
After introducing her to Jon and Zach, Kevin leaned toward her and said with a charming smile, “I think it’s only fair that I should warn you that I wanted you here today so I could steal you away from Ben.”
Christine suppressed a grin, but couldn’t disguise the amusement dancing in her eyes. “A man with ulterior motives, huh?”
“You bet. Especially when it comes to beautiful women.” Kevin winked at her.
“Be careful,” Jon piped in from across the table. “Kevin’s a player.”
The other man snorted in reply. “Oh, and you’re not?”
“I’m just not so obvious about it,” Jon said with a smug look, and took a big bite of his potato salad.
Kevin dismissed his comment with a wave of his hand. “Yeah, whatever, Jon-boy.”
Zach, the quiet one of the group, finally spoke up. “Geez, do you guys ever quit?”
“No.” Kevin and Jon answered at the same time.
Christine laughed, then took a sip of her champagne. “You all sound like you could be brothers. Argumentative and very competitive.”
Wilde for Him (A Wilde Series Novel) Page 20