by Ami Weaver
Jacqui gave Ben an obvious once-over. He held out his hand with a smile and she took it.
“Nice to meet you,” he said.
“Likewise,” she said, and turned to Lainey. “Now, honey, you two mingle for a bit before you take your seats. And no leaving until ten o’clock.” Someone must have signaled her mother, because Jacqui turned abruptly to leave before Lainey could say a word. “I’ll see you at dinner.” And she was gone.
“Sorry,” Lainey said immediately. “My mom’s a little intense. Don’t take it personally.” What Jacqui could find lacking in the smoking hot package that was Ben, Lainey couldn’t fathom. Because he wasn’t Daniel? Couldn’t give her what her mother deemed most important—money?
“I see that,” Ben said as he steered her toward a buffet table piled high with sinful goodies. “And I’m not offended. Let’s get something to drink.”
Along the way they got pulled into several conversations—people who knew Lainey, or thought they did. The whole process was as exhausting as it always had been to smile for her mother or stump for her father. Tonight was a bit of both.
“Here.” Ben pushed a golden flute into her hand. “I know your...situation. But I think you need this. Just carry it if nothing else.”
The champagne bubbled in the flute and Lainey took a tiny sip. It fizzed in her mouth and slid down her throat. Ben was right. Just having it in her hand was enough. She didn’t need anyone questioning why she refused to drink. “Thank you. It hits the spot.”
Ben bent so his mouth was next to her ear. She could hear him over the band, which had just started up. “You’re welcome.”
Lainey hoped he didn’t notice the little shiver that skittered down her spine at his warm breath on her skin. She was so, so lost to this man. And he didn’t even know it.
He moved away slightly and she felt the immediate loss of contact. She chided herself for letting herself get caught up in this even for a moment. Despite her decision to enjoy tonight, it wasn’t real. It didn’t change anything.
“So, what’s good here?” Ben asked her as they surveyed the table loaded with hors d’oeuvres of every persuasion. There were tiny petit-fours, as well as fancy little things that looked like shrimp, mushrooms, cheese. All high end. No mini hot dogs for this party.
“I’d say all of it,” she said. “My mother doesn’t skimp on this stuff.”
He smiled and handed her a plate. “Not surprised.”
Lainey took a few small things and put them on her plate, and Ben did the same. Her brother approached them and Lainey braced herself.
“Laine,” Kevin greeted her. She noticed he was dateless, and frowned.
“Kev, where’s your date? How did you get away with coming stag?” Realizing how her words sounded, she quickly turned to Ben.
He just nodded at Kevin and said, “I see someone I need to talk to. I’ll catch up with you in a bit, okay?”
“Um, okay,” Lainey said, feeling like a total heel.
“Nice job,” Kevin commented, lifting a flute of champagne from a passing waiter. “You’ve got a way with men, sis.”
Lainey sent him a sour look, even though he was right. “I didn’t mean it how it sounded.” Still, she’d hurt Ben with her thoughtless comment. And after he’d gone to such trouble for her tonight. She tracked him with her eyes and noticed he’d stopped next to a tall, gorgeous, slender blond. Who couldn’t possibly have natural boobs. Lainey frowned.
“And you’re not listening to anything I say,” Kevin said, amusement in his tone. “You can’t take your eyes off the guy, can you? Does Mother know?”
“Does Mother know what?” Jacqui materialized next to them and peered critically at Lainey’s plate. “Be careful, dear. I know you’re—” she glanced around and lowered her voice “—pregnant, but you don’t want to gain a lot of weight.”
Lainey looked at her and for the first time saw an unhappy, brittle woman whose need to control everything had nearly estranged her from her children and whose marriage had taken a serious toll on her self-worth. Instead of being insulted by her thoughtless words, Lainey felt only pity.
“No worries, Mother,” she said smoothly, and selected a prosciutto something from her plate. She was eating for two, right? Might as well do it tonight. “Lovely party, by the way.”
Effectively sidetracked, Jacqui glowed. “It is, isn’t it? Almost time to get seated for dinner. Lainey, get your date. Kevin, thanks for coming. I know you have to get back later.”
Lainey’s gaze lasered to Ben as her mother hurried off. Now he was laughing with the blond, his dark head near her golden one. Something sour curled in her belly. Couldn’t be jealousy, could it? Despite their night together, and all her feelings for him, she had no actual claim on him. None at all.
So it was silly and petty to be jealous.
As if he’d felt her watching him, he lifted his head and locked on her gaze. The sour feeling was replaced by something much, much sweeter.
Kevin stepped closer, into her line of sight, his gaze intense and knowing. Her stomach sank.
“Anything you want to tell me, sis?”
Lainey stared up at him. Oh, no. She swallowed hard. “No. Nothing.”
He gave a little nod and stepped back. He looked as if he wanted to say something, then thought better of it and turned and walked away.
* * *
Ben made his way through the crowd to Lainey. Her gaze snapped to his and relief lit her big blue eyes just for a moment. Then it was gone.
“Sorry about that,” Ben said, coming up next to her. She smelled so good. Like vanilla and something sinful. Sweet and sinful. That was Lainey, all wrapped up in one sexy package.
Sexy pregnant package, that was.
God, he was in trouble.
“It’s okay.” Her voice was a little remote. “Of course you know people here.”
“Megan is an old friend, but not that kind of friend.” Ben surprised himself by how important it was that she understand. “I was surprised to see her here.”
She gave him a sideways look. “I get it.”
He caught her hand and twined his fingers with hers. She looked down, clearly startled, then up to his face.
“Lainey. You are the only woman I can see.” The words were rough in his throat, but true in every sense. There was no one but her. If things were different there would never be anyone but her. All he could give her was tonight. It had to be enough.
Her gaze stayed on his, her blue eyes wide and hopeful, fearful. He wanted to drown in them, in her. Instead he gave her fingers a squeeze and stepped back. “I take it we’re supposed to sit down?”
A shadow passed over her face quickly, then she smiled. “Shall we?”
They made their way to the table. He noted she kept an eye on her parents, who were still mingling and mixing and chatting up the guests. The table was set for eight and Kevin was already there, his gaze firmly on Ben.
His words from the other night hit him hard. No intentions. Yeah, he was a liar. He wanted so much more than he could give her—wanted to give her what she deserved—and Kevin’s hard stare said he knew it. Not only that, he knew Ben was going to walk. Ben met the other man’s gaze squarely. They both knew she deserved better.
Dinner went fairly quickly. Prime rib, decadent desserts, rich sides all filled the plates. Ben hadn’t eaten so well in ages. Lainey, he noted, only picked at her food.
“Not hungry?”
She looked up and flushed. “Not really. These things—it’s not my cup of tea.” She slid her plate toward him. “Here. Help yourself if you want.”
He did fork up a couple of pieces of her prime rib, because it was prime rib and he was a guy. He caught Jacqui’s fierce frown at her daughter as she got up and he wondered at it.
Jacqui wal
ked to the microphone at the front of the room. After a little speech of welcome and thanks, she added, “Dancing will begin as soon as the last of the plates are cleared. Don’t forget the silent auction—there’s still time to place your bids.”
“I’m going to hit the ladies’ room,” Lainey murmured to him. She stood and picked up her little silver purse. “Back in a few.”
“So. Ben.” Her father leaned forward across the table as soon as Lainey had left. “How do you know my daughter?”
Wow, was he sixteen again, or what? He kept his tone level. “Through my grandmother. Lainey’s been helping her out at her place.”
The man looked surprised. “Really?”
Ben nodded. “I think her visits are the highlight of Grandma’s week.” How could this guy not know the kind of person his daughter was?
“What do you do for a living?”
Ben tensed just slightly. This man could and would ferret out the truth, and Ben would bet he wanted to know. “I’m a firefighter.”
Greg Keeler arched a brow. “Really? Where?”
“City of Grand Rapids.” He hesitated for a beat as he met the other man’s gaze. “I’m on medical leave right now.” Better just to say it than have it found out and used against Lainey somehow.
The very fact he was even concerned was a problem.
The older man’s gaze sharpened. It was no doubt only a matter of time before the man looked him up if he thought Ben was interested in his daughter. “I hope your recovery is going well.”
Ben managed a smile. “Well enough.” Actually, there was some truth to that. Being around Lainey had helped him. Better than any therapy.
Greg leaned across the table. “While being a firefighter is a very important job, you need to realize you’re not what we have in mind for Lainey,” he said, almost apologetically. “Her ex-husband is a partner in a very prestigious law firm. I understand they’re considering reconciliation.”
Ben’s brow shot up, as did his pulse. He sure as hell hadn’t seen any indication that Lainey was interested in her ex-husband. In fact, if memory served him, she was no fan of his. “Is that so? Then why isn’t he here with her?”
“Because I didn’t invite him.” Lainey’s voice was cold as she stood behind Ben and regarded her father with sharp eyes. “He’s my ex-husband for a lot of very good reasons.”
Her father sat back and shook his head. “Lainey—”
She shot him a hard look and turned to Ben as the band struck up. “Want to dance?”
“Of course.” He pushed back from the table and inclined his head to Greg. The older man crossed his arms and frowned as he led Lainey away.
“How about a walk instead?” he asked. The band was playing, but it was too early to dance. They’d be the only ones on the floor, and possibly the center of attention. He doubted Lainey wanted that.
She nodded. “I’d like that.”
He put his hand at the small of her back, because he couldn’t not touch her, and they made their way to the glass doors at the other end of the room. They opened out to a sheltered patio that overlooked the water. It was chilly, but he figured he’d keep her warm.
As soon as they were outside she took an audible breath. Sympathy filled him. “Is that the first time you’ve breathed all evening?”
She gave him a rueful smile. “Seems like it. Old habits. I never wanted to do anything that might draw attention to myself. I always wanted to be anywhere but here.”
“I can understand that.” Seeing her interact with her family—except for her brother—was eye-opening.
“Can you?” She leaned on the railing and the position allowed him a fantastic view of her breasts. He shifted position slightly so he could see better—if he chose to look—and so no one coming up next to them would get the same treat.
“You don’t think I can?”
“I don’t know. My childhood was so lonely. I didn’t have a Rose. As you can see, I didn’t even have normal parents.” She didn’t look at him. “What was yours like?”
He rested a hip on the railing. “Normal, I guess. Both parents—though they got divorced when I was twelve. My brother and sister. All of them live downstate, around Detroit. After the divorce things changed, but our parents took a lot of trouble to make sure we knew we were loved.” Really, they’d been lucky. He could see that now, in Lainey’s wistful expression.
She was quiet for a moment. “I’m sorry about my dad. I’m not sure what got into him.”
“He wants what’s best for you.” The words caused an ache in his chest. It wasn’t him. But part of him—a huge part—wished it was.
Her laugh was low and sad. “If that’s true, they should know Daniel’s not what’s best. The man’s a snake.” She turned and looked up into his eyes. “There’s no chance of reconciliation, by the way.”
While he truly hadn’t thought so, relief still trickled through him. “You definitely deserve better than a snake.”
A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “Aw. That’s so sweet.”
He touched her chin. You are the sweet one, he wanted to say. Actually, he wanted to say much more than that, and it worried him. The band struck up a slower tune and he held out a hand. “Dance with me?”
She looked up, startled. “Out here?”
“We can go inside if you’d rather. But there are more eyes.”
“Good point.” She turned to face him and he pulled her into his arms, then steered her away from the railing into the deeper shadows caused by the overhang of the roof.
She felt so good in his arms. She fit so well. He tried not to think of the other night, when they’d moved together in perfect sync. He pulled her closer and felt her stiffen slightly. It shouldn’t matter, but it did.
He lowered his head to her ear. “You can relax. I don’t bite.”
She gave a half-giggle, half-sigh, and he was pleased to feel her body relax a little. “I know. I’m sorry. Just trying to get through this...” Her voice trailed off as he tugged her a little closer, so her breasts touched his chest. Her breath hitched just a bit and she shivered.
“Cold?” His voice was low, and he pulled her in even closer. She’d be able to feel, now, just how affected he was by her. What he couldn’t tell her was how right she felt in his arms, how much he felt as if he’d finally come home.
“Not at all,” she breathed, and tipped her face up to his.
Unable to help himself, he pressed a kiss on her soft mouth. Two things crossed his mind.
He was in trouble.
And, after all she’d done for him, she deserved to know the truth.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
THE MOMENTS SPENT in Ben’s arms were magical. Almost as magical as the other night. Lainey hadn’t thought dancing could be so intimate, but somehow they were in their own little world of two. She didn’t want it to end, and that was a first. But, since the band had taken a break for her mother to announce the winners of the silent auction, maybe it was time to take their own personal party elsewhere.
“Do you want to leave?”
Ben’s arm was draped across the back of her chair and he brushed his fingers over her bare shoulder. “This is your shindig, Laine. You know the protocol better than I do.”
She leaned forward to pick up her clutch from the table. “Then let’s go. My feet are killing me.”
His low chuckle warmed her. “Sacrifice over?”
“Something like that.” She scanned the crowd. “I’ll have to say goodnight to my mother. Give me a minute to track her down.”
“I’ll go with you.” He unfolded himself from his chair and offered her his arm. She took it. All the vibes he gave off were those of a man who liked her, desired her—yet there was a layer underneath she couldn’t quite get to...a place he kept awa
y from her. It contrasted sharply with the intimacy of the evening. With how badly she wanted to open her heart to him.
How afraid she was, after tonight, that she already had.
Lainey found her mother near the auction exhibits. “We’re heading out. It was a lovely party, Mother.”
“You’re leaving?” Jacqui’s gaze darted from Lainey to Ben and back again. “So soon?”
Lainey kept her gaze steady on her mother’s. “Yes. I’m tired and my feet hurt.”
“Of course. I guess in your—” she lowered her voice “—condition that’s to be expected.” Someone called out to Jacqui then, and she offered her cheek to Lainey, who dropped the expected kiss. “Go straight home,” she instructed, and hurried off.
Lainey sighed at the words and turned to Ben. “Shall we?”
“Absolutely.” He put his hand on her back again—a gesture that Lainey was starting to love for its quiet possessiveness. It didn’t take long for them to get the car and head toward home.
“Will you—will you come in?” she asked when he pulled in her driveway. The bold words startled her, especially in light of how their night together had ended before. Was she really willing to have him run away again?
He turned to her, and by the light of the dash she could see the pain in his eyes. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
She sucked in a breath, the shininess of the evening tarnished. “Of course. Well. Thank you for everything.” For the dances. For the kisses. For the feeling that this was actually going to be able to go somewhere when he must not feel the same. How could she have read it all so wrong?
He reached over the console and caught her hand as she fumbled for the door handle. “No. Lainey. Wait. I just don’t want to hurt you.”
She stared at him. They were in this far too deep for that. “We’re adults. I know you’re leaving, Ben. I know this isn’t forever.” But given the chance she’d take forever. The thought rocked her.
He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip and she closed her eyes.