***
Sara accepted the glass of Pinot Noir from the waiter and took a sip while Mia Troy spoke. Although the actress spent her days in Hollywood now, she had strong ties to New England. Like Sara she'd been born there and had attended Harvard University for a short time before moving to California to pursue an acting career. Since then she'd become a vocal political advocate supporting many politicians, including President Sherbrooke.
“If I was going to be here longer, I'd say we should have a girls’ night out,” Mia said, sounding as if the idea had just come to her.
Although she didn't intend to stay in Rhode Island long, the idea of a girls’ night out sounded nice. She couldn't remember the last time she'd gone out with some girlfriends. Part of the reason was her job. During the senator's campaign, she'd kept her mind focused on getting him elected. Now that he was in office, it was her responsibility to make sure everything ran smoothly and that he eventually got re-elected. With all that, there wasn't a lot of time for socializing.
Sara couldn't place all the blame for her nonexistent social life on her job though. She had free time, but chose to avoid society. Even before Phillip Young entered her life she'd known people sometimes associated with her only because of her last name. Thanks to her relationship with Phillip though, that fact was branded on her mind and, as a result, she now distanced herself from people, both men and women.
“I'm leaving in the morning, though,” Mia said. “I'm expected in Rome on Saturday for the start of a new movie.”
“Some other time maybe,” Sara said, her voice the right combination of disappointment and understanding.
Not long after, Mia excused herself, leaving Sara alone for the first time all evening. Since she had entered the ballroom hours earlier, she'd been surrounded by people. Some she'd known for years, while others she'd only met after she started working with the senator. And while she shouldn't feel alone in such a crowded room, she did. Put in the same situation a month earlier and she'd feel at ease. Ready to mix and socialize with everyone there. Politics was in her blood. However, since her brother's wedding, she'd been thinking about the one thing both her brothers had but she didn't. Someone to love and who loved her in return regardless of anything else.
Tonight's all about politics and money. Don't forget that. And a big part of politics was socializing so right now she needed to do some of that.
“I hoped to see you here tonight.”
Sara froze in her tracks. She hadn't heard his voice in more than two years, but she recognized it immediately. Phillip. Before turning around, she slowly counted to ten. “I'm Senator Healy's chief of staff, so it’s expected.” She forced herself to use a courteous tone, even though more than anything she wanted to toss her drink in his face.
“I'm glad you're here. Why don't we find a table and sit down? Catch up.”
Phillip took a step closer, and she could smell his aftershave. Her stomach rolled at the scent and memories of their relationship sprang from their hiding places. She'd rather sit and visit with a rattlesnake than her ex. “I don't think so. We don't need to catch up.” When she ended their relationship, she thought she'd made her feelings crystal clear.
Phillip ignored her words and reached for her hand. Ice-cold fear shot through her, and she glanced around for the Secret Service agents assigned to her. She'd asked them to hold back tonight. After all, everyone in the room had gone through security on their way in and the event was by invitation only.
“Let’s put the past behind us, Sara. We're both here alone tonight.” Ignoring her response, he pulled her toward him.
It's a room full of people, I'm safe. Sara tried to pull her arm away without making a scene. If she made a lot of commotion other people would notice. If possible she wanted to keep her run-in with Phillip under the radar.
“She's not alone.”
Sara whipped her head around fast enough to give herself whiplash at the sound of Christopher’s voice.
“Sorry I was gone so long. Congressman Roberts stopped me. You know how he can go on.” Christopher took her free hand and pulled her possessively against his side. With no other choice, Phillip released her hand.
Sara felt Christopher drape his arm around her shoulder. The feel of his hand on her bare shoulder sent shivers of excitement down her arm, extinguishing the fear she'd felt moments earlier.
“Is there a problem here, Sara?” Although Christopher asked her the question, she noticed that he never looked away from Phillip.
“Phillip Young,” Phillip said extending his hand. “We were just catching up. Sara and I are old friends.”
Sara counted the seconds that passed as Phillip stood with his hand extended and Christopher made no move to accept it. She wanted to smile at the cut by Christopher. Phillip wasn't used to being ignored. He thought highly of himself and figured everyone else should too.
“It didn't look that way to me,” Christopher said coldly.
When he looked over at her, Sara shook her head hoping he'd get the hint she wanted to drop the issue.
“Everything is fine. I was wondering where you were, but if Roberts got a hold of you that explains it.” On impulse Sara dropped a brief kiss on Christopher's cheek hoping the tiny display of affection would add to the charade.
The second her lips left his cheek Christopher turned his head toward her, his chocolate brown eyes taking everything in.
“Aren't you going to introduce us?” Phillip asked letting his hand fall back to his side.
Phillip’s voice pulled her attention away from Christopher. Before she answered she snaked her arm around his waist comforted by the feel of his body next to hers.
“Phillip, I'm sure you've heard of Christopher Hall of Hall Technology.”
Sara forced herself to contain her smirk as the demeanor of the man before her changed. His eyes became the size of saucers, and he pulled his attention off her and turned it toward Christopher.
“Yes, I have. It's nice to meet you. I've heard great things about your company.”
Sara half expected Phillip to fall to his knees and worship Christopher. It was all about money and power to him. All he cared about was who could help him get the most of both.
“Senator Healy wanted to see us before we leave, and I'm ready to go now.” Christopher infused just the right amount of seduction in his tone.
“I better find him then. Goodnight Phillip.”
She didn't wait for an answer. Instead she allowed Christopher to lead her toward the other end of the grand ballroom where tables had been set for dinner.
“Thank you.” Sara stopped at an empty table in a far corner. “You arrived at just the right time.”
Without saying a word, he pulled out a chair and gestured for her to sit. “Who was that anyway?”
“My ex. I don't know what he's doing here. I don't remember seeing him on the guest list.” Sara heard the contempt in her voice but couldn't do anything about it. “Speaking of which, what are you doing here?” Now that a scene with Phillip had been avoided, it dawned on her that Christopher shouldn't be there either.
Christopher sat across the table from her and leaned back in his chair. He appeared to be a man without a care in the world and completely comfortable in her presence, despite the night they'd shared weeks ago.
The memory of waking up with his arm draped across her stomach filled her head. Over the past few weeks her memories of that night popped up time and time again, but only when she was alone. A fact she was grateful for. No such luck tonight. Warmth spread across her face and she hoped the lighting in the ballroom kept Christopher from seeing her blush.
“I've known David Healy for a few years. We belong to the same country club. We played golf right before Jake's wedding, and he invited me.”
During their next meeting she would remind David to keep her apprised of who he issued invites to. As his chief of staff she needed to be in the loop on all things. Not to mention it would've been helpfu
l to know Christopher was coming tonight.
“You did make it,” Senator Healy said, approaching their table.
A man in his mid-forties, Senator Healy was the type who most would overlook in a crowd. A graduate of Columbia University, he'd built his entire life around one goal, making it to the United States Senate despite the fact he didn't have any family connections. She admired him for that. Accomplishing exactly what he'd achieved was her ultimate goal for the future.
The Senator pulled a chair out from the table and joined them. “And I see you've met my talented Chief of Staff. She came to work for me instead of the President himself,” he said chuckling at his usual joke.
“We've known each other a long time. Christopher and my brother were roommates in college.”
“I didn't realize there was a connection between you two,” the Senator said, pointing a finger back and forth between them. “So have you thought anymore about what we discussed?” Senator Healy asked before turning his attention to Sara. “I told him about the education initiative we want to get though.”
Christopher nodded. “That's one of the reasons I am here tonight.”
One of the reasons? What were his other reasons? She wanted to ask but knew it wasn't any of her business. Besides asking might give him the wrong impression.
“Excellent. That's what I wanted to hear,” the senator said. “Sara, set up a meeting for us with Christopher.” Pushing his chair back, he came to his feet. “I look forward to our meeting.” The senator shook hands with Christopher before rejoining the guests in the ballroom.
Sara gripped her hands together, her nails digging into her skin. A meeting with her boss and her brother's best friend, with whom she'd had a one-night stand—could anything be more awkward? Doubtful, but stranger things happened. “I'm staying in Providence for the weekend, so I'll call your assistant on Monday to arrange a meeting.” If she avoided talking about anything personal tonight perhaps he would too.
“Call me directly. There's no need for you to go through Caroline.” Christopher rested both elbows on the table and leaned closer.
Before she could stop herself, her eyes dropped to his large hands sprawled on the table and her skin tingled at the memory of them on her body. Immediately, her pulse quickened. “Okay,” she said, sounding a little breathless.
“I thought I would spend a few days here myself. I haven't been on the East Coast in a while. What are your plans for tomorrow?”
She could lie. If she told him she had a previous engagement, he'd never know the difference. Sara opened her mouth, an excuse on the tip of her tongue, but the words wouldn't come. Although people in Washington were rumored to lie left and right to suit their own needs and agendas, she wasn't able to. Never had been in fact. For as long as she could remember her mom drilled into her that a true lady never lied. Omitting details was one thing, like not telling her brother about her one-night stand, but out and out lying just felt wrong. A true lady doesn't have one-night stands either.
“Nothing specific,” the words slid from her mouth. She hadn't lied.
“How about dinner then? You can tell me more about this initiative David wants me to support.”
Sara nodded in agreement. Perhaps working with Christopher would be the best way to get over her awkward feelings about Hawaii.
On the other side of the glass elevator, the city lights twinkled in the evening sky. Rolling her neck she tried to work out the tension that had settled there hours earlier. Normally these events gave her an adrenaline boost, but not tonight. While the evening had started out like any other, it had gone downhill fast, picking up speed along the way.
“What a night,” she said to herself as the elevator reached her floor. The doors opened to a deserted hallway. She had the entire floor to herself, Secret Service made sure of that. Not that it would've been a problem, anyway considering the hotel belonged to Sherbrooke Enterprises.
Slipping her keycard into the lock, she pushed open the door, kicked off her Christian Louboutin heels, and headed straight for the bathroom with its oversized tub. She needed a long soak in the tub to wash away her stress. Her entire body felt tight as if it was about to snap, since she'd heard first Phillip's and then Christopher's voice. Not that she wasn't grateful for Christopher's interference. When he'd wrapped his arm around her waist anchoring her to his side, her fear disappeared.
Yet she'd hoped not to see Christopher for a very long time. Mortification, along with several other emotions, set in every time she thought of her behavior that night in Hawaii. If David had told her about his invitation to Christopher maybe she could have prepared herself for seeing him again.
To top off the weekend, now she was going to have dinner with him. Sara slid into the water, the heat immediately easing the tension in her body. Too bad it couldn't do the same for her warring emotions. Inhaling and exhaling slow measured breaths, Sara pushed Christopher from her mind. Tomorrow there would be enough time to deal with all her feelings he evoked. Tonight she needed to relax then get a good night's sleep.
The Billionaire Princess Page 5