‘I’ll hold you to that,’ he said.
It felt unexpectedly good, being part of a couple again—even if only temporarily. He’d been on his own for so long. Maybe too long. But his guilt and regret still gnawed at him, punishing him, stopping him from getting close to anyone.
And now Sandy was back with him in Dolphin Bay.
The president’s table was at the front of the room. His parents were already seated around it, along with Kate, his brother, Jesse, and two of the awards finalists—both women.
If his father remembered how disparaging he had been all those years ago about the sincerity of a city girl’s feelings towards his son, he didn’t show it. In his gruff way he made Sandy welcome.
Jesse couldn’t hide the admiration in his eyes as he rose from his seat to greet Sandy. ‘I would have recognised you straight away,’ his brother said as he kissed her on the cheek.
Ben introduced Sandy to the awards finalists, then settled her into the seat between him and Kate. ‘I have to finalise the order of proceedings. I’ll be back in five minutes—in time for the appetiser,’ he said.
He wanted to kiss Sandy. Claim her as more than a friend in front of all eyes. But it wasn’t the right time. Instead, he brushed his hand over her bare shoulder in parting before he headed backstage. Only Kate’s big grin made him realise the simple gesture was more a sign of possession than a friendly kiss on Sandy’s cheek would ever have been.
* * *
Sandy heaved a quiet sigh of relief as she sank into her chair. The worst of the ordeal was behind her. From the moment she’d entered the room she’d been aware of the undercurrent of interest in her presence beside Ben. Her mouth ached from smiling. From formulating answers in reply to questions about how long she intended to be in town. Even though Ben had smoothed the way, she felt she was being judged on every word she spoke. She reached gratefully for her glass of white wine.
Ben’s empty seat was to her left, between her and Kate. Tall, dark-haired Jesse—every bit as handsome as in her memories of him—sat on the other side of her, engaged in conversation with his mother.
Kate sidled close enough to whisper to Sandy. ‘Note that Ben didn’t sit me next to Jesse. Probably worried I’d fling myself on his brother, wrestle him to the ground and have my way with him under the table.’
Sandy nearly choked on her drink. ‘Really?’
‘Nah. Just kidding. I actually asked him not to put me near Jesse.’ Kate’s green eyes clouded. ‘It’s hard to make small-talk with the guy I’ve wanted all my life when he sees me as more sister than woman.’
‘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