handsome man approaching. A stunning blonde with her arm linked through his walked beside him.
The tall man’s thick brown hair had unruly waves with a lock falling on his forehead. He was noticeable in the crowd because of his height plus his hawk nose, high cheekbones and pale gray eyes.
As Will shook hands with him, he turned to her. “Ava, meet my friend and right-hand man, my main advisor, Garrett Cantrell. Garrett, this is Ava Barton.”
Her hand was enclosed in a firm grip as he smiled at her with a flash of snowy teeth. His smile softened his rugged features, and she smiled in return.
“Will is given to exaggeration, probably because we’re longtime friends who have been together since too far back to recall. Let me introduce Sonya Vicente. Sonya, this is Ava Barton and Will Delaney.”
“I’m glad to meet both of you,” Ava said as the house lights dimmed.
“I think that’s our call,” Will said. “Nice to meet you, Sonya. See you, Garrett.”
“So Garrett is single?” Ava asked as they walked away.
“Yes. Very available, but not marriage material. He’s almost as leery as I am just because he doesn’t want to be tied down. Garrett’s ambitious and a workaholic. I think he’d really like to be on his own, but I pay him enough that his salary diminishes the temptation to go into his own business. All that plus our long-standing friendship and family closeness. I can’t replace him with anyone as loyal, good, intelligent and fun to be with all rolled into one person.”
She glanced back over her shoulder, spotting Garrett’s dark hair easily. “You make him sound superhuman.”
“Nope. Garrett’s human, but exceptional and vital to me. Besides such a close friend.”
“You haven’t even mentioned the stunning blonde.”
Will grinned. “I did notice her. Garrett finds the lookers, but they never last.”
“Somehow that’s the image I had of you until I met you. As you know, my opinion changed and continues to change.”
“Thank goodness,” he said as they reached their seats. “Although you’re right—I appreciate beautiful women, and I’m out with a ravishing one tonight.”
“Thank you, but enough of that. This color hair isn’t ravishing.”
Surprising her, Will drew her close against his side and leaned down to whisper in her ear.
“Oh, yes it is. We can argue that one later tonight,” he said, his breath warm on her ear.
Her heart jumped and beat rapidly. “Your attention should be on the stage.”
“It is. Somewhat,” he added. “I’d really rather look at you.”
“You will see me plenty this summer. Tonight and this moment, shift your attention to the stage. I’m enjoying the performance immensely.”
“Good. So am I,” he said, settling back, taking her hand and lacing his fingers through hers. “So am I,” he repeated, smiling warmly at her.
As the house lights dimmed they became quiet, and while still aware of Will, she was caught up in the music until it was over.
When the applause finally died, they turned to leave. “That was wonderful. Beautiful voices,” she said.
“Let’s go have a drink. The evening is still early.”
“Hardly early,” she replied, amused that he would say so when it was almost midnight. “A drink is fine,” she replied, unable to resist accepting.
As usual.
Six
He took her to a private club where they had a window table with a panoramic view of the city lights below. After ordering brandies and talking while they sipped, Will stood and took her hand. “Would you like to dance?”
“Yes,” she answered, knowing this was turning into the type of evening she had tried to avoid and should keep from allowing to happen again. As she stepped into his arms, all her caution and guilt disappeared. Will was breathtakingly appealing and she danced with him as if floating on a cloud. An old ballad played softly while Will held her lightly. They danced, legs brushing, her arm on his shoulder, her hand high on his back, the soft wool of his coat beneath her fingers. He was warm, close, his aftershave enticing. His dark gaze was on her as they danced, fanning desire into flames.
She was at a loss for conversation, wanting to dance away, just the two of them, and kiss him, knowing he wanted the same. She barely noticed when he danced to a darkened area, pushed open a door and stepped onto the terrace, taking her in his arms to continue dancing.
A breeze caught strands of her hair, blowing a few against her cheek.
“Beautiful,” he whispered and her heart beat rapidly.
“It is beautiful out here,” she replied without looking around. She still couldn’t tear her gaze from his. Her heart continued to race while they moved slowly in time to the music. Will danced around a corner to a more secluded place on the terrace where there were no other couples.
“Will, the music is fading,” she said, her heart drumming. She should stop him, go back, get out of the situation. Instead, all she wanted to do was pull him close and kiss him. As if they had the same thought, he stopped dancing and his arms slipped around her waist, drawing her close against him. When his attention shifted to her mouth, she couldn’t get her breath.
Winding her arms around his neck, she tilted her face up as he leaned down. His mouth covered hers, opening her lips to kiss her deeply. His arms tightened. She pressed against him and kissed him in return.
Her pounding pulse drowned out all other sounds and her heart raced while she clung to him, knowing she would never forget this night, never forget knowing him. She wanted so much more than kisses, wanted to caress him and love him.
She might as well be tumbling downward in a spiral she couldn’t stop. Yet they were on a terrace with people nearby.
“Let’s go home,” he whispered with his breath warm on her ear.
“Yes,” she replied, sinking deeper into involvement, breaking promises to herself, deciding to worry about it later.
He took her arm and they walked inside to get her purse. The moment the elevator doors closed to leave them secluded and alone, Will drew her into his embrace and kissed her. She returned his kiss, but then stepped away.
“Will, we’ll be in public when the doors open and you’re rather well-known. I don’t recall seeing a picture of you kissing someone in an elevator. I don’t want to be the first.”
He smiled. “There will not be a photographer waiting, I promise.”
“Anyone with a cell phone will do, and can sell the pic.”
“I’m not that big in the news. I don’t think they could get a dollar.”
“We won’t argue that point. We’re on the ground level,” she remarked and stepped off the elevator.
During the drive home, she tried to bank desire and get to impersonal topics. She chatted about Caroline, moving on to everyday events and began to cool, become composed and regain a bit of control over herself. By the time they entered his quiet house, she had overcome the wanton feelings that had run rampant at the club.
“Will,” she said, “it’s been a great evening. I had the most wonderful time and enjoyed the opera enormously. Thank you for a memorable time.”
“I had a great time, too,” he said, turning for the stairs.
Relieved that he was willing to call it a night, she walked beside him as they headed to her suite. At her open door, she paused to face him.
He placed