One Night of Pleasure: Military Romance Featuring a Sexy Navy Hero (Take a Chance Book 5) Read Free

Nancy. Pete and Nancy are at the company’s other table.”
    “Don’t make me feel old, Captain.  It wasn’t that long ago that we served together,” Samantha replied with a smile.  She shook hands with all those at the table just as Pete came over and excused himself and his wife so they could head across the ballroom to their other location.
    Mark held his hand out in the direction of the empty seat beside him and Samantha sat next to Tommy de Salvo.
    Up on the stage, the band members were taking their spots as the Master of Ceremonies he had hired for the gala walked toward the mike in the middle of the stage.  At a signal from the MC, the lights dimmed to warn the attendees it was time to find their tables.
    Mark took a spot next to Bridget, leaving the seat between him and Samantha empty.  After another flash of the lights, the crowd quieted down and a spotlight jumped to life on the MC.
    The man, a local comedian with a nice following, quickly launched into a welcome speech peppered with jokes about the various military branches.  Laughter greeted his quips as well as the murmur of good-natured ribbing from those at the many tables scattered through the ballroom.  As his monologue wore down, he waved his hand in Mark’s direction.
    “Of course, we wouldn’t be here tonight for such a worthy cause without the help of Captain Mark Smith and his fellow volunteers.  Mark, come on up here,” the MC said and urged him toward the stage again.
    With a tight smile, he rose and walked to the podium to take the microphone that the comedian offered.  Uncomfortable with the attention, he forced out the speech he had rehearsed countless times over the last few days.
    “Thank you all for being here and for your generous support.  Thanks to you, we’ve raised nearly $150,000 that will be used to provide assistance to local veterans and their families for everything from mental health counseling to rehabbing homes for wounded military men and women.  I want to take a moment to thank all the volunteers who made this possible.  Please stand up and the rest of you, please put your hands together to thank them.”
    At assorted tables throughout the ballroom, men and women rose from their seats and the crowd applauded with their appreciation for the work they had done.  As the noise died down, he continued.
    “Most of all, thank you to all the veterans and active duty military men, women, and families who are here tonight.  God bless you and God bless the U.S.A.”
    As raucous shouts and more cheers erupted throughout the room, he handed the microphone back to the MC and returned to his seat.
    Bridget leaned close and whispered, “Very nice, Captain.”
    “Mark,” he repeated, but as he peered her way, he caught the mischievous grin that said she was just baiting him.
    The comedian finished up with a few other jokes and urged the couples to share a little dancing before dinner as the lights snapped back to life.  A second later, the lead singer for the group walked to the microphone and started crooning a classic about being under the boardwalk.
    He rose, held out his hand, and said, “Would you like to dance?”

Chapter 4
    Bridget stared at his outstretched hand and squeaked, “Dance?”
    Mark smiled and wiggled two fingers in a walking motion.  “Yes, dance.  It’s like when two people hold hands and move their feet to the music.”
    The holding hands part wasn’t what had her worried.  It was the being pressed to that lean muscular body and having his hands on her part.  Especially as she once again imagined those hands all over her.  Between her legs, damp heat erupted and her breasts tingled with the thought.
    “So, will you dance with me?” he pressed at her prolonged silence.
    She shot to her feet, a mistake given the very high heels Maggie had convinced her to purchase.  As she wobbled, he stepped close and laid his hands on her hips to steady her.
    “I guess that’s a ‘yes’,” he said