One Special Night Read Free Page B

holding her tight as he drove into her.
    “I hope you don't mean 'going' as in 'leaving.'   You only just got here and it's going to be a really special night.”
    Damn but if she didn't experience another little thrill to know that he had actually paid attention to her arrival.   Not to mention that he was right that it was going to be one special night.   She had hesitated about coming to the wedding because she had expected to run into at least one or two of the men from the unit and she hadn't been prepared to handle their questions about her decision to do shore duty.   But she had also wanted to experience the joy apparent on the faces of everyone present.   It had been way too long since she'd been surrounded by such happiness and it was infectious.
    That was the reason she was feeling a little breathless as he smiled at her and said, “Come on, Jasmine.   You know you want to stay.”
    God, that smile .   It was a killer smile that made her want to rise up on her tiptoes and feel it against her lips.   Lick all around the edges of it until he . . .
    Whoa, girl, down.   That's not why you came today , she reminded herself.
    “I'm just headed up there,” she said and gestured with a shaky hand to the lawn and terrace, where guests were starting to mingle as uniformed wait staff walked around with drinks and finger foods.
    He grinned again, leaned forward, and whispered by the shell of her ear, “I'll be sure to look for you.”
    The low tones of his voice vibrated against the sensitive skin there and his cheek brushed against the side of her face.   Another frisson of desire, stronger than before, spread through her at his nearness and his smell, something clean and crisp and potently male.
    As he stepped back, he danced his fingers down her cheek, igniting even more heat throughout her body and across her cheeks.   Turning her nipples into tight points that ached to be touched by those strong hands.   Tasted by his tempting lips with that damn delicious grin.
    She rushed down the rest of the receiving line, lingering only slightly longer at those members of Jase's team.
    Slipping into the crowd, she strolled past the tables set for dinner and to the flagstone terrace where friends and family were gathered.
    She didn't recognize any of the guests.   As a waiter passed by, she snared a glass of champagne to keep herself occupied as she stood there, feeling out-of-place. Finishing the last sip of champagne, she exchanged it for a fresh glass, telling herself she could wait just a little longer for him.   Just a little longer to see if he'd keep his promise.
    She had just taken a sip when a young woman approached, fresh-faced and inquisitive.
    “If you don't mind my asking, but are you Doc Reyes?”
    She narrowed her gaze and looked closely at the woman, wondering if she'd ever seen her before, but drawing a blank.   “I'm sorry, but have we met before?”
    “Gosh, I'm so sorry.   Where are my manners?   I'm Sally Winston, Jim's wife,” she said and stuck out her hand in a no-nonsense way.
    “South Jersey Jim?   So glad to meet you,” she said with a smile and shook the other woman's hand.
    “I recognized you from some of the photos Jim e-mailed home.   It's so nice to finally meet you, too.   Jim spoke so highly of you and how you took care of everyone.”
    “Jim's a great guy.   I'm glad I could help,” she said, hoping to avoid talk about “the night” and the aftermath of it.
    Sally perceptively understood and changed the course of the discussion.   “This is some party, isn't it?” she said, peering at all the guests, servers, and the band setting up at a temporary dance floor at one side of the lawn.
    She glanced around also, taking in the obvious wealth of the de Salvos as well as many of their guests.   “Not my usual crowd, if you know what I mean.”
    “Ours either.   We're just simple South Jersey farmers,” Sally replied and as a waiter came around with some