steamed vegetables, Christine cast a surreptitious glance at Ben, who was sitting to her left, to see how he was fairing. For a man who swore on the drive over to the hotel that he had absolutely nothing in common with anyone at the gala and would likely stick out like a greenhorn, she had to say that he'd managed to fit in with the upper crust of Chicago quite nicely.
They'd spent the first hour and a half of the evening enjoying cocktails and hors d'oeuvres while mingling with her friends and other people she was acquainted with. When she introduced Ben, he shook hands with the men, and acknowledged the women with a charming smile and polite greeting that showcased him for the gentleman he was and made her feel proud to have a man like him on her arm.
Of course they ran into Craig and Leanne during the cocktail party and politely said hello to both, but didn't linger to chat. Christine noticed that Ben was quick to avert their attention elsewhere, but that hadn't dissuaded Leanne from issuing her cutting stares from across the room, or stopped Craig from watching them from a distance with a look of irritation on his face.
By eight P.M. they were asked to be seated at their designated tables while the president of the Children's AIDS Foundation stepped up to the podium and gave a heartfelt speech about the organization, AIDS statistics, and how everyone's donation to attend the gala would help fund pediatric research and raise awareness about the children's fight against HIV.
Then came the beginning of a five-course gourmet meal, and when Ben furtively watched from the corner of his eye which utensil she used and when, this time she didn't try to trick him. While Christine found that she was only able to skim from each plate due to her increasing nerves for her upcoming speech, Ben didn't seem to have any lack of appetite. He finished each item that was set in front of him, and in between courses he kept up a steady stream of conversation with the men at the table, which included a doctor, a lawyer, and a local newscaster. All seemed fascinated by Ben's stint in the military, as well as his current occupation in a security firm.
As for the women at the table, well, they seemed very captivated by Ben's easy charm and his handsome good looks, not that Christine could blame any of them.
'Can I have one of those, please?' Madison, who was sitting to her right at their dinner table, said.
Christine glanced to the left as her friend indicated, and the only thing she found that Madison might want was the bread basket. 'You want another roll?' she asked, just to be sure, since both of their main entree plates had just been cleared away.
'No. I want a hot guy like Ben,' Madison clarified, grinning effusively. 'He's been amazing tonight, and you'd never know that he wasn't a part of this crowd. Nice eye candy to have on your arm when you need it, too. Do you know if he has a brother?'
Christine held back a smile and shook her head. 'Sorry, but he's an only child.'
Madison sighed in feigned disappointment. 'That's really too bad, because he's starting to grow on me.'
He was growing on Christine, too-in a big way that went beyond just being hot for him. She really did love her newfound freedom and independence after spending years under her mother's overbearing influence, then Jason's controlling personality, but she had to admit that she truly liked having Ben around. She enjoyed his company and their verbal exchanges, and even their arguments sent a zing of excitement through her.
Their mutual attraction was a big bonus and one she had every intention of taking advantage of. Tonight. She couldn't wait to get him home, and she wasn't taking no for an answer, not when she knew how much he wanted her, too. And as exceedingly gorgeous as he looked in his tuxedo, she couldn't wait to get him out of it and see him completely naked so she could touch him everywhere.
A waiter came by and delivered their final course of the evening-dessert-a light, flaky pastry filled with Chantilly cream and drizzled with a caramel and orange sauce. Normally, Christine would dig right in and enjoy every bite, but again, her anxious stomach wasn't cooperating and she didn't even touch the delicious-looking confection.
Instead, she watched Ben eat his dessert, and when he finished he glanced at her uneaten pastry, then at her, his expression etched with concern. He stretched an arm across the back of her chair and leaned in close to her.
'Are you doing okay?' he asked, his voice a low, husky murmur.
She shivered as his thumb stroked down the nape of her neck in a soothing, but equally sensual, caress. 'I'm just getting a little restless. I'll be fine once I'm done with my speech.'
He glanced at his wristwatch. 'You've got about another half an hour before it's time to face the crowd, so in the meantime why don't we walk around and try to calm your nerves?'
She appreciated his suggestion, and decided that his idea had merit. If she sat there at the table she'd do nothing but think about standing up at the podium and how not to panic while over two hundred people watched her speak.
Ben got up from his seat, pulled her chair back, and she stood, too. Hooking her arm through his, she strolled around the ballroom, as other men and women were beginning to do now that the meal portion of the party was over. The hired band began to play upbeat music, and some couples headed toward the dance floor, while others went over to where the silent auction was set up to see what kind of items there were to bid on.
Ben placed his large, warm palm over the hand she'd rested on his arm, the touch subtly possessive and inherently intimate, making them look like the couple they were posing to be. 'Would you believe I actually see someone I know here?'
'Really?' She glanced around, trying to figure out who he might be acquainted with at a swanky charity event such as this one. 'And who is that?'
'My good friend's brother. Come on and I'll introduce you.'
Grateful for the distraction, she let him escort her toward two couples who were engaged in a conversation. One of the women, who was pregnant, looked vaguely familiar, but Christine couldn't place where she'd seen her before. As they approached, one of the men glanced toward them, his blue eyes first widening in shock. Then a big, friendly smile transformed his striking features.
'Hey, Ben.' The good-looking man reached out and shook Ben's hand in a firm grip. 'What a surprise to see you here.'
Ben grinned. 'You, too, Scott, though I did see your name on the guest list. I just didn't think this was your kind of thing.'
The other man gave a slight wince. 'Trust me. I could do without all the formal attire and hoopla, but Ashley is a big supporter of the foundation, so what's a husband to do but tag along?'
'I completely understand. My date is involved in the charity auction portion of the event,' Ben said, then went on to introduce her. 'This is Christine Delacroix. Christine, meet Scott Wilde and his wife, Ashley St. Claire-Wilde. Joel Wilde, my partner at ESS, is Scott's brother.'
'It's nice to meet both of you,' Christine said with a smile.
Now Christine knew how she'd recognized Ashley St. Claire, heiress of the St. Claire Hotel that was hosting tonight's gala. She'd met the woman a few years ago at another event, but hadn't seen her since, though she'd heard that she'd gotten married. Judging by the adoration on Ashley's face as she gazed up at her husband, and the soft pink glow of her complexion that complemented her pregnancy, it appeared that the two were still in the throes of wedded bliss.
Ashley indicated the other couple standing with them. 'These are my good friends, Matthew Carlton and his wife, Faith. Matthew is a pediatric surgeon at Children's Memorial, so this foundation is very important to him, as well.'
Matthew tipped his head as he studied Christine curiously. 'Is your father Nathan Delacroix?'
She nodded. 'Yes, he is.' The question was always a loaded one that usually led to some kind of political statement. Whether the comment was a positive or negative one, she never knew. It all depended on which candidate the person supported.
'Well, he certainly has our vote for governor,' Matthew said sincerely as he wrapped an arm around his wife and drew her close to his side. 'Faith and I really respect what he's doing with the whole gentrification issue. It's nice to see a politician stand up for the less fortunate and push for inner-city rejuvenation, rather than destroying so many people's lives to make a quick buck,' he said, obviously referring to Charles Lambert, Nathan's opponent.
'Delacroix has our vote, too,' Scott added for himself and his wife, Ashley.
Christine was glad to have the positive feedback. 'Thank you, I appreciate your support, and I know my father will, too.'
Ashley placed a hand on her rounded belly, which was draped in black silk. 'Ben mentioned that you're in
