Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 65489 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 327(@200wpm)___ 262(@250wpm)___ 218(@300wpm)
“Would you please wrap these up for Mrs. Weeks and Mr. Montgomery?” I ask one of the waiters.
The young man smiled. “Of course. I’d be happy to arrange that.”
As we stood for the tables to be whisked away to make room for dancing, Mrs. Weeks finally made it over to me. “Don’t worry. I had them box up your cake. You can pick it up whenever you’re ready.”
She rose on tiptoe to kiss me on the cheek. “You’re an angel. Miles was absolutely right about you.”
I didn’t dare ask for clarification. If Miles had been talking about me to her, I was better off not knowing what had been said.
“I guess April made it obvious that we’re not actually together.”
She studied me for a moment. “You really haven’t a clue, have you? I’ve been around a long time, and I see how you look at each other, you’re very much together, or at least you want to be.”
I simply smiled, deciding that continuing the conversation was much too dangerous, but I couldn’t help glancing toward the last spot where I had last seen Miles. He’d disappeared into the crowd.
I escorted Mrs. Weeks to the bar where she got a drink and then fell into conversation with a few other ladies. I slipped away, wanting to step out onto the roof for a breath of air. It was warm with all the people circulating—or maybe that was the several glasses of champagne I consumed.
I was standing on the patio outside the ballroom. Several others were out there too, but most of them headed back inside as soon as music began to filter through the doors. I’d known there would be dancing, but I hadn’t really thought about the awkwardness of it. I suppose I could ask Mrs. Weeks to dance if she was available, but I could also try to hide out here a little bit longer.
I was lost in thought when I realized someone was approaching. I turned to see a man who was probably in his mid-fifties. He was comfortable, round, and tanned like he was very fond of his yacht, his house in the Hamptons, or both. He wasn’t unattractive, but there was something about the way he was looking at me that made me uneasy, and from his obvious lack of balance I could tell he’d been drinking heavily.
“I haven’t seen you at one of these shindigs before.”
“I joined Montgomery Enterprises recently. This is my first time attending.” I wasn’t sure if he meant this particular fundraiser or the charity circuit in general, but I left it at that.
“Oh, yes. I do believe I’ve heard of you. You’re Benjamin, aren’t you?”
“I am.” I wasn’t sure of why he would’ve heard about me unless it was from Miles or one of his friends. Who was this man?
He didn’t offer his own name, instead, he said, “You don’t feel like dancing?”
“I do actually. I was planning to go in soon.” Something about the way he was speaking to me made me uneasy.
“I have a much better suggestion. There’s a nice bench in the garden. Why don’t you come with me, and we’ll amuse ourselves with something far better than dancing.” He dropped his hand to his crotch and rubbed it up and down.
I shuddered. “No. I’m going back inside.”
When I turned toward the building, he grabbed my arm, fingers biting into me. “Don’t play coy. Of course you want to step out into the garden with me.”
I felt sick to my stomach, but I knew I had to keep asserting myself. Men like him fed on weakness. “I want to go back inside. I have people waiting on me.”
He snorted. “I doubt that.” I tried to take another step, but he tightened his grip on my arm.
“Let me go.”
“They’ll be plenty of time for dancing later.”
“No.”
“Come on.” He pulled me toward him. “It’s boring in there.”
10
MILES
“Are you having trouble with your hearing, Medford? He said he wasn’t interested.”
Medford waved me off with his free hand. “Don’t bother yourself about this.”
“Anytime someone gets pushy with my assistant, I’m going to be bothered.”
“Oh, you must have misunderstood.”
I took Ben’s arm, guiding him away from Medford. “Did I misunderstand the situation, Benjamin?”
He glanced at Medford then back at me. “No, sir.”
“It’s time for you to leave, Medford, and if I ever see you near Benjamin again, you’ll lose a lot more than an opportunity to exploit my free bar for the evening.”
The asshole’s mouth dropped open, and he sputtered. “I don’t understand. I was simply—”
“Thinking you could take advantage of my employee.”
He looked between the two of us. “I didn’t know your employees got such special treatment.”
“I don’t consider ensuring the safety of my employees special treatment.”
“He propositioned me, then changed his mind. He’s the one you should be angry with, especially if he’s such a special little pet.”