One Special Night (3 page)

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 appetizers, she grabbed one and so did Jasmine, feeling at ease with the other woman.

“Jim was always trying to grow something in that damn desert,” she said.
 
She remembered how he'd even managed to get one scrawny tomato plant to survive in the unbearable heat before an equally unbearable winter had set in.

“That's my Jim,” Sally said with undisguised love and pride.

Another military wife had apparently overheard them and joined them.
 
Another quickly followed and soon there was a quartet of women chatting about their men and families.

It was goodhearted talk from women used to long months alone and living with uncertainty. The women made her feel comfortable, but as they stood there, sharing talk, champagne and finger foods, she looked for Tommy, wondering again if he would keep his promise.
 
Imagining for a moment what it would be like to let herself go and experience a moment or two with a man like Tommy de Salvo.

As she glanced toward the beachfront, the bridal party returned with the photographer, who pulled the bride and groom off to the side for yet more photos while the rest of the bridal party went their separate ways.

Tommy paused by the end of the boardwalk, staring toward the terrace where she stood with the women.
 
As his gaze met hers, he grinned and marched right in her direction, his long legged stride eating up the distance between them.

Her stomach did a nervous flutter and she laid her hand there to calm it, but the flutter just dropped lower and added to the needy tension between her legs.

When he got to her side, he laid a hand on the small of her back, the touch somehow already familiar and incredibly possessive.

“I'm glad you stayed,” he whispered in her ear.

“Did you think I wouldn't?” she challenged.

“I had doubts that my sexy charm had worked on you,” he confessed playfully.

She peered at him out of the corner of her eye and damn
him
but he was giving her that smile that did all kinds of things to her insides.

His actions dragged a chuckle from her and she elbowed him sharply to keep him in line.
 
“If you're trying to get me to admit that you're charming, you're outta luck, de Salvo.”

“I'll just have to try harder,” he whispered and in a louder voice said to the other couples around them, “We're all at Table Number 2.
 
We just have one more bridal duty to finish.”

He skimmed his hand up and down her back, sending a shiver through her.
 
“I'll see you there, right?”

Damn if even that simple touch didn't have her running hot again and reminding
her what
it was like to be alive. Even with all the stories
Jase
had told her about him, she barely knew anything about Tommy.
 
But she couldn't ignore that he was making a very obvious play for her.
 
It was both flattering and unnerving because she couldn't remember the last time she'd had this kind of attention.

Maybe it was time to explore that attraction, even if it was only for this one special night.

“I'll be there, de Salvo, but don't think it's just because of your sexy charm.”
  

* * *

Unexpected relief filled Tommy at Jasmine's reply.

He hurried toward the terrace where the bridal party was gathering again for their grand entrance.
 
Impatience dominated his every move as he and the maid of honor bolted from the flagstone terrace and onto the dance floor to the sounds of the live band doing a cover of the Black-Eyed Peas song about a good night.
 
They were speedily followed by the rest of the groomsmen and bridesmaids, the two sets of parents, and finally, the bride and groom.

His best friend and sister looked like a prince and princess stepping right off the pages of a fairy tale book.
 
His heart clenched with emotion at their joy and with worry at what they would still have to face together when
Jase
returned to finish his tour of duty.
 
But he knew his sister was strong enough to handle it and she had her family and friends to be there for her.

The thought made him glance toward Jasmine as she sat with the military wives.

As intriguing as he found her to be, she had an aura of loneliness around her.
 
Maybe it was because of who she was and what she dealt with as a Navy Corpsman.
 
Which made the little voice in his head remind him that the last thing he needed was a woman who'd soon be gone.
 
She might not be going back to Afghanistan, but she had other plans.
 
He doubted they included becoming involved with anyone.

He'd already had enough of women who left and couldn't engage emotionally.
 
That’s why he wasn’t even thinking of getting involved again.
 
Of course, nothing said that this had to be anything more than a very satisfying one night stand for both of them.

He definitely could picture that
, he thought anticipating how he would slip off that simple dress to reveal what was beneath.
 
Or maybe just fuck her standing up, most clothing still on.
 
Those beautiful legs tight around him.
 
The little buttons on her dress undone to bare those lush breasts so he could suck and lick her tits.
 
Drive into her to find his own satisfaction as she screamed his name as she came.

Fuck, what am I thinking?
 
She's a guest and a friend,
he said to himself as his cock twitched in his pants and he had to suck in a breath to control the need pummeling his body.

But even as he thought that, he found himself walking toward her as the lead singer for the band urged all the couples in the room to come and dance with the newlyweds.
 
When he stood before her, hand outstretched in invitation, he said, “Would you like to dance?”

Chapter 3

Jasmine watched him swagger sexily toward her.
 
She pictured him stripping off his clothes as he did so.
 
First his jacket and then his shirt, revealing the hard muscles beneath his clothes.
 
Maybe stopping to do a little shimmy and shuck off his pants.

She licked her suddenly dry lips and fought off the fantasy, reminding herself that it was crazy to think about this man as anything other than
Jase's
friend.

When he reached her, he held out his hand in invitation.
 
She glanced around nervously, stuck in a surreal “What?
Who me?” moment.

“Dance?
With you?” she asked with almost a squeak in her voice, still kind of wondering if he was being serious about his interest.

He mimicked her earlier action, looking around before that big playful grin erupted on his features again.
 
“Yeah, with me.
 
I don't see anyone else standing here, sticking their hand out and waiting.”

She knew then what Adam must have felt like when Eve held out the apple.

He was sinful temptation and everything a woman could want, but she worried she'd pay for it dearly if she accepted.

“It's just a dance,” he said and she mentally repeated the words, telling herself that she was reading way too much into the invitation and to her own attraction to this man.

She slipped her hand into his and hesitantly rose from her chair.
 
With a gentle tug, he hurried them toward the dance floor, where couples of all ages were swaying to the slow music.
 
As they eased through a gap in the bodies and onto a small patch of free space, Tommy placed a hand at her waist and kept a respectful distance.
 
But it was crowded and she kept on getting bumped, so she moved a little closer, not that it helped.

At another bump that had her wincing since it tweaked her injured shoulder, he exerted subtle pressure on her waist and drew her closer still, until their bodies brushed together.

Beneath the elegantly tailored tux and shirt, he was all hard muscle and hot male and her body immediately responded. Once again she pictured him peeling off that jacket and shirt.
 
Visualized pressing her lips against all that smooth skin and taking a bite before she reined in her imagination.

It's just because it's been way too long
, she told herself.
 
More than just the two months she'd spent recuperating overseas before coming stateside.
 
More than the many months before that when responsibilities and the threat of danger had made any kind of pleasure impossible.

It's not because he's handsome and sexy and smells so damned good
, she thought as he drew her tight after another jostle from an exuberant couple joining the festivities.

The band segued into another rhythm and bluesy tune and they continued dancing. Her breasts tightened into hard peaks as they skimmed against the muscled wall of his chest and their legs brushed with each move of their bodies.
 
Images of their legs tangled together in pleasure pummeled her.
 
Between her thighs, a flood of heat and wet erupted at the thought of the pleasure they could share.

She sucked in a shaky breath and tensed, fighting the irrational need running rampant across her body.

“Easy, Jasmine.
 
It is
just
a dance,” he whispered against the shell of her ear as he bent slightly and tucked his head close to hers.
 
So close the soft rasp of his evening beard teased her cheek.
 

Eve had also probably said that it was
just
an apple, only it had turned out to be much
,
much more.

He rubbed his hand up and down her back, trying to soothe, but that only brought even more need as she imagined that rough-palmed hand sweeping all along her body and across her breasts.
 
Touching and caressing her to bring long-denied satisfaction.

Needing space, she pushed away from him and he
eased back
, but locked that sinfully chocolate gaze on hers.
 
“
It's
okay, Jasmine.
 
I won't push,” he said, although in a way
,
he'd been pushing since the very first moment they'd met.

Part of her wanted to be thrilled that a man like this would be interested in her.

The other part brutally reminded her that they moved in different social circles and that she was damaged, emotionally and physically.
 
He wouldn't have to dig very deep to reveal her very ugly scars.
 
Scars she wasn't ready to show to anyone.
 
Ever.
 
But then again, she wouldn't need to reveal herself if all they had was a quick satisfying fuck in the dark night.

“I need some space,” she said and shoved away from him.
 
With quick clipped strides she hurried back to the table where some of the couples had already returned.

As she sat, she caught a quick glimpse of Tommy from the corner of her eye as he stood on the dance floor, hands jammed into his pockets and his jaw tight with tension.
 
Before he could join them at the table, the band leader announced that everyone should take their seats for the toast.

Tommy approached the singer and the man handed him a microphone and a glass of champagne.
 
He sauntered over to where
Nickie
and
Jase
were sitting at a head table just for the two of them, raised his glass, and began his speech.

“I've known
Jase
for nearly all of my life.
 
He's like a brother to me and I always knew that any woman would be lucky to have a man as honorable and loyal as
Jase
.
 
I'm glad that it's my wonderful sister
Nickie
who will be able to share her life with him.
 
Dude, we are all so glad that you're now officially a member of the family.
 
We wish the both of you many
many
happy and healthy years filled with love and joy.”

He held up his glass and finished with, “May this one special night lead to so many more nights and years together.”

She raised her glass with a shaky hand, but as she did so, her gaze met Tommy's and there was a hint of challenge there.
 
A dare for her to let go and explore this night together as well.

She took a sip and the chill cooled off some of the heat rising in her at his dare.

She'd never been one to refuse a challenge so she wasn't going to ignore Tommy's and the attraction that had immediately flared to life. It was time to take a chance and enjoy
herself
.

“You look . . . different, Doc,” Trevor said as he examined her in the dim light.

“Must be the civvies,” she teased, wanting to keep the moment lighthearted, but unfortunately that ploy didn't work.

“You belong in a uniform, Doc.
 
Not handing out aspirins on a stateside base,” Trevor said.

“So you're really not coming back, Doc?” Jim asked as he caught on to the discussion.

“I'm not, Jim.
 
As much I love all you guys and want to be with you, I know I couldn't do right by you with the way I am.”

Stunned silence followed her announcement and she braced herself for the barrage of questions that was sure to follow.

Luckily, Tommy returned to the table just as the band leader was asking couples to join
Jase
and his mom during their special dance.

She bolted to her feet, grabbed hold of Tommy's hand, and pulled him toward the dance floor.
 
Once they were there, she moved into his arms as he said, “Color me confused.”

“Join the club,” she muttered.
 
Although just moments earlier she had needed space from his sexiness and temptation, there was something comforting him about him also.
 
Something that she sensed could help her handle the conflicting emotions she was experiencing about so much in her life.

* * *

Tommy looked over at their table where an animated discussion was going on.
 
He didn't need to be a rocket scientist to understand that Jasmine was the topic being discussed.

“Mind telling me what's up?”

She shot a quick glance back at the table and rolled her eyes.
 
“You wouldn't believe me if I told you.”

“Try me,” he said and placed a hand at her waist
,
 
She
surprised him by moving closer and he took advantage to wrap his arm around her to keep her near.

“They want to know why I'm not going back,” she said with a heavy sigh.

“Going back?
 
As in back to Afghanistan?” he asked.
 
He'd heard her mention something about it to
Jase
earlier on the receiving line, but wanted to make sure he had understood correctly.

“Yeah, as in back there.
 
I've only got a few months left and I'm going to finish my tour with shore duty.”

He didn't question her as to why she'd made that choice.
 
He was sure she had her reasons and from all that he'd heard about “Doc” from
Jase
, he had no doubt they were good ones.

“I know it probably wasn't an easy decision to make.”

“It wasn't,” she replied curtly, obviously uneasy, so he tried to make her more comfortable.

“Would I be a dick if I said I'm glad because it means you're here and we can get to know each other better?”

The corners of her lips tilted up in the barest hint of a smile.

“No, it wouldn't make you a dick, unless 'getting to know each other' is code for fucking my brains out,” she kidded and a becoming flush worked across her cheeks.

 
“Damn, you figured out the code.
 
Does that mean you're not interested in my fucking your brains out?”

She grinned and a small chuckle exploded from her.
 
“Are you always this determined?”

“Always,” he confirmed.

She shook her head and her grin broadened.
 
“Then tonight is sure going to be interesting, Tommy,” she said and shifted closer.

He wasn't quite sure what tonight was going to be like, but he'd go with her seeming acceptance that they'd spend some time together since he really liked the feel of her curvy body against his and the way she laid her head on his shoulder.
 
The lush wavy strands of her hair brushed the underside of his jaw and he imagined what they'd feel like if she pillowed her head on his naked chest.
 
Of course, she'd be naked as well which had his erection springing back to life against the softness of her belly.

Fuck,
he thought and forced himself to think about other things.
 
Baseball.
 
Football.
 
No, soccer, definitely boring ass soccer, but then she surprised him by tipping her head up and meeting his gaze.

A second later, she shifted her hips across his growing erection, eased the hand at his shoulder down beneath the fabric of his jacket, and down to his waist to keep him close. The tight nubs of her breasts played across his chest, stoking the need growing inside him, but also inside her, he realized.

Her cheeks were awash with color and her gaze was wide, her cinnamon-dusted hazel irises darkening to deep cocoa.

He splayed his hand across her back and dipped his head so that they were cheek to cheek. Her skin was so smooth and her smell . . . God, but she smelled so good.

They moved together silently to the music until the band wound down the song and asked the couples to sit so
Nickie
and her dad could take the floor.

They drifted back to the table, his hand still at her back, reminding her that he intended to be part of her night.
 
The tension in her body was obvious, but luckily there was silence as they sat back down.
 
When the dance ended, the wait staff served the first course of the meal and hunger took over to maintain some sort of silence.

Sort of because Sally couldn't seem to stop chatting.
 
When he'd talk to
Jase
about his unit, his friend had always referred to Jim as strong and silent.
 
Now Tommy knew why.
 
He probably never got to say much with his talkative wife.
 
Not that Jim seemed to mind as he glanced at his wife with love written all over his features.

It was fascinating to watch the interaction between the others as they shared the meal.
 
As an up-and-coming businessman, he'd learned to study people to gauge how to handle them.