Free The Deception by Chris Taylor Page B

you, Mrs Duncan. May I say, you’re looking lovely this evening. Your husband’s a lucky man.”
    “You bet he is and don’t worry, I tell him every opportunity I get.”
    Pete arrived back with the bottle of water, Declan not far behind him. “What do you tell me every opportunity you get?”
    Lucy grinned up at him. “Will was just saying what a lucky man you are, darling.” She moved closer to him and took the bottle of water out of his hand. “I was merely agreeing with him.”
    An announcement that dinner was about to be served came from the master of ceremonies who stood behind a microphone on a makeshift stage at the far end of the room. People began to disperse, heading toward their tables.
    “We’re over this way. Table thirty-six.” Pete gestured in the direction adjacent to the bar. With his arm around Lucy, he shepherded his wife through the crowd. Declan reached for Chloe and followed suit. Savannah darted a look in Will’s direction. His gaze remained steady on hers. A smile tugged at one corner of his mouth.
    “Ladies first,” he murmured and made a sweeping gesture with his arm, inviting her to proceed ahead of him.
    Savannah offered him a brilliant smile and hoped it concealed her nervousness. With her glass in one hand, she picked up the skirt of her long dress and made her way through the crowd to their table. The others were already seated. The remaining two vacant chairs were beside Lucy. When Savannah realized what close proximity she would be to Will, her heart hitched in excitement and low grade panic.
    Determined to ignore her misgivings, she set her glass on the table and pulled out the seat closest to her friend. Will stepped forward to assist her and his hand brushed over hers. Her skin tingled from his touch. Ignoring the butterflies that swarmed in her belly, she took her seat.
    Will sat beside her. His thigh brushed against hers beneath the table. She tensed and her heart skipped a beat. Heat from his body traveled up her leg and pooled in her core. She couldn’t be more aware of him. Oblivious to her plight, Lucy’s gaze drifted around the room.
    “There’s a good turnout here,” she said.
    “Yes, it bodes well for the auction to be held later tonight,” Pete replied.
    “Is it always this well attended?” Chloe asked, directing her question to Will.
    “I’m not sure,” he replied.
    Acutely aware of his presence, Savannah struggled to keep up with the conversation. She picked up her glass and emptied the contents in a couple of swallows, feeling the need for something to settle her nerves. Lucy threw her a startled look, but remained silent. With a burst of renewed courage, Savannah turned to Will and smiled.
    “I take it you haven’t attended one of these before?”
    He smiled back at her and shook his head. “No, this is a first. And you?”
    With a boost of alcohol-inspired confidence, Savannah flipped back her hair and laughed. “Oh no, it’s the highlight of my social calendar. Where else can you get good food, fine wine and enjoy the company of friends, new and old, all in the same place? And then there’s the dancing… I just love dancing.”
    Her eyes meshed with his. He gazed at her, amusement glinting in their depths.
    “Is that right?” he murmured.
    Savannah bit her lip and cursed under her breath.
    Darn it, how could she have been so stupid? What was she trying to do— make him remember? She scampered for something else to say. “Do you dance?”
    The words fell out of her mouth. Heat flooded her face.
    What the hell was she doing?
    Lucy’s stiletto found her instep. “Ouch,” she said.
    Will frowned. “Is something the matter?”
    Savannah plastered a smile on her face and replied through gritted teeth. “No, no of course not. I’m fine. I think it must have been a-a pin or something that dug into me.”
    “A pin? As in a dressmaker’s pin? You dance and sew?” His eyes now twinkled with laughter.
    Savannah averted her gaze. In