Eye Contact Page 22

  “Who’s the speechless one now?” I jabbed.

  “You look…stunning.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Bennett.”

  He approached to bring me into his arms and nuzzled my neck, kissing and smelling behind my ear. It tickled and I had to push him away.

  “There are probably ten strangers downstairs right now,” I argued, hating to reject his affection but feeling the weight of responsibility pull at me. He continued to kiss me, all over my neck and down my décolletage, creating a heavy need in my core that I could no longer ignore.

  “Vaughn, I’m serious—we can’t. I have to go down there.”

  “I’m sorry. You look too enticing,” he decreed, refusing to halt his advances. “I can’t stop.”

  I placed my hands on his chest and firmly pushed him back. With a playful smile on my face, I tried to be stern, in truth feeling flattered and just as turned on as he was.

  “You have to. I’ll make it up to you later,” I promised with a waggle of my brows.

  He groaned in defeat and released me to walk over to my dresser, looking for some jewelry to complete my ensemble.

  “Did you know my dress was navy blue?” I inquired, looking at his reflection in the mirror over my dresser.

  His sly smile revealed the answer.

  “I saw it hanging up the other night and figured it was what you were wearing to the party, so I got a tie to coordinate,” he acquiesced. “Is that too cheesy? I can take it off if you don’t like it.”

  I turned to face him and lowered my gaze over his entire body, loving the fact that he’d even thought about wanting to coordinate with me.

  “Don’t take it off,” I ordered. “I want to be the one who takes it off.” I was insistent as I lowered my voice to say, “Later tonight.”

  Appreciating the rise I got out of him, both figuratively and physically—as evidenced by the bulging tent in the front of his slacks—I turned back around to find my earrings and put them on. I didn’t have a necklace that went with the dress or looked appropriate for the occasion, so earrings would have to be enough. When I spun around, Vaughn had a different expression covering his features and looked nervous.

  “I got you something,” he mentioned hesitantly as he held out a slender black box. My heart instantly sped up. “You don’t have to wear it tonight—or ever, really—if you don’t like it, but I think it would be perfect.”

  I stood motionless, frozen in my spot as he lifted the hinged top to reveal a thin gold chain with a charm on it. Taking a step forward to see better, my lips parted in surprise as I got a good look at what it was.

  “Is that…is this what I think it is?” I asked, gently bringing the charm into my fingertips.

  Vaughn was smiling with trepidation, unsure of my reaction.

  “It’s a scalpel—not a real one. It won’t like, cut your neck or anything, but it’s a mold of one, with the blade edge dulled.”

  I stared at the charm in my hands, shiny and gold, looking so dainty and beautiful. The tiny instrument that yielded so much power in my career now dangled before me as a decorative piece of jewelry.

  Vaughn continued, seemingly feeling like he needed to fill the silence of my reverie with more explanation.

  “I wanted to get you something, a piece of jewelry, but you’re a hard person to buy for. When I stopped and thought about what you’re into or what your thing is, all I kept picturing was surgery. You don’t like turtles or butterflies, as far as I know, and you’re not religious, so a cross was out. Every time I fished for your thing, my mind came back to medicine. It’s who you are, and ultimately what brought us together again.”

  I felt the buildup of tears threatening and furiously blinked them back.

  “Say something…please.”

  I cleared my throat and leaned forward to embrace him, hugging him harder than I ever had before, and I whispered my appreciation into his ear.

  “Thank you, Vaughn. It’s perfect.”

  A thick exhalation of relief came out in a rush and his arms came around me even tighter. He allowed his lips to migrate down to my neck, softly kissing me there, just below my ear.

  “I’m glad you like it.”

  “I love it.” I pulled my face back to see him. “I love it so much.”

  Our lips found each other and the connection felt different than any other time we had kissed before. It felt deeper, not exactly passionate, but somehow more intense, like with every stroke of his tongue on mine, he was crawling farther and farther into my soul, worshipping me, claiming me, loving me. I didn’t know if I was flying or falling.

  When we finally separated, he lifted the necklace and motioned for me to turn around so he could fasten it behind my neck. I watched the reflection of the moment in the dresser mirror in front of me and couldn’t help but admire how nicely we looked together.

  “Thank you,” I offered faintly as he brought his hands away from my nape. “For everything…all of this. You were such a huge help, and I’m very appreciative.”

  “I know, and you’re welcome.” He smiled. “That’s what boyfriends do.”

  I stood motionless and giddy, grateful that he had just solved the problem of how to introduce him to everyone that night. We hadn’t had the title talk yet, and I was terrified about making it awkward or saying the wrong thing. Now, I wouldn’t have to worry about it.

  “C’mon. Let’s go downstairs and see what else needs to be done before your guests arrive.”

  Chapter 37

  Vaughn

  The catering staff was moving swiftly around the house and things were falling into place nicely. It was cute to watch Andie fidget and fret with nerves as the clock ticked closer to her guests’ arrival time. I found myself gravitating to offer a reassuring touch a few times, wanting to comfort her anxious energy, but also because my skin yearned to be in constant contact with hers. She flitted around, her dress swaying as she moved, hugging her subtle curves in all the right places. She made last-minute adjustments to the centerpieces and other décor, even though it was all already perfect, and I took a moment to admire just how beautiful she was.

  Her hair fell around her face and down her back in smooth large curls, hanging like spun gold. It was more polished than she usually wore it, and she was stunning. Her face was soft and feminine with just a hint of makeup to highlight her captivating eyes. Those eyes… If I had to pick one thing, just one image to look at for the rest of my life, of all the remarkable and beautiful things on this entire planet, it would be her eyes. They would swallow me up for as long as she would allow me to gaze into them.

  She jumped at the sound of the doorbell chime signaling the arrival of the first guest. She glanced up at me, pleading in her expression, and I had to laugh at her adorable hesitation.

  “Do you want me to get it?”

  “Yes,” she let out in a rush. “I mean, no. I should get it.”

  I joined her, squeezing her hand in support, and led the way to the door, hearing her whisper to herself to not throw up.

  The door opened and it was a young couple I’d never seen before, but that wasn’t unexpected. The only person I had ever met prior to the night’s gathering was Rowan, and that had been in the hospital and again briefly at the coffee shop, so I wasn’t even sure I would recognize her.

  Andie opened the door wide with a welcoming smile but didn’t say anything. I interjected to eliminate the awkward pause.

  “I’m Vaughn, Vaughn Bennett.” I extended my right hand to the gentleman in front of me. He shook it and replied with his name, introducing his date next.

  “Nice to meet you both. This is Andie Fine, our gracious host for tonight.” I beamed as she shyly shook hands with them both. “You’re actually the first guests to arrive. Come in, please. How do you know Rowan and Richard?”

  They entered and took a seat on the couch, explaining that he worked with Richard at the law firm and his wife had apparently hit it off with Rowan as well. The cocktail server came o
ver to offer everyone drinks, and small talk flowed right along. It wasn’t long before the bell rang again with another guest and Andie was able to politely excuse herself to greet the next arrival. Her nerves visibly relaxed as the minutes passed, and she grew even more alluring as I watched her confidence grow.

  She introduced me as her boyfriend and I swelled with pride upon hearing her announce it. I was her boyfriend, and she was my girlfriend. Mine. I wanted to sling her over my shoulder and drag her upstairs, caveman style, to claim her in every way I knew how.

  Begrudgingly, I tamped down my inner lust and chatted up the guests. Everyone had been nice so far, normal in personality and genuinely happy for the couple. I found that when people inquired about how I made my living, they found it intriguing and always had follow-up questions. People found it so interesting that prosthetic eyes were how I supported myself. Brazen questions came from the law firm associates like “Wow, there’s actually a market for that?” and “Do you even make enough money doing that?” My first impression of Richard’s friends wasn’t great, for the most part. They seemed entitled and judgmental. Andie and Rowan’s friends from the hospital were the complete opposite. They were personable and fascinated, firing off every question they could think of from the medical aspect of my craft. Even more than the ocularist world, they were interested in the fact that I was Andie’s boyfriend. None of them could believe it, some being more tactful in their reaction than others. They had never been to Andie’s house, never been out socially at all with her it seemed. One physician mumbled to me after a few drinks, “So you’re the lucky fellow who finally scored our good Dr. Fine?” When I looked at him quizzically, he continued. “She’s the elusive holy grail of Springfield Health, highly coveted but impenetrable…pun intended.” He laughed obnoxiously at his joke, and I excused myself. If jackasses like him were what Andie had to deal with on a daily basis, it was no wonder she stuck to herself.

  Rowan’s father arrived with his wife and they were warm, sweet people, immediately asking what they could do to be helpful. Andie insisted they get a drink and make themselves comfortable.

  When Rowan’s mother arrived, it was with a fanfare of chaos. She entered loudly, chastising Andie for not having adequate parking and the supposedly poor lighting in her entryway. I was embarrassed for her and instantly thought her more entitled than all of Richard’s law firm friends combined.

  Mrs. Kline curtly acknowledged her ex-husband then gave him the brushoff, positioning herself as far away from him in the room as physically possible. He didn’t seem fazed and was apparently very used to her antics.

  The guests of honor were the last to arrive, no doubt an intentional approach taken so they could make an entrance. They were warmly welcomed with cheers of congratulations and hugs, meandering around the room to personally say hello to everyone. People were having a good time and the wine and hors d’oeuvres were flowing. After about an hour, Andie came over to me, leaning in to whisper something into my ear.

  “How do I get them all into the dining room area? It’s time to eat.”

  “Do you want me to make an announcement?”

  “God, yes. I can’t do that.”

  “What would you do without me, Dr. Fine?” I teased, lightly kissing her cheek.

  “I would die an awful, tortuous death of a panic attack turned cardiac arrest.”

  “Surely there are enough doctors in this room right now to save you.”

  “Vaughn, please?” she begged with giant eyes and fluttering lashes.

  I cleared my throat and announced to the small crowd, “If everyone will please begin moving into the dining room and find your place setting, the first course is about to be served.”

  Everyone allowed their conversations to fizzle and shuffled around, looking for their names on the place cards. Once everyone was seated and settled, our attention was brought to Richard by the sound of him clinking a utensil against his glass. He stood and urged Rowan, seated at his left, to also rise.

  “We really appreciate you all being here to help us celebrate this next chapter in our lives. It means the world to us to be surrounded by all of you, and we’re grateful for your support. So, yeah, thank you all for coming.”

  The more I looked at Richard, the more I felt like I had seen him before somewhere. I couldn’t place him, but he was definitely familiar to me somehow.

  He began to sit but Rowan stopped him, interjecting her own announcement.

  “I would especially like to thank my best friend, Andie, for putting this all together for us tonight. She not only opened her home to host us all but organized the entire thing,” Rowan proudly declared, smiling. “So, if any of you fall ill from the food, it was all her!” Everyone laughed and Andie’s cheeks blushed.

  We were sitting at Rowan and Richard’s end of the table, understandably, as Andie wanted to be close to her friend. It was interesting to be an outsider and observe their dynamic. I had never seen her more open and talkative with someone else before, and it was obvious that she was comfortable with Rowan and the strength of their friendship. Richard was a tad short with me, but I chalked it up to the fact that he was trying to have equal conversation with all of the guests in attendance.

  Dinner was served, and people audibly praised the menu selections and complimented the catering company. Almost every time I brought my face up from my food to look toward Rowan’s place at the head of the table and engage in the conversation, I found Richard looking at me. It was unnerving—the way he was looking at me, like he was bothered by something—but the moment he would see me glance up, his eyes would quickly divert away, like he had been caught staring. Perhaps I looked familiar to him too. I couldn’t figure it out and eventually just stopped looking in his direction.

  As the meal came to a close, Rowan’s father stood to offer a toast to the happy couple, garnering cheers from everyone at the table and an indiscreet eye roll from Rowan’s mother. I couldn’t help thinking sarcastically that the woman eschewed class and decorum, and I was embarrassed for Rowan.

  The guests said their goodbyes and were thanked for coming one by one. Rowan ate up the attention and was gleaming the entire night, quick to show off her ring to any willing onlooker. When everyone was gone except for the couple of honor, Andie finally exhaled a breath of relief, plopping down onto her sofa and throwing her shoeless feet onto the coffee table.

  “Thank God that’s over.”

  “Oh come on, it wasn’t that bad,” Rowan contested, sitting next to her on the couch and removing her own heels.

  “For you! For me, that was torture,” Andie barked. “If not for Vaughn, I never would’ve survived.”

  She smiled up at me as I walked over and eased into the seat next to her. All three of us were relaxing from the evening’s activity, but Richard was just standing there, looking at us impatiently.

  “You were so charming tonight,” Andie murmured, her eyes closing as she grinned. “Thank you for everything.”

  “So, we should really be going, Ro,” Richard interrupted, hindering our sweet moment. “Come on.”

  “Cool it, Richard. What’s the hurry? I’m just relaxing for a minute. My feet are killing me. Remind me never to wear these shoes again. Gah, I wasn’t even standing for the majority of the night and I feel like they’re literally going to throb right off of my—”

  “Rowan! Let’s go. Now please,” he broke in. Her eyes darted up to see that he was serious, and she sat forward on the edge of the couch.

  “What’s your problem?” she asked, offended by the way he was speaking to her.

  “Nothing. I have an early morning tomorrow and we need to get going.” He walked over to collect her purse off of the hook it was hanging on in my foyer and stood tapping his foot, irritable and antsy.

  Rowan slowly stood herself up and mumbled, “Early start to what? It’s freaking Sunday tomorrow,” as she walked over to the entryway. Andie got up to follow her out, grabbing a large flower arrangement from the t
able in the foyer.

  “Here, take these home. I can’t do anything with all of these flowers. You might as well enjoy them too.”

  She thrust the vase into Richard’s chest and turned to Andie for a tight hug, bestowing words of appreciation for putting on the dinner and everything she’d done for them. She also gave me a hug and thanked me for all my help then whispered, “And for making my friend so happy.”

  I stuck my hand out to shake Richard’s and he shrugged, unable to take my hand since his were occupied with the flowers. I quickly turned my outstretched hand into an awkward point, and he turned away in a huff.

  “Thanks, man. We’ll see you guys soon,” he grumbled as he stepped out the door and headed to the car.

  “Sorry, y’all. I don’t know what his problem is. I bet my mother said something to him. Anyway, thanks again. I’ll call you tomorrow,” Rowan promised before turning and leaving.

  I brought my girl into my arms after locking the door and kissed the top of her forehead, her hair still smelling amazing. We rocked with each other, almost slow dancing for a solid two or three minutes before she spoke.

  “Remind me never to volunteer for anything like that ever again.”

  “Oh, stop. You did great.”

  She laughed, humoring me. “You did great. Angela did great. I just signed my name to it. Seriously, Vaughn, I’m so grateful for your help—for everything, really.”

  I pulled back, resting my hands on her hips, and bent to kiss her soft lips.

  “It was my pleasure. There’s no place I’d rather be,” I insisted as she smiled back at me. The words were on the tip of my tongue, but I couldn’t get them out. “Let’s get you upstairs. I’ll draw you a warm bath and we can soak our tired feet.”

  “We?” she jested as she lifted one brow. “Are you trying to seduce me, Mr. Bennett?”

  “Affirmative. I’ve been staring at you in this dress all night, barely able to control myself.”