The Deception (8 page)

“Of course, you’re absolutely right, darling.” Pete pulled her into his side. “And it was
definitely
worth the wait.” He bent and kissed her lightly on the nose. “Oh, by the way, have you met Chloe Munro? Her husband Declan and I used to work together. They’ve come up from Canberra. I invited them and Will Rutledge to share our table.”

Savannah bit back a groan as her worst imaginings were confirmed. She was going to have to share a table with him. For hours.

Oblivious to her distress, Lucy held out her hand to Chloe. “Hi, I’m Lucy. It’s lovely to meet you.”

Chloe returned her smile. “You, too. Declan’s often mentioned his time working in Sydney and he’s talked about you and Pete more than once. It’s nice to finally be able to meet you both.”

Lucy acknowledged Chloe’s reply with another warm smile and then turned to her husband. “Do I know Will Rutledge? The name sounds familiar, but I can’t place him. Have I met him before?”

“Probably not,” Pete replied. “I only met him about five months ago. He’s…the son of Robert Rutledge. As in, Rutledge Advertising. Maybe that’s why he sounds familiar? I hope you don’t mind that I invited him?”

Savannah’s breath left her mouth in a rush. At least she knew now why Lucy had never mentioned the man.

Lucy grinned. “No, not at all. Is he cute?” She winked up at her husband.

“You’d have to ask Savannah. She’s already met him.” Pete’s gaze turned in her direction, glinting with humor. “What would you say, Savannah? Is he cute?”

Three pairs of eyes stared at her with various degrees of interest. Savannah’s mouth went dry and she struggled for something to say.

“If-if you like that type, I guess you’d say he was cute.” She looked at Lucy meaningfully. “You know, the
James Bond
look-alike type. I’m thinking Pierce Brosnan meets Hugh Jackman.”

Hoping desperately that Lucy would take the hint, Savannah almost gasped with relief when her friend’s eyes went wide with comprehension. She turned abruptly to her husband.

“Pete, honey, could you go and get me something to drink from the bar?”

“Actually, Will’s at the bar now with our order.” He grinned back at her. “He’s a pretty handy man to have around.”

Savannah could almost see Lucy’s brain constrict with panic as she scrambled for another excuse. “Um…What did you order for me?”

“A glass of orange juice.”

“Oh, thank you, honey, that’s great. But, you know, I would
really
like some iced water right now.” She fanned herself a little frantically with her hand. “It’s so hot in here with all these people. I’m feeling a little lightheaded. Would you mind?” Her smile was pure innocence.

Pete looked down at her and frowned, but then sighed and shook his head, mumbling something about pregnant women as he walked away.

As soon as he’d moved out of earshot, Lucy flashed a look of apology toward Chloe and grabbed Savannah by the arm and pulled her a short distance away.

“Oh my
God
, Savannah! What are you trying to
tell
me? Is Will Rutledge
your
mystery
man?”

Several people turned their heads to look in their direction. Panic burned low in Savannah’s belly. 

“
Shh!
Keep your voice down!” she whispered harshly. “I don’t want the whole room to know.” She glanced over at Chloe and beckoned her closer. “It’s okay,” she explained to Lucy. “Chloe’s an old friend from Canberra.”

Lucy looked vaguely interested in Savannah’s announcement, but seconds later, returned to the more urgent matter at hand.

“So, it’s
true
! He
is
your mystery man!” Lucy’s mouth suddenly dropped open as another thought occurred to her. “Please tell me he didn’t recognize you?”

“No, I don’t think so.” Savannah glanced around to make sure the man in question hadn’t returned. With the way still clear, she bent her head close to her friends, pitching her voice just above a whisper.

For Chloe’s sake, she quickly offered a few brief words of explanation about how this wasn’t
quite
the first time she’d met Will, like she’d said and then added, “When Pete introduced us, I pretended not to know him. He said hello in a perfectly normal way, gave me a once-over, and that was it.”

“Are you
sure
?” Lucy whispered. “Pete’s going to be furious if he finds out about all of this. Apart from the danger you’ve put yourself in, keeping it from him is not going to go down well.” Her voice held a dire warning.

“I agree,” Chloe said. “And I could tell right away there was more between you and that hottie than what you were saying.”

Savannah drew in a deep breath. “Look, if Will Rutledge recognized me, don’t you think he would have said something?”

Lucy’s bark of laughter was strained. “What would he say—
haven’t I seen you somewhere before
? Savannah, he can hardly own up to knowing you without admitting he was also in the brothel—probably not something a man of his social stature would like to admit in public. The fact that he didn’t say anything is hardly reason to believe he didn’t recognize you. And now you’re going to spend the rest of the evening
sitting
together. Can’t you beg off with a headache or something?” Lucy’s eyes pleaded with hers. “I don’t think I can cope with the
stress
!”

Savannah chuckled. “Luce, I’m certain he didn’t recognize me. I would have been able to tell. I would have seen something in his eyes. I would have noticed
something
.”

She turned to Chloe. “Despite what you
think
you might have seen,” she added before offering Lucy a reassuring smile.

The truth was, despite her earlier concerns, now that she had Lucy and Chloe watching her back, she’d suddenly become very intrigued at the thought of spending a few hours with Will over dinner. He was undeniably the most attractive man she’d ever met and she couldn’t forget how he’d made her feel when his magical hands and mouth had roamed over her body.

He’d been able to make her completely forget her disillusionment with the male of her species and her adamant vow to steer clear of them. After what Jonathan did to her, this was a feat in itself.

As for her suspicions about Will’s possible connection to Vince Maranoa, right here and now, with the anticipation building low in her stomach, her libido didn’t much care what he might be involved in. Besides, he was a friend of Pete’s. The man couldn’t be all bad.

Even better, she was sure her interest was reciprocated. She hadn’t imagined the heat of his gaze upon her or the desire that had darkened his eyes. And she
certainly
hadn’t misheard his little pun as he’d left to order their drinks.

Her heart raced at the thought she might end the night in his bed. Was she really ready to get close to a man again? Not that having a one night stand qualified as getting close. The very definition of a one night stand precluded any emotional involvement.

Besides, she wasn’t an awkward teenager. In fact, she was more than confident with twenty-eight years of life experience behind her, she’d be able to keep her emotions well and truly separate from the overwhelming physical attraction she felt for him. Maybe, sex with Will was just what she needed to get him off her mind? Kind of a reverse therapy?

Lucy tugged on her arm. Savannah looked around and spied the man in question coming toward them, carrying a tray laden with drinks.

“Oh my, Savannah… You were right,” Lucy murmured under her breath. “
Definitely
Hugh Jackman. And he’s heading our way.”

“It’s going to be okay, Lucy. I promise.” She gave her friend’s arm a reassuring squeeze. “Relax. You’re the one always telling me how I need to get back on the horse.” She winked at Chloe and then turned back to Lucy, offering her a wide-eyed gaze brimming with innocence. “
Isn’t
that what you’ve been telling me?”

At Lucy’s reluctant nod, Savannah smiled and shrugged with studied nonchalance. “Well, that’s exactly what I intend to do.”

“But, Savannah—” Lucy broke off her urgent whisper as Will reached them. Chloe merely grinned.

Savannah gave him a slow, seductive smile. Coming up close beside him, she leaned forward to take the glass of champagne off the tray, making sure the side of her breast brushed against his arm.

“Thank you.” She took a small sip of the sparkling wine, savoring its sharp bite. “
Mm
, delicious.” Holding his gaze, she ran her tongue slowly across her top lip and gathered up the small droplets of wine.

Will watched her, transfixed. His blue eyes darkened to almost black. She made a show of taking another sip of champagne and saw him snatch a quick breath.

“
Ahh hmm
.” Lucy cleared her throat, breaking the silent, heated exchange. As one, they turned toward her. Will looked slightly dazed and it was a few moments before he took the hand Lucy had extended in his direction.

“I’m Lucy Duncan. You must be Will. My husband told me you were here. I understand you’re joining us for dinner?”

Will smiled. “It’s nice to meet 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 desperation, she prayed for the floor to open up and swallow her.

What the hell was wrong with her? Was she a complete nincompoop?

“So, Will, tell us about yourself? How long have you been in advertising?” Chloe asked, coming to Savannah’s rescue.

The distraction appeared to work. Will leaned back in his chair and prepared to answer. Savannah breathed a surreptitious sigh of relief.

“My family has been in advertising for as long as I can remember. My father inherited Rutledge Advertising from his father who’d inherited from his father before him. I grew up with ink running through my veins.”

Lucy smiled and joined in the conversation. “So you’ll take over when he retires?”

Will gave a derisive laugh. “Who knows? Dad’s not going anywhere in a hurry. He might be carrying a few extra pounds, but he’s as fit as Michael Phelps. He still swims at least twenty laps a day, rain, hail or shine. He’ll live forever.”

With her wayward tongue now firmly back under her control, Savannah risked another question. “What’s your role in Rutledge Advertising at the moment?”