In Name Only Page 2

  “Skylar this is my Uncle Benjamin, Unck this is Skylar, Grandma’s friend” Jon introduced grinning.

  Skylar breathing seized in her chest. The longer she looked into his eyes, the more spellbound she became. A desire she never felt for her husband flooded her body with a speed she never experienced before. Finding her voice she final spoke.

  “Hello,” she said softly, her tone beautifully melodious.

  Jon was right she did have the sweetest voice. Not high, not deep but somewhere in between; Benjamin inhaled her soft inebriating scent, a scent that had him thinking of touching her from her head to her feet.

  “Hello,” Benjamin said after a minute. Composing himself he glanced over at his nephew who was grinning like a simpleton. “Aren’t there other guest that need to be seated,” Benjamin said impatiently to him. Jon grinned broadened. “Yes sir,” Jon said. Benjamin could have sworn he heard him laughing as he walked away.

  Benjamin needed a drink. “Can I get you a drink?” Benjamin asked her politely.

  “Yes please, champagne.” Skylar said lowering her eyes demurely.

  Damn, Benjamin thought as he walked away.

  Skylar sagged and let out a groan. Where was Ms Georgie? She thought. There was no way she could sit at this table with her son and remain aloof. She remembered Ms Georgie had mentioned her sons briefly, Edmond the older son a doctor and Benjamin a Commander in the Navy. She never mentioned how handsome this son is. Right now all she could think was she had to make a hasty retreat. She had already consumed too much champagne and was about to get another glass, her third, or was it her fourth. This had to be her last she promised herself. Already she felt lightheaded wondering was it the champagne or was it Benjamin.

  Benjamin stood at the bar waiting to be served and looked back at Skylar. He exhaled. Could he sit at the table and not stare at her beauty all night. He could not. He would have to mingle, any excuse not to sit at the table with her he decided. He couldn’t just leave, as was his usual way when he attended these formal functions, Nyja would have his head.

  Benjamin returned to the table handing her the glass. She smiled up at him and Jon was right; she could make time stand still with that smile on her perfect mouth, causing him to wondered how her mouth would feel and tasted pressed against his. Benjamin tensed, stunned at himself for his wayward thoughts. No, he decided he couldn’t sit with his family tonight no matter how much they protested.

  Benjamin sat a chair between them. He watched as she lifted the glass to her lips noticing the droplet of wine on her lip and her pink tongue darting out capturing it. Benjamin’s mouth dropped open. He had to snap it shut quickly before she noticed.

  She quietly looked everywhere but at him. Jon was right again. She was shy.

  “So you’re a friend of my Mother’s?” He asked breaking the silence.

  Skylar glanced over at him and lowered her eyes nodding.

  Benjamin wanted to hear that sweet voice again, and see that smile that so tantalized him before he left. He watched as she twisted the linen napkin that sat on her lap. She was nervous. An easy smile played at the corner of his mouth.

  “Is the bride and groom here yet?” Sky asked in her silky voice.

  “They should be here soon, they were taking pictures, at least that what they were doing when I left them.” Benjamin told her. She frowned and looked away nervously nibble on her sexy lower lip.

  Benjamin realized with a slight smile Sky didn’t want to be alone with him no more than he wanted to be with her. He affected her, he recognized with a cocky smile raising the glass to his lips.

  “Please everyone stand to your feet the bridal party is ready to join us,” the wedding planner announced.

  Benjamin was glad for this opportunity to get a look at her body from her sitting position; she looked to be very small noticing her narrow shoulder and small bare arms.

  Benjamin rose and stood behind her chair to help her rise. Her head tilted back and she looked up at him smiling. Again, his breath caught in his chest. Benjamin stepped back and pulled the chair. She rose and his mouth dropped. Benjamin closed his eyes tightly feeling a tightening in his lower stomach. His eyes traveled her body from her narrow shoulders, to the indentation of her tiny waist, not missing the flawlessness of her smooth bare back, to her full rounded behind and the way the dress just skimmed over her well rounded hips. Thinking she was one of God’s most perfect creation.

  The room erupted in applause, as the wedding party was introduced pulling Benjamin’s attention back to the reception. Finally, his mother joined them. Sky smiled broadly when she saw his mother.

  “Sky, I’m so glad you made it,” his mother said hugging her. “I see you’ve met my Benjamin.

  “Hello Mom, yes I have,” Benjamin said kissing his mother cheek. Benjamin helped mother sit and then helped Skylar.

  Ms Georgie watched her son closely. He couldn’t keep his eyes off Sky; this was what she had hoped. Ms Georgie knew she had to be smart about her match making, Ben had warned her about trying to fix him up. This time she had a plan of action. Before he knew it he’d be caught and she would not be accused of trying to fix him up. Ms Georgie didn’t know how long Sky could sit with her handsome, charismatic son and not be captivated.

  Sky smiled over at her friend. “The wedding was beautiful Ms Georgie,” Skylar said timidly.

  “I thought so, I just wished her father was here to see it,” she said melancholy. Ms Georgie missed her husband and he loved his children. Sky reached over a patted her hand.

  “He seeing all of this, I believe Ms. Georgie and is as proud as you are, Nyja is a beautiful bride,” Skylar said her hazel eyes filled with love for her.

  “Yes, you’re right Dear, now this is a party and I expect to see you enjoy yourself, its time for you to live now Sky, you’re to young to be as old as me,” she stated firmly.

  “Ben Honey, get me and Sky some champagne,” she told him. Ben left to do as his mother asked. Skylar looked down at her glass; she didn’t realize she had finish yet glass of champagne.

  Sky leaned to Ms Georgie. “I have had enough, I think,” she whispered to Ms Georgie smiling. Ms Georgie looked at her pretty face. Her eyes were sparkling, and she smiled easier than she has ever seen her. Ms Georgie smiled. She was even lovelier when she was relaxed.

  “Oh nonsense, now tell me what do you think of my son?” Ms Georgie asked.

  Sky pressed her hands to her lips, her eyes closed briefly. Sky’s eyes met Ms Georgie’s smiling eyes. She removed her hands.

  “Oh, Ms Georgie, he’s ah...” Sky stammered, “He’s very nice,” she finally got out. Ms Georgie laughed. Yes, Ms Georgie thought this was a start. Ben has affected Sky.

  Ms Georgie looked up when Ben had returned. Sky looked up at him and then lowered her head. Ben smiled at her. Ms Georgie watched the exchange. Ben was interested, very interested. She may not have to do anything; just let nature take it course. She might have to give Sky a little nudge, she was extremely too timid to be forward, but if she keeps sipping that champagne, Ms Georgie thought with a wily smile.

  Ben extended the glass to his mother then to Sky. His eyes met her; she smiled thanking him.

  “Where are the restrooms?” Sky asked Ms Georgie. She had to freshen up if only to see if she could stand. Ms Georgie directed her as Ben held her chair. She rose, and her knees wobbly. Ben’s hand rested on her bare back as he discreetly steady her. Her skin was warm feeling like soft velvet beneath his hand. She looked over at him smiling. As she moved away from him, Ms Georgie watched as Ben’s eyes followed her.

  Ben could not take his eyes off her, watching the gently sway of her hips as she walked across the room.

  “Mom, how well do you know Skylar?” he eyes still on her until she went through the double doors. Ben sat beside his mother. Ms Georgie smiled to herself. Here we go, she thought.

  “Don’t even think about it Benjamin, she a very sweet young woman.” his mother announced. Ben ignored wh
at she said, or maybe he just didn’t hear her.

  “How old is she Mom?”

  “She thirty-two, I think, why?”

  Ben looked at his mother frowning. Why wasn’t she fixing him up with Skylar?

  “Ben, if your thinking to pursue her, forget it, she not like your usual herd of females, she a good girl.” Ms Georgie stated feigning a stern warning to her son.

  “Mom I realize that, is she from Virginia Beach?”

  “Not originally, she moved here a couple years ago with her husband,” Ms Georgie stated wanting to see Ben reaction to this bit of news.

  His head snapped to her disappointment showed in his eyes so like his father’s.

  “She married?” he asked incredulously.

  “Oh, no, she a widow, poor thing, she was only married a year when her husband was killed in a terrible car accident, that was about two years ago, I think now,” Ms Georgie said tapping her chin. “This is her first time out since his death, she very much the recluse,” Ms Georgie added tsking.

  “She must have really loved her husband,” Ben said wanting more information on her relationship with her husband.

  Ms Georgie was really acting it up. “I don’t think it was a happy marriage, when I inquired about her husband, she becomes very quiet, choosing not to comment, I later realized it was guilt that was stopping the poor girl from living.” Ms Georgie watched as a smile played on her son’s handsome face. She was certainly going to enjoy this party.

  Sky stood in the ladies room applying color to her lips. She smiled feeling more relaxed than she remembered.

  “Hi Sky,” one of the Nyja’s bridesmaids greeted. “I saw you sitting with Nyja’s brother, isn’t he fine,” she stated pretending to almost swooning, “I’ve been trying to get him since me and Nyja graduated college, he just sees me a Nyja little school girl playmate, and I could be his playmate too,” she said grinning.

  Skylar felt a twinge of jealousy at her statement. Why she wondered in her head, she was nothing to him. Sky smiled. “See you later,” she said and left the bathroom.

  On the way back to the table she was starting to regain her composure. No more champagne for her she decided.

  When she entered the ballroom Sky felt someone tug on her hand stopping her. She turned to see an attractive man holding her hand.

  “Hello Beautiful, you here alone?” he asked leering at her. Sky smiled was friendly as pulled her hand from his.

  “I’m Gregory, cousin to the bride, and you are?”

  “Skylar, friend of the mother of the bride,” she stated extending her hand. Gregory took it and brought it to his lips.

  Gregory was handsome in a rugged sort of way, and she could certainly see the family resemblance.

  “So are you alone this evening?” he repeated.

  “Yes,” she said softly.

  “What a wonderful sound you have pretty lady; Married?”

  Sky shook her head.

  “I can’t believe a beauty like you is alone, I think I’ll just have to snatch you up,” he said with a chuckle. Sky smiled, wondering why she did not react to this man as she did Benjamin, he was just not as magnetic a Benjamin, although he was charismatic.

  “How do you know my Aunt Georgie?” he asked still holding onto her hand.

  Georgie watched as Benjamin’s eyes stayed on the doors that Sky had went through. She looked up and saw Gregory talking to Sky. Georgie smiled; looks as if Ben has some competition. This was going to be good Georgie thought smiling. Ben noticed it too, his body tensed. When they saw Gregory bring Sky’s hand to his lips, Ben hand formed a fist and his nose flared. Georgie had to contain her laughter; Ben’s eyes did not leave them.

  “Ben go and get Sky dinners about to be served,” she suggested giving him a reason to intervene on Gregory. Ben was up and gone.

  Ben could not believe what he was seeing, although not surprised. A man had to be blind not to notice her beauty. Nevertheless, Gregory had better back off; she was going to be his he decided. Ben pace slowed realizing what he had just been thinking. A crooked smile settled on his mouth, yes she was going to be his.

  Sky finally pulled her hand from Gregory. He continued to talk and Sky listened politely.

  Sky felt Ben’s presence behind her instantly. Her body told her he was there. Her heart fluttered and butterflies erupted in her stomach, knowing who caused this strange emotion. She turned and looked up at him giving him her most radiant smile. “Hi,” she said softly in that voice that set his body a flame. Ben’s heart lurched not wanting to pull his gaze from her. Sky lowered her head trying without success to control her raging emotions.

  “I see you’ve met Cousin Greg,” Ben replied nonchalantly.

  “Hello Ben,” Gregory said as they shook hands.

  “Hello Greg, how’s your fiancé, “Ben said slyly, “What is her name? Oh yeah Clara, is she here?”

  Gregory glared at his cousin over Sky’s head, but Ben got the meaning across smiling with feigned innocence.

  “No, she had to go out of town, she’s sorry she missed the wedding.” Gregory replied begrudgingly.

  “Congratulations,” Sky said raising her head to look at Gregory.

  “Thank you,” Gregory said politely.

  “Sky, Mom sent me to get you, dinner is about to be served,” Ben said smiling at Gregory.

  With his hand possessively on her back he guided her away looking back at Gregory with a smug smile on his face. Gregory gave him a discreet obscene hand gesture.

  Ben laughed. Skylar looked up at him a small frown marring her brow.

  When they arrived at the table, the whole family had arrived. The men rose when they approached.

  Ben stood beside her, his hand still on her back. Sky felt his warm hand on her bare back liking the feel of it.

  “Let me introduce you to Skylar,” he announced. “This is Edmond, my older brother, and you know his wife Jana, and you met knucklehead.” Sky shook Edmond hand. Ben held her chair as she sat; he sat beside her, Georgie saw to it making Jonathan take the seat beside her. Ben didn’t seem to notice.

  “I’d like to propose a toast,” Edmond said smiling. Skylar looked in front of her and a glass of champagne was their in front of her.

  “Mom, you have truly out done yourself, this is a beautiful wedding, and we are proud of you, we love you Mom,” he said concluding the toast.

  Edmond was an older version of Benjamin. He wasn’t as tall as Benjamin but very handsome. It was obvious his wife loved him with the look of love that shown on her face as he spoke. Edmond sat, feeling his wife eyes on him; he took her hand and kissed it. He loved her too. Sky smiled at the lovely couple.

  “I have such wonderful sons,” Georgie stated tears of joy glistening in her eyes.

  “You did such a beautiful job on the dresses,” Jana commented to Sky.

  Jana liked Sky. When she would come for her fitting they would talk the whole time she was there, sometimes she stayed later, although Sky did not open up to her as she did Ms Georgie.

  Benjamin eyes would stray ever so often on Skylar, he couldn’t seem to help it. Edmond looked up and saw his brother discreetly gazing at Skylar. In fact, everyone witnessed this. Jonathan had already told him how his uncle acted when he first introduced them. He had to agree Skylar was very pretty.

  “Hey, I need a real drink,” Edmond said, “Come on Ben,” he said.

  “Can I have a real drink?” Jonathan said.

  “No!” everyone at he table said in unison. Jonathan laughed, he knew that, but that didn’t mean he wasn’t going to try.

  Chapter Three

  Edmond and Ben leaned against the bar. Ben’s eyes stayed on Sky.

  “You like her,” Edmond stated.

  Ben nodded. “Mom told me to stay away from her though.”

  “And when did what Mom says ever stop you,” Edmond said with a chuckle.

  “Hey, I listen to Mom,” he chuckled knowing his brother was right.

 
“Maybe she unstable, that’s why Mom warned you,” Edmond said, “But I can see why you’re attracted, she pretty.”

  “Pretty,” Ben repeated, “She exquisite Ed.” Ben shook his head. “She has me totally captivated and I can’t figure it out, I had vowed to stay away, but she seems to be drawing me to her. When she speaks all I hear is the melodious sound of her voice, when she smiles, it takes my breath away…” Ben paused. Edmond listened. His brother was smitten. He had been waiting for this day. Edmond recalled how he harassed him when he met his Jana, the love of his life. The circumstances were now reversed; he was going to enjoy this. They returned to the table, dinner now served, and the conversation was light and happy. Sky laughed at Jonathan with regales of his many antics. Every time she laughed Benjamin eyes would gazed over at her.

  With all the wedding party ceremonies done, the band started to play and the party has official started. Sky looked over at the brides table. Nyja was glowing and in love and she waved at her family. The guest were starting to mingle, Edmond and Jana were on the dance floor. Jonathan had found a young girl about his age and they were dancing the upbeat tempo.

  Ben was across the room talking to some of the male guest. Sky and Georgie remained seated watching the dancing.

  Someone announced, the Electric Slide was about to begin. Georgie took Sky hand pulling her to the floor. Sky laughed. She had not done the Electric Slide in years and she hoped she remembered. She didn’t care she now was really feeling the effects of that wonderful champagne.

  From across the room Benjamin watched Sky. The music started and she moved with such unspoken grace. Benjamin eyes trailed her wonderful body in that simple but sexy dress. He knew every man in the room noticed her, what they didn’t know was she was his.

  A frown marred his face when Gregory stepped up between her and his mother just as the slide ended. Sky was laughing and leaning against Gregory he pulled her into his arms. Georgie looked over at Ben across the room. The music started up again another upbeat song. Gregory started dancing with Sky, Georgie left them and went to her table, a friend of hers stopping her on her way. Ms Georgie looked to where she had last saw Ben. He was gone. Her eyes searched the room and found him standing just outside the dance floor watching intently, not Sky, but closely watching Gregory.