In Name Only Read online

  In his opinion Gregory danced too close to Sky and he didn’t like it. Sky moved with ease, very sedate and sexy without trying to be. Ben was glad when the song ended and Gregory led her back to the table. She was seated talking with his mother when the tempo of the music changed to a slow tune.

  Ben went to the table and stood behind her. Sky feeling his presence, or was it his sensual aroma. She looked up their eyes met, Sky rose as if mesmerized placing her hand in his. Neither spoke just went to the dance floor. Ben gently pulled her into his arms. He heard her exhale when her body pressed up against his. Her small hand in his placed against his heart, his other arm holding her close to him, her head resting on his shoulder as they swayed together,. Benjamin’s eyes closed savoring the feel of her in his arms, her scent filling his senses. They moved to the music at a slower pace then the other dancer. It almost looks like they were just standing still holding each other. With the hand that resting in his Ben turned her. She looked up at him her hazel eyes lost was in his, her mouth parted seductively. She dropped his hand, and slowly, seductively she walked around him her hand caressingly as her fingertips seductively touched him as she moved around his body. Ben stood still when he felt her small hand caressing him as she moved slowly to the tempo of the music around him. When she stood in front of him he pulled her close, their eyes melded together oblivious to what was around them. Ben took her hand in his and guided her slowly against him. Anyone watching him or her would have thought the two danced together for years so beautiful they looked together.

  Ben’s family looked at one another, amazed. Ben never danced at these gatherings. He was usually aloof, ready to make an escape when the opportunity presented itself. Georgie was thrilled, but she had to keep up her façade.

  “Didn’t I tell you Grandma,” Jonathan said. “I think Unck’s is in lust.”

  “Well he better pull it in, Sky is not for him,” she stated firmly as they continued to watch them.

  Sky gazed up at Benjamin; she couldn’t have look away if she wanted to. He felt so good. His strong hard body swaying against her own and he smelled so good she thought inhaling his scent. The song was ending and she didn’t want to let him go. The hand that Sky had resting on his back slowly caressed him. She could go on holding him forever. With the heady scent of Ben and the delicious champagne, she was lost to anything outside of what she was feeling at this very moment. Her gazed fell to his mouth and realized she wanted feel his sexy mouth on hers. She lowered her eyes at the thought that just ran through her head. She laid her head back on his shoulder.

  Ben didn’t miss her eyes drifting to his mouth. He wanted to kiss her as badly as he knew she wants him to kiss her. He knew she wanted it, he could see it in her eyes. The music had stopped and still they stood in each other’s arms swaying. The other dancers left the floor leaving them alone. When Sky realized the music had stopped, she looked up at Ben and quickly moved away, heat flooding her face. Ben looked down at her through hooded eyes, a small smile on his mouth. With her hand in his he led her back to the table holding her chair for her to sit. Sky didn’t know what had come over her. She was so engross in the dance, she didn’t realize the music had stopped, embarrassed she kept her eyes lowered not wanting the others to see the heat that had rushed to her face. She lifted the glass of champagne and took another sip, deciding she needed some air.

  She leaned to Ms Georgie. “I need some air,” she whispered and rose. They all watched her leave and go to the balcony on the side of the room. She was thankful it was vacant; she desperately needed this time to get her senses back in order.

  Benjamin frowned. “Is she alright?” he asked his mother.

  “Ben what are you doing, I told you she very timid,” his mother reprimanding him with false irritation.

  “What Mom, we were just dancing.” Ben stated, frowning.

  “Dancing!” Edmond said with a mocking smile. “I call what you two were doing was pure seduction. Are you seducing her Ben?” he added with laughter.

  “Benjamin!” his mother’s tone disapproving. “You’re not trying to seduce her are you?”

  “Hey think what you want we were just dancing like everybody else,” he said agitated.

  “Just dancing!” Jonathan said, “Unck, you were moving slower than anyone else on the dance floor, and when you turned her and she walked around you all slow and sexy then back into your arms, I thought for sure she was going to kiss you,” Jon said smiling, “I have to remember that move.”

  “Hey I was not trying to seduce her, I was just dancing!” Ben said defensively.

  “Well Ben, I thought it was the most romantic thing I have every seen, you two compliment each other, it was so sweet,” Jana added smiling.

  Irritated, Ben rose looking at his mother. “Mom, I swear, I’m not trying to seduce her.”

  Ben turned his attention to his brother. “I don’t care what you say, we were just dancing.” Ben said tersely leaving the table.

  Sky leaned against the rail on the balcony. It was just starting to get dark. It had been hot earlier in the day, cooler now but still warm. She looked up at the cloudless climes seeing the first peek of the stars. Eyes closed Sky inhaled the clean air, loving the way her body was so relaxed. She reminisced about the feel of Ben’s arms around her.

  She never felt this way with David, but then David didn’t make her feel too much of anything. Even when they had sex, it was what it was. When he was sober, it was quick, when he was drinking and insisted on sex, it seem to take forever for him to find his pleasure. She had been a virgin when they married when he finally sobered up enough to take it. After that making love was a chore she would have gladly passed up if he didn’t insist on it. She remembered him telling her, no man would every want her, she was the worst lay he ever had. That hurt her feelings. After that, sex was almost nonexistent with them, which was fine with her. She knew he was seeing other women. He then started ignoring her, only talked to her when he wanted something, after a while she got use to his silence. The thing about it is she stopped caring. David never really sparked any desire in her. When she had first met David he was so much fun. He could make her laugh at the simplest things. What happened to that? Sky knew her mother did not approve of David, maybe that is why she kept seeing him; it was her way of rebelling in a sense, from her strict, sheltered lifestyle.

  There was no comparing Ben to David, David lacked in everything. She then wondered. Is what she felt on the dance floor desire or simple lust? On the other hand, would he be just like David, jump on her, enter her and get his pleasure, and forget about her. Why was she thinking about having sex with Ben? She asked shaking herself from her reflections, and she certainly didn’t want to remember David’s treatment of her. She was feeling too delightful right now to think of the mistakes she had made in her life.

  Sky’s hands rested on the rail of the balcony eyes closed as the evening breeze swept across her face. The band was playing a slow jazz number, “The Very Thought of You,” was the name of the song. With her eyes closed, Sky swayed to the music softly singing enjoy the warm evening air.

  Benjamin stood outside the balcony opening watching her, his large frame leaning against the doorframe hands in his pants pockets. He felt a desire for her that was undeniable, and wondered, had he really been seducing her on the dance floor like his family said. If he were, it was unintentional. She followed his every movement, and when he turned her, and she moved around him, her small hand caressing him as she moved, he thought for sure she was seducing him, or maybe like him she was following what she felt at that moment.

  “Benjamin,” Sky called softly. She had not turned to face him, yet she knew he was there. Ben went further onto the balcony standing close behind her.

  “How did you know it was me?” he asked softly sultrily.

  “I don’t know,” she said and turned to face him.

  “I’m sorry, if I embarrassed you on the dance floor,” he said apologetically.

&nbs
p; Sky smiled up at him. “No, I loved dancing with you,” she stated honestly.

  They stood silently gazing into one another’s eyes. Ben head lowered pulling her closer. Her hand pressed against his chest, and was surprised to know his heart was beating just erratically as her own. Her mouth parted as she took a deep breath. Ben tentatively pressed his mouth gently to hers, loving the feel of her soft lips. His head rose gazing into her lovely face. Her eyes closed, he kissed her again, this time a little more demanding. Ben’s mouth slanted over hers his tongue slowly mingling with hers. Sky rose up in her toes moving her body closer to him slipping her arms around his neck. Ben arms around her small waist holding her body pressed against him.

  Benjamin felt the throbbing of his manhood hardening. He moved away from her abruptly before she felt his lack of control. Sky was stunned and took his reaction as rejection. Sadness came on her lovely face. She looked up at him, her hazel eyes confused. Gently Sky touched her lips, and moved around him to leave. Ben caught her arm pulling her back into his arms; his mouth swiftly covered hers with a more passionate kiss this time. Sky didn’t fight him, never having felt these feeling so deep in the depths of her soul before. Her arms slipped around his neck and she held on to him. She felt his hand move caressingly over her back. Desire she thought, this is desire, loving the feel of him, maybe too much. It was her turn to pull away. She looked up at him frowning confused by emotions she never experienced before. It confused and surprised her how rapidly she reacted to Benjamin. For god sake, she didn’t even know this man, but she desired him.

  “Sky,” Ben said huskily gazing into her eyes.

  “I better go, I think I’ve had too much champagne,” she said with a dry laugh.

  Ben smiled. “Not yet,” he said pulling her to him.

  Jonathan rushed back to the table. “They were in each other arms kissing like there was no tomorrow,” he reported taking his seat. Ms Georgie smiled to herself.

  “That boy never listens to me,” Georgie stated feigning anger.

  Everyone laughed. Then watched as Ben and Sky returned from the balcony hand in hand. Ben glanced at them as they headed for the dance floor. The band was playing another slow song. Sky let Ben guide her to the music. Her eyes closed when Ben’s hand idly begin to caress the velvety skin her bare back and Sky decided she wanted Ben take her anywhere he wanted as long as she was with him. Ben was savoring her silky softness when Sky raised her head to look at him. His head lowered looking at her sultrily. “You okay,” his tone seductively deep.

  “Mm…, I’ve never felt better,” she said smiling up at him. They were oblivious to the audience from his family. Ben didn’t care what they thought, right now all that matter was the way Sky made him feel. He had women that satisfied him, and he could always walk away for he was the master of himself. However, Sky caused havoc in his heart and his body with just a glanced of her beautiful eyes and a gently caress of her dainty hands. Is this how Edmond felt when he met Jana he wondered. If so, he takes back all the harassing things he did to Edmond when fell in love with Jana.

  “You don’t realize how sexy you are,” Ben said to her huskily, softly.

  “I’m hardly sexy, but you make me feel something,” she admitted quietly.

  Ben smiled. “You have beautiful eyes,” he commented with a sultry tone.

  “Thank you,” she said and laid her head back against his shoulder. Another slow song began to play and they stayed in each other’s arms. Ben turned her; she moved back dropping his hand. Slowly swaying hips to the beat of the music as she move back into his arms.

  “What are you doing to me?” Ben asked smiling, holding her around her waist as he maneuvered her body against his. Sky’s head fell back and she laughed.

  “The same thing you’re doing to me,” she stated softly before she laid her head on his chest. The music ended Ben took her hand and led her back to the table. Everyone tried to ignore them.

  Georgie leaned to Sky. “You having a good time dear?” she asked.

  Sky took her hand in hers. “Yes, thank you for inviting me, I will never forget this night,” she said gently her eyes glancing at Benjamin. Ms Georgie smiled Sky but glared over at her son. He lowered his head guiltily.

  “Come on Sky, dance with me?” Jonathan asked.

  Sky smiled at him. “Okay.” He held her chair as she rose, Benjamin’s eyes following them with a smile on his face.

  “So, Ben, having a good time?” Edmond asked. Ben turned to his brother.

  “Better than you know,” he stated with a smile. “Oh yeah, I owe you an apology,” Ben added. Edmond head fell back and he laughed and lifted his glass to his brother in salute the understanding taken. Georgie and Jana exchanged looks. They didn’t know what they were talking about, but they did like Sky for Ben. Jana and Nyja knew about their mother’s plan to fix Sky up with Ben. If he knew what the women in his family were doing he would fight them tooth and nail. Georgie pat herself on the back, her plan was working, and she didn’t have to work hard to achieve it. She knew her sons well. Where Edmond was agreeable, Benjamin was just the opposite. He didn’t like being told not to do something. He always had to find out for himself. When he was small child, if she or his father said don’t touch something, he did it anyway. It was hard for Ben to take advice or orders. When he had his mind set on something, it was like pulling teeth to get him to see a different view. His father was surprised when Ben decided to join the Navy. Georgie knew Ben admired his father and wanted to be just like him, and in many ways he was. One thing she knew about her middle child was he did not like being cornered or made to do something even though it may be the right thing to do at that time. If he had to do it, he would fight and retaliate until he come to the conclusion on his own that he was wrong. Sometimes his pigheadedness came back to bite him on his behind. The important thing is he learned a value lesson and was a better man for it. Georgie winked at Jana.

  “Benjamin didn’t I tell you she was off limits she not like your regulars, and what about that Dina,” Georgie stated. She did not like that cold woman.

  “I know Mom, she different, and Dina and I don’t have a relationship,” was all he said his eyes returning to the dance floor. Georgie and Jana smiled at one another.

  As the evening wore on Ben and Sky could be seen dancing the night away. The time to toss the bouquet was upon them and the single ladies crowded the floor. Sky didn’t join them.

  “Go ahead Sky,” Ms Georgie encouraged. Sky smiled back at her refusing. A minute later Sky was standing with the other single ladies. Georgie had instructed Nyja to throw the bouquet to Sky with the hope that she catches it and Kevin was to throw the garter to Ben.

  Sky stood off to the side alone not really wanting to participate but just to appease Ms Georgie she got up. Nyja noted where Sky stood turned her back and tossed the flowers, which landed right in Sky’s chest. Surprised Sky clasped the bouquet to her chest and she wasn’t even trying to catch it. Ben saw this and knew from the many weddings he has attended in his day that whatever man caught the garter would be the one to put the garter on her leg, and then get the honor of dancing with her. Moreover, he knew that every single man at this reception was going to fall over each other to catch the garter. He already heard the comments the men made in the room about her beauty and what they would like to do to her. Sky joined them at her table smiling happily with her bouquet.

  The time for the garter toss came. Ben stood taller then most of the men gathered in the room so Georgie didn’t have to worry that Ben wouldn’t get it, she was sure he would. Georgie and Jana saw that look on Ben’s face when he realized that the man who caught the garter would be the one to place the garter on Sky’s leg. Taking off his jacket and hanging it on the back of the chair and with a determined looked on his handsome face; Ben was the first to arrive on the floor. Edmond laughed shaking his head.

  “I got one hundred dollars saying Ben is going to catch that garter,” he said to his wife and mother.
Both women agreed whole-heartedly grinning. Sky’s attention was on Ben, silently wishing he caught it. Jonathan joined his uncle.

  “Don’t even think about catching that garter Jon,” Ben warned to him. Jonathan laughed. “Hey, I’m going to catch it so I can put it on Sky.” his nephew said his brows wiggling comically.

  Kevin tossed the garter high, Ben simply reached up and snatched it from the air, holding it up triumphantly, grinning. The other men groaned leaving the floor. Ben was not surprised at how many of the single male guest that wanted a chance to touch Sky.

  A chair was placed in the center of the dance floor. The bridesmaids gathered Sky up ushered her to the chair. Sky sat demurely with legs crossed at the ankle waiting for Ben. Nyja and Kevin by then had joined the family at their table. Nyja smiled knowingly at her mother and Jana.

  Sky cheeks were hot from the excitement and from the many glasses of champagne she consumed. Ben was instructed by the wedding planner to stand in front of Sky. She gazed up at him, a shy smile on her face. Ben had removed his jacket and Sky couldn’t help but notice the powerful set of shoulders liking the way his broad shoulders and pectoral muscles strained against the fabric of his shirt exuding ultra-masculinity. Sky breath caught in her chest when Ben bent to one knee, the garter hanging from his mouth. The guest cheered shouting encouragement to him. Sky threw back her head and laughed. Ben lifted her bare leg and gently removed her shoe placing it on the floor. His sultry eyes held hers and the smile that was on her face faded. Her chest rose and fell with building desire. Ben slowly caressed her leg in his large gently hand as he lifted and rested her leg on his thigh. Sky sighed.