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to shampoo it again. It’s a mess.’

      Just then there’d been a knock on the front door, Andy calling out as he’d opened it and walked into the hallway. Panicked, Jess had grabbed a sheet to cover herself, Ben unable to get to the open doorway in time before Andy had been standing in it.

      ‘Oh, sorry,’ Andy had said hurriedly on seeing an obviously naked Jess in the bed. ‘I’ll…er…wait for you outside, Ben.’

      ‘No sweat.’ He’d turned to throw Jess an apologetic glance. ‘Sorry about that, my darling. See you at the wedding.’

      Jess recalled that her heart had turned over at his calling her his darling. It turned over again when she caught sight of him standing with Andy at the end of the strip of red carpet which had been rolled out between the rows of decorated seats. No doubt the groom and the other groomsman looked almost as good as Ben in their black dinner suits. But Jess didn’t see anyone or anything else but him, smiling at her. Talk about tunnel vision!

      Some taped wedding music started up and she floated down the makeshift aisle, unaware of the admiring whispers from the guests, aware of nothing but Ben’s eyes upon her.

      Bloody hell, Ben thought as Jess walked slowly towards them. She is just so damned desirable!

      ‘You are one lucky guy, mate,’ Andy murmured out of the side of his mouth. ‘That is one hot babe.’

      ‘You ought to talk,’ Ben managed to whisper back when the bride finally came into view. But he hardly noticed Catherine or heard the ceremony. He just went through the motions, producing the rings on cue, thankful that it was a relatively short service. He could not wait to be alone with Jess again.

      His first opportunity to speak to her was at the signing of the register which they did to one side after Catherine and Andy had been declared man and wife.

      ‘You look very pretty in pink,’ he whispered as he passed her the pen. ‘But I prefer you in nothing.’

      He noticed her hand trembling as she signed her name. It excited him, the way he could turn her on like that. She wasn’t like other girls he’d slept with. She seemed less experienced and more capable of being surprised. That, in itself, was very arousing. The temptation to push her sexual boundaries was acute, especially since she was obviously a highly sexed girl. She’d loved going down on him. He’d loved it too. It worried Ben, though, the tendency he had to lose control with her on occasion.

      Next time, he would not let that happen. Ben had a penchant for erotic fun and games, first sparked when he’d had an affair with an older woman during his university days. She’d been a mature student who liked being dominated in bed, teaching Ben all there was to know about such role playing. Ben had enjoyed playing lord and master to the hilt. He still did. Ben already had an idea in mind for tonight, an idea which he hoped Jess would go along with. He felt pretty sure that she would.

      Damn, but it was going to an excruciatingly long evening!

      * * *

      Jess could not believe how long the evening proved to be. The photos had been tedious, as had the serving and eating of the three-course meal. It wasn’t till coffee and cheeses were served that Ben finally stood up to make the best man speech.

      He didn’t look at all nervous. Which irritated her. Perhaps because it underlined how confident a person he was. Which was perverse. Hadn’t she told him she liked confident men?

      She actually didn’t mind liking Ben. She would never have had sex with him if she hadn’t liked him. She just didn’t want to fall in love with him.

      ‘Ladies and gentlemen,’ Ben began. ‘Firstly, let me thank you all for coming here today to celebrate Andy’s marriage to Catherine who, might I say, is the most beautiful bride I have ever seen.’

      Not just confident, Jess thought ruefully, but a silver-tongued charmer.

      ‘For those who don’t know me personally, you might be wondering what a chap with an American accent is doing as Andy’s best man. Trust me when I say I might sound like a Yank, but if you scratch the surface you will find an Aussie through and through.’

      Cheering from the guests.

      ‘Andy and I go way back. He was my best friend all through boarding school and then through law school. He was always there for me. Always. And I love him. Sorry, Andy, I know you don’t like mushy. Now, I know it is traditional to embarrass the groom by telling stories of things he got up to in his pre-wed life, but I have struggled to think of anything which Andy ever did which was stupid or reckless. Of course, I have been living in the US of A for the past ten years, so perhaps a few potential slip-ups have eluded me. I did hear a rumour that when he was in France he burnt the candle at both ends, so to speak.’

      Laughter from the guests.

      Ben smiled. ‘But I do not believe a word of it. From what I saw last night at Andy’s stag party, his candle is still in full working order.’

      More laughter from the guests. And a horrified glance from the bride.

      ‘Just kidding, Catherine. Andy’s was the best behaved stag party I have ever attended. On a serious note, folks, believe me when I say that Andy is the most sensible, smartest man I have ever known. It’s testimony to his brain power that he has chosen such a lovely girl as Catherine as his life partner. They are a well-matched couple who love each other dearly. Such love is a precious gift, one which should be treasured. And protected. And toasted. So, will you please all be upstanding and charge your glasses…’

      Everyone obeyed, especially Jess, who had been moved by the last part of Ben’s speech. Love was indeed precious, especially true love. Colin hadn’t truly loved her. As for Ben… No point in going there!

      ‘To Andy and Catherine,’ Ben said loudly as he held up his own glass.

      All the guests repeated his words as they clinked glasses and drank.

      Jess did likewise, then sat back down, feeling suddenly drained. More speeches followed and, finally, Andy stood up to speak. He did not have Ben’s gift of the gab, or the same smooth delivery, but what he said was sweet and touching. It actually brought tears to Jess’s eyes, which she had to blink back swiftly when he proposed a toast to the bridesmaids, explaining how Jess had had to step in at the last moment and how grateful they were to her.

      Jess sat there, her right hand fingering the lovely silver and diamond pendant Andy had given the bridesmaids earlier. Catherine had received a magnificent pair of diamond-drop earrings. When Jess had insisted to Catherine that they give her pendant to Krissie afterwards, Catherine had said no, she and Andy would buy Krissie something special for the baby when it came.

      They really were a very nice couple. And, yes, very much in love. Jess couldn’t help envying them their happiness. She was no longer pleased that Ben planned to stay in Australia a little longer. She knew the score. He wanted hot sex with her after which he would wing his way back to New York and forget she ever existed. And by then, she could very well be left behind with a broken heart.

      Common sense demanded she have no more to do with Ben after this weekend was over. But common sense was no match for the sexual heat which had been charging through her veins ever since they’d signed the marriage certificate together. A few hot words whispered in her ear and she had almost combusted on the spot. Her still-erect nipples burned as they pressed against the satin lining of her dress, her belly tight with sexual tension. She couldn’t wait for this reception to be over so she could be with Ben again. She could not wait!

      But she had to wait, she accepted wretchedly. Dear God, but she was in over her head here with this man.

      At last they moved along to the cake-cutting part. Soon would come the bridal waltz, after which the serious partying would begin. Though tempted, Jess decided not to drink too much, so there wouldn’t be a problem with driving back to the cottage as soon as they could leave.

      Which wouldn’t be any time soon, Jess realised with some dismay. No way could

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