Meeting Emily
She was one of the most breathtaking women he had ever seen. JC noticed the lovely young woman who sat two tables away. She didn’t have the sort of look he normally went for. The best word he could think of to describe her was delicate. Most of the females at the benefit dinner were Hollywood types or rich and jaded. This one looked like an innocent angel. Her smile was open and genuine for anyone who stopped to have a few words with her – and there seemed to be quite a few of them!
He was surprised when the dancing began; she was left alone at her table. No one came to partner her. There was no sullen pouting – she didn’t seem the least bit upset or putout by the turn of events.
In his eyes, she had it all: beauty, class and charm. JC rose and went to her table. The heat from her sunny smile of greeting sizzled his blood and warmed places in his heart he hadn’t known were cold. “Hi,” he murmured.
“Hello.”
“May I join you?”
She waved to the vacant chair beside her. “Please. I’m sure Doug won’t mind.”
He sat down and extended his hand to her. “I’m JC.”
“Emily. Please to meet you JC,” she said as she shook his hand.
Good Lord! She was stunning up close! Her large sapphire blue eyes, fringed in long black eyelashes, had a slight upward tilt. Her silky-looking ebony locks were styled in a straight fall passed her shoulders. Her features were fine, almost fragile in her heart-shaped face. Her clear alabaster skin owed nothing to make-up.
“You do realize you’re staring, don’t you?” she asked softly, a slight smile curving her rose-toned lips.
He blinked, then blushed. No, he hadn’t. “You’re great to look at.”
Her husky chuckle caused a new stirring south of his brain. How could a girl who looked like that sound so sexy?
“Thank you – I think.”
“Well, lovely Emily, I was wondering why no one has asked you to dance.” He thought he caught a flash of sorrow before she schooled her face into an unemotional mask.
“Because I can’t.”
“Can’t? I can’t imagine any guy being afraid you’d crush his toes.”
“No, JC, I can’t dance as in impossible. I can’t walk.” Emily looked wistfully at the couple on the floor. She had loved dancing.
The longing was not missed on JC. “Dance with me, Emily.” JC stood up and extended a hand to her.
“I just told you—“
“Put your arms around my neck,” he commanded as he bent to put one arm along her back.
”Wha?…”
He slid his other arm under her knees and lifted her from the chair. She was so slight a good wind could blow her away, he thought as he strode to the dance floor.
Her arms went around his neck. “You’re crazy,” she murmured as he swayed with her to the slow music. “Thank you,” she whispered close to his ear, then she rested her head against his jaw.
JC smiled. “You’re welcome, Emily.” He ignored the curious and surprised stares of those around them. “How long has it been?”
“Since?”
“Since you could walk or dance.”
“Nineteen months, two weeks, six days…”
“What? No hours?”
Emily checked her watch. “Seventeen hours and close to twenty minutes.”
“How did it happen?”
“Hit and run.”
“I’m sorry, baby.” And he truly was.
“I look on the bright side. All he took was my legs. It could have been much worse.”
They fell silent for a moment, JC enjoyed the feel of her in his arms and she seemed to like being held. There was a rightness about it.
“Aren’t I getting heavy?”
“You hardly weigh a thing.”
“You smell good,” she commented baldly. His cologne was a clean blend of citrus and woodsy fragrances.
JC grinned at her. “So, do you.” Her scent was spicy and provocative, something he wouldn’t have expected from her. “Emily?”
“Hmm?”
“Can I call you?” The night was nearly over and he wanted a chance to get to know her.
“Are you asking for my number?”
“Yeah, that okay?”
“Sure. Okay.”
The slow set ended. For a moment, JC remained standing with her, not wanting to release her.
“Take me back to my seat, please,” Emily said.
By the time he placed her in her chair, a dark-haired man rolled in a wheelchair.
“Still want to leave, Em?” the man asked.
“Yes, Doug.” Emily reached for a small purse on the table. She pulled out a business card and handed it to JC. “I work out of my home, so that’s my telephone number and address.”
“I’ll call,” JC promised.
Emily caught hold of his tie and tugged his face down to her level. Her kiss was soft and sweet and tasted like more. “Nice to have met you.”
JC grinned as he straightened. “I’m glad we met, too.”