A Reunion And A Ring (Proposals & Promises 1)

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How could ten long years fall away in the space of only minutes? How could a decade of change and growth be forgotten with only the touch of a man’s hand, the warmth of his body next to hers? How could formerly hazy memories of long, passionate, wondrous nights be suddenly more real to her than the people surrounding them as Gavin took her in his arms on the dance floor?

Jenny closed her eyes with a touch of despair as the foolish questions flooded her mind, making her stumble a bit as he guided her into the dance. Opening her eyes and glancing up at him, she murmured an apology.

Stop this, Jenny. Stop it before you do something incredibly stupid.

“Stevie hasn’t really changed a bit, has she?” Gavin spoke with his mouth close to her ear to be heard over the music. His warm breath brushed her cheek, and she almost shivered, but managed to control herself.

“Of course she has. We’ve all changed in ten years.”

He eyed her a bit too closely, as if trying to read her expression. “Okay.”

“You’ve changed quite a bit, too,” she couldn’t help pointing out. “I’m sure some of your experiences as a police officer have left their mark on you, in addition to the scar on your shoulder.”

If he had other physical scars from his service, she hadn’t seen them, but then she’d been hesitant to look very closely. For various reasons.

“I’m sure you’re right,” he agreed equably. “It gets ugly at times.”

She had no doubt that was an understatement. Oddly enough, she was torn between wanting to hear more about his work and being reluctant to know the grim details. She shook her head. “The thing is, we’re all different now. We’ve all changed.”

“I’m kind of hoping that’s a positive thing.”

He was gazing into her eyes again, and once again her thoughts scattered. She tried desperately to keep them in line.

Sex, she told herself flatly. That was all this was about. She’d always had a somewhat primitive response to whatever pheromones Gavin put out, and apparently that was one thing that had not changed. It wasn’t as if she were unique in her response to him. Even women who looked quite happy to be with their own partners couldn’t help glancing Gavin’s way a time or two. There was something so very virile and masculine about him that no red-blooded woman of any age or eligibility status could help but notice.

Still, if he was getting ideas that there was still something between them, that their chance meeting at the cabin could lead to anything more, she needed to set him straight. Sure, they’d gotten along fine at the cabin, worked well as partners in cleaning up after the storm, shared a few meals. Shared an amazing kiss. But that was supposed to have been a kiss of goodbye, not the start of something new. And if she’d thought of that kiss a few times—more than few times—since, well, that, too, was only natural, right?

Perhaps a crowded dance floor wasn’t the ideal place to remind him that it was too late for them to try to recapture the past. It was bad enough that people who knew she was dating Thad were eyeing her curiously now, wondering about the identity of this sexy guy she was dancing with and talking with so intently. Did any of them know Thad well enough that they’d be on the phone to him soon, oh-so-casually asking if he knew what was going on? He wasn’t the jealous type, she acknowledged candidly, but she doubted he’d like being the subject of gossip.

Gavin’s hand moved at the small of her back, pressing very lightly inward to bring her an inch closer to him. She could have resisted; he didn’t hold her that tightly. But for just that one moment of weakness, she allowed her eyelids to go heavy, gave herself permission to simply enjoy the remainder of the dance without thought of what would come after. It was unlikely that she would ever dance with Gavin again. Might as well enjoy it while she could.

The music ended with a flourish of Joe’s bass guitar. Swallowing a regretful little sigh, she stepped back. “Gavin, do you think we could find someplace to talk? In private?”

Looking steadily at her, he nodded. “I think that can be arranged.”

She turned toward their table. Stevie had been joined by Sandy Powell and a couple of other women Jenny didn’t recognize, as well as two

guys who hung around the table, flirting, laughing. But she didn’t see Tess among the group. Was she still dancing with Glenn? No, there was Tess, hurrying toward them, a phone in her hand and a very familiar look on her face.

“I’m so sorry, Jenny.”

“Don’t tell me. His Majesty needs you again.”

Tess nodded somberly. “I’m afraid so. I have to leave. Do you want me to drop you off at your place on my way or...”

“I’ll drive her home,” Gavin cut in, his tone encouraging no argument.

Tess looked to Jenny for guidance.

Jenny moistened her lips. The thought of being driven home by Gavin made her entire body tighten with nerves. So many emotions still simmered between them. So many words that were probably best left unsaid after all these years. Yet, as she’d just told him, they needed to talk. Alone. She supposed this was as good a time as any.

She nodded. “That will be fine. Thank you, Gavin. Do what you have to do, Tess. But it wouldn’t hurt you to tell His Majesty that you deserve a night off every once in a while.”

“It’s not another break-in, is it?” Gavin asked with a frown, slipping into cop mode.

“No,” Tess assured him. “There’s been an incident at one of the job sites. My boss is out of town, and the foreman hasn’t been able to reach him. So they called me.”