Satisfaction: The Collection

by Tori Scott

  "I don't know anything about this stuff, Cara. I mean, you set up seduction scenes for a living, but I don't have the first clue about how to seduce a man, especially not a man like Sam who can have just about any woman in the world." And therein lay the problem. Why would he want her when he could have someone like Beebe? Beebe was everything Reggie wasn't. Cultured, highly educated, sophisticated, and accepted by the people who mattered to Sam.

  "There's nothing you need to know. Just be yourself. You're a wonderful person, warm and caring. I think Sam will respond to that. He hasn't had much genuine caring in his life." Cara looked past Reggie and her eyes lit up. "Here they come. Now remember, relax. Don't try to seduce him, just be with him. The rest will come." She scooted back to her chair and lifted her face for Gray's kiss.

  Reggie felt a sharp pang of jealousy. Gray and Cara were so obviously in love. Their faces glowed with it. She glanced at Sam and saw him watching them, too. He looked almost…lonely. Cara was right. Sam had never really had anyone who genuinely cared about him. His parents were mostly interested in raising an heir, not a son. He'd had nannies, and George. And now Beebe. But she'd be willing to bet even Beebe was more interested in a merger than in love.

  When Sam sat down, Reggie kissed him on the cheek.

  He finally turned to look at her. "What was that for?"

  Reggie shrugged. "No reason. Just glad you're my friend."

  A slow smile spread across his face. He reached over and covered her hand with his. "Me too. Friends forever, right?"

  Darn it. That hadn't come across the way she wanted it to. Yes, she wanted to be his friend forever, but she wanted so much more than that. But all she could do was say, "Right." And then kick herself for giving him another out.

  ***

  "Are you ladies up for a night of dancing?" Gray held out his hand and Cara took it, letting him help her from the chair.

  "I would love to dance with you," she said. "But I can't guarantee I'll always let you lead."

  He grinned. "Boy, don't I know it. But that's okay. You're sexy when you take charge."

  They wandered away, leaving Sam to pull Reggie's chair back and help her up. There was that plunging back again, this time warm beneath his hand. He should pull back, let her go, but he kept his hand where it was to let the other men in the dining room know she was taken.

  Taken? By whom? Not him. He had no right to even think about staking a claim. They were friends, nothing more. But he needed to protect her, to keep her safe from a shipboard romance that might break her heart, right? So if all these guys believed she was his, where was the harm? It would keep them from approaching her, starting up something he wouldn't let them finish.

  They followed Gray and Cara, staying back far enough to give them a sense of privacy. The two walked close together, heads nearly touching. Gray's arm was around her waist, and her arm around his. They looked like they were so much in love, but Sam knew love was a myth the middle class used to justify their poorly thought out choices in a mate. A truly successful union involved an equal partnership of intelligence, social standing, breeding, and education.

  At least on those points, Gray and Cara seemed to have a lot in common, so maybe their union would last despite the odds. So many didn't these days. His parents remained married for over thirty years before dying in a plane crash, proof that a marriage of partnership worked.

  "They look so happy, don't they?" Reggie said. "I hope I find someone who will love me as much as Gray loves Cara."

  "Everyone looks happy in the beginning. It's over the long haul that the giddy feelings fade and people need a solid foundation to build on."

  "That's true, but without that feeling of loving someone so much you're willing to sacrifice everything for them, even your life if necessary, you have nothing to get you through the hard times."

  "So you're still a hopeless romantic, huh? I thought you were smarter than that." Sam knew she dreamed of finding her "soul mate" as she called it. He'd heard her talk about it back in high school. Fairy tales, if you asked him. But she hadn't, so he didn't try to enlighten her. She'd find out soon enough that life didn't play out like a romance novel.

  "Guilty as charged," Reggie said with a smile. "My mom and dad have the most amazing marriage. They still cuddle and kiss and hold hands, even after all these years. They love being together. That's what I want. And I'm determined to find it."

  The conversation was beginning to bother him, though he wasn't sure why. The idea of Reggie and some random guy…what if he wasn't good enough for her? What if he hurt her?

  And why was he even thinking about it?

  Gray led Cara to the outdoor theater and ushered her to a seat on the front row.

  "Hey, I thought we were going dancing?" Reggie looked confused as Sam led her to a seat next to Cara.

  "We are, in a little while," he whispered into her ear. "Gray has a surprise for Cara first."

  A few minutes later Cara looked up as three new arrivals joined them. "Mom! Angel! What are y'all doing here? And Mitch?" She turned to Gray. "What's going on here?"

  He put a finger to his lips and said, "Shhh. The show's starting."

  A minute later, Gray appeared on the screen. He held a small blue box in his hand and got down on one knee. He said, "Caramia, my love, my heart. I've waited fifteen years for this day. Please don't make me wait any longer. Marry me, Cara. I love you, and I will never, ever leave you. Please say you will."

  When the cheers of the small crowd gathered around died down, Gray knelt in front of Cara and opened the box in his hand. "Cara, will you marry me?"

  Sam tensed. Would she say yes, or would she run? For his friend's sake, he hoped the answer would be…

  "Yes! Oh, yes, of course. I love you so much!" And then Cara was in Gray's arms.

  Beside him, Reggie sniffed. "Darn it, I don't have a tissue."

  Sam fished a pristine white handkerchief from his back pocket and handed it to her.

  "Isn't that just the most romantic thing you've ever seen?" She sighed and clutched the handkerchief against her chest, an indulgent smile on her face as she watched Gray place an engagement ring on Cara's finger.

  Then Reggie punched him. "I can't believe you kept this a secret. Why didn't you tell me this was going to happen tonight?"

  Sam rubbed his arm. Reggie could pack quite a punch. "Because Gray told me in confidence. He didn't want to risk spoiling the surprise." He frowned. "I tried to talk him into waiting until he could get her to sign a pre-nup, but he wouldn't listen."

  "You did what?" And then she punched him again.

  "What was that for? There's nothing wrong with a pre-nup. It makes perfectly good business sense."

  Reggie rounded on him and put her hands on her hips. "Marriage is not a business, damn it. I don't care what your parents told you, or what your so-called friends think, marriage is about love. If it isn't, you're better off single." She turned and walked away, back rigid.

  Damn, she had a beautiful back.

  ***

  Reggie made a concentrated effort to tamp down her irritation with Sam long enough to offer her sincere congratulations to Cara and Gray. She wouldn't let them see how upset she was, not when they were so happy. But she had some serious thinking to do.

  "I'm so happy for you both," she told them. "You're perfect for each other."

  "Don't they make a beautiful couple?" Cara's mother beamed at them. "And Gray has grown up to be such a gentleman. I always knew he'd make something of himself."

  Reggie bit back a grin when Cara rolled her eyes. While her mother had liked Gray, she'd told Cara many times that she could do better.

  "So the three of you were in on the secret?" Reggie asked, slightly annoyed that Gray had kept the proposal secret from her but not Cara's mother and sister and his cousin.

  "Oh, no. Gray just sent us tickets, but he didn't say why. He only made us promise to hide out in our rooms for the first two days. That was so hard when we wanted to get o
ut and join in the activities. " Cara's mother looked over at Angel, Cara's sister. "Though that was probably a good idea. The next few days should be very interesting if Angel has to be anywhere near Mitchell. She can't stand him."

  "Really? Why not?" Reggie didn't know Mitch very well, but he'd always seemed like a very solid, level-headed guy. A lot like Gray, in fact.

  "I have no idea." Cara's mother looked perplexed. "He seems like a very nice young man."

  It wasn't really any of Reggie's business, but it did make her curious. She'd have to ask Cara about it later. The group was moving toward the ballroom and she hurried to catch up with Sam. Though she was still irritated with him, she wasn't going to miss this opportunity to finally dance with him.

  The sounds of disco music swelled and faded as people entered and left the ballroom. Reggie's hands were damp from nerves and she resisted the temptation to wipe them on her dress. Where were her jeans when she needed them? She knew how to act in jeans. She didn't know how to act dressed like this.

  Gray and Cara led the way and Sam was deep in conversation with Mitch. Reggie fell into step beside Angel. "So, I bet this was all a big surprise, huh?"

  Angel glanced at Mitch. "Oh, yeah. I kind of figured out what was going on with Gray and Cara, but I never expected to see Gray's cousin here. I wouldn't have come."

  "Really?" Reggie couldn't keep the surprise from her voice. "Why not? Is there a problem between you two?"

  "You could say that." Angel hurried to catch up with her mother and left Reggie to walk alone.

  Sam looked back and saw her, said something to Mitch, and dropped back to join her. "Lots of tension between those two. I don't know what Gray was thinking, inviting them."

  "I suspect he and Cara are matchmaking. They want everyone to be as happy as they are." Reggie did too. Especially Sam. For all his privileged upbringing, he'd had little joy and fun in his life.

  "Well, let's forget about them for tonight. I'm ready to dance. Are you?"

  Reggie smiled. "Somehow I don't think this is the kind of dancing you're used to, but yeah. I'm ready."

  Sam placed a hand on her back as they walked into the room. Warmth spread outward from where he touched her. The air conditioning made her shiver, or at least that's the excuse she'd give him if he noticed. But other than a smile, he made no indication that he'd felt anything. Darn him.

  Gray waved from a large table at the edge of the dance floor. Bottles of champagne and crystal flutes warred with a large bouquet of flowers for space on the polished surface.

  "Wow," Reggie said as she took her seat. "How did you score the best table and all this so fast?"

  "All part of the engagement package. And tomorrow we'll have engagement photos done and a romantic dinner for two." Cara beamed and admired the diamond ring on her left hand. "It all still feels like a dream, but oh my God, I'm so happy."

  Gray kissed the top of Cara's head and drew her close.

  Reggie felt that pang of yearning again, the one she felt every time she witnessed the love between her two best friends.

  Would she ever find that for herself?

  Sam leaned over and asked, "Do you know how to dance to this stuff?"

  "Stuff? You mean disco? Of course. You don't?"

  He shook his head. "Not a clue."

  Reggie stood and scooted her chair back. "Well, now's as good a time as any to learn." She grabbed Sam's hand and tugged him after her. When they reached the dance floor, she saw that Gray and Cara had followed them. Angel, Mrs. Kensington, and Mitch remained at the table.

  Sam headed for a spot near the back of the dance floor, away from the tables. "I am completely out of my element here. You're going to have to teach me the steps."

  "It's easy. Watch." Reggie showed him the basic steps to the Hustle. "Okay, just do what I do. Take three steps back…"

  Sam was a quick study, probably thanks to the formal dance lessons he'd endured during his teens. She could remember his complaints about having to go to class when they were going to the movies or bowling.

  As he mastered each set of steps, she added new ones, until he had it down and they were dancing as though they'd done it together for years.

  And then the band switched to a slow dance.

  Reggie groaned. She'd never been very good at the slow stuff. She had a tendency to want to lead. But Sam was a strong partner and he led with such confidence that she found herself following without difficulty. Other than finding it hard not to nuzzle her nose against his neck and breathe in the ridiculously expensive after shave he wore, that is.

  Her cheek rested against his shoulder, her head tucked just under his chin. She could feel the fluid movement of tight muscles under her cheek, the warmth of his breath as it brushed her skin. One of his hands covered hers and held it firmly against his chest . The other hand rested at the base of the open back of her dress. She'd never felt so content.

  "I can't believe we've never done this before, " Sam said.

  "Mmmm. It does seem like a shame. You dance very well."

  "All those years of lessons paid off, I guess."

  One finger dipped under her dress to caress the curve of her hip. She snuggled in closer.

  "So why didn't we ever dance together?"

  Reggie wasn't sure what to say. She'd wanted to dance with him, but he'd always brought those society girls to the dances, and the girls always looked at her and her friends with such disdain that Reggie had made no attempt to break in. "I guess the timing just wasn't right."

  A second finger slipped below her dress. "I'm glad it's right, finally. If only for the next two weeks."

  The band finally took a break and they went back to the table, where a waiter was pouring the champagne. Once they each had a glass, Mitch stood and toasted the newly engaged couple.

  "May we all find the kind of love and happiness Gray and Cara have found in each other. The kind built on friendship, respect, and faithfulness that will last a lifetime."

  They clinked glasses and Reggie took a sip.

  Sam winked at her, nearly causing her to choke. Now what was that all about?

  Cara and Gray made their excuses and returned to their suite. Reggie and Sam said good night to the others and took a stroll along the upper deck, stopping to admire the myriad of stars shining above. "Absolutely breathtaking," Reggie sighed.

  "Yes, it is."

  Reggie looked up at Sam and saw that he wasn't looking at the sky at all, but at her butt. "I meant the sky, pervert."

  Sam grinned. "Takes one to know one."

  "Oh, the things I could show you. You have no idea."

  "Show me."

  Reggie laughed, but Sam wasn't smiling.

  He looked into her eyes. "Show me."

  "You're serious."

  "Dead serious."

  Reggie wanted him. With every part of her heart and soul. But not like this. Not without something more than just temporary lust. She had to get this conversation back on a lighter footing. "Sorry, you don't get the perv without trying the normal first."

  "I can do normal."

  "Yeah, well we don't know each other well enough yet."

  Sam turned her to face him and nudged a knee between her legs. "We've known each other forever, Reg."

  She reached up to cup his cheek. "We've been friends forever. But we don't really know each other. You have no idea who I am, and I don't know who you are, either. Not really. I don't know your dreams and hopes, I don't know what makes you happy or sad. I don't know where this is going. Is this a shipboard attraction that will go away when we get home, or is there a chance for us? Are you just looking for a one night stand, or do you want more?"

  He looked away, obviously uncomfortable. "Don't make the invitation more than it is. We're both adults, attracted, and old enough to indulge that attraction. We're not talking about any more than that."

  Reggie pulled out of his grasp. "Then that shows exactly how little you know about me. Because I need a lot more than th
at to get me into bed with a man. Even you. Good night, Sam."

  She turned and walked away, head high, and didn't look back.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Even you. What was that supposed to mean? He'd obviously read her signals all wrong, and he was usually pretty good at knowing when a woman wanted him.

  Where had he gone wrong?

  Frustrated, not ready to go to bed, Sam headed for the casino. He could use the chance to brush up on his poker skills, so that maybe he could beat Gray someday. He yanked the bow tie from his neck and shoved it into his pocket as he jogged down the stairs. Damn thing felt like it was about to strangle him. Strange, since he wore them on a regular basis. Must be because he didn't tie it right without George there to help him. Maybe he should have brought him along instead of giving him the time off.

  But he was rather proud of himself. He'd managed to dress himself in formal attire without incident, had found his shaving gear without help, and had even turned down his own bed the night before. He did miss George, though. Missed having someone to hang up his clothes, fix his drink, lay out his clothes for the next day.

  Good Lord. He'd become his father.

  On that miserable thought, he drank steadily while losing just as steadily at poker. When Mitch and Angel walked in, he used them as an excuse to leave the table and stop his losing streak.

  His words slurred only slightly and he barely stumbled as he made his way to the slot machines where they'd settled in to play. "Well, well. Fancy seeing you here. I thought you two would have retreated from the fray for the night."

  Mitch gave him a warning look. "We weren't quite ready for bed this early. Where's Reggie?"

  "I think she returned to her suite. Something I said, I guess." Sam turned to Angel. "You're looking particularly beautiful tonight, Angel. Can I buy you a drink?"

  Angel shook her head. "I don't drink. And you look like you've had enough."

  Sam wavered on his feet, then recovered. "I'm fine. Just drowning my sorrows. Maybe you'd like to join me for a swim? I think it would help me clear my head."

  Mitch stood and took Sam by the arm, leading him away from Angel. "I don't know what's up with you, Sam. You're Gray's best friend, so I'm going to assume this is a temporary aberration, but I'm warning you. Stay away from Angel."