Page 28 of One Night with the Doctor

Brent eyed him speculatively. ‘Callie, huh?’

Sebastian shrugged. ‘She’s the colleague of mine I was telling you about this afternoon.’

‘Ah.’ Brent nodded slowly like things were clicking into place. ‘Curious you never mentioned how gorgeous she was.’ He drained the dregs of his beer. ‘Come on, introduce me.’

Sebastian resisted Brent’s urging. ‘I thought some hot babe gave you her room number this afternoon?’

Brent winked. ‘You know I never pass up an opportunity to meet a beautiful woman. Unless…’ Brent raised an eyebrow ‘I’m trespassing?’

Sebastian thought how furious Callie would be to be talked about like she was some chattel to be traded. ‘For God’s sake, Brent, she’s not a piece of land,’ he said, more sharply than he’d planned.

‘All righty, then.’ Brent grinned. ‘I’ll take that as a yes. Now I definitely want to meet her.’

Sebastian followed him reluctantly, snagging another beer from a passing waiter – he was going to need something to get through watching Brent unleash his considerable charm on Callie. He hadn’t met one woman yet who’d been able to resist the whole tall, dark and handsome thing Brent had going on.

‘Excuse me, Callie,’ Sebastian said as he approached and attention turned their way. ‘I’d like you to meet an old friend of mine, Brent Cartwright.’

She smiled brilliantly at Brent driving a hot spike of jealousy between Sebastian’s ribs.

‘Pleased to meet you, Brent,’ she said, offering her hand.

‘My pleasure,’ he murmured, shaking the proffered hand. ‘Seb tells me you work together.’

‘That’s right,’ she confirmed, her expression neutral.

Sebastian kept his expression just as neutral as Brent entertained Callie in that effortless way of his, aware that despite the dresses and the tuxedos, they were still surrounded by colleagues and this was a professional gathering.

She was delivering a paper tomorrow so looking at her with frank, hungry eyes was inappropriate.

But occasionally, when the conversation involved him, her gaze strayed in his direction, flicking over the jacket of his tuxedo and lingering on his shoulders and his throat. And that’s when things got really heated, when he felt the hunger in him reflected in her and his façade slipped again for a beat or two.

It was a relief to be called to dinner especially given they’d been seated at different tables. Hopefully he could relax and enjoy the evening now. The company was fun and the surroundings were sumptuous with the ballroom transformed into a teeming jungle complete with greenery and live, lush tropical blooms.

Myriad fairy lights amidst the foliage gave it an other-world feel as did the candles and frilly orchids arranged into masterful centrepieces on the tables. They reminded Sebastian of the hem on Callie’s dress and their wild heady aroma reminded him of rain dripping off leaves, damp earth and hot, sweaty sex.

Unfortunately for him, Callie’s table was opposite which meant every time he looked up, she was in his direct line of sight. All tall and curvy and sexy, looking at him when she thought he wasn’t watching. Undressing him with her eyes.

It was crazy. And a total turn-on.

Business, he told herself. Business. Business. Business.

But it was hard to listen to the MC’s prattle with his attention straying a little too often. When the auction commenced he bid on everything because it gave him something to do with his brain and his hands that didn’t involve dragging Callie upstairs and getting her out of that dress.

But every now and then a glint would catch his eye – a twinkle of an earring, a glimmer at her neck as the flame from a table candle caused the jewellery to flash like a beacon – and he glanced over. Then their gazes would lock and he had absolutely no doubt from the flare in her amber eyes that he was as naked in her head as she was in his.

By the time dessert was served, Sebastian was about at the end of his rope. So too, it seemed was Callie, as she stood and left the table. Sebastian assumed she was going to the restrooms but when she sailed past and made for the exit, so did he.

She was at the lifts by the time Sebastian caught her up. ‘Are you okay?’ he asked.

She punched at the button wildly, giving him a tight smile. ‘I have a really bad headache.’

Her cheeks were flushed and her eyes glittered with something that could be fever but Sebastian doubted it. Not a normal fever, anyway. A sexual one? Absolutely. ‘I have some medication in my room,’ he offered.

Her mouth parted as their eyes met and Sebastian could see she was picking up what he was putting down. And it wasn’t the offer of some paracetamol and a cold compress.

‘I’ll be fine.’ She pressed the button again.

‘Let me come with you.’