Page 52 of Do Opposites Attract?

‘None taken,’ Frederick murmured, eyeing up his rival.

‘Is it serious?’ Henry was looking at her rather oddly and Brianna’s heart sank. Bugger, she’d been right. He was jealous.

‘As I said, it’s early days, but I’m not planning on looking elsewhere.’ Disappointment weaved across Henry’s face and for a moment Brianna felt a flicker of sympathy for him. Then Mitch glanced over and caught her gaze. He didn’t smile, just regarded her steadily with his deep brown eyes.

Abruptly he turned and said something to the soundman before walking purposefully towards her. She watched as he took in her friends, his glance drifting over Henry and Frederick. By the time he reached her, his eyes were glinting possessively. Before she had a chance to make any introductions, Mitch’s hand moved to circle her waist and he proceeded to give her the type of kiss that should really be conducted in private.

‘Mitch,’ she said breathlessly when he slowly drew away. ‘I want you to meet some of my friends.’ She made the introductions, very much aware of the different reactions from the two sexes. The girls became giggly, as girls often do when faced with an alpha male. Frederick and Henry became wary and aloof.

‘Pleased to meet you.’ Mitch shook hands with the men, but his expression was as cool as theirs.

Men were so silly, Brianna thought. They became all territorial when faced with other men. It was like watching the gladiators of old, eyeing each other up before a fight.

‘You’ll have to excuse us folks,’ Brianna interrupted the male posturing. ‘I need to make sure this man is ready to deliver his pre-dinner speech. We’ll catch up with you later.’

Taking Mitch by the hand, Brianna led him over to the entrance of the ballroom. ‘What was all that about?’ she asked when they were out of earshot.

‘All what?’ he asked innocently.

‘You know. If you were a bird your feathers would be all puffed up by now.’

He shrugged dismissively. ‘I know Frederick was the one you kissed at the party I missed, but where does Henry come in? He looked like he wanted me dead.’

Brianna stopped, turned and slid into Mitch’s arms. ‘He’s just a friend. I think he harbours feelings towards me, but I can assure you they aren’t returned. I’m only interested in you, Mitch. Only you.’ She kissed him softly. ‘And now I’m afraid I’ve got to be the charming hostess. Do you want to come with me to meet and greet, or do you want to escape for a while?’

‘Escape.’ He gave her a wry grin.

‘Okay, but make sure you’re back for your speech. You’re sitting next to me on the first table. You’ll be talking as soon as everyone sits down, before the starter is served.’

‘Better hope I don’t put them off their meal then.’ He gave her a kiss on the cheek, and disappeared down the hallway.

* * *

Mitch’s heart was pounding as he walked up to the microphone. The ballroom full of guests, bedecked in their finery, turned expectantly to watch him. His final thought,before he launched into his speech, was stuff them. If they didn’t like what he had to say, at least he wouldn’t have to do it again.

‘You’re ten years old. It’s dark, almost black. You can only just see your hand in front of you. You’re trapped. Can’t move your legs. You reach out and feel a lump of concrete. It’s lying across you. When you try and breathe, your chest tightens in agony. Your eyes become more accustomed to the light and you make out your mother, on her back, blood pouring from her head. You scream her name, but she doesn’t reply. Nobody does. You hear the sound of creaking and notice the place that was once your front room is now destroyed. The ceiling has caved, the walls crumbled, debris is everywhere. A baby cries. Your little sister. You try to move towards her but you can’t. Terrified, you claw at the concrete slabs pinning you down, but you’re too weak to move them. You scream again, but nobody replies. Your heart clutches in terror. You’re going to die here, all alone. You cry.’

Mitch broke off to survey the ballroom, noticing with grim satisfaction that he had their full attention. He’d decided only that morning he wasn’t going to stand there and spout facts and figures. He wanted to let them know what it was like for some people in the real world. For those not safely cocooned in their mansion houses.

‘This is how I found Ari, following an earthquake in Java. He was one of the lucky ones. We were able to save both him and his sister, though sadly their parents were both dead when we arrived. Ari sends a card to Medic SOS every Christmas, thanking us for saving his life. The more money we have, the more lives like Ari’s we can save. Thank you for listening.’

He moved away from the microphone and started to walk back to his chair. The applause began as a ripple and ended as a deafening crescendo. People were out of their chairs, standing to clap him. He halted, stunned by the reaction. He had hopedto make them listen, to make them understand. He hadn’t dared to consider they might appreciate his efforts. As shock slowly turned to embarrassment, he raised a hand in thanks and strode back to his place next to Brianna.

He noticed tears in her eyesas she grasped his arm with one hand and laid the other tenderly on his cheek. ‘Wow, my hero.’

Mitch sat down with a thud, his ego considerably swollen and his body a lot more relaxed than when he’d arrived. He took a huge gulp of wine and turned to accept the thanks of the woman sitting on his other side. Perhaps, against the odds, he might enjoy the evening.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Mitch watched the dancers glide skilfully across the ballroom floor. He stood alone, having politely turned down Melanie’s request for a dance. He didn’t know how to waltz. It hadn’t been high on the list of essential learning at the inner city school he’d gone to. Over the years he’d managed to adopt a passable shuffle, but he’d decided not to risk standing on Melanie’s toes tonight. So he contented himself with watching. His eyes were fixed on Brianna, dancing with a tall, grey-haired man who was making her laugh. He felt a tug of jealousy, even though the man looked old enough to be her father. Perhaps he was her father.

The feeling of possessiveness that gripped him whenever he looked at her wasn’t something he’d ever experienced before. He didn’t like it, didn’t want it but, infuriatingly, he couldn’t seem to stop it. Was this what love felt like? He’d never really understood what it meant, but was very much afraid he was teetering on the edge of it. If he wasn’t careful, he might fall into it without even realising. The advantages it might bring were all too clear as he gazed at the bewitching sight of Brianna, but the reality was it would end in pain. On both sides. He knew damn well he wasn’t cut out for a close, caring relationship. Least of all with a woman who had more class in her little finger than he could hope to achieve in a lifetime. The question was, did he have enough strength to pull away?

At last she made her way towards him, almost gliding across the room, her smile bright, her eyes dancing. He realised she was in her element. Amongst her friends, in opulent surroundings, the centre of attention. So far removed from his own comfort zone it was laughable. She wound an arm around his waist, appearing not to notice his discomfort.

‘Are you enjoying yourself?’

He chose not to reply. Instead his eyes focused on a slender, older, striking-looking woman who was coming towards them. Brianna’s mother. He’d met her once before, when she’d visited the Medic SOS offices. Not that she’d probably remember him. ‘Does your mother know about you and me?’ he asked, nodding over in her mother’s direction. As he said the words, he felt Brianna’s arm slip from his waist. He had his answer.

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