Seducing The Boss (Pulse #2) - Mari Carr Page 0,56

the room. Jealousy was a new emotion for him, but now that he’d discovered it, he found it nearly impossible to control when it came to her.

Sara’s voice was warm and inviting as she spoke into the microphone. “I’d like to take this opportunity to welcome everyone to the Midsummer’s Night Gala. As you know, all the proceeds raised from tonight’s event will benefit the Fairmont Free Medical Clinic. The clinic has been operating in the Southampton area since 1998. But it wouldn’t exist if not for the generous donations from people like you.”

Sara spent the next few minutes describing what the clinic did and sharing some statistics about their clientele. She then told a touching story about one of their patients and how the clinic saved her life. Kellan hung on her every word, drawn in by her conviction, her determination to keep the clinic running so that even the poorest of people could receive the health care they deserved.

He’d seen that same fortitude in her eyes when she talked about the emergency room, about why it was vital that people receive not only fast care, but good care.

As she wrapped up her speech, she thanked the businesses and individuals who had donated the items that would be auctioned off during the course of the evening. Then she invited everyone to dance and enjoy the hors d’oeuvres.

When she left the podium, she returned to a table near the front, where Gabriel was waiting for her. Kellan’s fists clenched when the other man leaned close and kissed her. Once again, he noticed the way her cheeks didn’t flush with arousal the way they did whenever Kellan kissed her.

He didn’t want to ruin this night for her, but he was having a hard time keeping his distance. Now that he’d finally managed to open his freaking eyes and admit what he wanted, it was taking all the strength he possessed not to go for it. He’d come here determined to make things right, to apologize for the pain he had caused her and to beg for another chance.

Sara was angry with him after the way he’d left things at Score, and rightly so. He owed her a big apology, and he hoped she’d give him a chance to tell her what he should have said then. He’d practiced the words the entire way over here. Telling a woman he loved her wasn’t something he had much experience with. In fact, he hadn’t said those words since college—to Jenna—and as he looked back now, he realized what he’d thought was love then didn’t even begin to touch what he felt for Sara.

Glancing around at the packed room, he suddenly questioned the wisdom of coming clean to her about his feelings here. Sara didn’t care for scenes. And chances were good he was about to make a big one. His patience was in tatters, his hands were trembling, and the warmth of the room was starting to get to him.

Jesus. He was nervous. So much for Mr. Cool, Calm, and Collected.

Time to make a move. He’d congratulate her on the evening and keep things light and pleasant, try to feel her out and analyze exactly how pissed off she still was. From there, he’d figure out his next move. And try not to punch that smug smile off Gabriel’s face.

He spotted his opportunity when Gabriel excused himself. Kellan plucked two glasses of champagne from a passing waiter and approached her.

“Sara.”

She glanced up in surprise, and he tried not to grin when her eyes traveled over his tux-clad figure. She wasn’t the only one who had taken special pains to look good tonight.

“Enjoying the view?” he teased.

She scowled, and he took a great deal of pleasure in the pink that tinged her cheeks. It wasn’t anger fueling the color. Thank God. Physical attraction was something he understood, something he could work with. “What are you doing here? I let you off the hook.”

He nodded toward the French doors that opened onto the patio and beyond that a large grassy area surrounded by gardens with several private paths. “Can I talk to you a minute? Outside.”

She sighed. “I’m here with Gabriel. I’m sure anything you need to say you can say right here.”

He shook his head. “Five minutes, Sara. That’s all I’m asking for.”

She glanced over her shoulder, and he followed her gaze to Gabriel. The man was deep in conversation with some colleague, another pediatric doctor Kellan recognized from the hospital.

“Kellan—” She was digging