Ben and Catherine shared impressed looks and made their way to the small office next to the banquet room. Ben saw threedies leaning over a desk reviewing some kind of checklist. They looked up with bright smiles as Catherine swept into the room. She immediately gave them all big hugs and congratted them on the fabulous job they’d done on making the room look stunning. They turned to Ben and Catherine made the introductions.


    The tall very slim blonde hiding behind her oversized sses was Ingrid. Catherine exined that logistics was her specialty. Her yellow blond tresses fell a little past her shoulders and she wore a pretty pale green dress with matching shoes. When Ben shook her hand she was blushing and trembling so he immediately recognized her shyness. He’d been the same way through high school. He gave her hand a sympathetic squeeze before he moved to the next introduction.


    Darcy was just a little taller than Tina. Catherine said she was in charge of the finances for the dinner and tracking the donations as well. The woman wore her brown hair very short and she carried a little too much weight on her small frame. Her eyes positively gleamed as she ran them over Ben’s body. She boldly asked Ben to save a few dances for her and Ingrid blushed at her audacity to say such a thing in front of their boss. Darcy justughed at Ingrid’s expression and straightened her low cut strapless blue dress to more favorably present ‘the girls’ for Ben’s enjoyment. Ben blushed too which surprised Ingrid.


    Ashanti was a lovely woman in her mid-thirties with skin the color of dark chocte. She entuated her skin with a gorgeous ivory colored dress which seemed to sweep around her slim body. She was apparently the designer of the group and had been primarily responsible for the look of the event. She rolled her eyes at Darcy’s antics. Both Darcy and Ashanti wore wedding bands though Ingrid did not.Content held by N?velDrama.Org.


    After Catherine thanked them again Ashanti pulled her aside to whisper something in her ear. The smile dimmed on Catherine’s face but she patted her assistant’s hand. She and Ben returned to the reception area in the hall outside of the banquet room.


    She looked at Ben’s questioning nce and smiled. “It’s fine. Ashanti was just telling me about ast minute guest. An old nemesis of minee to gloat over how her charity collected more in pledges than mine. The woman is tiresome. The charities are not apetition but she always finds a way to spoil the mood. Not this time! I don’t care what she made. We had a very good year and with tonight’s turn out we surpassedst year’s pledges. Oh! Pardon me Ben, I have to go speak with that couple. I’ll introduce you to themter, I just need have a private word with them.”


    Ben nodded and watched her move quickly and gracefully across the room to catch the eye of an older, white haired couple. Left to himself he looked around and saw the three assistantsing into the hall. He wanted to have a quick word with them so he caught their eye.


    Catherine was glowing with happiness. Dinner had been delicious and well received by everyone she spoke with. She’d circted during dinner to see how everyone was doing and once the meal was over she introduced Ben to a number of her favorite patrons. She’d even managed to avoid her nemesis. The dancing began shortly afterwards and Ben had practically swept her off her feet on the dancefloor. She was having a marvelous time. Theirst dance was a slow number and Ben felt so good pressed up against her. Especially when he started to react to her.


    As they returned to their table their path was suddenly blocked by a tall raven haired woman in an elegant ck and white striped cocktail dress. Her smile was as fake as her breasts which appeared to be attempting to escape by floating up out of her dress.


    Cat sighed and resigned herself to listening to the pompous airbag’s gloating. It didn’t really matter as nothing was going to spoil this night for her.


    “Catherine, darling! So good to finally catch you as you scurry around your little fundraiser.” the woman said with a light but condescending tone.


    She saw Ben’s hackles go up and ced a hand on the big man’s arm. He immediately rxed.


    “Hello Jacqueline. So d you coulde.”


    “Oh I wouldn’t miss it for the world, dear! And who is this fine fellow escorting you tonight? He’s new! I don’t believe I’ve ever met him at any of your previous parties or mine for that matter.” The woman was devouring Ben with her eyes and he found it more than a little disturbing. Wait… did she just suggest he was a male escort?


    “Ben Shepherd, this is Jacqueline Forrester. She heads up the Heaven’s Heralds Foundation. Their fund raising sponsors the building of Christian churches and schools in viges in Africa. Ben is my neighbor and very good friend.” Catherine said with a smile.


    Jacqueline had been unabashedly enjoying the view of Ben’s physique and her eyes widened with excitement when she caught the outline of his prominent bulge. She looked back up to Ben’s eyes and her smile trembled a little as Catherine’s words finally sunk in. “Your… neighbor?”


    “Right next door. For years.” he said, his tone making it clear he wasn’t pleased with her assumption.


    Jacqueline’s face flushed and her mouth worked as she tried to think of a way out of her gaff. It was Catherine who came to her rescue.


    “I understand congrattions are in order. You’re charity is poised to be nominated as top fundraiser again this year. That will be ten years in a row! Very impressive!” she said with a genuine smile.


    Jacqueline seized the lifeline and gushed her thanks to the woman.


    Ashanti arrived at Catherine’s elbow and whispered something in her ear.


    “I’m sorry, I have to go speak with Darcy. If you will excuse me for a minute.” She squeezed Ben’s hand then slipped away.


    Ben was left facing the woman whose face had returned to a look of embarrassment. The music started again and though he didn’t recognize the piece Ben thought he had a way out of the awkwardness. “Would you care to dance?”


    Jacqueline smiled and Ben led her to the floor. Just as they arrived the music’s beat slowed and they realized it was going to be a slow number. Once more the woman’s face flushed. Ben just took her hand, pulled her in and they moved with the others.


    The dancefloor was full so they had to stay fairly close. This led to unintentional brushes against each other’s body. Jacqueline’srge breasts pressed against Ben’s chest and asionally her leg would bump into Ben’s straining erection. More people joined the dancefloor and Ben found himself holding Jacqueline up against his body to avoid bumping into the other dancers. The woman was beginning to look a little ssy eyed and her breathing was getting heavier though she tried to maintain her poise.


    Ben was getting worried that Jacqueline might pass out so he made to lead them from the dancefloor but the woman pulled him back with an almost frantic shake of her head and a quick smile to show she was fine. She began to grind against his erection subtly as they danced. Her face was flushed and her breathing was rough.


    Then the music stopped and the lights brightened slightly. Ben pulled away and Jacqueline made an unconscious whining sound. A spot light lit up the stage and Catherine’s assistants were standing together.


    Darcy had the microphone. “Excuse me everyone, excuse me? We just have one brief announcement then everyone can get back to the dancing. We have the final results of this year’s fund raising. Due to tonight’s excellent turnout and ast minute anonymous donation of $300, 000 we have surpassedst year’s record. We’ve also catapulted into first ce amongst all local charities! Thank you so much!”


    There was a huge surge of apuse and the crowd parted as Catherine walked up to Ben with tears in her eyes. Ben picked her up in his arms and hugged her tight. She burst into tears andughter and kissed him. She knew who the anonymous donor was.


    Jacqueline was stunned. The delicious tingle of her imminent orgasm suddenly vanished and her face lost all expression. She watched the woman she hade to crush steal away her victory. She struggled to control her emotions. She desperately wanted to scream and attack the blonde in the big man’s arms but instead she forced a gracious if trembling smile on her face and joined the apuse.


    Ben gently set Catherine back on her feet and they turned to face the people around them. She shook the hands of many of her guests until she was facing Jacqueline.


    “I guess congrattions are actually owed to you tonight Catherine.” Jacqueline ground out through her teeth and fake smile.


    “Thank you so much Jacqueline! Sorry for breaking your winning streak but there’s no shame in being number 2.” she replied with a giggle. Ben was behind her and wrapped his arms around her to give her another huge hug and Catherine’s eyes lit up as she felt his stiffness pressed against her ass. She gasped and smiled at Jacqueline. “I guess I should thank you for keeping Ben all charged up for me. I’m going to enjoy that, all night long.” she said with a wicked grin as she pressed back against him.


    It was too much for Jacqueline whose smile finally cracked. She nodded, spun and stiffly marched away.