When I’d seen his face in the crowd of duds, I’d latched on. Playing a little game of make believe in my head. That’s just something I do when I’m out and about and find myself in a less than ideal situation.
Like showing my ass in a crowd of strangers. But, it was for a good cause, well three really. One, raising money for kids who needed it, two, getting my designer lingerie in front of the right people and three, helping a friend out of a bind.
It was because of those three things, along with a few shots of tequila that I was here this evening. And the music hadn’t helped.
I don’t know what it is about certain songs that make me feel like a super woman. Like I can do anything and do it with perfection no less.
So when I’d seen his face, that handsome mug with the eyes that said, I’m it and I know it. I couldn’t help vamping it up. What was the harm? It’s not like I was ever going to see him again right.
And it didn’t hurt that he just kept getting hotter in my little fantasy of make believe. I’d already had him stripped and bound for my pleasure by the time I blew him that kiss.
I wasn’t feeling so sure of myself now though. It wasn’t because it was the pretty boy from the audience, no, it was the look in his eyes when he looked at me. Oh freaking hell!
I think my panties just melted right off. Now would be a good time for me to make my excuses and hightail it out of here. But somehow I couldn’t think of the right words to say. Maybe if he blinks and release me from his spell. Think Stephanie. You’re the one always being praised for coming up with the best ideas in a cinch. Nothing!
I don’t know how long I stood there, well bent mostly. It felt like a long time but I’m sure it was just seconds. Seconds that dragged on as I asked myself just what the hell I had gotten myself into.
I usually go for the boyish type, or they usually go for me. The ones that are looking for a mom away from home. I don’t know why that is, since in my fantasies all my men are powerfully sexy alpha males who take charge of me in every way. Oh hell!
He’s one of those men who ooze power, a rare breed indeed. And up this close, there was no need to guess what was going on beneath his suit jacket.
He was broad shouldered and it’s only because of the expensive cut of his clothes that I couldn’t make out more of his muscular physique. But his chest alone was enough to take me to my good place. Not quite happy, but well on my way there.
“Are you getting in Ms. Cross or no?” Dammit, he’s got the voice too. No fair!
“And what if I say no?” He didn’t answer but he didn’t have to. The look on his face said he had even less time for games than I did.
I swallowed hard and slid into the cool confines of the car in the seat across from him. I felt like I was on an interview, same nerves with just a little sexual tension to make me crazy. I don’t do well crazy, it always gets me into trouble. Big trouble.
Like the time I went skinny dipping in the Fontana Di Trevi on a dare. Come to think of it, Donna and Charlie as well as Wanda had been there then too. My friends! Always getting me into shit.
“And you are? You have me at a bit of a disadvantage.” I was trying hard not to forget that I’m a bad bitch with enough attitude for ten bleached, tanned and Botox riddled country-club housewives.
“Why don’t we get to that later. It’s a bit unconventional but I don’t usually tell people who I am on first acquaintance.” I squinted at him with a whole lot to say at the tip of my tongue. And yet somehow, nothing came.
It was his eyes, they seem to stop me in my tracks and I felt exposed whenever they flashed my way. Like now! Where did he learn to look at a woman like that?
He’d also stopped talking and now just watched me as he ran his forefinger back and forth along his upper lip, with his head angled to the side as if studying me.
"Anyone ever told you, you have the most disarming eyes?" Crap, did I mean to say that out loud? This guy would make a great cop. All he has to do is look at the suspect with that silent stare that seems to see more than the surface and they'd start telling on themselves.
“No!” Well damn! A girl is not supposed to cream on herself because of the tone of a man’s voice. Or get the sweet purr and tingles down below. There was a shit load of authority behind that one word. Authority is my weakness. I think I might be in trouble here.
Jonas
She’s even better up close and I’d already found her spectacular before. I still wasn’t sure why I’d done this. I could’ve easily bought a painting or something less earth shattering or life altering.
Was I so bored that I was looking for ways to shake things up? I had the feeling that she'd be good at that. Shaking things up. She certainly doesn't fit into any of my usual norms.
“I hear you’re worried about not being properly dressed for the dinner venue.” I stopped and studied her trying to second guess what move she was about to make after my little announcement.
"We'll do that tomorrow night or some other night of your choice. Tonight we’re having dinner at my penthouse in the city." I watched her swallow hard again and her fingers clenched into fists as if she was trying to keep herself from doing something. Like, reach for the door.
“And where is that exactly?”
“I won’t be telling you that either. Relax, your friend who organized the benefit tonight knows where you are. Well, to a point.” I hid the smile that wanted to escape at the look on her face.
“She might have to jump through hoops to find out who the silent bidder was, but I’m sure if you come up missing the cops would have no trouble getting that information.”
“You seem to know a lot about me, whereas I can know nothing about you. Come to think of it am I supposed to know you? You do look kind of familiar.”
I leaned forward with my hands clasped between my knees. “No! you’re not.” I smirked slightly at her reaction to me telling her no. It was only the second time I’d said the word to her tonight, but I was already picking up on some weird vibe.
Each time I said it, I noticed that the pulse in her neck would go wild. That show of vulnerability from the obviously very confident woman sparked something in me. I sat back and released the one button I’d left done on my suit jacket. It promised to be a long evening…and night hopefully.
I can usually tell within the first few minutes if it’s worth my time to pursue something or someone. It wouldn’t be the first time that I’d found myself attracted to someone only to be proved wrong.
If that had been the case here I would’ve easily dropped her off at her home and consider the five million well spent for a worthy cause. But now, I find myself actually looking forward to spending more time with her.
I opened one of the secret compartments and withdrew the bottle of Dom I had chilling there. I poured us both a glass and sat back after passing one to her.
“We should’ve arrived at my place by now, but I asked the driver to take us through the park. There are two reasons for this. One, to give the chef time to prepare a last minute meal, and two, to get you to relax."
I changed the windows from tinted to one-way glass with the touch of a button. "You can see out but they can't see in." I looked out the window with her taking in the early evening glow that fell over the top of the trees from the sun setting on the horizon in the late summer.
She was nervous but hiding it very well. She gave it away a little though when she drained her glass of thirty thousand dollar champagne in one gulp.
I poured her half a glass more and when she kept her glass held out with a raised brow was more than ready to give her the reason behind that decision.
“I’m going to fuck you tonight after I feed you. I don’t want alcohol to cloud your judgment or to be used as an excuse for your enjoyment after the fact.”
She pulled the glass back and stared at me as if I'd just cursed at her in a foreign language. “What? Who says I’m going to sleep with you?” I kept my eyes on that pulse in her throat.
“If you didn’t want to get fucked, then you shouldn’t have sent out an invitation.”
“What the hell are you talking about, what invitation?”
“Do not swear in my presence. I find such behavior crass in a woman.”
“Then you’re fuck outta luck because fuck is my second language.”
I smiled at her, the smile I know usually leaves people guessing. It’s usually reserved for the boardroom but this one seemed to think she could rival me and win.
She held my look defiantly, not knowing she was playing into my hands. This is just what I’d been missing, what I needed to bring me out of my state of ennui. I must remember to send mom a very nice bouquet to thank her for her persistence.
Once again, unlike most, she held my gaze, even though I could see the effort it cost her. Still, for doing something not many had dared in the lase five years or so, I silently applauded her.
I didn’t know I was looking for this kind of challenge until now. Maybe since I’d made it to the top financially, my brain and body had decided to conquer something else.
I felt the blood begin to sing and come alive beneath my skin. A challenge, just what I need. “Drink your champagne Stephanie, warm champagne leaves much to be desired.”