Just One Night. Part 1 (8 page)

She lowers her head, her finger still propping up her nostrils, and lifts her glass very high.

I stare in fascination as she appears to be doing some sort of formal salute or perhaps even a bow.

And then, in an instant, the reason for her strange dance becomes evident.

“Ahhh … ahhhh … AHHHH
CHOOO!”

The three couples nearest my date jump from the floor in fright. Two champagne glasses fall to the ground with a crash, and one of the women who lost her drink screams. The man to Jennifer’s left is now wearing the contents of his date’s cocktail on his face.

“Oh my god,” she says, looking around in horror, her hair falling down over her face, “I’m so sorry!”

I rush to her aid, rescuing the champagne flute from her impressive grip. “Right. Come with me, darling, let’s get you cleaned up.”

She looks up at me, her red-rimmed, watery eyes surrounded by a desperate expression. “Cleaned up?”

I pat her shoulder in a sad effort at calming her. “You look beautiful, not to worry.”

I steer clear of the ladies room, knowing a mirror would probably be a bad idea right now. When we reach a quiet corner of the ballroom, I remove my handkerchief and pat delicately under her eyes, smiling in the most calming manner I know. “There we are. Right as rain.”

She takes the silk square from me and rubs it under one eye and the other, leaving smears of black on the cloth. “Oh … my god … I cannot believe I just did that. Did you see that man with the daiquiri all over his face?”

“Is that what that was? It was probably very cooling. It’s quite warm in here, don’t you think?”

“No! It was probably very cold and wet and sticky, not cooling! How humiliating.” She glances towards the exit door. “We should go. I should go.”

I reach up and move a lock of hair from her forehead over to the side where I believe it belongs. “If you want to leave, we can do that. But I hope you’re not thinking of ending our date so soon.”

She snorts as she wipes under her nose with the square of silk. “I can’t believe you still
want
to have a date with me.” She sniffs loudly.

I frown. “Are you having me on? Of course I do. Why wouldn’t I?”

She looks up at me, her eyes still watery. It gives the impression of extreme sadness, forcing me to battle my desire to wrap my arms around her. I’ve never felt this protective of a woman ever, not even my wayward sister who has needed more than her fair share of protection over the years.

“I could give you a list of reasons,” she says.

“I would wager your list has flaws.”

“I just sneezed so loud I ruined two gowns and a tuxedo. With
one
sneeze. I am an agent of destruction.”

“I only counted one tuxedo involved in the mishap, and it’s black. It won’t show a thing.”

She’s battling a smile. “I ruined my makeup and my hair. Your date looks like a homeless woman.”

“My date looks better without makeup, and I like the freshly … well, let’s just say I like tousled hair better than a style that’s just so.”

“You’re just saying that to make me feel better.”

I lift a brow just as I would with Ms. Meechum. I am not too proud to use intimidation to get what I want, and I still plan to have my way with this gloriously sexy lady. “Are you calling me a liar?”
 

“I’m calling you a gentleman, not a liar.”

I hold out my arm and turn to be at her side. “Very well, then. I can live with that.”

“Where are we going?” she asks, reaching up and tucking my silk square into my front pocket. She sniffs once more and I’m happy to find that her voice is not nearly as nasally as it was a few moments before. She’s on the mend.

“To dance. I have to show you my slick moves. Trust me, they’ll help you forget everything that’s just happened.”

“I hope not everything,” she says as we begin to walk.

I hesitate and stare down at her. “Ah, right.” I come to a complete stop. “I was in the process of begging your pardon for my earlier indiscretions. Shall I continue?”

“Not if you don’t want to be slapped.”

I pause to consider that. “That might actually be enjoyable.”

She laughs, and the sound is like beautiful bells to my ears. “You did nothing that needs to be apologized for.” She takes my hand and squeezes it. “Let’s go have some fun.”

I lift her hand and place it into the crook of my arm as we continue our walk to the dance floor, smothering the smile that wishes to come forth and make me look the mad fool. “Very well, then.” At this rate I’ll surely wake with facial cramps on the morrow. I haven’t smiled as much in years.

The music changes to a waltz as we reach the floor, and Jennifer stops walking.

“What’s the matter?” I ask, now slightly ahead of her.

“I can’t dance to this,” she says, glancing at the floor worriedly as the crowd clears out and just one older couple remains.

I turn to face her. “Don’t tell me you’re afraid to dance.”

“No.” She releases my arm and puts a hand on a hip. “I’ll have you know that when there’s current music on, I’m a very good dancer.” Her chin goes up a speck.

“I believe you’re afraid.” I shake my head in mock-sadness. “A pity to waste such a beautiful gown over something as silly as waltzophobia.”

She giggles. “I don’t have a phobia of waltzing.”

I step out onto the dance floor and extend my hand. “Prove it. Share this dance with me, Cinderella.”

“I can’t!” she says in a loud whisper, glancing around to see who’s watching.

I look past her. “Oh dear. Don’t look now, but you have competition approaching, twelve o’clock. Better change your mind quickly or all will be lost.”

She twists around to see the solicitor lady from my building coming in our direction with purpose. The woman reminds me of a cobra, ready to strike with her aquiline features and the black and brown color of her clingy, sequined gown. I don’t really plan to dance with her, but Jennifer doesn’t know that. Apparently, there are no depths to which I will not sink when this woman is in my presence and yet remaining just out of reach.

“William!” the woman says as she approaches.

Jennifer jumps into action, taking my hand and stepping into my arms as if she always planned to.

I turn my date to the side and gather her in closely, placing one hand on her lower back and taking her other hand at my chest.

“Hello,” I say, not sure I ever knew her name.

The woman looks at Jennifer with barely concealed annoyance. “Hello. I’m Ingrid. William and I work near one another in the same building.”

“Oh. Hi.” Jennifer smiles and then glances up at me.

I suppose I’m expected to speak now. “Good to see you, Ingrid. Enjoy your evening.” I nod once and then take a strategic step backwards, moving Jennifer out and away from her as quickly as possible.

Jennifer melds onto me like cling film. “Sorry in advance,” she says.

“What are you going to be sorry for?” I ask, swirling her around the four corners of the dance floor. She’s so busy worrying about her apology, she doesn’t notice that we’re in perfect synch and have admirers staring from nearby tables.

“For all the times I’m going to step on your toes.”

“Nonsense,” I say, staring out over her head, “you’re a natural. My toes have never felt more secure than in your care.”

She laughs. “Is that woman someone you’ve gone out with before?”

I look down at her. “Whatever gave you that impression? I tried so hard to express my disinterest.” I sigh with exaggerated pain and look back out over her head. “I’m quite disappointed that it didn’t work. My technique must really need improvement since apparently Ingrid doesn’t read my signals well either. She’s been hounding me in the lift for months.”

“Maybe she thinks you’re just playing hard to get.”

We move between other couples in perfect rhythm with the music. All those ridiculous dance lessons my mother forced on me as a child are finally paying off. I wish she were still alive so I could thank her.

“I am hard to get,” I say. “It’s not an act.”

“That’s why you answered my ad,” Jennifer says, her expression and tone going sober.

“Exactly,” I say. “It was very no-nonsense. It suited me very well.”

She nods and then looks out at the other couples. “I can’t believe I’m actually doing this,” she says.

“You are quite good, just as I expected you to be. You’re very light on your feet.”

She smiles up at me, but the sparkle is gone from her eyes.

“Are you all right?” I ask. “Not getting seasick are you?”

“No. Why would I get seasick?”

“All the turning. The champagne caused such a strange reaction, at this juncture I am prepared for anything where you’re concerned.”

“Just like a scout, right?”

I hold up two fingers. “At your service.”

We continue the dance in silence, and at some point, Jennifer rests her cheek near my shoulder. I pull her in closer and bend over so I can inhale the intoxicating scent coming off her skin. It’s musky and sweet and something entirely feminine that doesn’t come from a bottle. I twirl her around, reveling in the fairytale-like atmosphere, the warmth, and the feeling of her ample, soft breasts pressing into my chest. I should give Ms. Meechum a bonus on Monday. A small one.

My hand drifts lower and I rest the edge of my smallest finger in the cleft of Jennifer’s backside. Am I imagining her arching her lower back just a fraction, inviting me to do more? A vision of taking her from behind bursts into my mind, and my attempts at fighting it off do not work a bit. I’ve gone hard as stone again, and I worry that it will frighten her off.

I try to pull away, but she holds me tighter. And then she pushes her hips into me. My pulse begins to hammer away in my veins. She releases the softest of moans that vibrates in my chest. Stone the crows, she knows she’s got me aflame and she likes it. She’s
encouraging
it.

A groan escapes me as my cock throbs with the need to be buried deep inside her. Thankfully the sound is muffled by her neck and hair. The softness of her dress offering little resistance to my gentle thrusts only makes my situation worse. It’s a terrible tease. I’m ready to throw her down on the floor and take her straight away, right here, with the entire world watching.

And then she speaks directly to my passion, saying the only words I long to hear.

“Let’s get out of here,” she whispers.

CHAPTER NINE

Jennifer

I NEVER THOUGHT THE WALTZ could be so sexy, but I’m ready to explode with desire. The way William’s hard body was pressing into me and his rhythm … oh my god. He’s so smooth, there’s no way he can suck in bed. I was ready to have sex with him right out there on the floor.

For a brief moment, though, I was getting sad, thinking this evening was turning into total crap. I was being stupid and becoming attached to him, which meant the whole thing was going to end badly. But then he reminded me why he answered my ad, and with that, got me back on track. My offer was no-nonsense and gave the assurances of no promises and no strings. It was perfect for a guy like him
and
for a girl like me. One date, one encounter, one night only. There will be no strings and no second meetings.

This reclaimed knowledge completely takes my mind off my silly heart and allows me to focus on the sexy feelings that are getting more intense by the minute. I’m totally back online and with the program, ready to have some serious fun. It’s time to get naked, baby.

William leads me from the dance floor and out into the lobby. Several people stop him on the way, but he gives only the briefest of hellos and goodbyes before we’re on our way again.

I expect him to turn right and go out to the valet area, but instead he goes left and over to the bank of elevators.

“Are we going to look at phones again?” I ask suggestively. I wouldn’t say no to a little more of that.

He pulls his wallet out and stops at an elevator, pushing the call button. The doors open as William produces a keycard. “No phones this time,” he says, slipping the card into the bank of floor selections on the elevator wall.

“Wow, you need a key just to use the elevator?” The doors slide shut and we begin our ascent.

“Only for the penthouse.”

I’m suddenly nervous again. “The penthouse?”

He stares at me, no expression on his face. “One night. No regrets.”

I nod, swallowing with difficulty. “Yes. Right. No regrets. But you didn’t have to do so much. I would have been happy with a lot less.”

He comes towards me, forcing me to have to look up to still see his face. “Why do less when we can do more?”

I wish I had a witty comeback for that. The double meaning I’m assigning to his words makes me wonder if I should be regretting my decision to come up with this plan in the first place. I cannot afford to let my heart get broken again.

There’s a muted
ding
and the doors open up to reveal a round foyer with floors and columns of marble and dark-brown painted walls. It smells brand new and rich. William steps away and holds the door open. “After you,” he says, gesturing with his free hand for me to go first.

I step into the entrance, my eyes scanning the space. “Wow, this is really nice. It looks like a small palace.”

“Would you care for a drink?” he asks, putting his hand on the small of my back and guiding me into the main sitting room. There’s a bar in the far corner of the opulent space.

“No, thanks. I’m afraid I’ll start sneezing again.”

He turns to me without warning and pulls me tight against him.

I fall sideways just a little, surprised at his sudden move. I gain my feet and brush some stray hairs off my cheek as I arrange my skirt around me.

“My apologies,” he says, pausing a moment and clenching his jaw a couple times. “I’m having a very difficult time controlling my desire for you.”

I love that he’s losing his cool. I get the impression that it’s a rare event for him. My arms slide up his chest to reach his neck, and my fingers weave into his thick, brown hair that rests at the top of his collar. “Don’t apologize for wanting me. That’s a compliment.”