Watch Me Walk Away (14 page)

“You have it bad,” she says. “Are you freaking about tonight?”

“Yeah in the worst way,” I say as we get in the car.

“Well a little salon therapy is just what you need then,” she shuts her door and we are off.

After being waxed, messaged, painted and primped for four hours I feel like I can handle tonight. Yes it is going to be uncomfortable but I have to get through it to move forward with Bobby. Stuart will get over it, it’s not like we’re in love and I am trying not to ruin his whole evening. Jodi and I get home a little after three and I have to pack a bag before Bobby and I can leave.

The guys are sitting in the living room watching a college football game when we walk in. Someone must have just scored because there is shouting and moaning going on. “Who’s winning?” Jodi asks as she walks over to John.

“Penn State,” that is all that comes out of Bobby’s mouth that is now wide open. I had originally wanted an up-do but instead I had them pull the front of my hair back then give me spiral curls down my back. They also did my make-up so I am airbrushed with smoky eyes and red lip stain. Bobby gets up and stalks over to me, “How do you expect me to keep my hands off you? Are you trying to drive me insane because they are going to have to lock me up to keep me away from you.”

I tilt my head, “So does that mean I look okay?”

He grabs my hips and drags me into him, “I think we need to cancel the plans for tonight. I might have to kill someone tonight with you looking like that.” He kisses me and it is hot and demanding and oh so good! I moan as his tongue plunges into my mouth exploring and battling with mine. I forget there are other people in the room, I forget this make-up has to last eight hours and I forget we’re not really together yet. All I want it to feel him inside me, I feel empty without him.

“You have a bedroom right down the hall,” John says.

We reluctantly pull apart and I turn to see Brad looking like someone just stole his puppy. Not the best idea rubbing his nose in the fact that I can’t control myself around Bobby. How do I make this better? I give Bobby a smile and tilt my head towards Brad and release his hand. I go sit down next to Brad. “Hey, so what did you guys do to keep yourselves occupied while we were getting beautiful?”

He looks at me, “You’re always beautiful,” it comes out in a whisper. I smile at him and bump his shoulder with mine.

John comes to my rescue, “We did guy things, drank, ate junk food and yelled at the TV.”

We all laugh. Brad’s laugh is a little forced but at least he isn’t looking like he wants to crawl in a hole anymore. Then Bobby ruins it again.

“We gotta get going, baby. I still have to shower and you have to get into your dress. Do you need help with your bag?”

I kiss Brad’s cheek, “Do you want to come over for dinner Monday? I’ll make chicken alfredo.”

He finally looks at me, “Sure, what time?”

“Around seven-thirty, I’ll tell you all about the fundraiser,” I stand up and move towards my room grabbing Bobby’s hand on my way.

I get an overnight bag out and start getting clothes for tomorrow on the boat. Bobby comes up behind me wrapping his arms around me, “I can’t wait to get you to my place.”

I lean back against him, “I can’t either. I just wish this was easier on Brad. Can we try to keep it to PG around him?”

“He has to get used to it sometime. I can’t keep my hands off you, I’ve waited too long.” He reaches up and turns my head to him so he can kiss me. “It’s going to be a long night,” he groans.

I caress his cheek. “But it’ll be worth the wait.” I turn around and kiss him again. At this rate we will never leave. “Now go wait for me in the living room or we will never get out of here.”

“You’re right.” He kisses my forehead and leaves. I quickly grab my boat shoes and the Jimmy Choos for tonight and put them in the bag. I take the bag into the bathroom and grab my toothbrush and make-up case. I think I have everything. I go back into my room to get the dress bag and then go out to the living room.

“I’m ready, let’s go,” I start towards the door. Bobby comes over and takes the bags from me.

Jodi says, “Have fun and be home at a decent hour tomorrow.”

“Yes mom.” I laugh at her. “See you guys later.” We walk out the door.

Chapter Seventeen

We spend the whole ride making out like teenagers. We can’t keep our hands off each other. Thank God for the privacy glass or Arthur would have had a nice show. We get to Dakota a little before five and I am supposed to meet Stuart at his place at six-thirty. The fundraiser starts at seven so if I time it just right I won’t have to spend too much time alone with Stuart at his place.

When we get to Bobby’s I’m surprised at his décor. I thought he would go for more contemporary but I walk into a traditional homey feel. A comfortable looking sectional takes up most of the living room which has a floor to ceiling bookcase, a mantled fireplace and of course an entertainment center with a huge flat screen. The far wall is all windows looking out into Central Park. There is a kitchen and dining room off to the left and a hallway which I assume leads to the bedrooms to the right. “I love it,” I say turning to him.

I can see his shoulders relax, “Really? I thought you would want something a little more modern.”

“No it’s perfect. It’s relaxing and comfortable and what a home should be.” I start to walk to the bookcase which has pictures as well as books. I see Jimmy and Bobby in fatigues, a group of guys in a bar with Bobby I assume are some of his Army friends, his parents and then I stop. He has a picture of us at the beach. We look so young and so in love and I remember that day, we were cutting school right before he graduated. We spent the whole day on the beach and it was one of those perfect sunny days of June when the breeze kept you cool enough you didn’t realize how much sun you got until you were home in the shower. I turn and look and he is right behind me, “That was a great day.”

He takes me in his arms and kisses me, “I was so torn that day. I knew I was leaving soon and it was breaking my heart but you were all smiles and happy just enjoying the day. I used to think of that day when I was in some pretty bad places and it got me through. I had a copy of that picture with me all the time.”

I can feel tears coming to my eyes. I hate thinking of him over there in danger and alone. I bring my hand up to his cheek, “I’m glad you had that to remember and we will make more memories now.” I pull him down and kiss him letting everything I feel pour into him. He moves his arms around me pulling me against him like he can’t get close enough. I know that he needs this just as much as I do, we feel complete with each other like we’re finally home.

He releases me and looks into my eyes, “I can’t lose you again. I don’t think I would survive this time. I know you want to take this slow but I need you to know that I love you and I will do whatever I need to for this to work.”

“All you have to do is stay with me this time, no more walking away.” I smile at him trying to lighten this up. “So do I get to see the rest of the place or do I need to change here in front of all these windows?”

His eyes betray the fact that he wants to watch me, they dilate and get intense. “You’re sure you want to say things like that to me right now? I could keep you here and do all sorts of depraved things to you.” Oh damn now I’m going to have to change my panties since the ones I have on just got wet. “You keep looking at me like that and I will keep you here.”

I put my hand on his chest and take a step back, “I will let you do all the depraved things you want, after we get back. Now show me where I can change.” I surprise myself with that because what I really want is for him to pick me up and take me to his bed. I know if he touches me again we will never make it out the door.

He sighs, “Alright I will wait but don’t think I won’t be touching you a lot tonight and I don’t care if Stuart is there or not. I am not sharing you.” He takes my hand and stalks to the hallway towards the bedrooms. Wow that was hot! I’ve never really seen possessive alpha Bobby before. I think I like it.

He shows me to a guest room. My bags are already on the bed, “How did they get here?”

“Arthur brought them up using the servant’s entrance. You have a bathroom over here,” pointing to the door. “I am going to take a shower and get ready. We should leave in an hour, is that enough time for you?” he still sounds a little gruff.

“All I have to do is slip into my dress and freshen up my make-up. I will be ready in fifteen minutes.” I smile at him hoping to get back to the playful mood we had earlier. My phone chirps from my bag alerting me to a missed call. Shit that is probably Stuart wondering where I am, he still thinks I’m getting ready at his place. “I should get that it’s probably Stuart.” I release his hand walking to my bag.

“I can’t wait for this night to be over,” he says while he walks out the door.

I grab my phone and I have two missed calls and three texts.

Where are you?

Why aren’t you answering your phone?

CALL ME

Time to put my inner actress to good use. I hit redial and Stuart picks up on the first ring. “Where are you? You should have been here already! I don’t want to be late.”

Ugh I can’t wait for this night to be over too! “I’m at Bobby’s.”

“What the hell are you doing there?”

“He flew into MacArthur last night and decided to stay at John’s. He came over to my house from the airport and we found out we were both going to the same place tonight. His company has a whole table and he gave me a ride in. We just got here. I am going to change here and then his car will take us all. We should be at your place in an hour,” I know I sound annoyed but I am so through with this relationship. I hope I can pull off the together thing for a decent amount of time.

“Well it would have been nice if you had called me and told me this. And I thought you and Bobby weren’t really speaking. What’s going on, Lisa?” I can hear the suspicion in his voice.

“Nothing’s going on,” well not at the moment anyway. “Bobby and I talked last night and got some things straightened out. We all had breakfast this morning before Jodi and I went to the salon. It just seemed easier to ride in with him so I accepted his offer.”

“So why didn’t he just drop you off here?”

“He wanted to show me his place. It’s no big deal, Stuart, really.” I try to sound sweet but it comes out more of a bark.

“So why didn’t you answer me when I called?” he asks.

“My phone was in my bag in the trunk, I didn’t hear it. I’m sorry. I should have let you know what was going on but I literally ran in from the salon, got my bags and we left. I didn’t think about where my phone was.” I hope this placates him for the moment.

“And where are you right now?”

“I’m in the guest room. Bobby just went to take a shower and get dressed. I just have to change into my dress and freshen up a bit and I will be ready to go. Like I said we will be there soon and we won’t be late, I promise.” I use the smile when you’re on the phone trick to make myself sound nice.

“Well if you’re going to be ready that quick why not hop in a cab and come over. I haven’t seen you all week and I’ve missed you like crazy. I am sure Bobby won’t mind,” he whines as I grimace.

“So let me get this straight. You want me to go into Bobby’s room while he’s in the shower and tell him I’m leaving?” Thinking about Bobby in the shower is turning me on. Say yes!

“No. I want you to leave him a note. He can pick us up when he is ready,” he says. “I just want to see you without him being there.”

“I am not going to do that, Stuart,” I sigh. “I will see you soon and we are spending the night together. Please don’t make a big deal out of this. I want to have fun tonight and impress your boss.”

The mention of his boss does the trick. I know he is thinking how it will look if he shows up with Bob Harber. How this will play out for his career and how much traction he can get out of it. “Alright I will see you in an hour. Please try not to be late.”

“We won’t be. Now let me get off the phone so I can get dressed.”

“Bye, baby,” he says.

“Bye.” That will probably be the last phone conversation I have with him for quite a while.

I lay down on the bed to try and get rid of some of the stress I’m feeling. Why is this so hard? I should have just broken it off earlier in the week, the fundraiser be damned. If I had done that then Bobby and I would be together and probably not going to this stupid affair. Not that the charity is stupid but having to smile and play nice all night is going to be draining. Plus the fact that the person I want to be with will be across the room and not right next to me. I lie there for a good ten minutes trying to find a peaceful calm.

Finally I get up and strip off my jeans, t-shirt and bra. I go into the bathroom and touch up my make-up. I spray my favorite perfume lightly on my neck and wrists. I put my diamond hoops in my ears and try to get my grandmother’s diamond solitaire necklace on but the clasp is not cooperating. I will have to ask Bobby to help me.

I unpack my gown. It is vintage Halston. A black sheath that shimmers in the light with a daring slit up my left leg, it is cut low in the back so I cannot wear a bra. The front is a square neckline cut to show just a hint of cleavage. It is sleeveless and I know Bobby is going to love how much skin I will be showing. The dress is not new, I wore it to an event in Atlanta but who’s going to know that here in New York and I spent serious money on it so I should get to wear it more than once. I put on my shoes before slipping on the dress. It is just easier to do beforehand then when wearing ten pounds of fabric.

There is no full length mirror in the room so I stand back as far as possible from the one over the dresser to try and get a look at the effect. The dress fits me perfectly. The seamstress that altered it for me when I first got it did a wonderful job. My hair cascades across my shoulders and back. The spiral curl causes it to be a little shorter than usual but it still falls to almost my shoulder blades. I might be able to get away with just wearing the earrings since they are showcased with my hair being pulled back off my face. I wish Jodi were here to ask.