by F. F. John
I jerked my head back to get a better look at her face. “What are you talking about?” Other than Antonio and Lucas, I'd never shared my goal with anyone else. And they would never tell anyone.
She unwrapped her arms from me and grabbed my hand, taking me to a quiet corner of the bar where we ordered drinks. While we waited, she said, “You’re always the first to show up and the last to leave. Of course, you’re gunning for early partnership. Don’t worry, I won’t tell anyone.” She winked. “And as to you being mysterious, you only ever hang out with your besties over there,”—she pointed in the direction of our booth and by implication, Lucas, and Antonio.
“I couldn’t have been such a mystery to you, after all, we kissed at the Christmas party,” I said with a chuckle that elicited an embarrassed smile from her.
“And that was the first and last time you noticed me. Since then, you’ve barely spoken a word.” She pouted. I knew it was a fake pout, but it was cute and I couldn’t take my eyes off her lips.
Taking one of her hands, I ran my index finger lightly against her skin. It was so smooth and soft. I was practically entranced by the feel of it. “Well, I wasn’t sure what to say after our drunken smooch. I didn’t want to make things awkward.”
“I wasn’t that drunk, and I know you weren’t either.” She fixed me with a coy smile that jump-started my heart.
Left speechless, I stared at her. All this time, I really thought she was drunk, and that that was the reason she let me kiss her at the party. Only to find out she liked it.
“You’re right, I wasn’t drunk, and I enjoyed it too,” I confessed, and her smile broadened.
“Well then, that’s good to know because,”—she cupped my chin— “I’d like to get to know you. And I mean the real you.”
--X--
WHEN OUR LIPS MET, FIREWORKS erupted in my chest. All I could think of was the smell of her. The taste of her. Cherries. I wanted more of this. One hand made its way to the back of her head, nestling in her curly strands. Her hands were around my neck and we melted into each other.
“Hmm, what is this?” she murmured against my mouth.
It took several seconds before I understood what she was talking about. Her hand stroked my neck, sliding down toward my chest. The necklace, I realized. My next thought was a realization that she had no adverse effect to it.
“Oh, don’t worry about it.” I planted my lips firmly on hers once again and we were back to what was important.
It could have been seconds or hours for all I knew. The world slipped away leaving nothing but the small sliver of consciousness that was filled with nothing but her. My other hand reached for the small of her back, pulling her into me.
I made up my mind to tell her she was coming home with me. We’d have to stop kissing for me to do that, but I was willing to wait patiently for that moment as I soaked up more of her. I’d take her to my place to help her celebrate her trial win. Plans made in my head, I sunk deeper into her lips and tugged her hair just firmly enough to elicit a throaty moan from her.
“Hey, you two,” a male voice said close by. Ignoring him, I didn’t let go of her. “Hello?” Who would think this was the right time to interrupt us?
He cleared his throat loud enough to project over the music. “I’m waiting on that dance.”
She eased away from me and I let her, turning to scowl at Mohinder with what I was sure were irate eyes. He didn’t acknowledge, fixated solely on the girl I had plans for. I felt depleted as if something essential to my life had been taken away and I wanted it back. I’d kick this boy’s ass if he tried to stop Delphine and me from getting closer.
“Oh, Mohinder,” she said with a small grin behind a delicate hand which she’d brought up to her mouth. “I’m a little busy right now.” Her eyes darted to me in the universally understood language that said, Can’t you see, we’re busy?
That should have been enough for him to get the hint but, he pretended to have no clue. His eyes widened as if confused and I tensed, holding back on the instinct to smack him. Delphine must have sensed my reaction because she placed a palm on my thigh.
She was about to speak when a tall blonde tripped behind her, spraying liquid onto her back.
“Oh, my. Forgive me, forgive me,” the blonde rushed to say in a heavy German accent. “I am so…what the word is?” She tilted her head up and arched an eyebrow in thought. “A clump?”
“A klutz.” Delphine straightened, her mouth turned down into a frown. I grabbed some black square napkins from a holder and thrust them to her.
“Turn around, let me see,” I told her. There wasn’t an obvious stain on her back, but my fingers were immediately drenched when I touched. “Come on, let me take you to the bathroom. We’ll get you dry.”
“No, I can do that!” Mohinder forced himself into the space between us. My blood boiled, and I was about to shove him when Naomi, another lawyer from the firm, raced up to us holding a cell phone in an outstretched hand.
“I’ve been looking for you everywhere.” She thrust the phone into Delphine’s hand. “Your phone keeps vibrating. I think someone really wants to talk to you.”
The screen lit up with an incoming call and she took it, yelling into the phone as she ran toward the ladies’ room. Her face hardened. Whatever she was discussing seemed serious. I started after her only for the blonde to stumble into my way.
“My English iz no,”—she waved her hands for emphasis— “good. You call barman for me?”
Delphine was nowhere to be seen. Even Mohinder had left with Naomi. While I preferred to go help, I was pretty sure I wouldn’t be able to go into the restroom with her. Well, I probably could but that wouldn’t be the best idea with how upset she seemed. I decided to help the German girl get her order in with the bartender and then I’d wait by the restroom.
“What do you want to drink?” I asked, keeping my eyes on the area where I last saw Delphine.
“Absinthe.”
Damn, she must be a professional drinker. Absinthe isn’t for punks or the faint of heart. “Won’t that kill you?”
“Not at all,” she yelled, swaying to the music. “It’s not as strong as the real stuff.”
I got the bartender’s attention and placed the order, indicating the drink was for her. Then, I set off in search of the lady’s room. It was easy to find there was a brunette hopping from foot to foot, only stopping to bang on the door.
“Will you get the hell out of there? I need to pee!”
When she didn’t get the response she wanted, the brunette slammed both palms on the white door. “Get out of the bathroom!”
The door flew open and Delphine stepped out. She didn’t bother to glance at the girl who’d just insulted her, waltzing past like a goddess.
She was a goddess.
Her eyes lit up when she saw me. “Hey, have you been waiting all this time?”
“Not too long,” I said, suddenly feeling self-conscious for some reason. I should have been here at the door earlier instead of helping the European girl. Maybe I chose to be chivalrous to the wrong lady? Pushing aside my concern, I said, “I wanted to make sure you’re okay.”
“I’m okay, but my bestie isn’t. She’s drunk and can’t find her car keys.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ve got to go get her and take her home.”
“I’ll come with you, let’s go.”
She put a hand on my chest sending tingles of excitement up my arms and legs. If her touch could make me feel like this way, what would happen when we had no clothes on? My imagination spiraled, and I had to fight my desire to pay attention to what she was saying.
“—she’d kill me if I let a stranger see her in that state.” Her other hand caressed my chin and I could barely think.
“Fine. When can I take you out?” I asked, conceding defeat. It hurt that my hopes for a nice night with her had been interrupted but at least, it wasn’t because of Mohinder. I was willing to accept that consolation prize.
She ros
e to her toes and planted a simmering kiss on my lips. It wasn’t until her phone vibrated in against my chest that she stepped back. She smiled coyly saying, “It might be much sooner than you think.”
***
After walking her to the waiting car, I returned and bumped into the German blonde. This time, her hands were free.
“You leave club?”
My confused expression caused her lips to broaden, revealing gleaming teeth.
“I want tell girl sorry.”
I smiled in understanding. “She left already, but I’ll let her know.”
“Good.” The German blonde nodded her strands swaying behind her. “I also want say thank you for barman help.”
“Not a problem.” I angled away from her, intent on checking in on my boys and other coworkers but the lady pressed herself onto me.
She looked in the direction I was going and pointed. “Those your friends?”
I couldn’t help but notice that smile of hers was wider than it had been a few seconds earlier.
“Yes, those are my friends and I’m going to go over there. See you.”
“I hear they are lawyers. You lawyer too?” She wrapped a warm hand around my wrist. She was pretending to do it absentmindedly, but I’d dealt with enough girls to know when they’d decided to spend the night with a brother.
On almost any other night, she would get her wish. I looked her up and down—she was attractive. In Luxor’s dim lighting, I couldn’t tell the color of her eyes, but her face was pleasant enough. However, I’d rather wait for an opportunity to be with Delphine than try my luck with this lady.
But, she’s gone. You could at least sample this lady for the night.
Once the thought crept into my head, I looked the lady up and down once more. I’d been bent on taking Delphine home. That wasn’t going to happen, but I didn’t need to go home alone, did I? Immediately, I remembered Gladys and reminded myself I had no business being around any strange women.
“Yes, I’m a lawyer. Do you need one?” I asked, turning my tone professional to quench any lurid thoughts marching through my brain.
“Wunderbar!” she exclaimed, both of her hands landing on my chest as she inched closer. “My uncle say he need new lawyer. Come, I show you,” she said in her broken English
She started to drag me to the opposite side of the club, but I didn’t let her. “Who’s your uncle?” I asked, pulling my hand back as gently as I could so as not to yank myself free from her.
“Herr Stern,” she said quickly then stopped, squeezing her eyes shut as if she’d made a mistake. “In English, is Mr. Stern?”
I scanned the club. The lighting had dimmed some more since I first walked in, but I could see well enough to recognize most of the faces in the various booths. Who exactly was this Mr. Stern she was talking about?
“Come, I show you.” She tugged and this time I let her lead me. What harm could it be?
A few minutes later, she said, “Onkel, ich habe jemanden, den du kennenlernen solltest.” My German was rusty, but I thought she said, Uncle, I have someone you should get to know.
A benefit of being at St. Mary’s Home for Orphaned Boys was that I was selected to attend a fancy private high school—Pope Pius X High School. I would never have been able to rub shoulders with some of northern Maryland’s wealthiest students otherwise. There, I took German in ninth, tenth and eleventh grade. Even though it had been a very long time I was certain of what she’d said.
It took two seconds for me to recognize Mr. Stern. He’d been in a magazine I read on my recent flight. That and he was a famous D.C. businessman and patron of regional arts. Additionally, Luxor was one of his establishments. Excitement bubbled up in me. Damn, if I could lock Davo Stern’s business down for the firm, I’d make partner by next year. Watson would be eating out of my hand.
Plastering on a smile, I reached out and shook the man’s hand. He looked to be in his early forties with blond hair he’d swept to the side away from his forehead. His eyes roamed over me with a vigilance to suggest he was sizing me up. This must be what it feels like to be under a predator’s gaze. Keen observation gives him information others likely miss. No wonder he was a tycoon. I tuck the knowledge away for future reference. As he stood, I took in his suit. Looked like it was bespoke. I couldn’t wait to be able to afford such a luxury for myself.
“Mila must think you’re important if she wants me to meet you personally,” Mr. Stern said as she bent to pour herself a glass from the bottle of champagne on the table. He didn’t have to shout to be heard like the rest of us. Somehow, his voice soared above Luxor’s pulse. He radiated a power and a confidence that made my stomach sour with envy. I’ve got to be him when I grow up. “I’m Davo Stern. And you are?”
“Vaughn Prentiss, sir. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
He squinted at me for a moment. “So, who are you, Vaughn?”
“I’m an attorney at Cunningham, Trotter & Severn here in the city and your niece—Mila—said your business needed representation.” She hadn’t said all that, but if I was to read between the lines—and her accent—that was what she meant to say. It was a gamble stretching what Mila had told me, but I’d learned to read the odds and this was one I hoped would pay off.
“Indeed, I am looking for a law firm that can handle my business interests. It’s all a little complicated as I have my hand in many things and it’s time to get some capable attorneys keeping a closer eye on things as I move forward.”
My heart leaped. “We can definitely do that for you. Our corporate division boasts some of the smartest lawyers in the nation’s capital.”
“Are you one of those lawyers?” He asked, wryly.
“Absolutely. I have a solid track record behind me. Along with one of our most experienced senior partners, I just completed a major deal with a West African-based conglomerate, with plans to expand across that continent and into the Caribbean and Latin America.”
He nodded, slightly impressed. “Care to share the name of this success story? It could prove a useful stock market tip.”
I smiled. As much as I’d like to do him a solid and have him owe me a favor, I wasn’t falling for that trick. It could have the SEC on my behind. Not to mention make me susceptible to sanctions from the bar.
“Sorry. No can do, sir. You understand, don’t you? Confidentiality and all that.”
“Of course. It’s good to meet a young man who’s not afraid to tell someone like me no.” He crossed his arms over his chest and appraised me. “That doesn’t happen often.”
“Well, I hope my firm will equally impress you, sir.”
He scoffed, but it wasn’t dismissive. Instead, it seemed he was waiting to be further impressed. “Something tells me I’m going to enjoy getting to know you better.”
--XI--
MILA RETURNED. “SEID IHR FERTIG mit reden?” Are you done talking?
“Ya,” Mr. Stern replied. To me, he added, “Good meeting you, Mr. Prentiss. I’ll see you soon.”
Mila wrapped an arm around my shoulder and spun me away from her uncle’s booth. “I want dance.”
And all I wanted to do was run over to my boys and brag about the new potential client, but I obliged her instead. It wouldn’t do to diss her just yet. Not until her uncle joined the list of paying customers at my firm.
We made our way to the dance floor, and she started moving. Her gyrations were snake-like sending warning flares in my head. She pulled me closer, jerked her hips into mine, completely in control of our bodies.
When I tried to look away, to dull the growing intensity between us, she grabbed my face and forced me to study her eyes. They were dark pools I couldn’t turn away from. Soon, her hands felt like they were everywhere at the same time.
I didn’t know how long it took but I was finally able to extricate myself. When my gaze lifted, it landed on a familiar face.
“Delphine,” I mumbled.
Sad eyes made her disappointment plain. She must ha
ve come back to Luxor only to see a lady practically jumping my bones.
She’ll understand. I had to entertain this lady to get Stern as a client. Not only would it benefit me, but she’d also be happy to get a larger bonus come the year’s end. Rationalizing what I was doing, I kept dancing with Mila but soon a tiny voice needled its way into my conscience—Delphine said she wants to know the real you. Show her.
I started toward her, only for Mila to grab my arm with so much force, her nails broke my skin. “Where are you going?” Her accent wasn’t as strong as before. “I want to dance with you,” she insisted, rubbing herself on me.
Delphine walked toward the exit, her golden dress shimmering with every step.
Freeing my arm, I bounded after her, pushing out past the white doors and skidding over the marble floors to the mahogany exit.
“Delphine!”
What should have been a busy D.C. street was dark and murky. Streetlights flickered on and off, and moonlight struggled to illuminate the sky. I didn’t even hear the normal sounds of city life—the honking cars, talking pedestrians and the constant hum of a metropolis filled with millions.
Instead, a roaring silence sent an icy prickle up my spine.
“Delphine!” I called again, my head swiveling from left to right. “Where are you?”
The only reply was the pitter-patter of heels on concrete and I ran in that direction. I almost overshot an alley to my right. Something bright caught my attention, and I doubled back. A girl with hunched shoulders walked down the alley, her arms wrapped around her torso.
“Delphine?”
While I couldn’t see with certainty, a gold dress sparkled under the low light, and I couldn’t miss those beautiful, long legs.
“Please, wait. Let me explain.” I dashed into the alley. “It wasn’t what it looked like.”