I Like 'Em Pretty

by Triad Literary

  I’d like to know about those myself!

  * * * *

  Rhoda couldn’t stop gawking at the gorgeous man in front of her. Dr. Fairlight was exactly what she wanted from what she could see.

  Nicholas appeared to be about her height without her pumps, short blond hair, pale face, pouty lips with a narrow nose, and the most beautiful set of green eyes she’d ever seen. From where she stood, his body was toned. Broad shoulders, slim waist, and oh yeah she had to look down and see what he might’ve been working with. Even though she couldn’t see a whole lot under the black trousers.

  Damn Sharnette!

  Her best friend was such a bad influence, but she loved her anyway. Only when she mentioned it to her once had Rhoda thought about checking out a man’s crotch. From the looks of it, he was quite happy to see her.

  “Nah you don’t. Not everything.” She winked at the doctor and could feel her cheeks flush when he returned the grin. The white teeth poked from underneath those lips and she gasped at the sight. Straight and no discoloration. Not only did she like her man pretty, but he also had to have a nearly perfect mouth. Dr. Nicholas filled the bill perfectly and she couldn’t wait to get her hands on…

  “Rhoda, after you?” Nicholas voice came out of nowhere and she chuckled in embarrassment.

  She’d already drifted off into a happy land, wondering if Dr. Nick would like to be that one she was searching for, to make her happy, to give her that romantic ending she only read in Sharnette’s books. To shut her mother up would be good too and show her good men aren’t always in the church.

  More like never!

  When Nicholas touched the small of her back to guide her in, she could’ve sworn something fluttered down below and then a rush of heat between her thighs.

  Down girl! You just met the man!

  “Mhm, thank you.” She clutched her handbag a little tighter and tried not to stare any more than she already was. Instead, she decided to take a gander at the décor of Enigma.

  Perusing the establishment, she noticed the club mimicked a museum. Walls of marble, pillars in white, intricate crown moldings, and furnishings that looked to be from some expensive European design catalogue. Everything looked rich and pretentious, which she actually hated, but she’d have fun tonight just to be next to the doctor.

  “Wow, it’s quite nice.” Nicholas took her arm and looped it around his bicep. Instead of being wiry, it felt very firm and she clasped it tightly with her fingers.

  “It is.” They followed Alex and Sharnette through the throngs of well- dressed club goers, apologizing as they made their way to the other side.

  “C’mon you two, don’t lag behind,” Sharnette yelled over her shoulder. Hearing was nearly impossible with the techno dance music blaring over the sound system.

  Nicholas flashed her a wry grin, perhaps telling her he was thinking exactly what she was. How they wished they could be anywhere but here, yet still happy to have finally met one another.

  After seemingly crossing into another territory, they made it to their destination. The VIP section, of course, cordoned off from the rest of the club. Tables draped in white cloths with lit candles. Leather couches and recliners with a full service bar in the middle. Apparently Sharnette’s friends had a place reserved for all of them.

  Good thing since Rhoda wasn’t much of a dancer.

  “Ah, here we go.” Alexander pulled out a chair for Sharnette and Nicholas did the same for Rhoda. They sat across from one another and made themselves comfortable.

  Thankfully, this room was quieter. Lord knows with the music going like it was outside this space, they wouldn’t be able to hear a damn thing.

  “So, what do you guys think? Perhaps we can get the guys to take us on a grand tour later.” Sharnette smiled and took the menu from the waitress who’d just approached. “Long Island, please.”

  “Lovely. A little too loud out there so I’m glad the VIP is not as deafening,” Nicholas responded.

  “Ah, don’t be such a fuddy duddy, Nick. I’m gonna get you out on that floor tonight so you can show Rhoda your brilliant dance moves,” Alex joked, prompting them all to laugh. “Heineken, please. Thank you.”

  Rhoda gazed at Nicholas again, watching his cheeks redden. She had to laugh at his reaction.

  “I’m not a dancer at all. Don’t believe anything this wanker tells you, Rhoda!” Nicholas patted her knee and gave the waitress his order.

  Rhoda jumped a little at the slight gesture. “I won’t, Nicholas, no worries.”

  “Please, call me Nick, love. Only my closest friends call me that.” He winked. “Can I get you something to drink?”

  Rhoda could feel the heat rise around her once again. God, the way her body jolted just from those casual flirts. “Um, if you have a glass of Moscato? I’ll take that. Thank you, Nick.”

  “Wuss.” Sharnette lightly kicked her under the table.

  Rhoda glared at her friend and then looked back at Nick, her expression changing.

  “So Rhoda, you’re a nurse at Duke Medical Center? What a fine hospital that is.”

  “Aw Nick, really? We’re not gonna talk about work on our day off, are we?”

  “Yeah, could we skip that part of the conversation? Let’s talk about the juicy stuff.” Sharnette rubbed her hands together in glee.

  Rhoda and Nick looked at one another; she had no idea what juicy stuff Sharnette was referring to. “Um, yeah, it’s a great place to work.” Rhoda felt the stares from Sharnette and Alex. “I work in maternity.”

  “Ah. Delivering babies all the time. That could be quite fun. I’ve done a few of those myself. I specialize in surgeries, though, mostly orthopedic.”

  “Mhmm, do you like it?”

  “Eh, yeah I do. It gets quite exhausting sometimes, but I try to relax by going to the gym or to the library or a museum. Or just to the park so I can take pictures at my leisure.”

  “Really?” Rhoda nodded at the server and took her wine. She sipped a little, enjoying the sweet taste, as well as the warmth, of the alcohol going down her throat. “You like photography?”

  “Love it. I enjoy watching people and animals. Sometimes I like going to the cemetery because it’s so peaceful. I’m very interested in old headstones and crypts. It’s all part of history.”

  Rhoda’s eyes widened and she couldn’t fight the grin. “I love doing that too, Nick. Actually, I’ve been wantin’ to do a book on that, about the children who died in the early eighteen and nineteen hundreds.”

  “Uh oh, you’ve struck a nerve there, Nick. The girl has a fascination with the dead. I never did get that.” Sharnette rolled her eyes.

  “Don’t listen to her, Nick.” She patted his hand and turned to face him. “I love the history, too. I believe that each one of those children had a story and I’d like to explore that through pictures. The problem is I work so much I can’t get that project off the ground.”

  “Sounds fascinating. I’d love to see what you’ve done so far. Have you already started taking photographs?”

  “Yes, tons, with my digital. I’ve got ‘em all saved on a flash drive. Perhaps I can show them to you when we get together?”

  “On our first date?” Nicholas finished the sentence and winked at her, causing her cheeks to flush again.

  “Yes. I’d really like that, Nick. I’m lookin’ forward to it.”

  “Ohh, lookie that. You two move fast. Now get to the good stuff will ya? Favorite sex positions are you into bondage, S&M…” Sharnette chided them and took another swig of her beverage.

  Rhoda flushed when she heard the things Sharnette mentioned. Nick only chuckled.

  “Darling, let’s leave the potential love birds alone and have a dance. Depeche Mode is playing and you know how much of a fan I am.” Alexander finished his beer and took her hand, assisting her from her seat.

  “Okay. You two play nice while we’re gone and if you wanna get intimate, this place has some private rooms in back.”

  B
oth Rhoda and Nicholas gawked at her in surprise.

  “Just jokin! This ain’t that kinda joint, you two. This is classy!”

  Alexander laughed and Rhoda deeply exhaled. She could’ve sworn Nick did the same.

  Thank God for that!

  Not that Rhoda didn’t love her sis, but she was glad Alex gave her and Nick some time alone to chat. They’d be able to talk about their mutual admiration for headstones and crypts in peace without the eyes or pressure from Sharnette.

  “Whew, that Sharnette, she’s a handful isn’t she?” Nick giggled and slinked his arm around Rhoda’s chair.

  “Yeah, she is. We’ve known one another since high school and the girl has always been like that.”

  “Yeah? Alex and I have been friends for quite awhile as well. I love the wanker like a brother.”

  Rhoda giggled at the British accent. She loved it. It reminded her of her favorite musician, but even more proper, if that was possible.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I love to listen to British speech. I wish I could talk like that.” Rhoda finished her beverage.

  “Eh, it’s not a huge thing. I speak other languages that sound a lot better. Much more interesting and romantic if you ask me.”

  “Oh? What else do you know?”

  “Spanish, French, Japanese, and Swahili.”

  “Swahili? As in, like African dialect Swahili?”

  “Yes,” Nick drawled and leaned back in his chair. “Alexander and I took a trip to Africa for a temporary stint with the Peace Corp. We took part in a medical van project in rural Tanzania.”

  “Really?” Rhoda couldn’t believe it. She was talking with a man who’d traveled the world.

  Sexy, smart, and worldly!

  “Wow, how was that? Alex has never mentioned it.”

  “Eh, he might want to forget it. He fell in love with a Tanzanian medical student who didn’t want to leave her country. He was quite heartbroken.”

  Rhoda nodded and sighed. “Wow. If that would’ve continued, Alex might’ve never met Sharnette.”

  “Yeah, well. Turned out good despite the tension, right? He was a mess for weeks. I must say, that’s the first time I saw the bloke so downtrodden. Now, he seems to be exceedingly happy with Sharnette. She’s good for him.”

  “And he’s great for her. My girl has never been so in love.” Rhoda beamed.

  “Yep, they seem to be the perfect couple. I’m hoping for the same in my life, Rhoda, how about you?”

  “Yes I am, Nick. I’ve been waiting for that happiness Sharnette has, for a long time. I’m always workin’, though, so I don’t get out much.”

  “Neither do I, love. Perhaps we can try getting out more often together then?”

  “Yes, I’d love that, Nick, especially since we’ve got an interest in headstones and photography.”

  “Oh yes, I really do. I love the museums, art galleries, and looking at fine architecture too. The rare days off I get I like to spend in one of those places. Since Alex and I relocated from New York four years ago, I have to admit, I haven’t seen much of North Carolina as I’d like.”

  “I can show you around.” Rhoda jumped at the chance. She could be his tour guide.

  And a little more.

  “Really? I’d love to have a gorgeous woman on my arm to show me around a bit and take me to places I haven’t been.” Nicholas met her gaze and he took her hand while the other arm remained draped over her shoulder.

  “I’d be glad to. There’s a lot in Carolina to see. Especially Durham. Have you been to Duke?”

  “Yes, but only for a physician’s meeting a few months ago. It truly is a state of the art medical center.” Nick pointed at her glass. “Would you like another one?”

  The waitress walked up to check on them.

  “Yes, please, and thank you.”

  “Love, if you could get another Moscato for my lady, Scotch and Coke for me, and a Heineken for my friend. His lady isn’t done with her drink yet.” Nicholas pulled out his billfold after she departed.

  Rhoda stared at him again, loving the way he talked, his soft-spoken nature. Those eyes that she wanted to get lost in very quickly.

  If only I was a little more…

  Outgoing, bold, like the women in Sharnette’s books. Those gals didn’t bat an eyelash about bedding a man on the first date, but Rhoda just couldn’t. It wasn’t in her nature to do so. Besides, if he was a real man he’d wait for her to lure him in that direction. Something told Rhoda he was just that type. Or was he truly hiding some things, like Alexander had joked about? Regardless, Rhoda was willing to do everything to find out.

  Chapter Five

  The night continued with Nicholas and Rhoda enjoying great conversation about their likes, dislikes, jobs, and so forth. Seemingly on purpose, their friends had spent a lot of time away from the table to give them a chance to chat and that Nicholas was quite thankful for.

  Despite the fact Alexander deemed her shy, Rhoda appeared to be the exact opposite. Perhaps the liquor made her talk a little more, but she’d only had the two glasses of Moscato the entire evening.

  Perhaps she was one of those who needed to be prodded to talk. Or maybe since they’d found some common ground, she’d become more comfortable in revealing things to him, which he loved.

  No question, Rhoda showed herself to be just what the doctor needed. A sexy female who loved some of the same things he did; she worked in his field, which meant she’d understand his crazy schedule; and she had a sense of humor that he already found himself falling for. Nothing like a woman who could crack a joke, even though he couldn’t. She traded comedy jabs with Sharnette about their high school fashion disasters and bogus hairdos, making him and Alex chuckle throughout the night. The ladies truly did have a bond and Nicholas wanted to be part of Rhoda’s life to complete the happy circle of friends.

  “Heh, ya know Nick. Rhoda can really dance. I recall the first time I took her to a bar, when we were underage. You remember that time, Rho? We had such an awesome time.”

  “Yeah, it wasn’t so fun when we got home and my mom figured out I snuck out wicha. I’ll never forget that either.” Rhoda gulped her water.

  Alexander grimaced, “Really? Naughty girls. I can’t believe you got away with that.”

  “We had fake ID’s we borrowed from our friends. We didn’t drink any alcohol, but we did dance with some older men.”

  Nicholas chuckled, “Hmph. And no one noticed you girls might not be old enough to be in the place?”

  “I’m not sure if they did. We were so cute and friendly!” Sharnette winked at the both of them.

  “Yeah we were. And—” Rhoda stopped talking and looked straight ahead of her. Suddenly the smile left her face and turned into a frown.

  “Uh oh, Rho? What’s up, babe? You saw somethin’?”

  Rhoda sighed and shook her head. “One…two…three…”

  Nicholas cocked an eyebrow and glanced at Sharnette who turned around then shifted back in her chair. “Oh boy. Now before you say I invited her…”

  Alexander grinned and took another swig of his beer. “Well, well…”

  “Stop lookin’!” Sharnette playfully smacked his knee.

  “Hiiiiii… girls! Ooh, Sharnette, and here’s that fine man of yours. How are ya darlin’?”

  Alexander stood up and kissed Moira on the cheek. “Good, Moira. Very well, thank you.”

  “Hi, babe. Nice to see ya here.” Sharnette hugged Rhoda.

  Nicholas had already stood but Rhoda hadn’t moved. Who was she? She definitely looked a lot like Rhoda.

  Sister?

  “Hey Nick, this is Rhoda’s sister, Moira. Moira, this is Dr. Nicholas Fairlight.”

  His eyes met her brown gaze. She looked him up and down, licking her lips. “Well hello there.” Moira sauntered in his direction and held out her hand.

  Nicholas kissed it and nodded. “Good to meet such a lovely lady.”

  “Yeah, she’s the older one b
y about nine minutes.” Moira flashed a sly grin and held onto Nicholas’ hand.

  He wanted to pull away but she wouldn’t allow it. “Um…”

  “Hey, Moira.” Rhoda appeared genuinely unhappy to see her sister. Perhaps their relationship wasn’t the best, he gathered.

  “Hi babes.”

  Nicholas yanked his hand away and sat back in his chair, putting his arm around Rhoda. Despite the fact twins had always been a fantasy of his Rhoda was the one he wanted.

  Perhaps next lifetime?

  “Hey. Whatcha doin’ here, Sis?”

  “Oh, I was invited to the grand opening. Sharnette, you know Gabe and Mel?”

  “Uh huh. I’ve known ‘em quite a while. I’ll be doing a few book signings here in the future.”

  “Wow, awesome, hunny. Hey, can I sit here with you guys? I came alone and would love some company.” She nudged Nick in the ribs.

  “Um…” Sharnette hesitated.

  “Sure babes, have a seat,” Rhoda offered. “Take mine, in fact. I’m takin’ Nick out on the dance floor.”

  Nicholas’ mouth agape, he watched Rhoda slide the shawl off, revealing broad mocha-colored shoulders. He’d give anything to kiss those and slide the spaghetti straps off.

  Anything!

  He stood quickly and pulled out her seat so she could get up.

  Moira appeared just as shocked as he did, while Sharnette snickered.

  “See you guys in a bit.” she winked and pulled Nick out of the VIP section to the dance floor

  Nicholas followed, even though he wasn’t too enthused about dancing. If anything, he wanted to dance in between the sheets and slide between her thighs. “Mhmmphh…”

  “Hm? You okay, Nick?”

  “Uh, yes, splendid, darling. Couldn’t be better, now that we’re alone,” he yelled over the music and wrapped his arms around her waist.

  Rhoda smiled at him and leaned into his body, causing quite the stir in his trousers. God, this woman was everything he needed and more. He couldn’t wait to prove to her that she was just the right lady for him.

  With the music blaring overhead and others moving to the latest dance craze around them, Nicholas and Rhoda caught each other’s eye and enjoyed just moving together.