by D. A. Young
‘What are you going to wear?” Valerie asked eagerly. “Do you need anything? You can always raid my closets. I have tons of vintage designer wear that I brought from Europe if you’re interested.”
“That’s very generous of you, but I actually have everything I need…Max bought me a dress,” Georgina admitted with a hot blush. “With matching accessories.”
“Oh my,” Valerie said softly, and Georgina could hear the happiness in her voice. “Well, I guess you’re all set then, darling. Have a great time and send me a picture, love.”
The doorbell rang as she was spraying her perfume. Grabbing the dainty stilettos, she carefully headed down the stairs and looked in the peephole. “Just a second, Max.”
She pressed her forehead against the door and took a deep breath. Good lord, tuxedos must have been invented just for Max. Letting out her breath, she opened the door and smiled at him. He smiled back as he took in her appearance and whistled softly. They let their eyes travel over one another admiringly.
This black tux was custom-made, no doubt. It fit him like a glove, sleekly encasing his finely muscled body. Max was drinking her in also. The dress complemented Georgina’s beauty fantastically. The lacy, deep-v plunge of her dress framed her breasts perfectly as the chiffon poured over the rest of her sexy body. He wanted to bury his face in her luscious cleavage. The skirt swirled around her as she sat down to put her heels on. He watched her slide her foot in one of the dainty heels, and as she did, the chiffon layers separated to reveal her well-toned thigh and leg. Holy shit. He swallowed hard and approached her, bending down on one knee to buckle her shoe, and when he was finished, he slid his hand along the silky length of her leg to caress her thigh. Their eyes met, and she smiled at him seductively. “Later,” she whispered. She quickly buckled the other sandal, and he helped her up. Her large eyes were all smoky, and her lips were so glossy, that Max couldn’t resist. His hands slid up to palm her breasts, and he stole her lips in a sensuous kiss, brushing his thumbs teasingly over her hardened nipples.
Max lifted his lips and slowly Georgina opened her drowsy eyes. “You look absolutely stunning and “later” can’t come soon enough for me.”
As Georgina walked, he was afforded the view of her legs playing hide n’ seek with him. Outside, they walked to the sleek black BMW I8 at the curb. She laughed when he shrugged unapologetically. “Even farmers have their vices, baby.”
He helped her into the two-seater, and they were off, the sleek car cruising down the road, eating up miles as they talked and Mary J. Blige’s Share my World album played softly in the background. It was a beautiful night with a full moon and the stars shining brightly. Max opened the moon roof so that Georgina could further enjoy the view.
“God, it’s beautiful out here. In Vegas, everything is so brightly lit, nature dims in comparison.”
He stole a glance at her. “I know what you mean. I remember when I first moved here. My friends gave me shit, saying I would be done in two weeks. They were completely wrong. I love how quiet it is. You can just chill. When you live in a big city, it comes with big crowds of people, and you can’t concentrate sometimes. Out here, I’ve never had that problem.”
“Did I tell you how handsome you look tonight? You are, you know. Devastatingly so,” she said softly.
He grabbed her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm. “Thank you, Georgie.”
***
They pulled up in front of the Ritz-Carlton to be greeted by bright lights and photographers. Police were out in full effect as groups of people in formal attire entered the huge building. Before they got out of the car, Max slipped her business cards into her clutch. Georgina’s door was opened by a valet attendant whom Max noticed was giving her an appreciative once-over as he helped her out of the car. Annoyed by the little punk, Max gave him a look, which made the man quickly avert his gaze and step away from her. He was well aware of what a beautiful woman she was, and he was proud to have her on his arm tonight. What he didn’t care for was the attention she was already getting as her sleek legs were revealed with each step she took and the daring dip revealing her cleavage. In his eagerness to see the dress on her, he hadn’t really given any thought to who else would see her in it when he purchased it.
The ballroom was decorated beautifully in a neutral palette of white, off-white, and creams. The table centerpieces were tall white orchid arrangements in cascading and upright varieties. A big band played with an energetic singer next to the large dance floor. “Let me introduce you to some of my favorite people.”
Keeping her arm around his, he drew her to where an older couple was just coming off the dance floor. The woman’s eyes lit up as soon as she saw him. “Max, darling! Edgar, look who it is!”
Edgar grinned broadly at him. “Max! Great to see you!” The two men shook hands, and Max leaned down to give the tiny woman a hug. “Hello, Lennie. Edgar. Always a pleasure to see you both. May I introduce my date? Ms. Georgina Carlton. Georgina, this is Edgar and Lennie Kenton, they’ve purchased horses for each of their grandchildren from Cinnamon Farms.” The couple gave her a friendly smile.
“Any relation to the Carltons of Baymoor, dear?” Lennie asked with a friendly smile.
Georgina felt at ease with her immediately. She stood at about five feet in her heels, and her hair was silver and cropped. Her skin was wrinkle-free except for the laugh lines around her kind eyes. Edgar was tall and built like a bull. He had a lion’s mane of salt and pepper hair. He was a very stern-looking man, except when he smiled it made him look more youthful. “Yes, they are my aunt & uncle. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”
They conversed for a few minutes before more people joined the group, and Max excused them and guided her through the crowded room packed with professional athletes and politicians.
He steered them towards a small group that consisted of two extremely good-looking white men and one beautiful, but heavily pregnant, black woman. The older of the two men, with black curly hair, kept a protective arm around the woman as he slowly caressed her swollen belly. The group saw Max and greeted him enthusiastically with man-hugs and a peck on the cheek, before turning to look at her with friendly curiosity.
Max slid his arm around her waist and proudly introduced her, “Georgina, I’d like for you to meet my good friends, the Sullivan’s. This is Casey and his older brother Jack and his lovely wife Noelle. Guys, this is my…date, Georgina Carlton.”
“Ms. Georgina, it is a pleasure to meet you,” Casey said, giving her a charming smile, which she shyly returned.
“It’s nice to meet you as well,” she said, and Jack gave her a devastating smile.
“It certainly is a pleasure. Are you from Baymoor as well?” he asked politely.
“No, I’m actually from Las Vegas, but my aunt and uncle live there,” Georgina said.
“Her family owns The Comfort Table café,” Max explained to the brothers and recognition lit up their faces.
“Don’t get my husband started on the dumplings he had there. I love your Vixen jewelry,” Noelle gushed. “And your Valentino dress is to die for! So, what is it that you do, Georgina?” She gave her an apologetic look. “Sorry for being so pushy, but you look like a nice girl that I want to be friends with before this baby comes and cuts off all my socializing.”
Georgina laughed, liking Noelle Sullivan immediately. “I own an intimate apparel company called Feminine Intuition.”
Max smiled as the trio surveyed her with new interest. “I think it’s safe to say they are all fans of your designs, baby.”
“And how,” Jack murmured. “Thanks to you, Ms. Georgina, we’ve got baby number two on the way.”
Noelle gave a peal of laughter as she covered her husband’s mouth with her hand, and he nibbled her fingers, somehow pulling her closer despite her large tummy. “Baby, you’re not supposed to say stuff like that in public!”
Casey gave her mournful eyes. “I’m ashamed to say, Ms. Georgina, that some of your pieces
have died a painful death on my living room floor, bedroom floor, dining room…”
“We get it, dude; you love your woman,” Max said, and everyone laughed.
“So who represents you? I have to say that aside from your website and social media, I don’t really see too much of your designs anywhere,” Noelle said curiously.
Georgina smiled apologetically, “I know; it’s actually something that I’m working on expanding.”
“Well, honey, there’s no time like the present! Have you heard of R. R. & S. Publications?” When Georgina nodded her head in affirmation, Noelle beamed proudly as she linked her arm with her husband’s. “Allow me to introduce you to the “S” part of the firm.”
Jack grinned down at his wife and kissed her forehead. He produced a card and handed it to Georgina. “It should be obvious at this point that we are admirers of your work. I would love to sit down and talk to you about representation and making your name internationally known.”
Swallowing hard, Georgina took the card, “Yes, of course! I would love to.”
She looked up at Max, and he winked at her, which she returned.
“So where’s everyone else?” Max asked looking around.
“Darby’s working on a personal assignment,” Jack said, and the group exchanged a meaningful look. Sidra’s deejaying in Miami, and Avery’s vacationing before Noelle goes on maternity leave.”
“That’s too bad. I was looking forward to seeing everyone. Well, if you’ll excuse us, I’d like to dance with my date,” Max said smoothly, before leading Georgina to the dance floor.
As they walked away, Georgina heard Casey say, “They look really good together, don’t they?”
Chapter Twenty-Five
They stepped onto the dance floor while the singer crooned Luther Vandross’s “Excuse Me Miss”. They kept their gazes locked on one as he twirled her around the dance floor, and they played off of each other’s moves. Soon they gathered an encouraging crowd, and it was five dances later that they finally left the floor. As they stepped off the dance floor, they came face-to-face with a stunning Latina beauty. The woman was about five feet nine inches tall with voluptuous curves. She showcased them in a violet- colored, fitted satin sheath with a plunging sweetheart neckline. Black waves fell around her olive shoulders. Her eyes, tilted up at the corners, appeared almost black with long lashes . Her full lips were crimson-colored. Her eyes lit up when Max looked at her. In a breathy voice she exclaimed, “Darling, I didn’t know you were going to be here. Why didn’t you call me?”
She pouted playfully, ignoring Georgina completely, as she waited for Max’s answer. Oh. Hell. No. Georgina felt Max’s grip on her waist tighten as she shifted towards the other woman, and he addressed the woman firmly. “Hello, Raquel. I’d like to introduce you to my girlfriend Georgina. Georgina, this is Raquel.”
Georgina tried to smile politely, but it came out like a rabid animal’s growl as she said, “Hello.”
So this was the woman Max hooked up with occasionally. The woman was pure sex appeal and looked like she could make grown men call her daddy in bed. She made Salma Hayek look like dog poop. Images of Raquel wearing her designs to seduce Max flashed through her mind and Georgina found herself torn between wanting to throw up on the woman’s open-toed shoes and wishing she’d brought Effie. But she’d be damned if she let either of them know how out of her element she was feeling. Besides, what did it matter? Max had called her his girlfriend. Raquel continued to eye Max without acknowledging her. Max returned her gaze steadily. Something seemed to pass between them.
Finally, Raquel gave a sad laugh and hugged a surprised Georgina. “Ah, it is very nice to meet you, Georgina. I can’t say that I am happy to meet you, though. I never thought I’d see the day this one would come off the market, but I wish the two of you very well. Georgina, take care of him. He is a very special man.”
With a saucy wink, she turned and swished away. Max kept his hand at her waist and led her away in the opposite direction when suddenly Georgina spied Davis Fowler, standing opposite from her across the room with a group of men, watching her. He raised his glass and smiled at her. She nodded her head in acknowledgment and continued to scan the room as if looking for someone.
“So I’m your girlfriend?” she asked casually, and his arm tightened as his lips briefly touched her forehead.
“No…you’re my woman,” he declared, looking down at her possessively, and although she should have protested, the happy feeling inside of her wouldn’t allow her to be mad at his arrogance.
They went and sat down at their table with Noelle, as Jack and Casey hosted the night’s event. Jack introduced the guest speaker, a young, well-known football player for the Baltimore Ravens, who came from extremely humble beginnings. He talked about being homeless until he was nine and that his family lived in a van, and how it was always hard to know where his next meal was coming from. If it hadn’t been for organizations like No Child Hungry, they probably would have starved. Then one day his father was out looking for work and stopped to help an elderly gentleman who had passed out. His father performed CPR and called 911. That man was Walter Jennings, and his father had saved his life. Soon after, they moved to Baymoor, and his father got a job at Cinnamon Farms, and his mother was a waitress at The Comfort Table. He stressed the importance of paying it forward. He also thanked and recognized local and national businesses who were heavily involved in looking to end child hunger, and how proud he was to have partnered with the Take A Stand Foundation. He mentioned Cinnamon Farms and The Comfort Table several times, and by the end of his speech, he was awarding Max with a plaque. Max accepted the award graciously. Georgina’s eyes filled with tears, and she’d never been more proud of him, as she stood, clapping so hard her palms stung. He was everything a woman could ask for in a friend, mentor, and lover. As he walked back to the table, he only had eyes for her as he leaned down to give her a kiss while his friends congratulated him
***
For dinner, Georgina chose the pan-seared Scottish salmon with a caper sauce and whipped potatoes, while Max had the other entrée option of double cut pork chop and loaded baked potato. Both were served with a green salad. During dinner, Noelle and Georgina discussed events that Feminine Intuition had planned, and Noelle offered ideas on themes that Georgina listened to but was already calculating costs in her head. Even with the generous amount she would receive from Max, she would have to watch her spending very carefully.
Dinner was ending when Georgina excused herself to go to the ladies room.
Max was in deep conversation with the Sullivan brothers, and they all stood up when she left the table. Sigh. Who said chivalry was dead? After using the restroom and retouching her makeup, she walked out to find Davis leaning against the wall across from the ladies room. He straightened quickly and approached her. She felt a twinge of unease because he’d obviously been waiting for her. She could smell alcohol on his breath when he spoke, “You look very lovely tonight, Georgina. Are you enjoying yourself?”
“I am, thank you. How about you?” He didn’t reply but just stared at her. Then he reached out and touched her cheek. She steeled herself not to flinch as he mumbled to himself. “You are just too beautiful for words. How did I let you get away in high school? Wasting my time with someone who couldn’t stand a little pain,” he laughed harshly.
Georgina stepped back, escaping from his repulsive touch. Had he just admitted to doing something to Annabelle? She was furious at this asshole that had hurt her friend. Coolly she said, “I think you may have had enough to drink, Davis.” He narrowed his eyes and went to reach for her. She sidestepped him and braced herself to give him a lesson her brother had insisted she learn when someone interrupted.
“Davis! I do believe the young lady is right.” Davis dropped his arm and his mouth turned upwards in a nasty grin. Georgina looked around him to see a tall, muscular man in a decorated police uniform. From their resemblance to each other and the uniform, she
assumed this was his cousin that Chelsea had mentioned. “Would you excuse us, miss?”
She nodded her head and walked away. When she turned the corner, she stopped to listen. “This isn’t your country bumpkin town! It’s bad enough I’ve already had to clean up your mess once; there better not is a second fucking time or there will be nowhere you can hide!! Are we clear?”
Georgina shivered at the sinister tone in his voice before hurrying away. When she got back to the table, she found Max standing beside it. He gave her a concerned look as he took in her worried frown. “Everything okay?”
“Just a slight headache,” she said smiling tensely.
“Georgina, do you have a moment to talk shop?” Jack asked politely. “We’re going to be headed out shortly because my beautiful wife is exhausted even though she refuses to admit it.”
Noelle pouted at him, and Georgina laughed, enjoying the love that they had for each other. “Yes please, chat for a moment! Maybe you can give us a hint of what you’re going to release next?”