Table 10: Part 2: A Novella Series

by Jiffy Kate

  “No, not quite that bad, but I do have some bad news.” I let out a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose as I pace the large corridor in front of the ballroom. “I have to send a driver for you. Something’s come up and I won’t be able to pick you up. I’m sorry.”

  She pauses for a second and I wait with bated breath for her to say something.

  “Well,” she starts with a sigh and I can hear the disappointment I feel resonated over the phone. “That’s okay. I mean, you’re kind of important, so it’s fine. I’ll just meet you there?”

  And there she goes again, surprising me. Making me fall for her even harder than I have.

  “Yes, I’ll meet you there. I’ll be waiting at the door when you get there. Okay?”

  “Okay, just as long as I don’t have to walk in by myself. I—it’s just that I don’t know anybody and it’s,” she sighs, letting out a deep breath. “I’ve never done anything like this before. So, it might sound crazy, but I’m really nervous.”

  “Not crazy at all. I’m nervous too,” I tell her. Something about Kadi’s honesty and transparency allows me to be vulnerable and show her a side I wouldn’t normally show. Plus, I want to put her at ease, let her know she’s not alone.

  “I might need a drink when I get there.”

  “I’ll have a glass of champagne waiting at the door.”

  “Champagne?” she asks. “I’ve never had champagne.”

  “Well, tonight, there will be champagne and anything else your heart desires,” I tell her, my voice thick with promise.

  “Is this you apologizing for not picking me up?”

  “Maybe.”

  “Well, maybe you should mess up more often,” she teases.

  “I don’t have to be apologizing to sweep you off your feet.”

  She clears her throat and I can picture her worrying her lip, trying to think of the right response.

  “I’ll see you at seven o’clock,” I tell her, letting her off the hook.

  “I’ll be there.”

  Table 10

  At seven o’clock sharp, I’m waiting near the front doors, keeping my eyes peeled for Kadi. I expected her to show a bit early, because I made sure the driver was at her apartment by six fifteen, but there’s no sign of her.

  Five minutes later, I’m still pacing in front of the doors when someone begins to talk to me. That conversation leads to another and before I know it, I’m far away from the main entrance. My mind is on Kadi as I keep looking between the two men talking to me and where I expect her to walk through any moment. But she doesn’t.

  At some point, I’m sucked into the vortex that is a gala. There are people commenting on the decor, the music, the champagne… the champagne I promised Kadi. Looking around there is still no sign of her.

  A woman I dated a year or so ago, Samantha, walks up, draping her arm around mine like she still has some sort of ownership. I inwardly cringe at her touch and take a step back.

  “Sam,” I say, acknowledging her, but also giving her a warning with my tone.

  “Oh, come on, Nathan. This is the gala. It’s the one time of year you let your hair down. Don’t be such a stiff.”

  “I’m not, I'm waiting on someone.”

  “Someone, huh?” She quirks an eyebrow at me, turning her head to look me in the eye. “Does this someone have a name?”

  “You wouldn’t know her.”

  “Oh, this’ll be fun,” she says with overt excitement. “Let me try to guess. I know you so well. It shouldn’t be hard.” Winking at me, she twists her mouth in a way that reminds me of Kadi, but she’s not Kadi. She’s nothing like her. And at that thought, I scan the room again looking for my beautiful girl. I miss her. Need her.

  “Janice Summerton.”

  “What?”

  “Janice. She’s had her eyes on you for quite a while now. Just a few weeks ago, she was at the country club saying how she’s put in her dues where you’re concerned.” Samantha gives me a sly smile as she entwines her arm with mine.

  “It’s definitely not Janice,” I tell her.

  “Okay. Then, it must be Molly.”

  “It’s not Molly. Like I said,” I tell her with a little too much bite to my words, but I can’t help it because she’s annoying me and she’s distracting me from watching for Kadi. “You wouldn’t know her. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to make the rounds.”

  “You know, Nathan, you can’t stay a bachelor forever. It’s time to stop trying to save the world and settle down. Don’t waste this pretty face on a life of solitude.”

  “Enjoy your evening,” I tell her as I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving Samantha behind.

  When I’m out of her claws, I finally get a second to check my phone. Kadi texted more than half an hour ago letting me know they were stuck in traffic behind an accident. I go to text her back, but my father walks up.

  “Nathan, my boy, you did it again. The night is a success.”

  “Thank you and I’m glad you think so,” I tell him, letting out a pent-up breath.

  “Your mother was just telling me how well the ladies’ tea went this morning. She was pleased with the turnout.”

  “Yes, it was a great addition to the day’s events.”

  “And she’s still raving about the pies,” he says with a smile and a wink.

  I return his smile, nodding my head. “Yes, they all love the pies.”

  “What about the girl?” he asks, scanning the room. “You promised I’d get to meet her.”

  “You will. She’s, uh—” I turn my gaze toward the entrance and I see her. The long black dress is simple, as is her hair and everything else about her, but it only enhances her beauty. She’s rendered me speechless.

  “I’m guessing that’s her,” he says, interrupting my numb mind and propelling me into action. Because Kadi isn’t alone. Samantha Flanders is standing next to her and by the look on Kadi’s face, their conversation is anything but pleasant.

  “Excuse me,” I tell my father, making my way quickly across the ballroom.

  When I reach them, I thread my fingers through Kadi’s and pull her close to me, inhaling her. “You look amazing.”

  “Thank you,” she says, but when I look at her face her smile doesn’t reach her eyes.

  “Everything okay?” I ask, turning my attention to Sam.

  “Oh, sure. I was just introducing myself to your friend. What was it? Callie?”

  “Kadi.” We both say it in unison and I can feel the tension in the air.

  “I think we’ll go get a drink. Shall we?” I ask, trying to draw Kadi in and make her forget whatever transpired before I walked up.

  “Yes.” Her answer is clipped and by the look on her face, she’s not happy.

  “I’m sorry about that,” I whisper as we walk away, smiling at a few people I know as we pass by. I should stop and speak to them, but right now, my only objective is getting Kadi a drink and helping her relax. I want her to enjoy herself.

  Reaching a tray of champagne glasses, I grab two, handing one to Kadi.

  “I’m also sorry about the traffic and that I wasn’t waiting for you when you got here. I was, but then I got pulled away.”

  “It’s fine,” she says, taking a deep breath and blowing it out. “I’m fine.”

  “What was that all about?”

  “Nothing,” she says, shaking her head as she takes a sip of her drink. Her eyes go wide and she coughs a little.

  “You okay?”

  “Yes, it’s just different than I expected.”

  “Would you like something else?”

  “No, it’s fine.”

  “What did Samantha say to you?” I’m practically seething beneath the skin, but I’m trying to remain calm on the surface. I don’t want to make a bigger mess of things, but I would like to know what’s been said, so I can smooth things over, make it right.

  “I think she was trying to insult me about my dress, but I didn’t know what she was talking about. So,
it doesn’t matter.”

  Sounds about right. Sam is all about designer things and wearing the best. Superficial should be her middle name. “Well, you look absolutely stunning. Don’t let someone like Samantha make you feel anything less.”

  “Thank you.” She smiles again, and again, it doesn’t reach her eyes.

  “Would you like to meet my parents?”

  “Sure.”

  As we walk across the room, Kadi’s stiff as a board at my side. I watch her from the corner of my eye and she has her head down, refusing to make eye contact with people. But everyone we pass notices us. They can’t help but stare, partly at me and the fact that I’m with someone unfamiliar to them, and partly because Kadi is beautiful. It’s hard not to look, at least twice.

  I rack my brain for ways to make her feel relaxed, but I decide to get this introduction over with and then I’ll be free to show Kadi a good time.

  “Mother. Father,” I say, approaching their small circle of people. They both turn with a smile. “This is Kadance Davis.” I look over at Kadi, smiling and willing her to just be herself. “Kadi, this is my parents, Helen and Gregory Hendricks.”

  Kadi shakes both of their hands, smiling genuinely at them, and I allow myself a small sigh of relief. Maybe there’s a way to salvage tonight after all.

  “It’s a pleasure to put a face with the name,” my mother says.

  “The pleasure is all mine, Mrs. Hendricks,” Kadi replies.

  “Oh, please. Call me Helen.”

  “Okay.” Kadi smiles.

  “Nathan, a word with you,” my father says. “Would you please excuse us for a moment?” he asks, turning toward my mother and Kadi.

  “Sure.” Kadi and my mother both respond, but I see the hesitancy in Kadi’s eyes.

  Leaning over, I place a gentle kiss on her cheek. “I’ll be right back, okay?”

  She nods, swallowing and then finally giving me a small smile.

  Something is definitely off with her, but I’ll get to the bottom of it. I smile and walk toward where my father is standing with a couple other men I’ve seen a few times, but haven’t officially met.

  “Nathan, this is Henry Sutton and Gerald Vincent. They own several buildings around Pacific. I know that’s an area you’ve considered developing.”

  I shake their hands and we exchange information, making plans to meet in the next few weeks to discuss what they have to offer, but I can’t focus. My thoughts are on Kadi the entire time. I even catch myself looking back at her over my shoulder, trying to gauge her expression as she talks to my mother.

  “If you’ll excuse me,” I finally say. “I have something important to tend to.”

  “Of course,” they both say, but I see the look of incredulity on my father’s face. He knows what they are offering is something I’ve wanted to get my hands on for a while. I give him a tight smile and continue on my way back to Kadi.

  “Mother,” I say, walking up. “You look lovely, as usual.”

  “Thank you, Nate. I was just telling Kadi how pretty her dress is.” My mother smiles and I hope that it’s genuine and I hope whatever she’s said to Kadi in my absence has been as well.

  I trust my mother and I know she’d never willingly say something that would hurt Kadi’s feelings, but she’s also a product of her environment and sometimes she can’t help herself. And she’s always doing and saying things on my behalf, in the name of looking out for me.

  But I got this. I don’t need anyone looking out for me.

  “Kadi,” I say, offering her my hand.

  Not giving her a choice, I whisk her away to the dance floor. Even if she doesn’t like to dance or know how, it’s a place we can be alone. And I just need a few minutes with her.

  “I’m sorry this isn’t going the way you’d hoped.”

  “How do you know that?” she asks, and my heart falls a little at her admission.

  “I can see it on your face and I can feel it in your touch. Something’s happened that’s made you pull away from me. I don’t like it. If it’s something Samantha said, please tell me so I can make it right.”

  “It’s nothing.” She turns her face toward me, but instead of kissing me, like I hoped she was getting ready to do, she lays her head on my chest and lets me lead her around the dance floor.

  After a minute or so, I try to start up another conversation, thinking if I can get her talking, she’ll open up about whatever is bothering her. “Did you have a nice talk with my mother?”

  “Yes, she’s great, just like I thought she would be.” She lifts her head and looks up at me. The song changes, but we keep dancing. “And you’ve got her wrapped around your finger. Although, there’s no surprise there.”

  She laughs and it loosens a little of the tightness in my chest.

  “I have that effect on people.”

  “On women?” she asks with a tilt of her head.

  “I don’t know about that.”

  “Hmm,” she hums, returning her head to my chest as we finish dancing to the song.

  The rest of the evening goes by without much fanfare. When I think we can slip away without being missed, I take Kadi’s hand and lead her out the entrance, down the long corridor to the main part of the hotel. I checked us in earlier, so I use the key to get us to the top floor.

  The doors open up to a penthouse suite and Kadi’s mouth drops.

  I have to admit, it’s pretty awe-worthy, if for nothing else than the panoramic view of the city. Not to mention the wide expanse of a room, made almost completely of glass in some capacity—windows, mirrors.

  “This is… wow.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I’ve been thinking all night,” I tell her, kissing along her neck, down the v-shaped line of fabric. Lifting her hair, I make my way back up, trying to figure out how get her out of this dress. “But I really need to have you naked.”

  Kadi moans, leaning back against me as I continue peppering kisses on her pale skin.

  I expect her to be withdrawn like she’s been all night, but instead, she’s the opposite. Turning on me, she starts working my bow tie, trying to loosen if enough to slip it over my head. I help her, discarding it on the floor as she unbuttons my shirt.

  When she looks up at me, her expression is desperate. Maybe she’s been thinking about this as much as I have. We haven’t had a chance to be together like this in almost a week. Maybe that’s been the tension I’ve been feeling all night, just a need to reconnect.

  “I’ve missed you,” I mutter around fervent kisses, lifting her until her legs wrap around my waist.

  Sitting her on the dresser in the bedroom, I lift her dress up and over her head. What’s waiting for me underneath is even better than what everyone else got to see. It’s black and lacy and see-through and it makes my dick harden.

  “This is for me.”

  It’s not a question, it’s a statement.

  She wore this, knowing I’d be seeing it. And I love that.

  I’m not opposed to her typical, basic white panties and bra, but this is different and it’s turning me the fuck on, even more than normal.

  She nods, her face serious as she takes me in, watching me as I allow my eyes to roam over her body, memorizing every curve and plane.

  “Take it off.”

  It’s not a request, it’s a demand.

  Because as much as I love this sexy black number, I love what’s behind it more.

  Reaching behind her, she unclasps the bra, letting it fall to her lap.

  I can’t resist any longer, leaning forward and take her nipple into my mouth, sucking and swirling my tongue around the peak. The need to bite her is overwhelming. I just want all of her. I’m like a starved man at a buffet. I want it all and I want it now.

  Sliding her toward me, I lift her back up and walk her to the bed, tossing her on it.

  When she lands, her tits bounce gloriously, begging me to pay them more attention, and I will, but first, I need her completely naked.

 
Finishing what she started in the other room, I undo my cufflinks and discard my shirt. Then I kick off my shoes and strip my pants and boxers off in one swoop, dropping them to the floor. Just like the first time, she’s watching me, always watching me.

  I love the attention she gives me. I love the way her gaze feels on my body, like an extension of her hands.

  Leaning over, I grab both sides of her pretty little panties and slip them down her legs, adding them to the growing pile of clothes.

  “That’s more like it,” I tell her, licking my lips as I think about what’s before me.

  Kadi’s pies might be delicious, but her pussy is what my dreams are made of.

  Crawling up the bed between her legs, I stalk my prey. I distract myself with a few nibbles up her legs until I’m finally where I want to be. Kadi’s legs begin to shake with the first pass of my tongue over her wet slit. She’s ready for me. But first things first.

  Parting her lips with my fingers, I stroke her opening with my nose and then my tongue—tasting her, bringing her pleasure, and watching her writhe beneath me.

  “Nathan,” she moans, her head pressed back into the bed where I can’t see her face.

  “Look at me,” I command. “Watch me make you come.”

  Her head slowly lifts until our eyes are locked. With her mouth parted and her eyelids half closed, she watches as I continue to suck and lick. Rubbing her clit, I kick it up a notch, replacing my tongue with my fingers, until she’s coming undone.

  Kissing her pussy, and then her stomach, working my way up until I’m hovering over her, I watch as she slowly returns to earth.

  “How was that?” I ask, kissing behind her ear.

  “Amazing,” she replies. “Best orgasm ever.”

  “Well, I’m a perfectionist and a bit of an overachiever, in case you haven’t noticed. So, while it makes me happy to hear you say that, I might need to see if I can do better.”

  Kadi smiles a small smile, bringing her hands up to my face, holding me to her as she kisses me. It’s like she wants to say something, but she doesn’t. She goes from kissing me to thrusting her hips up to me until my cock is at her opening. “I need to feel you. I need you inside,” she insists.