by S. Gilmour
“That’s a lot of candles!” I cried.
“Well you are totally old,” Chaz laughed. “Go on, make a wish and blow.”
I closed my eyes and wished that I would always remember this night and how happy I was to be surrounded by my friends. I took a deep breath (hard to do in a tight strapless dress) and blew out the candles. When I opened my eyes Dillon was standing directly across the table from me.
“Happy birthday, Paige,” he said and pushed a small gift toward me.
“Dillon, I didn’t expect…” I was at a loss for words so I reached forward and took his gift in my hands. It was a small box wrapped in silver paper with a black bow. I studied the wrapping. It looked just like the gift Chaz had given me!
“Go on, open it,” whispered Danielle.
I looked to Chaz. Why? I don’t know. Permission?
“What are you waiting for? Go on,” he said stiffly. I tore off the paper to reveal a silver box from Fred Norris jewelry. The same place Chaz had purchased my beautiful necklace. I carefully opened the box and discovered a smaller box inside. When I opened it I sucked in my breath. Nestled in black velvet…a gorgeous pair of earrings. They looked like pink diamonds set in white gold.
“Dillon they’re beautiful,” I gasped.
“Pink topaz,” he said casually. “Topaz is your birthstone isn’t it?”
“Yes, but you shouldn’t have.” I fingered them delicately.
“Yes, you shouldn’t have,” said Chaz coolly, his eyes flashing dangerously. “Excuse me,” he said and pushed away from the table. My heart sank, my eyes trailing after him as he disappeared down the hall.
“Oh my God!” gasped Danielle. “Let me see those things!” She plucked the box out of my hands.
I directed my attention back to Dillon, a neutral expression on his face as he returned my gaze.
“Hey everybody,” called Donny. “Let’s move this party down to the basement so we can dance.”
“Thank you, Dillon,” I said, remembering the way his lips had felt in the dining room, trying to wish he hadn’t come over and rekindled these feelings I had thought were gone.
“Sure,” he said and backed away from the table.
Danielle whistled and returned the box to me. Leaning in she whispered, “Are you sure you’re not fucking him?”
“Jesus, Danielle! Really?”
“Wait till Sloane finds out about this,” she snorted. “You better get a body guard.”
Love My Way by the Psychedelic Furs echoed up from the basement and Danielle grabbed the cake. “Paige, can you get a knife from the kitchen? We’ll serve the cake down there so we don’t have to worry about these losers making a mess.”
I made my way to the kitchen as everyone headed the opposite way downstairs. I was like a fish swimming upstream. In the kitchen Dillon was leaning against the white marble counter, a glass tumbler in his hand.
“Dillon,” I began, a slight waiver in my voice. “I love the earrings but I really can’t accept them.” I pushed the box across the counter toward him.
“Because you don’t want them or Chaz doesn’t want you to have them?” He pinned me with his eyes and pushed the box back toward me.
“Chaz has nothing to do with this.” The box went back to him.
“Then why?” He set his glass down on the counter and grabbed a bottle of Bacardi from the overhead cabinet.
“It seems wrong, I mean after everything…”
“I bought them a while ago.” He filled the glass with rum.
“Oh, well…I’m sure you can take them back.”
He slid the box back toward me. “I’m not taking them back. I bought them for you,” he said, moving closer to me, like a snake about to strike. I stood frozen, gripping the counter behind me. “I know I really fucked things up royally but I want another chance.” He pinned me against the counter, his strong arms caging me on either side. “Give me another chance, Paige.” He lowered his head and nuzzled into my neck.
“Dillon, no,” I whispered and pulled away from him.
“Dammit, Paige! Why are you doing this?”
“Keep your voice down,” I barked as I looked out to the dining room. Thank goodness everyone was downstairs.
“Why won’t you give us a chance?”
“Because there is no us. I waited for you. You kept me sitting around like a doll on a shelf while you went through girl after girl.”
“I know. I’m stupid. So?”
“So you didn’t want me until you couldn’t have me.”
“That’s bullshit.”
“I can’t. I’m sorry.” I ducked out from under his arms and grabbed the knife, leaving the box on the counter.
“Paige,” he called. I stopped and looked back. He started to speak then stopped. He closed his eyes and shook his head. “Forget it. Go.”
I didn’t see Dillon the rest of the night. I opened gifts from friends, danced till my feet ached and I had to kick off the red pumps, but I kept thinking about the earrings, knowing for certain the box was still sitting on the counter, and the hurt look in Dillon’s eyes when I returned his gift.
When it was time to go, Danielle and Donny loaded the gifts into Maddie’s BMW and Chaz and I settled into my car.
“Just because you’re an adult doesn’t mean you don’t have a curfew young lady,” said Maddie leaning into the car.
“Seriously?” Chaz was taking me to Hotel Del Coronado, a fancy beachside hotel for the weekend. I thought we had her permission.
“I’m kidding, Paige. But don’t tell your father,” she warned.
As if!
The drive to Coronado was just under an hour and I fell asleep on the way. When the car finally stopped I stirred and gathered my sweater around my shoulders. It was so much cooler near the ocean. Chaz tossed the keys to the valet and a bell hop took our bags. Chaz checked us in while I sat in a leather chair and admired the lobby of the hotel. It was grand and impressive with dark carved wood, high ceilings, and a massive chandelier that looked like a blossoming flower. Chaz offered his hand and we made our way up the grand staircase to our suite.
“Bridal Suite?” I read the ornate script on the gold plaque that hung above the intricately carved double doors. “You’re quite a prankster aren’t you, Mr. Serna?”
He smirked. “It was all they had left when I called for the reservation. Do you want me to carry you over the threshold, Mrs. Serna?”
“Stop.”
“That’s the name I used when I registered,” he grinned. “I think I like the ring of that.”
“Not funny,” I glared back at him. He opened the door and bent down to toss me up over his shoulder. “Put me down!” I screamed and kicked my legs. He carried me into the entry hall where we were greeted by our suitcases, a round glass table, and a vase of red roses.
“Are those for me?”
“Nah,” Chaz said and continued carting me down the hall. “Probably left over from the previous guests.” I smacked his butt and he set me down. I looked around as he went to retrieve our bags from the entry hall. The suite was huge! There was a formal dining room, a butler’s pantry, and Chaz had deposited me in the living room with a large sectional sofa, heavy carved wood tables, and a stone fireplace. Persian rugs sat atop red Spanish tiled floors, and though it was dark, I could tell the ocean view from the tall windows would be magnificent in the morning.
“C’mon,” called Chaz. I followed him through to the bedroom. There was a massive four poster canopy bed that was so high it had steps to get onto it.
“Wow, look at that!” Chaz said as he rolled our suitcases to the side of the room. “I’m going to do all kinds of naughty things to you on that bad boy. I’m sorry. Did I say that out loud?” His eyes flashed wickedly.
“Down, boy,” I called and strolled into the bathroom. It didn’t fail to impress with a large Jacuzzi tub and walk-in shower.
“Ooh, I’ve always wanted to try one of these! I squealed and sat on the edge of the tu
b.
“I can arrange that.” He turned on the faucet then pulled me up to face him.
“Chaz, this is too much. Let me pay for some of this.”
“Don’t worry about it.” He kissed my neck and reached around to unzip my dress. “Do you like bubbles?” he asked as I stepped out of my dress.
“In the Jacuzzi?”
“No, on your hands. You’re going to be washing a lot of dishes to pay for this, sweetheart.” I shook my head and adjusted the water temperature. Chaz was full of it tonight and I was finally starting to forget about Dillon. He pressed the button and the jets started. “Go on, get in.”
I unhooked my black strapless bra and slid out of my lacy panties. Chaz’s chest expanded as he drew a deep breath, responding to my proximity. I brushed my body against him and slipped off his sport coat. “Aren’t you going to join me?” I asked coyly.
His gaze darkened, his voice lowering intimately. “I could, or would you like to enjoy this on your own, Birthday Girl?”
I stepped into the tub, looking over my shoulder as I lowered into the hot water. “Of course I want you to join me.”
He quickly shed himself of the rest of his clothing and climbed in behind me. I relaxed into him, resting my head against his chest as he tightened his legs around me. I was wrapped in pure Chaz bliss. We chatted about the party and Chaz confessed that though it was his idea, Danielle and Donny had planned out everything from the guest list to the decorations and the cake.
“Well, it was absolutely perfect. I couldn’t have imagined a better birthday.” I turned and kissed up his neck feeling my naked skin slide against his as I moved.
“You’re not mad about the surprise part?”
“No. I felt stupid for about ten seconds, then I realized how much trouble you all went for me. I am glad that I was dressed up though.”
“You looked stunning,” he said and nipped at my ear. “Happy birthday, Paige.”
I smiled thinking back to my dress and the beautiful necklace. I was still wearing it and I reached up to touch it, to make sure it was real. It was smooth and hard against my fingers. Just like Chaz was against my back right now. The flesh between my legs burned, a deep ache that only he could soothe. I turned and straddled him, water sloshing out of the tub from my sudden movement. He grabbed my face and held my cheeks tightly as he sealed his lips over mine. I rose up out of the water, gripping his hard length with my hand as I positioned him beneath me.
Chaz tore away from my mouth and pinched my hips. “Paige, stop.”
“What?”
“Not here.”
“Why not?”
His piercing green stare penetrated me. “I need to get a rubber.”
I shot him a hard glance. “Are you afraid I have VD or something?” I lowered back into the water and scooted to the opposite side of the tub.
Chaz threw his head back, roaring in laughter. I kicked and splashed him. I didn’t think it was funny at all. “C’mon, Paige. I’m not risking you getting pregnant.”
“I’m not going to get pregnant for God’s sake. I take my pill every day at the same time.” Then I had another thought. “Do you have VD?”
“You really know how to turn up the romance.”
I raised my eyebrows at him. “You’re avoiding the question.”
“No, I do not have VD. Miranda was the only girl I’d ever been with before you. You know how that turned out.”
Miranda. Always Miranda. I didn’t even know her and I was jealous of her. I sat up, my frame rigid. “You make me feel like I’m diseased or something.”
Chaz’s eyes softened and he reached forward, pulling me to him. “Baby, how could you say that?” His hands sifted through my wet hair.
“I hate rubbers,” I huffed. “I want to feel you inside me, all of you.”
“I know. Me too.” He tightened his arms around me and sighed. “Paige, everything you’ve wanted I’ve given to you. But I need you to give me this.” I melted into his embrace as soft kisses fluttered down my neck. He was right. He never asked for anything and gave me everything. He brought me to this beautiful hotel, the party, the necklace. And I had sort of cheated with Dillon, his worst enemy, last week. I was picking a fight with him because he was being responsible? I was a selfish brat. I was horrible! I leaned onto his shoulder and cried.
“Oh God, what now?”
“I don’t know how you put up with me.”
He laughed, a deep rumble in his chest as he held me against him. “Baby, I think you’re exhausted. Are you hungry?”
I nodded and sniffed. I had been so busy visiting with everyone at the party I had forgotten to eat.
“Relax in here for a little while and I’ll go order up something for us.” Chaz hopped out of the tub and slipped on the hotel robe. I sank under the water. Once again Chaz was taking care of me. I was pathetic! Why was I so hard on him?
My eyes became heavy and I drifted off in the soothing comfort of the bubbly warm water. I was in that weird stage of sleep where you can hear everything but you’re kind of alert in some part of your psyche. I heard MTV echoing through the suite, banging on the door, then low voices. I rubbed my eyes, forced myself to wake up, and rose out of the tub. My skin was wrinkled and blotchy. Pretty sexy, Paige, I thought as I toweled off. I wrapped myself in a plush hotel robe and Chaz called to me that the food had arrived. My stomach rumbled in anticipation. I was famished! UB40’s Red Red Wine echoed down the hall as I slid my feet into the soft slippers and shuffled to the living room. When I turned the corner I froze.
Chaz was wearing my beautiful Rampage dress!
His size ten feet were crammed into my size seven red pumps!
“What do you think?” He spread his arms and grinned.
“What the fuck are you doing?” I cried. “Take my dress off!”
“How do I look?”
I reached for the TV remote and hit the mute button. “I think you look ridiculous! You’re stretching it out!”
“Not my color?”
“This isn’t funny, Chaz, take it off!”
He kicked off the shoes and tugged at the back of the dress. “I think it’s stuck.”
“I ought to make you stay in it, serves you right.” I walked behind him. Chaz’s chest was so broad the zipper had only made it halfway up his back. I tugged at the zipper. It wouldn’t budge. I tried to pull the zipper up and tug it down again but it was still stuck and now it was pulling the material into the metal teeth. “Shit! Bend forward. I’m going to have to pull it over your head.” But Chaz’s shoulders were too wide, the dress wouldn’t budge.
“Here let me try.” He spun the dress so the zipper was facing the front of his chest. “Pull the dress down really tight.” I held on to it and grabbed some of his chest hair too.
“OW!”
I loosened my grip and smirked. He tugged on the zipper again. That did the trick and the zipper slid down.
“Sorry,” he said and stepped out of the dress. I snatched it from him and draped it gently over the sofa.
He slipped the robe back on. “Let’s eat.” I continued to glare at him as I picked up the red shoes and tucked them under the coffee table. What on Earth had gotten into him? If I told Danielle about this, she would have a field day and compare him to Donny again.
Chaz lifted the silver lids from the plates on the coffee table to reveal club sandwiches and nachos. We sat across from each other on the sectional sofa and began to eat.
“You really didn’t think it was funny?” he said, bringing a napkin to his lips.
I shook my head no, my mouth full of tortilla chips.
“Hmm,” he said and lent his full attention to the sandwich.
***
“He had your dress on? Like… he was wearing it?” Danielle gasped as she tugged at her bag of Cheetos. I couldn’t keep it from her.
“The dress, the shoes. He thought it was funny.” I stabbed a straw into my chocolate milk.
“That’s fuck
ed up.” She continued to struggle with the bag.
“Tell me about it. I loved that dress, it was special to me.”
“Was?” She continued to fight with the bag.
“Give me that.” I grabbed the bag from Danielle and tugged at the top. It wouldn’t budge. “Jesus! The Cheetos Gods do not want you to have these today.”
“That’s probably for the best,” she laughed. From out of nowhere a hand reached down and plucked the bag from my grasp. I looked up to see Dillon tear open the bag. He popped a few into his mouth, tossed the bag onto the table, and walked off.
“Thanks…I guess,” Danielle called after him. He didn’t look back.
“So other than the whole transvestite incident you had a good time at the beach?”
I pursed my lips. “Chaz is not a transvestite. And yes, I had a nice time. We walked on the beach, went to those cute trinket shops that smell like Patchouli, ate too much…”
“…Chaz bought one of those broomstick skirts from a hippy chick,” Danielle interrupted with a snort.
“I wish I hadn’t told you.” I picked up my trash and shoved it into my brown bag. I collected my books and folder, my movements quick and deliberate.
“Paige, I’m just messing with you.”
I smirked and rose from the bench.
“Boyfriends always wear their girlfriend’s dresses. Nothing to be concerned about. Completely normal,” she called as I stormed off.
I turned down the main hall and collided with a hard body, my books and papers falling to the ground. I looked up and was greeted with Dillon’s dark piercing gaze.
“You need to look where you’re going,” he warned but knelt down to pick up the mess nonetheless.
“Thanks, I got it.” I bent over and helped. We both rose at the same time and he returned my book and folder. I shoved them into the crook of my arm and turned to leave.
“Paige, wait.”
I froze in place, my back to him. I waited for him and we began to walk instep together.
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s fine. I should have been looking where I was going.”
He grabbed my elbow and stopped, turning me toward him. “No, not that. I’m sorry I cornered you at your party and…” He looked around at the students rushing by. Leaning in he whispered, “You know, in the kitchen.”