by S. K. Lessly
“I don’t know… maybe seven thirty or so. I’ve changed our reservations for eight to be on the safe side.”
“Oh okay. Well, I can meet you at the restaurant or something. That way you don’t have to make an extra trip across town to get me.” I held my breath hoping he wouldn’t cancel.
He was quiet for a long time then finally he sighed, “How about you meet me in my apartment.”
Oh Shit…
“Okay,” I replied.
“So that way if I’m a little later than seven thirty, we can still make our reservation.”
Whew…
“Okay, sounds like a plan.”
“And please take a cab over there. As a matter of fact, I can send a car for you, or call Ivan and he‒”
“Josh, it’s fine. I can take a cab,” I told him, rolling my eyes. Really, he had some nerve being bossy and trying to get rid of me at the same time.
Josh told me that he would leave instructions for the bellman in his building to let me in when I arrived. As soon as he hung up, I created a new plan. I lied before, telling him I would be fine about dinner. I was starving. So I decided to make a few stops before I got to his apartment.
I’d been there a few times, so I knew my way around his place and what kind of food he had there too. I called a cab and first stopped at the Whole Food store close to Southside Works, a shopping complex down the street from Finn’s, then called another cab to take me to Josh’s apartment.
Josh’s apartment was beautiful, and the scenery was spectacular. He lived at The Pennsylvanian, which was an historic landmark in the city from the 1900s. Back then it was considered the gateway to the west when traveling by railroad, which was considered the best way to travel. The Pennsylvanian Union, as it was called, connected New York to Philadelphia and Chicago. Now the building had been transformed to corporate and residential homes, numbering about two hundred, bringing new life into age–old history.
When you walked inside his apartment, directly to the left of the door was the galley kitchen with a breakfast bar that gave way to the living room/dining room area. There were two fourteen–foot windows that displayed a beautiful view of downtown in the living room. If you took a right by the front door, you’d run into a restroom on the right, down the hall was one bedroom, then the master suite was toward the back of the apartment. There were beautiful oak hardwood floors in the living room hallways and bedrooms and Travertine tile and granite counter tops in the kitchen and bathrooms. The place was cozy and warm, and I really loved spending time here.
The bellman downstairs let me in his apartment with no problems, and I started with my plans instantly. It was hard to work around this dress I had on, but I made do in spite of my limitations.
I brought some fruit and cheese and started cutting them, creating a nice platter to nibble on. I wasn’t sure what kind of cheeses I got, but the counter clerk at the store said they were delicious. I popped one in my mouth and had to agree with her. I sat the platter on his dining room table then went in the refrigerator and grabbed a bottle of Merlot he had chilled, probably for me since I’m weird and love my wine cold, popped it open and grabbed two glasses.
I poured me at least two in order to settle my nerves. I popped a few grapes and slices of cantaloupe in my mouth to try and put something on my stomach, so when I threw up from my nerves in a minute I’d have something to release.
I walked to one of my favorite views and stared out into the city lights, hoping and praying this dress and Joy’s plan would work. As I turned from the view, contemplating on getting another glass of wine, Josh walked in the door.
He stared at me for a few minutes, and I did the same to him. Damn, he was walking sex, not that I knew what that meant, but I had a very good idea because just the sheer sight of him made me weak. My mouth went dry, and I swear, my lower lips quivered, and yes, I said they quivered.
Josh, still looking at me, cleared his throat and finally said, “Great, you’re here… Just give me a few minutes to freshen up and change then we can go.”
I smiled and nodded watching and realizing he hadn’t really come into the apartment. He pretty much talked to me from across the room, not a good sign.
He loosened his tie, looked at me up and down then mumbled, “I’ll be back,” and walked back to his room.
Every ounce of strength and confidence left my body in that instance. I looked down at the dress Joy squeezed my boobs, thighs and ass into and sighed. The dress was green, and as she said, it contoured the color of my skin. It did more than that, but I didn’t elaborate. This dress with my true eye color was amazing.
Anyway… The dress was a sleeveless number with the back low, proving that a bra was out of the question. It didn’t matter really because it felt like my babies were going to jump out of the top if I inhaled too deeply.
The body of the dress fit like a glove, and it stopped mid–thigh. The dress bunched up slightly around my hips, allowing me to at least wear a thong and a garter belt and be unnoticeable.
What I loved was my eye makeup. Joy gave me a smoky eye look, bringing the attention straight to my eyes. I deep curled my hair and let it fall all over in different directions. It worked for me, and I had to say, I was looking stunning. I turned heads in the Whole Foods store, both cab drivers kept looking at me through the rear view mirror, even the bellman downstairs eyes stayed on my tits and ass. Hell, I even had one of Josh’s neighbors slip me his card.
But the one man I wanted to impress and get a rise out of was immune to me.
I walked over to the dining room table, picked up the wine bottle and took it to the head. I then grabbed a honeydew melon and brought it up to my lips.
“So much for ‘he won’t be able to keep his hands off you,’” I said, rolling my eyes mocking Joy’s expressions.
I bit into my melon and the juices squirted down my hand. “Shit…”
Yeah, I was starting to cuss… that’s how stressed I was. I looked around and found there was no napkin insight.
“Wonderful.”
There was a juice line running down my wrist, and I brought my wrist to my mouth and licked what was falling.
“My goodness, these are sweet,” I softly mumbled.
I closed my eyes and licked up my fingers then took the melon in between my deep maroon lipstick mouth.
“Fuck,” I heard coming from across the room, and I opened my eyes.
Josh was standing in the hallway from his bedroom with his shirt open, showing his t–shirt. His pants were hanging low on his hips, and he was bare foot.
My breath quickened as I could see the dark desire in his eyes from across the room. He looked at me up and down the same way he did in the door way and just stared at me. Okay, Summer, you can do this. I hyped myself up only to watch Josh leave the room once more.
Fighting back the tears, I went for the heavy stuff he had on his bar, located my soothing juice i.e., tequila, and poured some into my wine glass. This shit was fucked up, excuse my French.
I took a healthy gulp, and I realized I couldn’t do this. I couldn’t seduce this man. Hell, I couldn’t seduce any man… So it was settled, when he came back out I’d just tell him I had to go.
At that moment, after I was about to pour a second glass, someone knocked on his door. I looked at it, then in the direction of his bedroom.
He called out to me. “See who that is. I’ll be out in a minute.”
I didn’t reply, but I rolled my eyes.
Bossy bastard.
I did what I was told and came face to face with one of Josh’s co–workers. To refresh your memory, I met her at Finn’s when she was rude to me, and again the many times I went to see him in his office.
My eyes uncontrollably took in everything this woman has to offer, and I began to really feel self–conscious. Her black hair was pinned up, showing a beauty that was undeniable. It looked like she wore very little makeup, and as my eyes roamed her, I noticed she had a great body to boot. Agai
n, she was in a very form fitting dress that accentuated every curve, every attribute she possessed and then some.
A smile placated her face as she said, “Well, I didn’t expect to still see you here. Where’s Josh?”
The woman walked past me, looking around, clearly not really looking for an answer from me.
“Oh my goodness, isn’t this sweet?” she said as she looked at my fruit and cheese platter I made. Then, she chuckled and gave me the same once over I gave her. “Cute dress,” she said to me, and I knew the moment she opened her mouth I wasn’t going to like her. “You know, Sweets… That’s what he calls you, right? Sweets? So cute, by the way… Anyway, like I was saying; Sweets, I just think it’s really sweet of him, you know… keeping an eye on you considering…”
What? I frowned and crossed my arms over my chest.
“Anyway, I hope you don’t mind me barging in on your night. There are some things I need to speak to Josh about, but I’m sure it won’t take too long.”
I finally found my voice and my anger and said, “Oh no, it’s not a problem. As a matter of fact, I was just leaving.”
“To go where?”
We both turned to face a very unhappy looking Josh. I thought at first the look he was giving off was for his co–worker, but in fact, it was geared towards me.
I gathered myself quickly…I didn’t pay attention to his very defined, very toned arms or his very muscular chest that was still hidden under a tank style t–shirt. No, I concentrated on his blue eyes that were turning darker by the second.
“Sweets, where are you going?” he repeated.
Finally, I said, “You have company, Josh.”
All that time he stood there his eyes stayed on me. When he finally noticed the other woman, the frown on his face deepened.
“What the fuck are you doing here, Paula?”
Ah Paula… that’s her name.
Paula, to her credit, didn’t jump from the vibrato in his voice like I had. She just smiled at him and popped one of the carefully carved fruits in her mouth.
She said finally, “Coming to talk to you.”
“Yeah well, you see I have company, so let me show you the door.”
Josh moved toward the door, but I stopped him.
“You know what, that’s not necessary. I had something to do today, and actually if I’m going to make it across town, I should leave…”
“Yeah, I don’t think so… not until you answer my question,” he replied
Um excuse me?
I shook my head and replied, “I don’t have to answer your question, Josh. I told you yesterday I had something to do today, and if I don’t leave now I’m going to be late so…”
“What do you have to do that requires you to leave right this second, Sweets?” Josh asked again.
“Clearly, Josh, she has a date…” I heard Paula say behind him.
What I really wanted to do at that point was tell her to mind her own business, but I didn’t. She gave me an out, and I took it.
“Yes, I have a date…”
“With who?”
I noticed the change in him instantly. The anger seemed to rise from the tight fist he had at his side to the rise and fall of his chest to the holistic look of pure rage in his eyes.
I swallowed hard and tried not to look directly in his eyes when I said, “It doesn’t matter who it is…”
Josh moved to stand closer to me. “You’re right, it doesn’t matter because you aren’t going anywhere.”
The hell with that. I went to the dining room table, grabbed my purse and walked toward the door without another word spoken.
“Sweets,” Josh called after me, but I kept walking.
The nerve of him speaking to me like that. He really hadn’t spoken to me in days, and now that I’d said I had a date he wanted to act like he owned me. Well forget that…
“Damn it Sweets…” Josh admonished.
I turned just as I got to the door.
“No, you’re full of shit, do you know that? One minute you’re this amazing guy who seems to really be into me then all of a sudden nothing. Now what because I have a date now you fucking care?”
“Tell me who you’re going out with?” he asked as if I hadn’t said a word.
“I would just let it her go, Josh,” I heard Paula say, which pissed me off so much so that I, well… I decided to piss Josh off even more, so she could be stuck with a royally pissed off Alpha.
I folded my arms and said quickly, “Stanley, if you must know.”
Josh laughed at me. “Stanley…”
My eyes narrowed on him.
“Yes, that’s right, Stanley… do you remember Stanley? My ‘oh so hot neighbor’ with the spectacular body, yeah him.”
Josh’s eyes burned as he said to me, “You’re not going out with Stanley…”
“Yes, I am.”
“No, the fuck you’re not… First of all, I know for a fact he didn’t ask you.”
I folded my arms in front of me, “Oh yeah, why is that? You think I’m not attractive enough? You think he wouldn’t find me attractive. I’ll have you know he’s hit on me multiple times since he’s moved in, and you know, at first I told him no, thinking I had someone who really felt something for me, but I guess I’m mistaken so…”
I turned to leave when Josh shouted my name. Trying to look aloof and not completely turned on, I turned and looked at him.
“We need to talk,” he said very calmly, which surprised me
“I’m done talking,” I replied back.
At the same time, Paula called out to Josh.
Frustrated to no end, he looked at Paula and said to her, “First of all, I don’t need you saying shit else. Mind your fucking business…”
I added because, well, I needed to.
“Yeah, take your own advice…”
I cringed inwardly after I spoke. My comeback was weak but that was all I had.
To Paula’s defense though, she didn’t need me to say shit else as she said to him, “Look, clearly she wants to go, and I don’t understand why you just don’t let her go. It’s not like you’re lacking in replacements.”
My mouth dropped… that bitch…
Okay, so yes, I had enough. I didn’t want to hear them go back and forth, and as I said, he and I were done, so I moved toward the door again.
Josh growled… and yes, he literally growled at me and said, “Sweets, so help me, don’t you dare fucking move. Paula, get the fuck out of my apartment.”
Josh moved toward the door, opened it wide and met Paula’s deathly dark eyes.
“You’ve got to be joking,” she replied.
“No, I’m not. I didn’t ask you to come over here, but you did. If you have shit to say to me, you can say it at the office. Now I’m asking nicely, but best believe I won’t ask nice twice.”
Reluctantly, she started moving toward the door. Once she was through it, Josh simply closed and locked it then looked at me.
He walked to me, but I started walking around him and headed for his door. I wasn’t staying here a moment longer. I don’t know what I was thinking coming here dressed like this.
“Sweets…” He said my name as if pain rocked his body.
I stopped but didn’t turn around. I didn’t want to stop. I mean, I had my hand on the doorknob. But I don’t know, there was something about the way he said my name that caused me to stop.
I heard him sigh, but I still didn’t turn around to face him.
He said calmly, “Just give me a few minutes to say what I need to say and then after that, if you want to go, I won’t stop you.”
I said softly, “There’s nothing to say, Josh.”
I closed my eyes as I felt him close the gap between us.
My heart started to beat faster, and butterflies invaded my stomach the moment I felt his hand move to my hips. He softly caressed me from my hips to my stomach, then moved me closer to him. “I disagree,” he said, ever so softly.
; This man was night and day.
Josh lightly kissed my shoulders, tickling me, sending my nerves into overdrive. I was getting weak. My resolve was dissolving with every sensual bite he would give me on my shoulder. He moved up my shoulder kissing me, sucking me, making me lose my mind. My knees were starting to shake, and I swear my g–string had evaporated from the moisture pooling between my legs.
I wanted to turn around. I wanted to feel his lips on mine… I wanted… shit… he was now kissing my neck, and of course, I involuntarily moved my head to the side to give him better access…. My body was abandoning me and giving in to the desires that I knew were starting to take over. Traitor…
I placed both my hands against the door to brace myself. My breath quickened with every touch from his lips, and the need for him was slowly taking over. Keep it together, girl, you can do this, I thought to myself trying to stay focused…
Josh said to me, “Are you really going on a date?”
“Mmmm–Hmmm,” was all I could say as my eyes rolled to the back of my head.
I bit my bottom lip to stop myself from moaning…
“With Stanley?” he asked close to my ear.
“Uh–huh.”
Josh put one hand on the door above me, and I felt his other hand travel down to my hips and move to go underneath my dress…
“You wore this dress for him then?”
“I uh… wore this dress for my date, yes.” I gasped suddenly as I felt his hand touch the front of my panties.
I knew he felt the garter belt I wore. I felt the sharp intake of his breath on my neck.
“So you wore this for me then…”
“No I…” I stopped talking the moment I felt his finger graze me. My hand instantly went to his wrist. “What are you doing, Josh?”
“So you didn’t wear this dress, this…” he snapped the strap holding my thigh high stockings in place. “…for me?”
“No,” I said with a quiver in my voice I knew I couldn’t hide.
“Huh… you know I don’t believe you. I think you wore this dress to seduce me. To make me lose my mind…” Josh kissed my ear and said softly, “turn around, Sweets…”
I didn’t move…
Josh moved his hand from under my dress and started to pull down my zipper. That caused me to turn around quickly.