by J. L. Mac
“O-M-G, Chey, do tell!” Cheyenne rolled her eyes at my little show of drama while I laughed.
“Ha. Ha. Very cute. Okay, cut the crap. I’m serious.”
“Okay, Okay. What did you hear, Chey?”
“The word on the street is that s {eetn>
“And he demanded the full treatment, head to toe. He said to provide whatever his ‘friend’ aka, you, wanted. The girls at the front desk said he made a big fuss over you. Do you know how pricey the works is?” I shrugged.
“It’s damn expensive, Kat! Ben must seriously have a thing for you if he is willing to do all this. Have you seen the dress yet?” She was talking a million miles per hour and being her typical giddy self. It was hard to keep up.
“Cheyenne, you’re getting excited over nothing. He may be flirtatious, but there is nothing going on between us. Besides, he’s probably asking the staff to give me a full make over so that I don’t publicly embarrass him.” Cheyenne rolled her eyes and guffawed.
“You must be deaf, dumb, blind or all of the above, Kat! She held up two French tipped fingers then jabbed them at my chest. “First, have you looked in the mirror? You’re a smoking’ hot babes! And second, news flash, no one goes to all this trouble for someone they are not interested in.” I swatted her hand away.
“That’s debatable, but we’ll see, I suppose.”
“Come on. Give yourself some credit here. Does Ben know about law school? Does he know about you acing the LSAT?” I narrowed my eyes on Cheyenne.
“Nope. Does Tuck know that you are a culinary genius who refuses to pursue her dream?” Cheyenne glared at me.
“Touché,” She grumbled. I gave her a pat on the back and swallowed hard.
“No need to relive the past, right? Gotta run. I’ll see you tonight at home.” Cheyenne just sighed and nodded her head as I followed my masseuse away from the spa’s lounge.
Two weeks prior, I went to Tucker’s shop to complete my tattoo, and Cheyenne came along. I had managed to give Tucker just enough information about Cheyenne to appease him, and it was easy work convincing Cheyenne of how great he was. She jumped at the opportunity to go on a date with him. They seemed to be getting along great and spending plenty of time together. I had hope that he would be good for my best friend, and so far, he was far exceeding my expectations.
Despite my reluctance to go, I had to admit that the spa day was amazing. I was pampered, polished, massaged, waxed, soaked in essential oils, manicured, and pedicured. The stylist shampooed and styled my long auburn locks into loose waves that hung down my back. The makeup artist applied my makeup for the ball and it was perfect. My green eyes have a burst of amber jutting outward from the center of my irises and the makeup artist accentuated the emerald green and amber flawlessly. My eyes were a light smoky gray around the edges with bronze fading into a met {ng rtist acallic copper colored shadow across my eyelids.
I paced around in the apartment looking ready to impress except I had no dress. I was wearing a ratty bath robe over my polished skin. I had become nervous with only a half an hour before Ben would be arriving and I still had no dress. I was digging through my closet for formal wear when at last, the dress he bought for me was delivered. I unzipped the wardrobe bag and stared blankly at what he sent for me. It was a jade green Grecian style designer gown.
Holy shit!
It was positively breathtaking. I had to admit, Ben had great taste. I slipped on the dress and Cheyenne came bounding into the room and froze.
“Kat! My God, you look…incredible!” She leapt at me, grabbed my shoulders to spin me for a full view.
“Thanks. But it does seem a little scandalous. Yes? No?”
“Are you joking? Hell no it’s not scandalous. It’s beautiful, and you wear it like it was made for you.” The coloring of the gown made my green eyes vibrant. The dress was chiffon and silk. It had a halter V-neck line that plunged between my breasts. The base of the plunging V had a crystal beaded ornate bronze embellishment. The straps clasped behind my neck, and the front of the gown had draped chiffon that streamed across and over every curve. It exaggerated my hips, my breasts and the contour of my waist, creating an hour glass figure like none I had ever seen. The gown had a plunging back that rested at the small of my back and barely covered my rear from being exposed. It had a thigh high, slit and the hem just barely grazed the floor in the front and a little more in the back. I looked like I had been skillfully wrapped in an expensive bed sheet. He also sent a box that held a beautiful, strappy, pair of pricey designer heels that matched the embellishment on the gown perfectly, and a metallic fold over clutch. All in all, I was sure that the total cost of this ensemble was likely worth more than my car. I had Cheyenne snap a photo of me with my cell phone then I uploaded it to my social network. It was just too enticing not to share.
Ben arrived right on time as I knew he would. I grabbed my tinted lip gloss, cell phone, compact mirror, and a little cash, stuffed all of it into my clutch and walked out the front door where he stood with his back to the door. His hands were in his pockets and he spun to see me once I exited my apartment. He took his hands from his pockets, and swallowed hard. I blushed slightly when I saw his eyes skate over me appraisingly.
“You’re radiant, Kathleen Cooper.”
“Thank you…” I wasn’t sure what I should call him.
“Please, it’s just Ben, to you.”
To me? What’s that supposed to mean?
Ben extended his arm. “Shall we?”
I slipped my arm into the crook of his elbow, and he led us to the waiting car. The driver opened the door to the car, and Ben nudged me ahead of him to slip into the back. When I stepped ahead of him, his hand landed on my lower back, and the skin to skin contact sent my senses ablaze. My stomach turned over and felt leaden, a thin sheen of sweat blossomed from my pores and heat pulsed through my core. I hesitated for a moment with his hand on me, and I heard him take in a sharp breath. I slid across the leather upholstery and glanced back at Ben. He stood beside the open door of the car and had a curious look on his face then he shook his head and slid into the car next to me. Our thighs were only inches from touching. I was longing to touch him, to be touched by him. My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt Ben staring at me.
“What?” I said in a whisper. Ben glanced toward my shoulder, and suddenly I realized what had him so stupefied outside the car.
Holy shit! The tattoo!
I was so consumed with the beautiful outfit that Ben had sent over for me that I didn’t even think about the ink that covered the full span of my back. I was sure that he did not expect such a tattoo on a person like me.
Crap! He is going to be embarrassed by me in front of all these high class people. Should I explain? I can’t explain this to him nor do I want to. Should I back out and ask to be taken home? I don’t want to insult him. Shit!
I decided to just do my best to let my long styled wavy locks conceal my tattooed flesh as much as possible. We rode to the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in silence, but there was more than plenty of communication between the two of us. The sexual tension was palpable, even if ignored. When we arrived, the driver opened the door to let us out, and the arousal that assailed me at my apartment was replaced with sheer nervous terror. I definitely didn’t belong in that circle of people. Ben would be just fine there even though he didn’t really seem to be that hoity-toity when I met him in his faded tee and rugged vintage jeans. Although standing before me with his hand extended to help me out of the car, he looked amazing and every bit high class in his flawless, tailored tux.
The stone circle drive was surrounded by large trees that twinkled and gleamed with thousands of tiny white lights. There was a magnificent awning extending from the entry to the hotel. The place looked like a tawny colored castle boasting white trimmed terraces and balconies. The roof was terracotta tile. the windows were massive and arched. The grounds were immaculately manicured and there was ornate wrought iron everywhere. The hotel was two-s
tory and at one point was a private home but was eventually transformed into a premiere resort with lush accommodations and amenities. In short, the place was old, expensive and absolutely enchanting. I felt very out of place. The men and women I saw milling around were well dressed and obviously the upper class of the Dallas area. In an effort to assuage my faltering confidence, Ben leaned into my ear and wrapped his arm around my waist possessively. I relaxed in his grip.< {in n effor/font>
“Kathleen, you are stunning. I hope you like the dress. I do.”
I felt like such an idiot. I was so consumed with my thoughts in the car I didn’t even think to thank him for the gown, heels, and clutch. “I love it, Ben. Thank you for everything.” I smiled just as sweet as I could manage through my anxiety. Looking at my handsome date made everything much easier to take in. Ben winked and removed his arm from my waist, and we were once again, arm in arm. The disappointment I felt when he freed me was disconcerting.
What’s my problem?
The ball room was equal in beauty to the mansion. Large round tables with beautiful floral and candle lit center pieces littered the room. The walls were an earthy truffle color. They contrasted well with the crisp white linen everywhere throughout the room. There was a large dance floor in the center with a dimly lit glistening chandelier above it. Wide draping streamers drooped and jutted outward from the chandelier in the center of the ceiling. Near the front of the room was a DJ and a fifteen piece big band. We found our table, and he gave me the details about the charity and told me what the evening would entail. There was a silent auction, dinner, dancing, and mingling on the agenda. I expect the mingling part was important to most everyone there. Rich well to-do people love other rich well to-do people. I was introduced to the other guests at our table, and Ben made conversation easily, while I people watched and sat silent with my thoughts.
Geez, Ben must be seriously loaded. More than I had thought.
I didn’t think he was the ridiculously rich type. He seemed so normal at the book store. Well, mostly normal I guess. He sat forward in his seat while engaging in conversation with the others at our table then leaned back when the conversation waned. He lifted his arm and rested it across the back of my chair while sipping on some amber colored alcohol. He appeared far more comfortable than I was.
“Thanks again for asking me to come with you tonight. This must have been so expensive.” I made sure to whisper my appreciation discreetly. My fidgeting with my hair persisted. I absentmindedly swept it from my back to rest across my shoulder, down the front of my chest. Ben smiled and winked then his hand moved to my back and his thumb made slow sweeping passes back and forth across my shoulder blade. I remembered my tattoo and panicked. I made a move to sweep my hair back off my shoulder to tumble down my back in an effort to conceal some of the ink. Ben caught my wrist with his free hand and leaned in close to my face. So close I could smell the liquor on his breath and could tell that he was drinking scotch.
“Don’t.” He placed my trapped hand back into my lap, and I leaned back fractionally to look at him better.
“I…I don’t want, I mean, people will look. I don’t want to embarrass you. Or myself for that matter.”
t wt face="Times New Roman"> His eyes narrowed, but his thumb continued stroking my back. “You are not an embarrassment, Kathleen. I don’t want to hear you say that again. It doesn’t matter what others say, I like it. I’m just glad that I chose a dress that showcases it so well. As far as the money goes? Don’t worry about it. I have far more money than I could ever need or use. Do you understand?”
I nodded slowly feeling like a chastised child.
“Say you understand, Kathleen.”
Why does he call me Kathleen? Aidan called me that. He knows I prefer to be called Kat.
“I understand.” He nodded and looked out to the dance floor filling with couples while the DJ began to play.
Please don’t ask. Please don’t ask. Please don’t ask.
Ben grabbed my hand in his and pinned me with his fierce smoldering blue-green eyes. “Come dance.”
I guess he didn’t ask. He demanded…of course.
He dragged me from the table. Once we stepped out onto the floor, he swept me wide from him and swiftly jerked me back into his body. I was pressed against him, face to face. Memories of my first day at the firm flooded my mind. I knew I should resist, but I wanted him so badly. I wanted all of him. I was drawn to the man on a primal level. There was no fighting raw animal instinct. His right hand pressed against my lower back, and he held my right hand with his left. I rested my other hand high on his chest. He felt so good that close to me. He smelled like heaven. I could only imagine what he would taste like. I was getting distracted by my rogue thoughts and worried about falling on my face.
“Ben, I can’t dance.”
“Shhh, dancing is not something you think about. Let your body do the thinking and you will be fine.”
I nodded and did my best to do what he said. The song we swayed to was Trust In Me, by Etta James. Ben was right. Once I stopped thinking and allowed my body to do what felt natural, I melted into him, and together we melted into the sweet, soulful song. I wrapped my free hand around his neck and rested my cheek on his chest. Ben held me tighter to him, and I felt inexplicably at home in his arms. He encapsulated me from my surroundings. I wasn’t worried about nosey onlookers, judgmental stares, work, my lost inner self or the story telling ink on my back. Bens thumb brushed softly back and forth across my lower back like he did at our table. I sighed with utter contentment. He brushed his chin against my temple, and I lifted my head from his chest to look at him. We locked eyes. Heated, fierce, smoldering blue green eyes bore into me making me feel completely bare to him. I stared back, giving it as good as I {as We lgot. Ben lowered his head close to mine.
Oh God, he’s really going to kiss me!
He placed his soft full lips on mine and kissed me chastely. He ended the kiss before I wanted. It was so perfect but so brief and left me wanting. Longing. Yearning. Needing. The song ended, and we stood staring at each other for a moment before he led us back to our table. During dinner, he kept his hands on me at all times. His hand on my knee. His thumb lazily stroking my back. Holding my hand in his. I made an attempt to brush my hair away to hang down my back a few times, and every time Ben stopped my hand and narrowed his eyes disapprovingly.
I guess he does like the tattoo. He probably wouldn’t if he knew what it was all about.
We danced many times throughout the night. Every dance was just as intense as the first one. We melted together during each song and I had the feeling that in Ben’s arms was where I belonged. The thought scared me witless. But, God, how I wanted him. I wanted to feel his lips against mine again. I wanted to feel his lips all over my body. I wanted to put my lips all over his body, taste his skin, to feel the weight of him above me.
While taking a break between songs, Ben went to the open bar to get drinks. A handsome man approached me at our table. I looked up at a sandy blonde haired man with beautiful blue eyes and smiled nicely. “I was not going to approach you, but I knew I would be a complete fool to not introduce myself to such a beautiful woman.”
Smooth, chief.
He shoved his hand in my direction. “I’m Stephen Mitchell and you are?” I hesitantly put my hand in his. There was something about Stephen that seemed fishy, but I couldn’t quite discern what it was.
“Hi. I’m Kathleen Cooper.” A smile slid across his lips, and I was sure that my instincts were more right than wrong.
“Can I talk you into a spin around the dance floor?” He did his best to look pleading.
“I don’t think that’s a good idea. My date will be back any second.”
“Just one dance, Kathleen.”
“Call me Kat please.”
“One little dance, Kat.”
I groaned and gave in despite my better judgment screaming that this guy was bad news.
“Oh, fine. One danc
e.” I rose from my seat and placed my hand back in his when he offered it. Stephen pulled me to {pul="Timehim when the music picked up. I felt someone staring at me while we danced and my gut told me it was Ben.
I hope he isn’t pissed. Wait. So what if he is pissed? He has no claim over me. I am not his girlfriend I’m his employee for Christ sake! I can dance with whoever I choose to. It’s just one lousy dance.
Stephen interrupted my rebellious private rant. “You know, if you’re here with Benjamin Chase, you’re bound to be disappointed by him.” Stephen shook his head at me with pity.
“I am in fact, here with Benjamin Chase, but why would I be disappointed in him?”
“Are you his girlfriend?”
“What business is it of yours?” I shot back a little too defensively.
“It isn’t. I just figured that a beautiful woman like you should know that being involved the womanizing Benjamin Chase will only lead to heartache. Why waste your time with someone like him?”