Sophie smiles again. She is so nice and asks me if I want her help with a necklace and earrings. I do. She graciously leaves her department and walks with me to the costume jewelry area. We settle on a silver tone thick necklace with a hint of black in the design that sits just above the neckline and a simple pair of silver and black earrings. I can’t thank her enough as she escorts me to the cashier to pay. I wait in line and a couple of minutes later, I see Sophie at my side again. She has some perfume samples for me to take.
“If you get a chance come back and tell me how the date went. I work weekdays from 10 to 6. Good luck, you’ll be a knockout!” I hug her, how can I not? She has been so helpful.
“Thank you so much for your time today,” I say as I release her. Sophie waves to me as she heads back to her department.
I can get to the train from the basement of the department store. I have my laptop on my shoulder and my purchases in a bag that sways as I walk with purpose. Feeling extremely excited, I daydream all the way home about the evening to come. When I get home, I quickly set up my laptop on the dining table and then lay the dress out on my bed along with the necklace and earrings. I have a pair of black pumps that will work with this dress and a small leather purse I can take the strap off and carry as a clutch. Feeling very pleased with myself I settle in to check my email. I need to get through the next few hours before I begin to get ready.
Tick-tock, says the clock over my electric fireplace. At nearly 6 I decide to start getting ready. I still can’t wrap my head around me going out with someone as distinguished and confident as Mr. Stone. The closer it gets to 7, the more heavily my heart thumps inside my chest.
I remove the tags off the dress, necklace, and earrings and begin to dress. I find a sheer silky pair of nude hosiery and put them on before stepping into my shoes. Looking in the full-length mirror, I think I look good and know I feel good. I hope Adam agrees. In my purse I put some cash, my keys, lip gloss, and my iPhone. It’s time. My journey begins. I grab a shawl, which I put over my arm, not wanting to hide my new dress when Adam first sees me. Locking the apartment door, I begin my descent down the stairs mindful of each step because I am wearing high heels and not the flats I normally wear when I take this route. As I reach the bottom of the stairs, I see the man I find so attractive leaning against a black, shiny, sexy looking car. I think it’s a Jaguar, possibly the new F type I’ve seen in some of Paul’s magazines. The man and his car make a good pair. It really is almost as handsome as he is. He sees me and, looking quite surprised, steps forward as I hit the last step.
“You look great, Violet, very classy in black and silver.” I feel very happy about his compliment.
He of course looks sizzling hot in black slim-fitted pants and a white tapered shirt that accentuates his broad shoulders and muscular arms. I can’t take my eyes off of him as I marvel at how good he looks. I feel a surge between my thighs and still can’t believe I am going to dinner with someone like him.
“You look really nice too Adam,” I say smiling up at him as my nerves begin to kick in.
“Thanks, I am glad you think so.” He kisses me gently on my lips before opening my car door. He smells really good too. He helps me into the car and then leans into it to secure my seat belt. His closeness instantly sends another one of those sensations through me that I now associate with being around him. I can smell his minty breath as he comes past me to exit the car and feel his hand lightly brush across my breasts, causing my nipples to become erect immediately. I look down, thankful the sturdy material of my dress is covering them. Adam walks around the car and jumps in on the driver’s side.
“This is a nice car.”
“I am glad you like it. I like fast cars, they’re fun to drive.” I can hear excitement in his voice.
I wonder if he likes fast women too. I shake that thought away and instead say, “I bet it is. No driver tonight?”
“No, it’s just you and me tonight. Frank drives me mostly for business and the occasional weekend when I need him. I really do enjoy driving; plus dinner with you is quite personal to me.” No wonder he has such a stellar car! I think.
“Oh, thank you,” I say feeling quite flattered, but still very nervous. We soon pull up outside a tall building, where a valet quickly opens my door as Adam steps out of the car. Adam takes my hand and walks me towards a door that is being opened by a doorman.
He greets Adam, “Good evening Mr. Stone,” and smiles at me as well. I guess Adam comes here a lot. I follow him to an elevator also being held open by an attractive female hostess.
She smiles widely and greets him with the same, “How nice to see you again Mr. Stone, we have your table ready.” She manages a little smile for me too. How thoughtful, I think as we all step into the elevator together.
The hostess presses the 25th floor button and it’s not long before the elevator door opens and we exit into a large marble foyer leading in to an impressive dining area with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the cityscape. The hostess wiggles her wares in front of Adam as we follow her to our table, which is tucked away behind a privacy wall and has the best view in the entire place. The hostess pulls out the chair for me across from where Adam is about to sit and I take my seat. A waiter comes over and Adam orders what I assume must be a very good bottle of red wine. He doesn’t seem to need the wine list here.
We are now sitting face-to-face and Adam looks at me for a minute and then asks, “You seem deep in thought. What are you thinking about?”
I look back at him, not sure if I feel confident or scared. “I’m surprised to be sitting here with you and I feel a little nervous, I’m sorry.”
He leans back in his chair across from me. “And yet here we are. I’ve been told I make a lot of people nervous. Sorry about that.” He seems sincere, and that voice.
I decide to be honest with him. “It’s your stature and presence. I find it intimidating, and strange that someone in your position would be here with someone like me,” I say quietly.
“What does my position have to do with anything?” What a dolt, I think for a quick moment.
“You’re an important man, Mr. Stone,” I say in a low voice, almost embarrassed.
“Please call me Adam. And I’m just a man who happens to be a lawyer having dinner with a woman he finds attractive. How about we just stick with that, okay?” He seems a little annoyed with me.
I continue anyway, needing him to know how I feel. “You are an influential man who has made your mark in this world very early, from what Paul tells me. Our worlds are so far apart. I’m working towards being an experienced paralegal and still trying to figure out my life. You’ve done that already and much more. You’re smart, very successful, and sought after by other leaders for your help. That’s impressive at your age. The world doesn’t expect you to be sitting here with me.”
He leans forward and says, “I don’t make my decisions based on what the world thinks I should do. I make them based on what I think I should do. It’s always been that way and will always be that way. My age and stature, as you put it, are a result of good schools, great teachers, hard work, and having skipped three grades. So I am technically three years ahead of where I should be, age wise anyway. Let’s just enjoy the evening. I want to learn more about you, that’s why I asked you to dinner. Please don’t disappoint me. Tell me about yourself. I want to know everything.” He leans back in his chair waiting for my response.
I smile at him, trying to hide my discomfort. I don’t want to disappoint him and feel even more insecure than I did before. Am I completely out of his league? I think back to my mantra and sit up straight in my chair to bolster confidence, I watch the waiter come over with a bottle of wine. This momentary interruption gives me time to think about what I am going to say. I watch him show it to Adam who nods. The waiter then opens it for him to taste. Adam nods again then turns back to look right into my eyes. The waiter pours two glass
es of wine for us.
Adam picks up his glass and I follow. “I hope you like this wine. It’s very smooth and if you let it sit on your tongue for a moment you will taste its body.”
I could listen to his voice forever. I take a sip and let it sit on my tongue. It is the best wine I have ever tasted and yes, letting it sit for a while on my tongue does enhance the flavor. “Wow, you’re right, the flavor does improve. This is a delicious wine. Thank you.”
He raises his glass to toast this time. “Here’s to an enjoyable evening.” We clink our glasses together. His eyes find mine when he says, “So, you were going to tell me about yourself.”
“Well,” I begin, “I’m a history major. I realized in my last year before graduating that finding a job was not going to be easy.” I take another sip of the wine and notice he seems totally focused on me. “I had studied a lot about the evolution of law through history, which made me decide to take a paralegal certificate course. Through school, I also worked part-time as a receptionist in a real estate office.” I take a breath, trying my best not to prattle on too long. He’s still looking at me. “Once I got my certificate, I applied for a job at a lot of law firms. Paul hired me as a temp while his paralegal was on her honeymoon for two weeks. Lucky for me, she resigned almost immediately after she found out she was pregnant, thinking she didn’t want to put in such long hours anymore. Paul, being Paul, offered her a part-time role in the contracts department which suited her needs and then offered me her job that same day.”
Adam is a good listener and I can tell he is interested in what I’m saying. His eyes haven’t left mine once. I have to constantly avert my eyes from his gaze, unable to handle the hot flashes and nerves that keep running through me.
He says, “You’re diligent Violet, I like that. Thinking ahead is a good thing. It was smart of you to take the paralegal certification. I think ahead about everything as well. I’ve even thought about how this dinner will pan out.” His comment makes me swallow hard and I am sure he noticed it too. To add to my unease he then asks, “Did you apply at my firm? I’m sure I would have hired you.” He grins, putting his finger over his lips like a thought had just flashed through his mind. It makes me shuffle in my seat.
I reply, trying to look composed, “No, I thought your firm was too big and would want years of experience. I only applied at smaller firms.”
“I can understand why you might think that, but we hire great people and make sure they’re placed properly and set up for success. My team and I have an eye for talent, and I can tell you’re talented. If you ever want to change jobs, just let me know.”
Another hot surge flows through me when I think of working for him, seeing him every day, and how that would affect me. My hands tremble and I try to hide this by holding them together in my lap. He doesn’t miss a thing with those sharp eyes and he asks me, “Violet, why are you wringing your hands? Are you cold?” Without any warning he leans across the table and takes my hands in his. “Am I scaring you?”
“Sorry, I’m still a little nervous. I haven’t been on a date in a very long time. It’s been almost five years.” I almost whisper this last detail.
He replies in his sexy deep voice, “That’s a long time. But we’ll get to that. Let’s see if I can help you relax a little.” He takes one of my hands and begins to massage it. His two thumbs begin to press into my palm and I can feel that he has strong, soft hands. The pressure he applies is heavy, and it’s a combination of pleasure and pain. I find myself getting aroused so much so that I have trouble keeping my eyes open. I can’t help myself. It feels so good. It gets more intense when he begins to kiss the inside of my hand moving his lips around my palm. If I’m not careful, I’m going to come in my seat.
I force my eyes open, which doesn’t help as he’s watching me. His dark blue eyes lock onto mine as he continues to make love to my hand. He nibbles gently along the side of it and then begins to kiss each of my fingertips before massaging again. I am mesmerized and getting even more aroused. As he gently puts my hand down and takes the other one, my eyes close again. After a few minutes of massaging it with his strong hands he kisses my palm and then begins nibbling the side my hand, he moves to kiss my fingertips like he did with the other hand. I am now feeling quivers of delight way below my hands. The pleasurable torture stops, when he gently takes both of my hands in his and kisses them before he gives them back to me.
“How do you feel now Violet?”
If I were without panties, I would be stuck to the chair. “Much better thanks,” I manage to say instead.
“Good, I see you are no longer trembling. Are you feeling anything else?” He must know I am; he can’t be that naive.
“I am much more relaxed, thank you.” This makes him smile.
“You have beautiful hands. I enjoyed fondling them.” I find his choice of words interesting. I can only imagine what else he can do with his hands and lips.
The waiter comes back and advises us of the chef’s selection of the day. I realize I haven’t even looked at the menu yet. When the waiter leaves I look over at Adam. “I guess I should look at the menu.”
“The steaks are great here. Do you trust me to order for you?”
“Yes, I do. Go for it.”
He grins. “Oh Violet, at some point I certainly intend to ‘go for it’ as you put it.” I blush and hide my face behind the menu.
“Stop hiding your pretty face behind that menu. If you don’t put it down, the waiter will never come back.” He is chuckling. I place the menu back on the table in front of me. Sure enough, the waiter appears right away and Adam places our order. More wine is poured for us and we are alone again.
Adam says, “Where were we? Oh yes, I was commenting on your beautiful hands. What else can you tell me about yourself?”
“I’m an only child and my mother passed away last year. I am thankful she saw me graduate with my history degree. She was very proud, as was my dad.”
He leans forward taking just one of my hands now. “I’m sorry to hear that Violet, that must’ve been very hard for you?”
“Yes it was a very difficult time for my dad and me, but my mother always told us to live our lives to the fullest and we promised her we would.”
“She sounds very brave. You were fortunate to have her as your mother.” His face shows concern for my feelings. I really find this man irresistible.
“Yes she was, and we were very close.” Our salads arrive and I want to lighten the mood. “This is so fresh and simple, but very delicious. Do you come here often?”
“Are you flirting with me Violet? ‘Do you come here often’ is quite a pick up line.” We both laugh. Between the wine and his wit I am starting to relax.
“Joking aside, I’m glad you like it. I promise the steaks will be excellent as well. What else do you want to share with me about yourself? I’m very interested.”
“There’s not much more to tell. I love animals and nature. Other than that I go to work and spend most of my weekends at home alone. I occasionally go out with my friend Ann. You must think I’m so boring. Just look at me, I hardly exude excitement.” I must sound pitiful.
He leans back in his chair looking me over. “You’re too hard on yourself. I like looking at you. I told you, I find you attractive and sweet. I also find myself wanting to make your weekends more exciting. Are you interested in spending some weekends with me?”
“You mean going out together?”
He is very direct when he says, “I mean staying with me overnight and then going out.”
If he only knew how much I want that. I look down at the table when I say, “Yes, I would.” I feel shy and embarrassed even though he’s stating the obvious. Ann did warn me that a man like him would be very direct about what he wants.
He reprimands me slightly, “Violet, please look at me when we are speaking. I want to know you are confi
dent and truthful. I can only do that if I can see your eyes.”
I look at him and repeat, “Yes, Adam, I want that very much.”
“That’s much better. I’m glad you feel that way. We’ll need time to take care of a few things.” He takes a sip of wine thinking again and then he says. “To be responsible, we should both confirm we are in good health. I can have my doctor confirm for you that I am. Of course, you’ll need to do the same, okay? We want to be responsible adults if we are planning to be intimate. I hope you understand.” I’m a little taken aback by the boldness of this request, but tell myself that these days it probably is what responsible adults should do. I nod and wonder if he takes everything so seriously.
The waiter comes back to clear our salad plates and pour more wine. Adam declines because he is driving. I let him fill mine before I take another drink from my glass. The wine feels nice and warm and delicious and is doing a good job of relaxing me. I realize my nerves have settled down now and a feeling of confidence comes over me. I’m able to make eye contact easier now. Before I can even consider if it’s a good idea I blurt out, “Adam, I’m a virgin.”
I can see the surprise in his face. “Why? Are you nervous about your first time or saving yourself for marriage?
“Not really. I mean, I had a bad experience on a date when I was eighteen. A guy tried to force me to have sex and, well, it rattled me for a long time. Since then I haven’t dated. Any time spent with guys has been in groups, and nothing more than friendships. Like I said, you are my first date in a long time.” I maintain eye contact. He is thinking, I can tell, as he reaches for the glass of water in front of him.
“I see. I’m sorry to hear that something like that happened to you. Did you report him?”
“I had to. I couldn’t hide it. When my parents saw my torn dress, well, you can imagine the questions that followed. He lost his scholarship because of it. I’m just so glad he was unsuccessful. It was scary at the time but made me very angry after.”
Solid Stone: Revolving Door Page 5