“You look pretty good yourself boss man.” She countered, calling him the nickname on purpose to tap down the sizzle between them so that they had a shot at actually making it out the door. He kissed her chastely.
“Shall we?” Derek said, holding out his arm for her to take.
“Why yes we shall.” She giggled her response. Each of the guys helped the girls wrap their shawls around them. As they stepped out they saw a stretch limo waiting to whisk them off to the event. Roni had been looking forward to this night for weeks. She knew that tonight would be nothing but perfection solely because that even if she tripped and fell into an ice sculpture or something like that, Derek would be next to her ready to pick her off the floor.
The four of them settled into their seats in the limo. Derek turned to her with a satisfied look on his face. “I finally get to take you to a fancy dinner. I even got you to put on a fancy gown and ride in a limo.” He looked so pleased with himself.
“Well, enjoy this evening because this girl likes her pizza and beer over champagne and expensive shoes. Ok, maybe I like the shoes.” She wiggled her feet from under her gown to show him her beautiful shoes.
He sucked in a breath. He casually glanced over at Collin and Izzy ensuring they were not listening. Then he turned his full attention back to Roni. She shivered when she saw the heat in his eyes. He leaned in as close to her as he could get. “I have no problem with you are losing the dress later tonight,” he kissed the sensitive skin behind her ear, “but I agree the shoes should definitely stay.”
Derek had done little more than kiss her once and whisper a vaguely naughty sentence in her ear and she was ready to tell the driver to drop them at his house instead of going to the gala. Who needed a fancy gala with celebrities when she could have Derek naked in bed? He pulled away from her taking her hand in his. He rubbed his thumb along her pulse line. She wondered if he could feel how her pulse was racing from his single sentence. He smiled, yep, he could definitely feel the effect of his words.
They said nothing more on the ride to the charity event. Both seemingly lost in thoughts of what would come after the gala. Roni smiled to herself, remembering her other purchase at the mall for this evening, under her dress she wore a surprise for Derek. All men loved garter belts and lacy bras, and she knew Derek would be no exception. She has even forgone the panties, opting to go commando, as she assumed Derek was as well. She wondered if he even owned a pair of boxers. That made her smile even wider.
He looked over at her curiously, “And what is that smile for?”
She was about to ask him if he did in fact have an underwear drawer, when the limo stopped. Instead, she kissed him softly, “Guess it will have to wait, we have arrived.” As the last word fell from her mouth the limo door opened. Derek shook his head at her in a playful way and slid out. Turning back to help her out. She kissed him again and they entered the Brown Palace Hotel.
She did not know if she could hold her feelings for him in, much longer. Tonight may be the night she said the words. The night she admitted to both of them how much he truly had come to mean to her in this brief time together.
***
When Roni had walked into the living room in her blue dress, it had taken everything Derek had to keep from throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her back to her room. She took his breath away with her beauty. He now had his arm around her waist in a possessive manner. He wanted every man in the room to know she was his. She had brought so much more meaning to his life. Before Roni, he was a workaholic with no desire to change that part of himself. He now saw himself on the path to recovery from his workaholic ways.
He had a grand plan for this evening. Derek felt overwhelmed with his feelings for her. Part of him was waiting for the other shoe to drop. He decided to ignore that bastard of a voice. Instead, he was moving forward with his plans. After they danced the night away at the gala he planned to tell her he loved her and ask her if she wanted to go on a vacation with him.
Derek had even gone as far booking the trip. His private jet would fly them to a small island near Barbados. The house he had rented had a private beach, full staff and a small yacht for day trips. He was going to prove to her that she was more important than work by leaving his laptop and all other gadgets behind. He was so excited he felt like a child on Christmas morning.
He watched as she took in the ballroom. Decorated in white and blue, the round table tops covered in white linen with blue napkin swans adorning the dinner plates. The dance floor, in the middle of the ballroom, had random blue and white lights shooting shapes onto the black floor. Along the far side of the room was a large bar, with high wrought iron stools. Roni was smiling when she looked up at him. A joyful, almost innocent smile that warmed his heart. He leaned down and kissed her chastely before taking her hand. “Shall we find our seats?”
Tonight, Roni looked at him as though he hung the moon. He wanted to keep that look on her face for as long as he possibly could. He leaned down once more for a quick kiss. As his lips touched hers a flash of light hit his eyelids. He left Roni’s lips to see one of the press photographers standing before them snapping away. He had forgotten that they would be here. Then again, since it was Roni on his arm tonight, someone who meant the world to him, he didn’t mind having their picture plastered all over the news. He tugged her hand toward the direction of their table.
They stopped along the way to the table to greet different associates. His mind was so distracted by his plans for later with Roni he could barely carry on the mundane greetings as they moved through the ballroom. They arrived at the table to find Alex and Caroline already sitting chatting away. He searched his brain for if Alex had mentioned he was bringing C. He was pretty sure last time they spoke about the gala he had said he was bringing some leggy blond he met in New York a while ago. “Caroline I didn’t realize you were coming. Who has Netty?”
Caroline smiled up at him. “Alex surprised me by calling and saying he was without a date and needed me to join him. Plus Mama and Papa Porter needed some baby time I guess.” They all laughed at that. Of course Alex’s parents thought of Netty as their own grandchild. “And I figured if she can survive an evening with you that included backwards diapers, and an SOS call being placed, she would be just fine with her adoptive grandparents.” He cringed a little at the memory and then laughed. He was glad she was starting to trust people with Netty. It was good for C to get out more.
He pulled out the chair next to C for Roni. The two women in his life had become fast friends. Which made him more committed to Roni. The two of them chatted complementing each other on their dresses and other girly items. Alex and he sat and listened. Trying desperately not to roll their eyes.
Soon enough Collin and Izzy arrived at the table after deterring to the bar. Both Collin and Izzy stopped short of the table. Both seeming to end all conversation between them with a look of shock on both of their faces. Which they quickly hid. Alex and Derek both stood as Collin pulled out a chair for Izzy. Alex’s mother had spent years ingraining good manners into them. Derek turned to Collin to introduce Collin to Caroline when he noticed Caroline’s huge smile, eyes focused directly on Collin.
“Caroline?” Collin asked through the largest smile Derek had ever seen on any man’s face.
“Collin. How are you?” His sister all but squeaked in excitement.
“You two know each other?” Alex interjected. Protective brother's face in place.
Caroline, not taking her eyes away from Collin, smiled and answered. “Yes the night that Derek watched Netty for me we met at the restaurant I went to with my friends. While his friends were busy trying to get laid he sat with me and listened to me tell him all about Netty and how hard it was for me to be away from her. We eventually ended up having a nice dinner together after our friends ditched us for a dance club.” Her face was full of awe, an expression Derek had never seen on her face before.
“Yes, it was a nice dinner. Probably the most fun I h
ave had in a long time.” Collin replied, his eyes locked on hers.
Roni’s eyes twinkled with the mischievous look she gets when she had a plan in her head. “Here Collin you can have my seat. I want to sit next to Izzy anyway, so we can gossip a little.” Derek saw her slyly wink at Caroline before moving over a seat.
“Thank you Roni.” Collin said as he sat down next to Caroline eyes still glued to each other.
He now sat with Roni on one side of him and Alex on the other. Luckily it had worked out that they were between Alex and Izzy. Alex was giving her a big smile that remind Derek of a cat who just ate the canary. Izzy on the other hand, was sending him a look that should have killed him. He didn’t even want to know what those looks were about. Neither did he want to know why the two of them had not even said a polite hello to each other. He wanted to focus his attention on his lovely date.
“Well, now that the kids are all sitting politely for dinner, would you like to dance?” He ended his question by kissing her hand.
Instead of answering, she simply smiled at him, took his hand and walked them to the dance floor. They wrapped around each other instantly. He took a deep breath to inhale her scent. A scent that calmed him completely. She gave him meaning. Roni offered him peace and quiet something his over active mind had never allowed him to have.
“This is wonderful, Derek. Thank you for tonight.” She whispered into his ear.
“It’s only wonderful because you are here with me.” He responded. Kissing her cheek before pulling her into his arms for a slow dance. Her body aligned with his perfectionism. As though they were two puzzle pieces fitting together. “I thought we would skip the after party. I arranged for a separate limo to drive us home. If that’s ok?” His nerves from the words he wanted to tell her tonight we're getting the best of him.
She looked at him strangely before smiling. “Of course that’s ok. I would like for us to have some time away from the kids tonight.”
He kissed her briefly and pulled her close. They danced in silence through a song. Holding each other close.
Chapter Twenty - Five
Roni felt like a princess tonight dancing with her prince charming. A prince charming, or Prince Geek as Izzy often referred to him, which seemed extremely nervous. She wanted to ask him if he was ok, but figured that he was nervous about being out of the loop tonight business wise.
He seemed to be holding firm to the agreement that business, other than the typical schmoozing that occurred at this event, was off limits. This was a night for the two of them. No calls from work or texts or emails or messages delivered by drone would come between them. For once she was going to be front and center in his mind.
She understood the need for him to be in constant communication with his office on most days, but also felt it was important for their developing relationship that they be able to focus on each other from time to time. She was giddy she didn’t have to share him with his phone tonight.
They danced for a bit, then sat down for dinner. As they ate and drank, everyone around the table talked and laughed. Izzy and Alex even stopped scowling at each other. They were finishing up dessert and the people were heading back to the dance floor. Alex came over to Izzy offering his hand and tilting his head toward the dance floor in a silent request for a dance. The entire table waited to see if she was going to punch him or expect. Izzy lets out a loud sigh and nodded, taking his proffered hand, allowing him to lead her to the dance floor.
Roni smiled as looked around to see all her friends having a wonderful time. She was happy and so content with life. Derek leaned over and kissed her neck. He suddenly stiffened, but quickly went back to kissing her. “Are you having a good time?” He whispered.
“Yes, I am. This has been a wonderful night.”
“Mmm, how about we head out after I go to the restroom? I can’t wait any longer to have you alone.” His whispered voice had taken on a husky lust filled tone. His hand, making its way up her thigh under the table.
She shivered in response. Her voice lost she nodded. He smiled his predator smile at her and kissed her deeply. “I’ll be right back.”
Roni watched as Derek stepped out of the ballroom on his way to the bathroom. She noticed that her eyes were not the only ones who followed him out. She couldn’t blame the females, and some males, that were checking him out. He was a remarkable specimen of man. And he is all mine! She smiled to herself.
Just as she was getting lost in her dirty thoughts of Derek, Izzy huffed over to the table and dropped into the seat next to Roni. Izzy crossed her arms over her chest and blew a stray hair out of her face. Clearly she was frustrated. Roni held in her laughter.
“So… how was your dance with Alex.” Roni leaned in closer to Izzy. “And what on Earth was he whispering in your ear that had you pushing him away and storming back over here?” Roni found that it was increasingly more difficult to hold in the laughter that was threatening to burst free.
“Ugh, that man! He is the definition of player! Why women throw themselves at him I will never understand! He seems to have this crazy idea that I am somehow interested in him. He can’t seem to get it through his thick moron head that his boyish charm and good looks have no effect on me! I need a drink! And since I refuse to walk to the bar alone, out of fear Alex will accost me again, you are coming with me.” Izzy yanked Roni from her chair.
Roni giggled and followed after her friend. Roni had the feeling that Izzy was more upset that Alex had discovered Izzy’s true feelings for him than him being a player. Roni, never one to pass up an opportunity to provoke Izzy went right for the question she had been dying to ask Izzy. “Tell me, what is it about Alex that puts you off? Is it his success? His GQ looks? Or his obsession with you?”
Izzy stopped and turned to Roni. “His obsession with me? He is only obsessed because I won’t sleep with him. The minute I did, he would forget I exist.” Izzy turned back toward the bar.
“That’s it! You don’t think he would stick around and you want him to! You like him and his attention.” Roni knew Mount Saint Izzy was about to erupt, but she also knew she had nailed the truth behind Izzy’s frustration. She clearly wanted Alex, even liked him, but was afraid he would take off the minute he had her. “What if he didn’t take off? What if he stayed? I think you’re the reason he ditched the blond and brought Caroline instead.”
Izzy shook her head. “Roni I will admit that Alex is fun. I will even admit he is drop dead gorgeous. However, I will not pretend that he isn’t the type of guy who likes the chase not the catch. I won’t be hurt by him again.” Once again, Izzy was off to the bar.
Roni grabbed her by the elbow, stopping her. “What do you mean again? Did something happen between the two of you?”
Izzy’s eyes grew big and her mouth opened and closed. “No, nothing has happened. I just know his type. He is the guy I have been trying to avoid since college. Can we drop it, please?”
Roni wasn’t going to push it any further, tonight. Soon she would get Izzy blazing drunk and get the answers she wanted once and for all. “Ok, we will drop it. Let’s grab a drink.” They sauntered over to the busy bar area.
“What can I get you ladies?” The overly friendly, overly handsome bartenders asked.
“Two shots of tequila and whatever she wants.” Izzy stated. Maybe Roni would get her answers tonight after all, if Izzy was going to start on shots.
“A glass of Merlot, please.” The bartender nodded, heading to get their drinks.
***
When Derek had been kissing Roni’s neck and his phone vibrated in his inner jacket pocket, he thought she would feel it and be mad at him for not being able to leave his phone behind for one night. He made the excuse of using the restroom to check his phone before the thing went off again.
As he left the ballroom he pulled out his phone checking the message. He leaned against the far wall slightly hidden from ballroom doors. The message had been nothing more than his team lead giving him the status
update he had requested, the upload was successful. Good he wouldn’t have to leave Roni.
Actually, tonight not even a huge multimillion dollar crisis at work could get him to leave her. Not tonight. He pocketed his phone and start heading back into the ballroom to claim his date.
“Derek.” A high pitched, sing song voice called from behind him.
He turned, his smile fading as he saw who stood in front of him. “Jennifer. Nice to see you.”
“Nice to see you too. I see you finally started seeing someone for real. And not just to have someone with you for the sake of arm candy.” Jennifer responded coldly.
“Yes, I have. Speaking of her I need to get back, have a good night.” He turned to leave not wanting to spend another minute with the woman who tried to break him so long ago.
She laughed. The sounds of her laugh told him she was about to make a snarky comment that would cut to his core. “You know she is just using you right? No girl could actually be interested in a man who still owns Star Wars toys and has no social skills. You were better to stay with the arm candy. At least they weren’t faking anything beyond the bedroom.”
Jennifer always was a nasty person. He looked at her not knowing what he ever saw in her in college. “No Jennifer, only shallow, boring, spoiled women like yourself see men as commodities. Roni, is nothing like you.” He spat in response. He hated her. Hated that she still affected his self-esteem with only a few words.
She laughed again. Leaned in close to his ear, with her perfectly manicured hand wrapped around his bicep. The contact made him want to vomit. “No, sweetie, all woman see men as commodities. This girl must have sucked your cock as though it was made of gold to make you so blind, because like all women she is always looking for the next best thing.” With those last vile words she sauntered off toward the ballroom.
Falling Into You (Geek to Chic) Page 21