Chapter 3
CHAPTER THREE
LUNA
I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve been acting like a blushing bride whenever the guard, who introduced himself as Marcum, is around. When he loads the last of my totes into the back of my SUV, I begin to panic. I don’t want this to be the last time I ever see him again.
“We’re having an after party and I have an extra ticket. Would you like to come as my guest?” I ask, clamping my eyes shut, preparing for rejection.
“Luna. Look at me, babe,” he commands, placing his thumb on my chin as he tilts my head upward.
As if I’m hardwired to listen to him and do his bidding, my eyes flash open and my heart takes flight when I see the lusty haze in his eyes staring back at me.
“There she is,” he says in a soothing manner as our eyes clash. “I’d love to be your plus one. Trade numbers with me so we can coordinate where I’m meeting you at and you can let me know when you’re ready.”
He holds out his phone after unlocking it and passes it over to me. I enter my digits and hand it back to him. Then a ding comes from my pocket and I know he’s sent me a text so I have his number.
“The party starts at seven, so I’ll meet you in the lobby at six forty five,” I tell him, not ready to pass out my room number.
We’ve only shared a handful of words, and seeing as I’ve only just met him today, I’m not ready to make myself vulnerable to his sexual prowess.
I’m not that girl.
I’m not shy per se, and one night stands are something I’ve always been curious about but haven’t had the nerve to act on. I’m too skittish and trust is a hard thing for me to dish out.
“Is there going to be drinking at this shindig?” he inquires.
Not once since we started this conversation has he taken his eyes away from mine, it makes me feel seen. With this man, I don’t have the desperate need to stand back and let him lead our interaction.
I don’t feel self-conscious or worry about saying the wrong thing.
Squaring my shoulders, I draw on my favorite heroine’s bravado and stand tall, not letting what I want scuttle away without making sure my interest is known. “It’s an open bar, but I have two tickets that’ll get us one free drink. Don’t stand me up, okay?”
“Never planned on it,” he answers, a serious, deadpanned look painting his face. “I’m not like most men you’ll come across, Luna. If I say I’m going to do something, you can guarandamntee I’m gonna do it. I’m a man of my word if nothing else. Clear?”
“Clear,” I repeat, gulping. “Yeah, uh. So I’ll meet you in the lobby.”
“See you in a couple hours, beautiful.” With a wink, he leaves me standing by my vehicle with my jaw hanging open.
I don’t think any man outside of my father has ever said that I’m beautiful before.
And with him, I don’t think it’s a line, I think it’s his truth.
It’s six fifteen, and I’m applying my lipstick. Looking at the shirt tossed over the back of the chair I’m leaning against, I can’t help but think that I’m glad I brought a couple of tops with me so I have several different options for tonight's party.
A woman has the right to change her mind. It’s written somewhere in the female code of conduct book. Just like it’s stated that I don’t have to watch what I say in the company of my man.
Not that Marcum’s my man, I redirect my thoughts.
Jesus, Luna , I sneer at myself, shaking my head at where my thoughts went. Let's not jump any guns here and run him off before we find out if we want this to go further than a simple meeting and company for the evening .
“It’s just a blanket statement,” I reassure myself.
The shirt I laid out this morning and ironed until it looked fresh off the rack didn't catch my eye after I hopped out of the shower. I didn’t like the way the ensemble looked once I put my ankle boots on and checked myself out in the body mirror. So I dragged another one out of my bag and fired up the iron, then proceeded to smooth the wrinkles out.
Gathering my cash, folding it around my driver’s license, and keycard, I shove them in the back pocket of my skinny jeans and waltz out of my room, making sure the lock engages before sprinting down the hallway until I reach the elevator.
Just my luck that the hotel placed me at the very end of the hall so I have a long, perspiring walk down the sweltering path. You’d think they get enough from reservations to put some air conditioning in the corridors. My makeup is a work of art, and now I’m concerned that it’s running since I feel dampness gathering at my temples.
Leaning forward, I use the mirrored wall to check my appearance, and when I see the humidity hasn’t ruined my foundation, I nod at myself in satisfaction. When the doors slide open, I step inside and reservedly wave at the occupants.
It figures that Sapphire Knight, Darlene Tallman, K.L. Myers, and several of my other unicorn authors would happen to be onboard. Whereas I’m nervous about meeting these ladies, I’m also aware that I can’t go all fangirl on them and ask about their upcoming releases like I want to.
No , I need to be professional with them and act as if I belong in the same circles as they do , I internally remind myself.
“How is it going, Luna?” Sapphire asks me. “I looked down the aisle to check on you several times today and each time I did you had a line formed at your table.”
“I was aghast yet grateful that so many people came over to buy and were interested in talking about my series,” I admit. “Being a baby author, I didn’t expect to receive such a turnout.”
Darlene giggles and K.L. gives me a knowing look. “This signing is like candy to the readers who swallow these genres whole,” Darlene says. “Hell, Sapphire, those security guys you hired? They were as much eye candy as the models who attended as far as I’m concerned.” As she and Sapphire chitchat about the gorgeous men walking the floors during today’s event, I lean back against the elevator walls and glance over at the third occupant.
“We’ve been there,” K.L. states, shooting me a compassionate smile. I give her one in return and then avert my attention back at the two other ladies. I’m so nervous about meeting up with Marcum, my mouth is drying out and responsive words are getting lost on my tongue.
“You’d never know by looking at you today that you were shocked or nervous,” Darlene assuages, settling my nerves. “I think we all remember those first few signings when we were afraid of saying or doing the wrong thing.”
She just voiced my biggest fear before meeting a lot of my social media friends today. Talking with people behind the protection of your screen is far different than speaking with them face to face.
“You’re right. I know I have RBF at the best of times and I definitely didn’t want to put off any readers, you know?” I state.
“Well, judging by your lines, you were doing something right,” Sapphire says, smiling at me. “You’ll find your tribe who’ll help encourage you in this crazy industry. It just takes time.”
“I have a few already, but it’s hard knowing who to trust,” I admit.
“We definitely understand that one!” KL advises. “I think I can safely say that we’ve all been burned a time or two. Just keep your eyes open, your mouth closed except to those you trust implicitly, and you should be just fine.”
We go our separate ways when the elevator hits the floor. I step off to the side just before entering the lobby to gather my wits. I don’t want to come across as pathetic or unsure of myself.
Why is it that I’m always having to take a deep breath and give myself these little pep talks before doing something monumental in my life?
Not only talking to Marcum but inviting him to join me tonight is not something I’d normally do. I always let the man make the first move, and even though he initiated our earlier conversations, in the end, I’m the one who took the bull by the horns and put myself out there.
Way out of character for me.
“Okay, girlie,” I say to myself. “You aren’t going to ask the man to marry you. Get your shit together. If things go well tonight, y’all will share a couple of text messages, have a few phone calls, and from there, you can see where things go.”
“Sounds like a solid plan to me.” A husky voice inserts itself into my solo conversation, causing me to jump and squeal.
Once again, my propensity for talking out loud to myself has bit me in the ass.