24. Unexpected Date
Chapter 24
Unexpected Date
Cole
I run my hands nervously through my hair for the umpteenth time. I find myself feeling nervous because I want everything to go smoothly.
This is not a date , I remind myself for the tenth time, but that still didn’t prevent me from changing my shirt for the third time. I may not be as in control of this entire situation as I thought.
I can’t remember the last time I was this excited to see a woman. She doesn’t know that I made up the story about the band inviting us to the event as an excuse to spend time with her away from the office. I push aside the small feelings of guilt trying to surface, surprised that I even remember what it feels like.
I glance at my watch; it’s already a few minutes to seven, so I know she’ll be coming out soon. I finally convinced her to let me pick her up, but she refused to give me her apartment number, so I’m left standing outside her building waiting for her to meet me.
I’m wearing my usual black, but this time it’s a tux. Even my Rolex matches my outfit. Shoving my hands into my pockets, I can’t help my smile when I hear her footsteps. I turn around to see her walking gracefully down the small flight of stairs towards me. My breath instantly gets stuck in my throat, heartrate skyrocketing at the sight of her. My eyes rake slowly down her body, taking in every detail greedily.
She has on a sleeveless black dress with a neckline that dips slightly, showing off just the right amount of her flawless skin and cleavage. The dress goes down to her mid thighs, showing off her beautiful long legs that are finished with transparent heels. Her long hair cascades down her back in soft waves. Darker eyeliner than I’m used to seeing her wear makes her eyes look hypnotic, contrasting against the blue.
She wraps the faux mink coat tighter around herself as she walks up to me.
Those luscious lips that I haven’t been able to get out my mind curve into a warm smile as she looks at me, eyes glimmering. It’s all I can do to keep the boyish grin off my face.
“You look beautiful, Lila.” I whisper, leaning into her just the slightest bit. Her scent floods my senses as if daring me to get even closer. I take in a deep breath, inhaling as much of her as I can.
“Thank you,” she responds, a blush tinting her cheeks a beautiful shade of pink. She can’t hide the appreciation in her eyes as she looks down my body. “You clean up nicely too.”
“Not as nicely as you.” I take her hand, leading her to the waiting limo.
***
Lila
“Hey, Jeff, tell Patterson I’m on my way. I’ll be there shortly,” Cole says into the phone, his voice authoritative as he hangs up.
“Everything okay?” I ask, sneaking a glance at him.
“Yes, sorry. These fancy events are as much work as they are parties,” he explains. “I’m working on a multimillion-dollar project, and tonight could be the night we finalize the details.”
“I see,” I nod, so this really is a business event for him after all? I try to will away the sense of disappointment.
Did you really think this was a date, Lila?
“Not for you though,” he continues. “I know you’re used to being the one putting on the events, but tonight, I want you to pretend you’re one of the guests at your parties. You’d probably be wanting them to relax a little, right? If you squeeze that poor purse any harder it might snap in half,” he jokes, looking at the small, clear acrylic purse I have clasped tightly in my hands.
“Can you do that, Lila? Can you try to relax tonight?” He reaches over to take my hand, his handsome face staring at me with a look I’m afraid to read into. A lopsided grin plays at his full lips, and my stomach does its usual flip at the sight. Even in the dimly lit car, his stormy gray eyes are still piercing. His tousled dark hair frames his face so perfectly, I make a small fist to stop myself from running my fingers through it.
Before I can answer, the limo pulls into the venue. Cole slips out and reaches his hand back inside to help me out. Together we walk up the few steps leading to the entrance of the building. He’s right; for once I’m going to relax and enjoy the evening.
As soon as we make it to the top of the stairs, we’re immediately met with a glass of champagne by a waiter in a crisp, white uniform. The main hall stretches out, its walls painted in soft cream with delicate gold accents carved into the molding. Floor-to-ceiling windows line the room, offering 360-degree breathtaking views of the moonlit golf course outside.
Tables are draped in white linen with alternating centerpieces of orchids, roses, and lilies in soft blush and ivory, with a hint of green. Candlelight flickers gently, casting a warm glow over the guests seated in small groups, their laughter mingling with the tinkle of glasses. You can almost smell the wealth in the air.
“Cole?” A feminine voice calls his name throatily. We turn, and I can’t help but feel slightly self-conscious as a tall, glamorous woman with golden brown skin and honey blonde hair, reminiscent of Jennifer Lopez, makes her way towards us, dressed head to toe in Chanel. I gape at her, and I’m pretty sure this is the supermodel, Katrina. Her expensive perfume reaches us just before she does. Her appreciative eyes rake over Cole’s body, and I can read every carnal thought in her mind as she licks her full, red lips.
“Darling, there you are,” a much older man who looks old enough to be her father waves to her, and reluctantly she walks over. She can’t keep her eyes off Cole as he leans in to kiss her.
I’m instantly taken back to the few events I’ve seen him at in past years, where he always had a woman on his arm, with others practically begging for a chance. An unexpected twinge of jealousy runs through me as I have no doubt that he’s been with her.
“Lila?” Cole calls, jolting me out of my thoughts. I look up as he hands me the glass of champagne.
“I need to go talk to Patterson.” The room is getting louder as more people make their way in, so Cole has to lean into me. His lips brush my ear, and a tingle of electricity shoots straight to my core. My nipples instantly harden.
“I’ll be back soon,” he says, already disappearing into the crowd.
I gulp the champagne, moaning in approval as the sweet bubbles burst on my tongue. I finish in a few deep gulps.
Okay, time for another drink.
I make my way to the bar at the side of the hall. “I need your strongest cocktail,” I say to the bartender.
“It can’t be that bad already, can it?” he says, a smile on his face as his brown eyes scan my face.
“No. I’m on a mission to find cocktail inspirations,” I smile.
“Well, if that’s what you’re after, then I could hook you up with a certain something,” he whispers conspiratorially.
“Looking forward to it,” I whisper back.
He laughs, shaking his head at me while he gets to work. A moment later, he sets a glass in front of me.
“It looks regular,” I shrug, inhaling the sweet, citrusy scent of it.
“With this cocktail, you’ll find that looks can be very deceiving. Go ahead and give it a try,” he says, staring at me keenly. My eyes widen as soon as the spicy liquid hits my tastebuds. I think I might’ve just found our signature cocktail for this year’s ball.
“Oh my God. What’s in it?” I ask.
“It’s kind of my secret, but for you, I’ll make an exception. Some whiskey—the good stuff, bit of rum too, then some pineapple, ginger, cinnamon, and the star of the show— and this really transforms it—smoky habanero.”
“Smoky habanero?” I ask, scanning it with a scrunched-up nose.
“Well, you just tasted it. What do you think?” he grins.
“I think to be sure I’ll need another one,” I giggle, throwing my head back and emptying the burning yet sweet liquid down my throat in one gulp.
I’m starting to feel the buzz of the alcohol as I nurse my third drink, or is it my fourth? I’m trying to distract myself from the fact that Cole still hasn’t returned. I wonder if he found that woman in Chanel.
“Another one, please.”
“Are you planning on drinking the entire bar, Ms. Smith?” a deep, amused voice says from behind me.
Cole.
“No. I’ve only had four drinks,” I say with a hiccup.
“Sounds like I have some catching up do.” He laughs, turning to the bartender to signal for whatever I was having.
“I’m supposed to be letting loose and having fun, remember?”
“Yes, and I’d say you’re doing a great job with that. Me on the other hand, I just finished having boring business conversations with a bunch of old men. Not much fun in that.”
I giggle in relief that he wasn’t making out with that blonde in some dark corner.
“Anyways, how about some fresh air?” he says, signaling the bartender for a glass of water that he encourages me to drink.
Cole places his right hand on my shoulder and leans into me. “Come on, there’s a balcony just through those doors.”
I nod slowly, taking his outstretched hand as he helps me down from the high stool.
We push our way through the crowded dancefloor, making our way to the door. He slips past it, pulling me behind him and shutting it behind me.
The door opens out onto a spacious balcony overlooking the golf course. Even though the scenery is magical, my eyes are completely focused on Cole. He has a way of commanding space and making it almost impossible to think of anything else when he’s around.
He stands across from me, leaning against the door we just came through, and then he just watches me. His eyes trail all over my body, and his smoldering hot gaze is enough to make me weak in the knees. Shaking my head slightly to clear the unholy thoughts that now seem to be bouncing around in it, I look away from him.
I can still vaguely hear the soft music from the hall; the evening breeze is chilly, the slight wind picking up a few stray strands of my hair. I walk over to the railing, letting my fingers trail across the cold, metallic surface as I stare out into the night sky. Somehow, this night hasn’t been bad at all. I was skeptical when Cole suggested it, but now I’m glad I let him convince me to come.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, gazing at the twinkling stars in the dark sky.
“Stunning,” he says huskily, but when I turn to look at him, he’s staring at me, not the sky.
“Sounds like the party is really getting started in there,” he says, gesturing back to the hall we just came from. I can hear the sound of the band picking up. “We’re missing the dancing,” he says.
“I'm not a very good dancer.” I shrug.
Just then the music changes, and the instrumental version of Ed Sheeran’s “Perfect” serenades, slow and soft.
“This is my song!” I giggle excitedly, swaying softly to the rhythm.
“Then dance with me,” he smiles, holding out a hand.
A small voice tells me this is probably a bad idea. I have a job to do for Sue.
His hand is still waiting for mine. I hesitate but eventually give in.
His other hand wraps around my waist as he pulls me in closely. He stares deeply into my eyes as we sway slowly together underneath the stars.
Slowly, I slip my arms up around his neck, nuzzling into the side of his neck as I breathe in the scent of his spicy cologne.
His hands slide down my hips, and my body instantly responds with a warm throbbing sensation. It’s been years since I’ve reacted to a man this way. He slips a hand under my chin, bringing my face up to his. Instinctively my tongue flicks over my lips, moistening them. His eyes follow with that same intense look of desire that crossed his features when he first saw me tonight flashing across his face.
Just then a single white fleck lands on his nose. Brows furrowed, I wipe it off with my thumb, staring down at the little white dot. I raise my eyes back up to his, but his gaze seems to be firmly planted on something behind me. I turn around, eyes widening at the sight that meets my eyes. Pillowy, white flecks of snow drift down from the sky, already starting to collect on the ground of the parking lot.
“It’s snowing,” I beam, stretching my hand out to collect a little bit of the white, dewy flecks.
“Yes, and starting off pretty fast. Notice how the flakes are so big the ground is already getting covered even though it just started?” Cole says, gesturing behind me again. I look around, and he’s right. It is starting to come down pretty fast. A strong breeze blows past, sending a shiver down my spine. Even the trees in the distance seem to be swaying with the wind.
“Looks like there’s going be a snowstorm tonight; we better get home before it starts. We are not going to want to be stuck in this,” he says, taking my hand.
“Wait, but…I live halfway across the city. It’s going to take us at least forty minutes to get me home. Maybe even close to an hour in these conditions,” I say, trying to keep my voice steady even though I’m already starting to panic.
“Look, my house is ten minutes away. We could be safely indoors by the time this snowstorm really gets bad. I’ll get you home as soon as the roads are clear,” he says.
“I don’t think—” I start, about to launch into an explanation of why I can’t come home with him, but as if on cue, the heavens open, blanketing us in thick, white snow and bringing with it elevated wind gusts. We’re definitely about to get hit by a very strong snowstorm.
In no time at all, my hair is plastered to my face from the wet snow, and I’m shivering.
He’s right. We don’t have forty minutes.
“Okay,” I agree, as my teeth start to chatter.