Chapter 5
Chapter Five
LOUISA
It's Friday evening, and B has been doing my hair and makeup for what feels like hours. I'll hand it to her, though; it does look really good. She does her finishing touches and then walks over to my closet to grab the dress I bought earlier this week.
"And now, it’s time to put on the dress!"
"You're acting like it's my wedding day, B. Try to remember that this is just a date."
"Yes, but it's your first actual date since Jay. And I have all the confidence in the world that Mr. Sexy Voice is going to make it a good one." She takes the dress off the hanger and opens up the hole for me to step into. "I mean, he's sending a car for you and taking you to dinner at one of the hottest restaurants in the city. No way it won't be amazing."
Matt texted me earlier this week saying that he has some business to attend to before our date down by where the restaurant is, so he’s going to have a car sent to get me. I told him I was perfectly fine driving myself or taking an Uber, but he insisted.
When he said he had a reservation at Orion's, I was shocked. Reservations are nearly impossible to get there, especially on such short notice. Either he had this reservation for someone else, and it didn't work out, or it was a situation where he knows someone who knows someone.
I looked up their menu online so I wouldn't have to panic about what to order when I'm there. While on the website, I saw that there is a dress code, so he was setting me up to fail when he told me to wear whatever.
There's a knock on the front door as B grabs shoes for me out of her closet. She tosses them into my room and yells at me to hurry and put them on before running to get the door.
Still standing in front of the mirror in my room, I put them on and take a look at myself. We decided on a knee-length, emerald green, satin dress with a low-cut back that hugs my hips. The cowl at the neckline disguises my smaller boobs. My butt has always been one of my better features.
B slicked my hair up in a high pony and braided it. The makeup she did makes my eyes look big and bright. I put on the last of the jewelry she put out for me and make my way to the front door, where a man in a suit waits for me.
"Ready," I say, smiling and trying to act like being picked up by a strange man in a car is normal. "B, you have my location if you need to find me." One can never be too safe. And if this is a ploy to kidnap me, I want him to know that someone is going to come looking for me if I disappear.
I walk into the restaurant and am immediately escorted to a table way in the back where Matt is already seated. Like a gentleman, he stands up to greet me with a hug. He embraces me and then takes a step back, scanning me up and down. "You look absolutely stunning. I'm not going to be able to take my eyes off you the whole night."
"Thank you." I smile as he pulls out my chair for me. "This place is even nicer on the inside. I've walked by it so many times but have never actually eaten here."
"Well, I am glad I get to be with you the first time you experience it." He grabs the wine list from the table and asks, "Are you a wine drinker? They carry some very nice bottles here if you want to try some."
"That would be great. I'll let you pick since you seem to know what you're doing." I've never been a huge wine drinker, but I'll be anything he wants me to be.
When the waiter comes over, Matt orders a bottle of some sort of red wine that I've never heard of.
"So, how was the work stuff you had to do tonight?"
"It went well. I was just securing some properties in the area for future development."
I'm assuming he means for whatever company he works for. Matt and I didn't text much this week other than details for tonight. And I couldn't stalk him on the internet because I don't know his last name, so I don't know anything about him.
"What do you do for work?"
"I work in the restaurant and entertainment space. What about you?"
Ah, so that's how he was able to get this reservation. He probably has connections to all sorts of places in the city.
“I graduated with my architecture degree, and now I'm just working towards completing my experience hours before I start taking my licensure exams next summer."
"That's great. Do you like it so far? Think you chose the right career path? "
"Yeah, I do. I'm nervous about the exams, but I loved what I learned in school, and I'm starting to find more of what I like in my current job."
"So if you're able to take your exams next summer, then that makes you...25?"
I'm surprised he knows that it's typically a five-year degree instead of four. "I actually just turned 24. I was able to complete a lot of college classes in high school, so I got it done in four years instead of five."
"Impressive. And how do you feel about being with older men?"
We are getting right into it. "I've honestly never dated someone older than me, but I am getting a little sick of immature boys. So, I definitely see it as a plus." I want to ask how old he is, but that seems rude, even if he is clearly hinting at our age gap.
He smiles knowingly. "In the spirit of being mature, I always like to be very open and honest with the women I get involved with. So, if I may, I'd like to just lay out some expectations for you so you're fully aware of my intentions."
Finally! A man who knows what he wants, isn't afraid to ask for it, and has clear communication skills. Matt is going to be a complete breath of fresh air compared to my past relationships.
I nod and say, "Of course. I always appreciate honesty."
"That's what I like to hear." His smile fades ever so slightly. "I'm not looking for anything serious. I’m 34, I've been single for over a decade, and I know that the lifestyle I live works best when I'm not tied down. I tried to wrestle with that for several years and realized that it was not fair to the women I dated, so I just decided that long-term committed relationships aren't for me."
Well, that just took the wind out of my sails .
He continues, "If you are looking for something serious and don't want to continue with me, I completely respect that. But, if you're up for playing out a more revised role, then I'd love to have you on board. I'm just looking for someone with whom I can have a very casual relationship. We have fun together occasionally with no commitment and an understanding that it will never lead to more than that. I have a lot of events I go to, and it always looks best when a businessman has a date, so I like to bring women with whom I have formed a connection to make events less boring. Fun, Lou. It's just all about having fun. And at any point, if you want to terminate the situation, that is completely your call."
He's given me a lot to think about. On one hand, I have never done anything remotely close to this, so that scares me. On the other hand, I did just tell B that I didn't want to be tied down yet and that I just wanted to enjoy being single. Maybe this is the perfect situation presenting itself. Hot guy who just wants to fuck me and show me off; I guess that doesn't sound so bad.
After pausing to think it through, showing him that I am seriously considering what I'm getting myself into, I respond, "I think that is exactly what I need right now. I just got out of a long-term relationship, and I don't want anything too serious."
A mischievous grin spreads across his face, and I know I'm in trouble.
The rest of dinner was great. We got to know more about each other and talked about life. After the start of our conversation, I was expecting him to keep everything very surface level. But to my surprise, he actually wanted to get to know me.
After our waiter took away our dessert plates, I was expecting him to bring the check. These things are always so awkward. I like to at least attempt to pay for my meal so I don't seem greedy, but with how he has treated me tonight thus far, I'm guessing that's not going to happen. The waiter never brings us a check, which I find odd, but maybe he already gave them his card when he went to the bathroom earlier. I saw a guy do that in a movie once, and I have always wanted someone to do that for me.
"If you're tired and want to go home, I can have my driver take you. Otherwise, if you're up for having the night continue, there's a cocktail bar I'd love to take you to."
I am not tired one bit. It might be the espresso martini I had with dessert, but I'm guessing it has more to do with the fact that the sexual tension between us is consistently sending electricity through my body.
"I'd love for the night to continue if you're not sick of my sarcasm yet."
He laughs and shakes his head. "Let's go; the car should be out back."
I stand and turn to walk toward the front door when he grabs my hand and tugs me back. "This way." He inclines his head toward the door that I believe goes to the kitchen. I give him a confused look but allow him to guide me through it.
We walk through the kitchen, where none of the staff even bat an eye at us, except for a woman who looks to me like she's in charge back here. We veer over toward her workstation. She wipes her hands on her apron as Matt introduces me, then introduces her. "This is Lana, the head chef here at Orion's .
"Nice to meet you." I shake her hand. "The meal was delicious."
"I'm glad you liked it," she says in a thick accent I can't quite place.
"Have a good night, Lana." I take that as our queue to leave. Matt tugs on my arm again, guiding me to the exit.
We step out the back door and are greeted by the cool night air. My short dress isn't doing much to keep me warm, and I didn't think to bring anything to cover up with. My body breaks out in bumps from the cold, and my nipples harden, my satin dress giving me away. Luckily, the car is right outside the back door.
The door of the black Escalade opens, and Matt guides me in, shutting the door behind me and running around to get in on the other side. The car is already warm, and the seats are heated as well. It takes a few seconds for my body to heat back up, and the pebbles on my skin start to fade. My nipples are the last thing to return to normal. As soon as they fade from plain sight, Matt leans over and whispers in my ear, "I'm sad to see them go. Maybe we should turn on the A/C and get them back."
My breath hitches, and I start getting wet between my thighs. The car starts driving out of the alley, and I can see a smirk on his face, knowing he’s gotten a rise out of me. It's only a few minutes before we pull into another alley. We stop and a man opens my door for me and helps me down.
Matt is right there to offer me his arm, and he escorts me down the alley. I look around, unsure why we aren't stopping at any of the doors back here. When we get to the end of the alley, I start to ask what we’re doing, but I'm cut off by him leaning into me. Did we really walk all the way down here to make out against the back wall of the alley?
Right as I'm about to lean into him, I realize he's not leaning in; he's reaching across me. There's a small string hanging out from between two of the bricks, visible only if you know it’s there. He pulls the string, and I can hear a small bell ring. Then, a lock clicks from the other side of the brick wall. I jump backwards, startled by the brick wall in front of us as it swings open.
I can tell he's getting a kick out of surprising me. He must do this with a lot of women. I wouldn't blame him because this shit has me wanting to give him everything.
He takes my hand, and we walk through the opening in the brick that was not there seconds before. We still haven't spoken a word since getting out of the car. I'm just following him blindly, trusting that he's not leading me to my demise. It's kind of thrilling, and he knows it.
At the end of a dark hallway, we are greeted by a server in a uniform who takes us through another door. This second door opens up into an elegantly decorated speakeasy bar with dim lighting. It's a cozy space, and there are so many nooks and crannies that several of the tables and booths have their own private area. It makes me think that if mob bosses still exist, they would definitely conduct business in a place like this.
We’re guided by the same server to the back of the room and seated in a half-moon booth only big enough for two. The table is situated so it’s isolated from the rest of the bar room—very private.
I just realized that Matt still hasn't said anything. How did the server know who he was or that he had a reservation? This is definitely an establishment that requires reservations well in advance, like Orion. Especially since I haven't even heard of this place. I thought I knew all the hot spots in the city .
Finally breaking the silence, Matt says, "Welcome to The Hallows."
"Am I about to be forced to swear a blood oath to a mob boss and then thrown in a trunk with a bag over my head? Because those are the vibes this place gives off." I'm obviously joking, but it really does.
"I'll tell Jillian you think her design works well for the intended concept."
Should I know who Jillian is? Did he mention her earlier tonight, and I just forgot her name? I really need to get better at remembering people's names.
The waiter comes over, and Matt orders for us after asking what my favorite spirit is. I said vodka because it seemed the safest. "I'll take Tracey's Old Fashion, and she'll have a Sex Under the Mountain."
"Is that drink's name by chance in reference to a trending fairy smut book?"
"I believe so," he says with a nod and that devilish grin he's been giving me all night.
The music is loud enough in here that you can't hear the conversation of the table adjacent to you but quiet enough that you can converse easily with the person directly next to you. Why can't all places keep their volume at this level?
The song "For Me" by Lo Nightly is playing, setting a vibe in the room that makes my skin tingle. After I'm done scanning the room and taking in all the details that some people might miss, I turn my head back to him. He looks at me with darkened eyes, making my heart race. I want him so badly. I wish we were in private so I could act on these urges.
Matt leans into me, brushing his lips on my cheekbone. I can't help but roll my head to the side to give him access to my neck. His lips graze my skin softly, working his way down my neck to my collarbone. Meanwhile, his hand slides across the velvet cushion and onto my exposed thigh. I feel my body responding to his touch, and I can't help but give in to him.
His lips leave my neck, and I immediately miss their warmth. His free hand grabs the side of my face and brings my lips to his. They are so soft and warm. His tongue sweeps across mine, and I let out a small moan. The sound makes him grip me harder, and he slides his right hand further up my thigh, slipping under my dress.
The clink of glass hitting the table breaks me from his spell. My heart races with a combination of arousal and surprise. My head pulls away from his, trying to act like he didn't just have his hand up my skirt or his tongue in my mouth. Matt seems completely unfazed though. "Thank you, Jeffery." I look into his eyes, and he can sense my hesitation. "There's no need to worry or be embarrassed."
"They're going to kick us out of here if we keep going where I want this to go." I pick up the drink and take a sip, trying to cool myself off.
"They can't, love. I own the place."
I choke on my drink but recover quickly and say, "You...what?"
"The Hallows, Orion's, and several other bars and restaurants around the city. Jillian is my cousin, and she designs the interiors of all my locations."
I relax a bit, relief washing over me. And he can tell.
"I can tell you've been noticing odd things throughout the night but didn't say anything." I nod, affirming his suspicion. "I don't like to bring it up if I don't have to, but I definitely am not letting the opportunity to please you right here slip through my fingers." He leans in close again, those full lips teasing mine with soft touches. "Jeffery won't be interrupting us anymore. And neither will anyone else."
I lean forward, crashing my lips into his, and part mine for him. His hand that remained on my upper thigh this whole time continues its way up to my panties. His knuckle grazes my center, applying just the right amount of pressure. It takes my breath away, and I pull my lips away from his for a second to collect myself. I know he promised me privacy back here, but I'm sure the other patrons would prefer not to hear me moan.
He takes the break as an opportunity to lean in. "You're so fucking wet, Lou. Have you been this wet all night?"
I press my cheek against his and let out a breathy reply, "Pretty much."
"Good girl."
My breath hitches again, and I clear my throat, trying not to fully melt into my seat.
His hand under my dress has been working on me, and I can't handle it anymore. I need more of him. As if he can read my mind, his finger loops around the edge of my panties and pulls them to the side, allowing himself full access to me. His finger teases my entrance before slipping inside. My arm flies up and clutches the sleeve of his dress shirt, and I suck in a deep breath.
My body melts into his as he adds another finger and plays with me so well. Heat starts pooling in my belly, and I can feel it coming. God, it's been so long since a man has made me come. Grabbing the fabric of his shirt tighter and dropping my head into the base of his neck, I try to suppress my moan as I fall over the edge. I can feel my pelvic muscles contracting and clenching his fingers inside of me.
I'm just coming down from that high when he pulls his fingers out and sticks them in his mouth, licking them clean. "I knew you would taste amazing." I lean in and kiss him again, this time slow and soft to ease myself down. I can taste myself on his lips, and I don't mind one bit.
Once my breathing levels out, I start to feel bad that he hasn't gotten anything from me. I reach my hand over to his lap and slide it up his thigh. He grabs my hand and smiles at me. "No need. Tonight was about you."
"But…?"
"If you go on a second date with me, then we can explore that side of things. For tonight, I wanted you to see what this could be. But I want you to really think about if this is something you want without having fully committed to it already."
I narrow my eyes like I'm skeptical. "I thought your whole thing was about not committing."
"You know what I mean. Think about it and let me know if you want to stay in touch. If not, there are no hard feelings. But until you officially tell me no, I'll be dreaming about how wet you were tonight and how good I know it's going to feel to be inside you." He grips my chin between his fingers and kisses my forehead.
"How many days do I have to decide?"
He chuckles. "There's no timeline. Take all the time you need."