Chapter 8
My heart raced with excitement as the car slowed to a stop in front of the abandoned train station that had been converted into an event space.
I went to a wedding there a few years back, but it looked different.
As I climbed out of the car and looked up the twenty-five steps that led to the front doors, my stomach fluttered with nerves.
The realization hit me hard enough to knock the wind from me.
I’m part of this.
There were so many people wearing unique cocktail dresses, fashion-forward suits, and just colorful expressions of style. I felt like I was in my element, and I hadn’t even entered the building.
My hair was twisted into the most perfect Bantu knots, with gold wire gently woven through each.
My red dress fit my body flawlessly and showed off my curves.
My gold shoes peeked beneath the skirt of my dress with each step and matched my gold clutch.
I put my perfectly manicured hand against my belly and took a deep breath.
“You look gorgeous,” Dru gushed as he walked up to me on the sidewalk.
I took a step back and looked him up and down. “So do you!”
Wearing a black suit and a white, black, and gold RL Fashions T-shirt, Dru looked good. I rolled his sleeves up a little to show off his forearms and then I grinned. “Yes.” I eyed him appreciatively. “Yes!”
He offered me his elbow and I accepted.
“What is this?” he asked me in awe as we headed toward a man with a clipboard. “I’ve never been to anything like this before.”
“It’s a party celebrating a clothing brand’s launch.”
“And you work here?”
With pride, I nodded. “Yeah. I do.”
After the couple in front of us walked through, we were stopped by security. “Name, please?”
“Nina Ford,” I answered.
He found my name and gestured to the red carpet. “Enjoy your night, Ms. Ford.”
The doors opened and the music pulsed out.
There had to be at least five hundred people milling around, dancing, talking, and enjoying themselves.
There were food stations and bars. There were photographers and 360-degree-photo booths.
The lights were bright, and the energy was electric. Everyone looked good.
“What do you do?” Dru asked, still taking everything in as we headed to the bar. “I thought you worked at that place I picked this shirt up from.”
“I do,” I answered in a noncommittal way.
It was my first time doing anything work related with a date.
I didn’t talk to any of the men I dated about what I did for work.
I talked about my life, my interests, and the things we had in common.
None of them knew about my real social media page; they followed the private friends-and-family page with less than a thousand followers.
If any of them knew about the other page, no one had ever said anything.
“I was going to take you dancing under the stars last night, but this…” He pointed to the glass ceiling. “This is much better than what I’d planned.”
“I’m sure you had an incredible night planned,” I told him, pulling him a little closer.
He brought my hand to his lips. “You’re still going to get your incredible night. Don’t you worry about that.”
We made our way to the first food station and got a small plate, and then we started mingling. We met so many people. Everyone was so friendly. Hellos were exchanged every couple of minutes and before we finished our first drink, we got sucked into conversation about our outfits.
We’d been there for almost an hour before I ran into Lori.
“Nina! Wow!” she greeted me, clasping her hands together.
She had on a navy blue formfitting trumpet dress that clung to her like a glove.
“You are wearing that dress!” I complimented her as she gave me air kisses to both cheeks.
“This isn’t an RL Fashions design, but it is”—she kissed the tips of her fingers—“chef’s kiss!”
“Thank you. Thank you.” I pointed to Dru. “This is my date for this evening”—I put my hand on his shirt and snuggled my body next to his—“and my accessory.”
Her eyes widened as she saw how the shirt complemented my dress. “Nina!” she gasped. Looking around, she waved over a photographer that was nearby. Taking the drink out of my hand, she pointed. “Take their picture.”
I adjusted Dru’s sleeves and unbuttoned his jacket to show off the shirt before lifting my chin and putting my hand against his chest. I posed, doing my model thing, and Dru just stood there smiling, happy to be included.
“Yes! Yes!” a woman cheered as the photographer snapped a few photos. “Work it!”
“I like the way you did this, Nina,” Lori told me as the photographer moved on. She checked her watch. “I’m going to wrangle up the others and introduce you all in about an hour. Until then, enjoy yourselves!”
She walked off, and it wasn’t until she disappeared into the crowd that I realized that she’d taken my drink.
Dru jumped into action. “I’ll get you another drink. What would you like?”
“Rosé champagne, please.”
He kissed my hand. “Anything for you.”
As soon as he walked away, I dug into my clutch to pull out my phone. I had every intention of texting Aaliyah and Jazz in our group chat when I saw a text waiting for me.
Russ: I’m going to cut out of this thing I have to do early tonight. How early is too early to start my date with you?
A grin spread across my face. Looking around, I located Dru in line at the bar nearest us. I turned my back so he couldn’t see me texting.
Nina: I’m not home or available until morning, but I do like the way you think…
Russ: If I told you what I was thinking, if I typed it out, there would be no way I’d be able to sit through another conversation. There’s some work associates I need to impress and all I can think about is pressing up against you.
Nina: Your mind should be on your money and not me.
Russ: Both of those things stay on my mind constantly. I’m able to multitask.
Nina: Oh I know… I’m very familiar with how you multitask.
Russ: Nina…
My heart beat between my legs as I imagined the way he said my name. Just reading it, I was able to hear it in my head and it stirred something up in me.
Nina: How are you able to focus on winning over these important people if you’re thinking about sliding deep inside me?
Russ: Are you trying to make my dick hard? Because it’s working. Now I have to excuse myself.
Just knowing my words were having an effect on him made me want to say more. But I knew I didn’t have much time. I didn’t want to be rude to my date, so I’d have to end the conversation soon.
Nina: Lucky for me, no one can see how wet my pussy is for you.
Russ: Nina…
Nina: In less than twelve hours, you can put your face in it and see for yourself.
Russ: I’m about to walk the fuck out of here and come get you now. Don’t play with me.
Nina: Please play with me.
Russ: Nina, say the word and I’ll leave here and be wherever you are. I’m not even playing anymore.
Nina: Soon.
“I knew you were a great fit for us,” Remedy Rose commented as she ripped my attention away from my phone.
Hoping she didn’t notice my hardened nipples pushing through the mesh fabric of my dress, I stuck my hand out and shook hers.
“Remedy! Hi! It’s so nice to see you again.” When I let go of her hand, I gestured around. “This is a beautiful event. Thank you for having me.”
“Thank you for being here. And I love what you’re wearing. You have quite the eye.”
“You do, too! Is this one of yours?” I asked of her purple dress.
“Yes.” She puffed out her chest with pride. “This is an RLF original, and it is a prototype of one of the pieces shown during our runway show.”
“It looks incredible on you.”
“Thank you.” She turned and pointed to some people across the room.
“There are some pretty important people here and they are taking everything in. There are tons of models, actors, athletes, business associates, investors, retailers, in addition to the design team, the corporate office, and the board. This isn’t an audition to walk during our runway show, but…
” She raised her eyebrows and made a face.
“Treat it as such. Work the room. Have a great time tonight. Enjoy yourself. But also know that you should be on at all times. I’ll find you later. I knew you’d make a great ambassador.”
“Wow, thank you!”
“Don’t thank me yet. Show me.”
I nodded, understanding exactly what she meant.
Remedy’s eyes lit up as something behind me caught her attention. “And is this your boyfriend?”
Before I could respond, Dru handed me my drink and then extended his hand to her. “Dru Robinson,” he introduced himself.
“You two look really good together.” She smiled at his shirt and then winked at me. “I see what you did there.”
Someone called her name and she turned and waved. “I’ll be seeing you.” She tossed the words over her shoulder before heading to the person.
“Who was that?” Dru wondered.
“This whole thing is basically for her,” I answered, taking a sip of the champagne.
It was gross.
“If you don’t like it, I can get you something else,” he offered, staring at my scrunched-up face.
I giggled. “Nah, it’s cool.”
“Well, then, tell me what you want.”
“Actually…” I dragged the word out with a smile. “You said you wanted to dance with me under the stars.” I gestured to the dance floor. “I want to see your moves.”
He licked his lips and held his hand out to me. “May I have this dance?”
I laughed. “Absolutely.”
We got on the dance floor, and I was surprised by how well he moved.
He didn’t just allow me to shake my ass on him.
He danced with me. He moved his body in sync with mine.
He twirled me around and shifted us from one side of the floor to the other.
At one point, he put his arm around my waist and dipped me.
I kicked my foot out and the split in my dress showcased my leg and I swear I heard applause.
“You two make a good-looking couple,” an older lady remarked with a twinkle in her eye.
“Thank you,” we said in unison.