6 #2
“Well that won’t be happening. I’ll have red wine, as well.” I give them my blanket statement and move on.
It’s a skill I’ve mastered over the years. Don’t leave any room for speculation or follow-up questions. Say it with authority then move on.
Our drinks are placed in front of us and we go in search of our dates so that Cecilia and Vivian can pass along their husband’s drinks.
I, on the other hand, didn’t order a drink for Nico but I still need to keep a very close eye on him.
He’s like a toddler. It would only take a minute for him to see something shiny and go chasing after it.
The shiny thing would be a beautiful woman, which are in no short supply here tonight.
“There she is!” A booming voice echoes over the crowd, and like everyone else, I turn to locate the origin –though I have a feeling I already know.
And as suspected, Monty comes walking my way, wearing a white tuxedo and shiny silver bowtie. He looks like Colonel Sanders minus the bucket of chicken. I half expect a life sized chicken drumstick to pop out from behind him like it’s the Broadway musical of how the Colonel came to be.
He pushes through the crowd with a gorgeous blonde right on his heels. She’s a bit younger than him –I would say in her early fifties– and she matches his white and silver attire, but with more elegance and less theatrics.
“Hello Monty. Don’t you look spiffy.” I kiss his cheek and I’m immediately brought into a hug .
“You are a vision. Almost as beautiful as my wife.” He reaches behind him and tugs her close, wrapping his arm around her waist.
“She’s more beautiful. Hello dear. I’m Killeen. So wonderful to finally meet you.”
“Yes. Likewise. Monty is always talking about his gorgeous wife but he definitely did not embellish enough.” I shake her hand that must be weighed down by that boulder she passes off as a diamond on her finger. “Monty. You married way up.”
He winks and with a boisterous laugh says, “It’s the money. Don’t let her tell you any different.”
“Oh you bugger.” Killeen smacks his arm and he grabs it before she can pull away, kissing the back of it and staring at her like a lovestruck teenager.
There was a time in my life that I wished for a man like that. One who would look at me like I hung the moon and the stars. One who would say I can’t believe my good luck to have this woman . But I grew up and realized that a man like that doesn’t exist beyond the borders of books and movies.
While Cecilia and Vivian say their pleasantries and leave to find their men, I stand with the Montgomery’s, talking and laughing about various things, and getting pulled from one Houston big shot to another. Many tell me of all the wonderful things they’ve heard from Monty.
I don’t know how much time passes, but a warm hand on my lower back pulls me from my conversation.
“There’s my beautiful date.” I look over my shoulder at Nico who stands with a tipsy smile on his face and a drink in his hand.
“Are you drunk?” I whisper through a forced smile.
He shakes his head but continues to stare at me with heavy eyes. “No. Just a couple drinks. I was hoping my date would want to dance with me.”
He sways ever so slightly, and I grip on to his large bicep. I open my clutch and sneak a peek at my phone. We’ve only been apart for an hour, so I’m very concerned about the number of drinks he consumed to get this way in the short time.
I plaster on a smile and take his hand in mine. “If you’ll excuse me. My date would like a dance.”
The couple I’m speaking with smiles and says they’ll find me later to continue our conversation, and Nico pulls me through the crowd. He twines our fingers together and it gives me pause as I stare at them locked in a grip.
I’m not a hand holder. I’m not really much of a PDA person, period. I prefer to keep intimacy of any kind in private and behind closed doors. No one needs to know my business.
We step out onto the designated dance floor among a dozen other guests and Nico holds me snug to him. His hand circles my waist and rests on the small of my back, while he keeps my hand clasped in his. My breasts, covered only in this dress, press against his hard chest.
“Nico. I don’t think you should drink anymore this evening. It’s easy to lose your wits and do something you may regret tomorrow.” I inhale his intoxicating scent of masculinity and danger.
Somehow I know it’s a combination unique to only him.
“How about, you stick with me for the rest of the night and I promise to not only drink any more. I’ll be the perfect date.”
I look into his big amber eyes and feel blinded by his bright smile and that dimple in his left cheek.
It’s no wonder Carrigan fell into bed with him.
The guy is a lethal combination of charm and sex appeal.
If it weren’t for my strong will and extensive knowledge of his escapades, I could see a weaker version of me falling for him.
“Fine. But please, be good and behave. You may like your name splashed all over the internet, but I rather like my life private.”
“Call me a good boy and I’ll do anything you want.” He winks and spins me around while the band plays Sinatra.
Be strong, Val. Don’t let his dreamy face fool you. He’s bad news.