Chapter 14
The night of the Discovery Dinner and Dance was finally here.
The last month had been crazy busy for both Bella and Jack, and this was the first time in weeks they’d be together.
There was something to be said about how the texts and FaceTime calls were allowing their relationship to build, even with the distance and not being able to spend as much time in person together as they would have liked.
It gave them a chance to actually talk, and focus on the person, instead of the physical aspect, although they were both looking forward to that happening when the time was right.
The event was to be held at The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston, one of Houston’s most luxurious hotels, and Bella had booked rooms for herself, Carrie, and Jerome, for convenience and a splurge.
They’d finally had the word that Astra Seta had been approved and would officially be going to space on the Diana IV mission to the moon.
Bella, Carrie, and Jerome walked into the ballroom and marveled at how beautifully it had been decorated.
Tables had been arranged around a dance floor, and there was both a live band and a DJ, who would play records while the band took breaks.
Waiters moved from group to group, offering flutes of champagne and canapes. It looked to be a memorable night.
Because Bella Pelle was a new, smaller vendor for NASA, they’d be sharing a table with another smaller company, and introductions were made as they looked for their name plates so they could take their seats.
A slight frown on her face appeared when Bella realized Jack wouldn’t be sitting at their table.
NASA liked to make sure each table had an astronaut sitting with the companies that supplied parts and equipment for their missions.
Being the commander of the mission, Jack was most likely sitting with one of the more important partners, which Bella completely understood.
And they’d have plenty of time to spend together tomorrow - she was staying over for the rest of the weekend.
“Bella, Carrie, Jerome - it’s fantastic to see you again!
” Looking up, Bella saw Lt. Commander Mike Rendit take a seat next to Carrie.
Quickly hiding a grin - she wondered if he had somehow had a hand in the seating arrangements, she greeted Mike with a smile, then stood to walk around the room, looking at the various decorations set up around the room.
Bella noticed Jack entering the room and stopped where she stood.
In his service dress blues, with a ribbon rack over his left breast, Jack removed his cover and Bella’s breath momentarily left her.
He’s so handsome. At that moment, Jack spotted Bella across the room.
He paused to appreciate her dress, her hair, her everything really, and then he saw the shoes.
A vision of Bella wearing nothing but those shoes, legs wrapped around his back popped into his head.
I don’t know how much more of this I can take, he thought.
Crossing the room, he greeted her, “Ms. Genovese.”
“Captain Calloway. You’re looking quite dashing in your uniform. What are those ribbons? There seem to be a lot of them.”
“I’ve got a few,” he said smiling.
“What can we expect tonight? Does this typically run late?”
“Dancing, then some speeches, there’s usually a video of some of the work that’s been happening, dinner, more dancing, and schmoozing. A few people always end up too drunk and loud, then people will start heading out. It’s usually over by about 11pm. Why? Do you turn into a pumpkin at midnight?”
“Ha ha, do I look like Cinderella?”
“Well, those do look like some pretty fancy slippers you’ve got on.”
“Don’t ever make fun of the Gucci's, Jack.”
Jack motioned to where Mike, Carrie, and Jerome were in conversation with some of the other guests. “I see Mike is at your table tonight. I think he’s interested in Carrie. He’s dropped a few hints.”
“Good luck with that, Carrie is very particular.”
“What, are you saying a Lt Commander in the Navy, who flies fighter jets and happens to be an astronaut isn’t good enough for her?,” Jack replied teasingly.
“No, I’m just saying he’s got his work cut out for him if he’s seriously interested. The quarterback for the Dallas Cowboys has been chasing her for a month - that guy has got a better chance of winning the Super Bowl than getting a date with her,” Bella laughed.
Jack leaned closer to whisper in her ear, “Don’t write Mike off just yet - Navy boys know what we want and we usually get it. I better go ‘mingle’ - save me a dance,” and with that Jack moved away to greet more guests that were arriving.
The band played several songs, while guests danced.
Dr Campbell was also there, and he took the Bella Pelle group around, making introductions and telling everyone all about the amazing cream they had developed for NASA.
With promises to send a selection of products to all the women they’d met, they made their way back to the table just in time for the start of the speeches.
They could hear the pride and appreciation for everyone in attendance in the speeches, and it made Bella, Jerome, and Carrie feel really proud of the work they’d done, and to be a small part of it.
The video presentation was really interesting, and they laughed when it showed Jack and the crew in the weightless chamber, making jokes and pretending to swim while floating in the air.
Bella declined dessert, and had an espresso martini instead, as she enjoyed them on occasion; she sat speaking quietly to the seatmate on her left when she saw the band was taking a break and the DJ took over.
Mike asked Carrie for a dance, and with a wink at Bella, Carrie accepted, moving out onto the dance floor.
Well, I didn’t see that one coming. Maybe there is something to these Navy boys after all, she thought with a secret smile on her face.
Jerome had found Margie, and the moon rock conversation they had started at dinner in Dallas picked right back up where it had left off.
If anyone could charm someone into giving them a moon rock, it was going to be Jerome.
Looking around, Bella noticed all of a sudden, she was the only person left at the table.
Hmm, I should get up and move around, she thought when a man in a naval uniform sat down next to her.
“Hi there. Having a good time tonight?” he asked.
Bella didn’t know his rank, so she didn’t know how to address him - she only knew he didn’t have as many stripes on his uniform as Jack did, so he probably wasn’t a captain.
“Hello, yes, it’s been a nice evening,” she replied.
“So, what’s a gorgeous lady like you doing sitting here all alone? I thought you could use some company.”
Oh jeez - not this. Not tonight.
“I’m good thank you, and I’m not here alone, I’m with someone.” At least I hope I am, she thought.
“Well, I don’t see him. Do you want to dance? Or maybe get out here?” he said.
Jack was mid-conversation with the manufacturer of their booster rockets for their spacecraft when he clocked Lieutenant Brad Erikson making his way towards Bella, sitting at her table alone.
His eyes narrowed as Erikson sat down beside her.
That SOB. Bella didn’t look even remotely interested - he knew she wouldn’t be - but he’d be damned if he let Erikson try it on with his woman.
Wait? Did I just say she’s my woman? Damn skippy I did!
Excusing himself from the group, Jack stalked across the ballroom, arriving just as Bella opened her mouth to respond. He stood there — completely silent — and waited.
“Oh, hey Commander, how you doing tonight? I didn’t see you there.” Brad said to Jack.
Jack regarded him for a long moment — calm, completely cool - before answering, “I'm completely clean on radar. But trust me, I’ve had a hard-lock on you since you sat down. Have a safe flight out of here."
The other man sat straight up. “I’m sorry?”
“Romeo. Be advised - Ms. Genovese is restricted airspace. I've got her locked on, so I'd bug out now before I declare a furball."
“Oh. Oh. Yes sir, sorry sir, I wasn’t aware. Have a good night, sir,” Erikson stood and removed himself from the situation with considerable speed.
“What was that all about?” Bella asked Jack.
“Nothing, just a little pilot to pilot talk.”
The song that was playing ended, and as the next song began, she heard the opening notes of her favorite Taylor Swift song, “Cowboy Like Me.”
“May I have this dance, Ms. Genovese?” Jack asked, holding his hand out.
Bella placed her hand in his without a word. Jack led her onto the dance floor, and took her into his arms, moving in time to the slow, sensual, and sultry song.
“This is my favorite Taylor song.”
“I know - I remembered from the concert, I could tell. It was like you were lost in another world while it played. I think that is the moment I realized I needed to know you better. I asked the DJ to play it.” She leaned into him, feeling his body sway against hers, as they moved in time to the music.
Tonight. This is the night. I’m ready. Is he?
Are we on the same page? she thought. Bella pulled back a little to stare up at Jack, searching his face for some kind of a sign he was ready too.
Jack pulled her back to his chest - as if already missing the feel of her.
He dipped his head to her neck, breathing her in — Tobacco Vanille again.
“Bella. The night is almost over, and I need to know: are we going to my room or yours?” he whispered in her ear.
“Whichever one is closest.”
The song ended, and Bella returned to the table to grab her evening clutch and say her goodbyes. Looking around, she noticed Carrie and Mike engrossed in conversation, and Jerome was nowhere to be seen. He’s a big boy, he’ll be fine.
Bella and Jack left the ballroom, and mindful of the code of conduct that came with his uniform, they walked briskly to the elevator and stepped in when it arrived.
Doors closing, they both reached out to press the button for the 25th floor, eyes catching when they realized they were on the same floor, and as soon as the doors closed, they fell into a kiss.
“We shouldn’t, they have cameras in these things,” Bella said, reluctantly pulling her lips from his.
“Let ‘em watch, they might learn a thing or two. Captain Jack has moves.”
“I certainly hope so”, laughed Bella in reply.
Reaching their floor, they walked to Bella’s room, and as she went to swipe her key, she paused and turned to Jack.
“Jack. I haven’t been with another man for thirteen years, and no one since I lost Jasper. I’m afraid I might be a little rusty,” she said nervously.
“Bella”, Jack said, gently caressing her face, “I’ve not been with anyone either in the last five years, and I’d only been with Susan for the seventeen years before that. It’s okay. We’ve got all night to shake off any dust. I mean for us to do a lot of shaking.”
“And Bella?”
“Yes?”
“Leave the shoes on.”
He took the key card from her hand, opened the door, and pulled her inside.