Sean Chapter 7 #2
“You don’t need all that. Your natural beauty shines much brighter than all this bling. Your dress is lovely and classic. You remind me of Audrey Hepburn when it comes to effortless style.”
“Sean, God, if you don’t stop with the compliments, I won’t be responsible for what I do,” Brenda murmured. Her cheeks were pink.
“Mmm, sounds intriguing. I think I’ll keep them coming so I can see what you mean,” I said as I winked.
Her laughter sent darts of desire through my body. Damn, she had me by the cock and balls, and we hadn’t even had sex. And I didn’t give a damn either. I’d be her willing thrall.
Folding her coat over my left arm, I tucked her to me on the same side.
It left my gun hand free and closest to my weapon.
As we ambled through the crush, many gazes landed and stayed on us.
Whispers grew. Heads turned. A few people called out to me.
I gave nods or chin lifts to those, but we kept moving.
I stopped to buy her a program, then we entered the auditorium and took our seats.
We’d gotten end seats that allowed Kevin to sit directly behind us. Our view of the stage was ideal.
We chatted about the things she read in the program about the dancers and the history of The Nutcracker. When the dance started, she remained enthralled. Even during the intermission, she talked excitedly about what we’d seen so far. I’d never enjoyed the ballet as much as I had this one.
When it was over, and after I’d taken her back to meet the principal dancers, whom she’d been awestruck to meet, we were moving back toward the front of the building.
I’d sent Kevin off to alert Lewis to bring the car up.
We had late-dinner plans, and then back to her apartment for some light make-out time, I hoped.
We’d sat in her bedroom a few times when we wanted alone time.
Those had ended in the best kissing sessions of my life.
There was also light petting over her clothes and mine.
I was dying to feel her bare skin, but I refused to push her.
“Sean, I need to use the ladies’ room before we go.”
We weren’t far from it. “It’s right there. Let me walk you to it.”
“No, I can make it—no need to move. You told Kevin you’d stand here. I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
I let go of her, but watched until she entered the restroom.
A few moments later, my name was called.
I glanced over in the opposite direction to find a local businessman.
Charles O’Toole was said to run only legitimate businesses, but those who knew him well knew he also operated illegal ones.
We knew each other not as associates, but rather due to attending the same upper-tier events.
The O’Sheerans may be mobsters, but we believed in helping others.
This belief led us to donate to various charities and participate in related events.
I didn’t smile, but I didn’t snarl, so he approached.
On his arm was a woman of a familiar type.
She was either an escort or a woman he’d hooked up with short-term to be his arm candy and to warm his bed.
Even though I’d often done the same thing, the women my brothers and I had done that with had been less trashy-looking.
“Good evening, Charles. It’s nice to see you. Did you enjoy the show?” I asked politely.
“It’s wonderful to see you, too. Where are your brothers? Did your sister-in-law and mom drag you to this thing? I slept through most of it. Why do women love these things?” he rattled off, sounding bored and exasperated.
“My brothers are elsewhere tonight. And no, I wasn’t dragged here. I was the one who suggested bringing my date here. We both found the performance enchanting. You don’t know what you’re missing if you slept through it,” I gently chided him, not that he caught on.
His ears perked up at the mention of a date. “Oh, a date you say. And which looker do you have on your arm tonight? I can’t keep track of them. Is she a new one?”
His tone couldn’t hide his envy. Charles was middle-aged, with a large belly that not even the most expensive and talented tailor could conceal.
He spent his time overindulging in rich food and drink, and took no time to care for his body.
The woman on his arm was around twenty-three, the same age as Brenda.
Her avaricious expression and the brevity of her dress shouted she was only with him for his money.
“She’s not anyone you’ve seen. But you’ll see her —” My explanation cut off when Brenda sauntered up to me.
I grinned at her. As I cradled her to me, I heard Charles’ swift inhalation.
Looking back at him, I saw the male appreciation in his gaze.
He ran his eyes up and down her body. I resisted, barely, the urge to plant my fist in his face.
He was imagining her naked. I could see it even if she couldn’t.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I wanted you to know I’m back. I can wait for Kevin at the front, if you want to speak alone,” Brenda offered sweetly.
“You stay right here, leanbh, baby. There’s no reason for you to leave. We were just saying hello. Let me introduce a family acquaintance. This is Charles O’Toole. And he hasn’t introduced his companion. Charles, this is Brenda, my girlfriend.”
“She’s Nanette. Sean, did you say girlfriend?” Charles asked, his eyes popping.
“Yes, I said, girlfriend. Nanette, it’s nice to meet you.” I nodded to her.
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. O’Toole, and you, Nanette,” Brenda said pleasantly.
Charles’s tongue was almost hanging out of his mouth. Brenda was trying to converse with Nanette, despite her immediate confirmation that her bust size was bigger than her IQ.
“Sean, I’ve never known you to have a girlfriend. I mean, women, yes, but never a girlfriend.”
“I haven’t, but then Brenda is nothing like any woman I’ve met. She’s wife material, not a plaything. She’s like Mam and Maeve.”
His mouth opened and closed, but no words came out as Kevin joined us.
“Mr. O’Sheeran, sir, excuse the interruption. Lewis has brought the car around. Are you and Ms. Hayes ready to leave, or should I have him park and wait?” When we were around others, our guards tended to use our last names to show respect.
“Thanks, Kevin. Charles, I hate to run, but we have dinner reservations. Have a wonderful remainder of the evening. I’ll see you at one of the galas next year, I have no doubt. Goodbye.”
Without waiting for more than his hasty goodbye, I led Brenda out to the car. When we were inside it, and Kevin was behind us with Lewis in theirs, Brenda asked a question.
“You have to tell me about him. And where did he find Nanette?”
Chuckling, I used the drive to fill her in on O’Toole and where I guessed he found Nanette.