She had been married six times already and was looking for husband number seven. Her gown of heavy damask silk glittered with diamonds and rubies, with the same stones draped around her sagging neck and at her lobes. The woman was impossibly rude and had a tongue like a viper, but Gloria adored her.
"I have no idea."
Lifting her quizzing glass, Catherine watched the scene playing out before her.
"That boy of yours is definitely smitten." She sniffed. "I've never seen her before. You make sure she's not out to get her hooks into that boy of yours, the way that hussy did before."
"Rodney is an adult and can take care of himself." Gloria commented, but took one more look at the woman, a slightly anxious look on her face.
*****
She had time to think about his influence. The whole place was a dazzling and dizzying array of ultra-luxury and enormous wealth. She had been awed since the long drive through the extensive driveway.
He took charge. The attendants rushed forward to hand them their coats and as soon as they stepped outside, his vehicle appeared as if by magic. She had often read about things like this in magazines, but to experience it firsthand was something else altogether.
His black Mercedes had that new car feel to it. The seats were as soft as clouds and warmed her butt as soon as she stepped in.
"Warm enough? I can adjust the heat." He started to touch a button when she shook her head.
"This is fine. Where're we going?"
"Somewhere I can be alone with you." He slid her a glance and felt the heat invading his system. Something about her puzzled him. She seemed mysterious and somewhat innocent.
He noticed how wide-eyed she appeared at the décor of the club as if this was her first time experiencing such enormous show of wealth.
"What do you do for a living?"
She had expected the question and was prepared for it, but she prevaricated.
"Is that important?"
"No." He accelerated and left the club behind them, turning towards the winding road that leads to a parcel of land that was now unoccupied.
Pulling to a stop beneath a towering redwood tree, he parked and unhooked his seatbelt.
"We could get out and walk."
She pointed to her shoes.
"I don't think that's such a good idea. Why did you bring me here?"
He started to reach over, pausing when she shrank back.
"I'm not in the habit of forcing myself on women. I'm just unhooking your seatbelt." He moved forward and did just that. But instead of easing back, he stayed where he was, hovering near her and swamping her with his scent and acute masculinity.
"You have the most beautiful eyes, I've ever seen. Very expressive." Lifting a hand, he tilted her face up, hungrily studying her lips before dragging his eyes back to hers. "You're now thinking that I'm going to kiss you."
She swallowed the lump that had lodged itself inside her throat.
"I'm thinking that this is going too fast. I don't know you and you certainly don't know me."
"Then let's remedy that, shall we?" She'd like to think that it was relief she felt when he let her go and settled back in his seat.
"I already told you my name." He turned to look at her, a trace of amusement on his face. "I'm into real estate. Our company has been in existence for more than two hundred years and have been passed down from one generation to the next. I'm an only child and grew up with both parents."
"My dad died several years ago, forcing me to take over the reins much too soon."
She had her hands clasped in her lap, indicating to him that she was nervous. Thinking of putting her at her ease, he closed a hand over hers and squeezed.
