Iboth loathe and love the situation that I’m finding myself in right now.
I wanted to pick Hendrix up for the event. Treat her like this is a real date. But I can’t do that.
She doesn’t want anyone to see her all dressed up and leaving with me. She said that the town car I have taking us will draw too much attention. As will we, all dressed up and ready for the event. She’s not wrong. But I still like the idea of picking her up.
Instead, she’s in my spare bedroom getting her dress on. She came over with a full face of makeup on, and her hair pulled up away from her face. The rest of it hangs down her back in curls. Hendrix said the girls helped her get ready and, man, did they ever make her look amazing. She’s a far cry from the ponytails and buns that she is normally sporting when we’re out at the bars or she’s over at my house.
Don’t get me wrong, I like the Hendrix who is casual and not all done up. The effortless beauty that she has is unmatched from any of the bar girls I brought home with me, with their made-up faces and tight clothing. I mean, they looked good but there’s something very artificial about them that’s not there with her.
She walks out of the back bedroom, and the soft light of the living room brings her into view. I gasp audibly at the sight of her. She looks like a floating angel in a red dress. Maybe one that was sent by the devil to drag me straight into hell. And I would go willingly wherever this woman wanted to take me.
“Wow,” I say, moving towards her.
The red dress covers her right shoulder, but falls off the left side, leaving her partially bare for me. The dress hugs her torso and bells out at the bottom, flowing down to the floor, allowing her to look like he’s floating as she comes towards me.
“You are the most beautiful woman that I’ve ever seen,” I tell her when I reach her.
She smiles at me hesitantly. I can tell that she’s shy and unsure of herself. Looking down at the dress and back at me, the unanswered question in her eyes asking me,‘Is this okay?’Little does she know that this is perfect. She is perfect.
“Hendrix, relax, you look amazing, beautiful lady,” I tell her, taking her shaking hands in mine. “Relax, it’s going to be just fine.”
“I don’t feel as comfortable dressed like this as I do when I am in casual clothes,” she admits with a shrug.
“It’s okay. I get it. I don’t like the monkey suit either.” I gesture down at the tux that I’m wearing.
Her eyes widen and her head draws back a bit, taking in the sight of me. “You look so handsome in that tux.” She grins and her eyes are dancing wickedly like she has thoughts in her mind that are from the devil himself.
“Thank you.” I move to pull her in, but she holds her ground as best she can in the black kitten heels that she’s wearing. “Why can’t I get you closer to me right now?”
She grins. “Because you have a bit of mischief in your eyes and you’ll ruin the hair and makeup that the girls so graciously helped me with.”
“I won’t ruin anything right now,” I say, tugging her forcefully to me. Our bodies connect and she gasps when her chest hits mine. “But tonight, when I get you alone, I’m going to make a mess of that hair and your carefully applied makeup,” I say, my voice going dangerously low. She swallows. “But the way you are looking at me, I can tell that you are having similar thoughts, so we’ll see who ruins whose outfit first. We could have some fun in the car on the way there,” I remind her, wagging my eyebrows at her, waiting to see if she takes me up on the offer.
She doesn’t.
She shakes her head slightly. “No, I want to stay as put together as I can.” I can see her hands are wringing at her sides.
She’s a tall woman, but even in those kitten heels, I’m still taller than she is. I squat down a bit so that we’re eye level, taking her cheeks gently in my hands.
“Hey, Hendrix, baby, calm down. It’s going to be fine. This is going to be fun,” I promise her. “Trust me, no one is going to say anything to you. Everyone is so self-involved at these things, heading around to the tables, eating and, of course, drinking all the free booze that they can muster. No one will even think twice or try and put two and two together if that’s what you are worried about,” I insist, brushing my lips lightly against hers.
“I’m just worried that your father is going to recognize me or say something to me. I’m not comfortable in these kinds of situations,” she admits, openly chewing on her lip.
“I’ve got you. Just keep your hand in mine. I’ve got you,” I reassure her.
The house phone rings and I excuse myself to go pick it up. I talk quickly to the man on the other before hanging up and returning to her. “Our ride is here, baby.” I hold my hand out to her. “Now come on with me and let’s make them so jealous of the gorgeous woman that is on my arm,” I say, grinning at her, hoping to put her at ease.
She nods slowly, still not looking convinced.
I drop her hand and move over to the bar, pouring us each a shot of whiskey and bringing them to her.
“Here, drink this. It will make you feel better,” I promise her. “It’ll calm your nerves and you won’t take things so seriously tonight, I promise you.”
She nods and downs the shot. I laugh and clink her empty glass against my full one. “Cheers,” I tease her.
She flushes. “Sorry.”
“It’s okay.” I down my shot and take our empty glasses over to the sink. “We gotta get down there, though, because I’m sure he’s parked in the middle of the road.”
