Once we’re in the car, I let her sit for a bit and prepare herself before I speak.
“Hey, I used to loathe these things too. I still do. But just hang in there. It’ll be boring but it’ll be fine. No one is going to say much to you and as long as you stay close to me, it’ll be okay.”
She nods, but I can tell she’s still not sure. I slide across the cool black leather seats, so that I’m sitting right beside her. The silk of her red dress is touching the soft fabric of my dress slacks. I reach out and rub her thigh slightly, enjoying the soft feel of her dress.
“It’s going to be okay,” I say, leaning in close to her. But I can tell she’s not buying it, and the whiskey has not done enough to calm her nerves.
I try another tactic.
Leaning in, I press my lips to hers, gently at first and then commanding. Her mouth opens and grants me entrance almost immediately. I kiss her passionately and hear her moan, gripping onto my suit coat as she does it. Like she’s holding me to her.
I work her lips, massaging hers with mine. I hear the moans fill the car. I’m secretly glad for the driver who is behind the wheel. He’s been with me for years. And, frankly, he’s seen dirtier happen back here and he’s never said a word, taken a photo or sold a story. I learned the hard way as kid that not all people are like that when you’re a Cromwell.
I pull back slightly and rest my forehead against hers. We’re both panting and I grin at her.
“Are you better now?” I ask her as I attempt to catch my breath.
She nods but doesn’t say a word.
“You’re worrying too much, Hen. This is your chance to come in here and have some fun with me. This isn’t my idea for our first type of date. But this is what I have to do right now. Sometime after tonight, we will go on a real date. You and me. Something that is fun and something that you would enjoy,” I tell her.
I’m rewarded with a wide grin. “But I count the baseball game as something that was fun for the both of us, and that was a date, was it not?”
I smile back at her. “It sure was, baby. But that one we had Drew with us,” I shrug. “I just want you to know that I do have plans for you, for us. But right now, as the owner of the Blaze, this is something that I have to attend. I appreciate you attending it with me,” I say, raising an eyebrow.
Her cheeks heat, and she shakes her head. “Ever the charmer.”
I think she’s relaxed a bit because she’s smiling at me. And I’m thankful for that because the car has slowed to a stop.
“Mr. Cromwell,” I hear from the front.
“Yeah, Eddie, what’s up, my man?”
He turns and grins at me. “Are you walking the carpet?”
I nod. “Would Maxwell have it any other way?”
He chuckles. “Well, I would say that it’s your decision if you are walking or not.”
“If only it were that easy, Eddie,” I say with a chuckle.
He nods and joins the line of other town cars and limos that are waiting for their doors to be opened along the carpet.
“You’ll be fine,” I tell her again when I glance at her wide brown eyes. “It’s going to be okay. We’re just taking a little walk.”
“The things that I do for you.” Her smile is brighter and her confidence might be returning. Which I’m glad for. This is definitely out of her comfort zone, but I wanted her with me more than anything tonight.
I turn and watch the lineup. It’s getting close to being our turn. I look back at Hendrix. “Alright, baby, it’s about that time.” I lean in and claim her lips quickly, kissing her, hoping that it will calm her nerves. I go to pull back but she hangs onto me. “There’ll be time for that later,” I promise her.
She breathes in and out, grinning at me. “Alright, I’m holding you to that.”
“I hope that you do,” I say. There’s a knock on the window that tells me our car will be the next door that they open. “Just breathe,” I say, grinning at her before reaching for her hand.
The door opens and I stand up, waving to the crowd. I hold my hand out and she takes it. I gently pull her from the car because, honestly, I’m sure if I don’t, she wouldn’t come out.
But she does.
Hendrix stands there proudly. Holding onto my hand, but grinning as she takes in the crowd of photographers and other couples that are making their way down the carpet.
