Chapter 15: The Ball
I enjoyed the 25 minute drive to Lexington more than I thought I would. The anticipation was fucking killing me, but Brian and Leighanne were so relaxed it was hard not to follow their lead. They must have done this kind of thing often because they were so calm and natural about it all. They were in their element and I was anywhere but.
We soon pulled up to the place where the event was being held and stepped out of the limo into a small crowd of photographers and reporters who’d come to cover the event. I stood back by the car while Brian and Leighanne posed for a few pictures and shook a couple of hands. I was really glad that no one seemed particularly interested in me. I looked around noticing for the first time the luxury that surrounded me. I couldn’t stop myself from doing a double take when I realized this was the same four-star hotel I’d left in such a hurry the morning after my birthday. My face paled at the memory and Brian noticed almost instantly. He excused himself from his wife’s side and quickly found his way back to me. “Everything all right?” he asked placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder.
I managed a weak smile hoping to put a stop to the concern in his eyes. “I’m fine.” I lied but he saw right through me.
“Don’t be nervous.” He chuckled. “Leighanne and I aren’t going to let anything happen to you.”
He held out his arm and with a slight tug began to drag me past the media. The moment I was in reach Leighanne linked her arm through mine. “Afraid of a couple cameras?” She giggled.
I rolled my eyes but I was so nervous I was shaking. “God Honey.” Leighanne gasped when she felt the vibrations in my arm.
“Shit Leighanne!” I muttered under my breath. “I can’t do this. I can’t go in there.”
“It’s just dinner.” Leighanne said with a sympathetic look. “It’ll be fun. I’ll be here the whole time and the other guys will help make you feel comfortable, you’ll see. I’m sure Howie is already inside waiting to steal you away from me.”
I let out a single laugh trying to force my mind to relax. “That’s what makes me so nervous.” I admitted.
Leighanne was going to say something but as we stepped through a big set of doors into the grand banquet hall her eyes caught sight of her friend. She smiled and it took me a moment to figure out what she was grinning at. I followed the trail her eyes made and met Howie from across the room. Leighanne was smiling at him, but I’m pretty sure he didn’t even realize she was there. He was practically burning a hole through me with his stare. I blushed fiercely and looked down at me shoes.
I was wearing strappy looking shoes that had only a tiny hint of a heel. The sales lady in the store tried to put me in these shoes that gave me like four inches of extra height and Leighanne insisted on something shorter. I didn’t understand why she cared so much until I lifted my eyes again and found Howie standing right in front of me. I smirked as I stood nearly eye level with him. Another three inches and I would have towered over him. Leighanne just had a gift.
I thought it was interesting that as I stood there looking into Howie’s eyes my thoughts were on Leighanne. Some weird sort of denial I guess. I was so nervous that I simply couldn’t let myself think about what was going on around me. If I thought about it too much I was sure I would throw up. It was like I was in a fucking trance and I wasn’t shaken from it until I felt someone poking me in the back. Leighanne was conveniently taking her leave from us and nudged me into the waiting hands of Howie.
I don’t remember him saying anything but he was giving me the strangest look. “You ok?” he finally asked or at least I think that’s what he said.
“Hmm?” I asked still trying to catch up with the moment.
Howie smirked and instead of repeating himself slid his hand around my waist and led me out to the dance floor. I don’t know how he does it, but he gets me so nervous that I can hardly breathe and yet when he touches me my whole body instantly relaxes. Howie felt the muscles in my body loosen up and he took that as a sign to pull me even closer to him. God he smelled good! I’m not used to guys smelling good. Normally the men I’m around tend to smell like engine grease and Bud Light. Pretty damn pathetic huh?
Anyway, before I realized it I was burying my face in his neck in order to take in his scent and when I did it sent shivers down my spine. Howie chuckled again but still said nothing. I think he knew the effect he had on me. The bastard. I think he knew exactly what he was doing to me and I’m pretty sure he was doing it on purpose. I started to pull myself back up but he slid his hand up my back and pushed my head back against his shoulder. It was a fucking cocky move. Normally I’m not one to do what I’m told and yet I didn’t resist. I laid my head back on his shoulder and he rested his against mine.
I wondered when, if ever, he was going to speak yet I felt strangely content just letting him hold me. Why the hell was I ever so opposed to dancing? All it is is fucking foreplay in public. Seriously I could have stayed there all night. He held me through three songs without saying a word and then the band, or orchestra, or what ever the hell it was announced they were going to take a ten minute break. It seemed as if we were going to have to stop. Howie glanced around the room and instead of leading me to a table where Leighanne was talking to AJ, he pulled me in the opposite direction toward the exit sign.
We left the party and walked through the hotel lobby past a few other well dressed people and into a courtyard that had so many plants and flowers that I felt like I was on some fucking tropical island or something. We walked through the courtyard toward a fountain that was centered right in the middle. The lighting was dim and you could still see the stars lingering above our heads. Howie pulled a blossom from a bush as he walked past it and handed me the flower. Part of me wanted to laugh at how cliché it seemed but I still treasured the moment. How could something be cliché if I’d never experienced it before? Instead of laughing my face beamed as I proudly accepted the gift. I brought the flower to my nose wondering if it smelled as good as Howie. It didn’t but I treasured it anyway. God I’m lame.
When we reached the water I sat down on the edge of the fountain and looked up at the sky knowing that I wanted to remember everything about this moment. I was the first to break the silence with a happy sigh. “It’s like something out of a dream.” I said in a barely audible whisper.
“Or a fairytale.” Howie replied with a smirk.
I didn’t know how to respond to that but my lips curved slightly upward no matter how much I fought it. Howie’s eyes were as dark as the night but they still sparkled as he sat down next to me. They were fucking enchanting and I was quickly being sucked into them. I couldn’t pull myself away and before I knew it I was falling. Not physically. Physically I was still sitting on that ledge but Howie’s lips had found their way to mine and as he pulled me into his arms I felt as if I were no longer on solid ground. My heart was his as long as it continued to beat.
Eventually we had to come up for air and when we did Howie smiled at me. He couldn’t seem to say whatever was on his mind, and I know there was something. “I’m glad you came tonight.” He finally said.
“Me too.” I decided as I uttered the words.
“I was worried you wouldn’t show.” Howie said that as if there were a specific reason behind his feelings and I gave him a questioning look. He laughed at something and shook his head.
“What?” I asked out loud this time.
“I had trouble sleeping last night.” Howie said with a shrug. “I kept having this dream that we were dancing and when the clock struck twelve you disappeared.”
I giggled. Not laughed, I fucking giggled. It was so silly that something like that made him upset but even as he told me about it there was a sense of urgency in his voice. It was like he was afraid that come midnight I was really going to go poof. Don’t get me wrong though, I was fucking flattered. I smiled at him and then, as if I were the one with the magical soft touch, I ran my hand down the side of his face and he seemed to melt right into it. “I’m not going anywhere.” I said as I gently brought his face back to mine.
He let me kiss him for a moment put then pulled away from me. “Just in case.” He said reaching into the inside pocket of his jacket. “I got this for you.”
No man had ever given me jewelry before but that didn’t mean I didn’t recognize the long velvet box he was now holding in front of me. My eyes grew wide and I was scared of what I might find if I opened it. “What did you do?” I said trying not to gasp.
Howie laughed. “Relax.” He teased, “It’s not a wedding ring or anything. It’s just something I found and thought of you.”
All I could do was stare at it. I was in fucking shock. I mean I know the guy could afford whatever it was, but I couldn’t help but feel I didn’t deserve it. When I didn’t take it from him, Howie placed the box in my hands. “Just open it.” He urged.
I looked up at him and he was filled with excitement. What else could I do? I had to accept it. I held my breath as I popped open the lid and I didn’t believe what was staring me in the fucking face. I gasped at how beautiful it was. “Oh my God Howie!” I breathed.
I ran my fingers along the sleek silver chain and stopped them when they got to the heart shaped locket. “Open it.” Howie whispered.
I pulled open the locket and it began to play music. Not just any music though it played a song that until yesterday was foreign to me but was now burned into my mind forever. “Is that?”
“Our song.” Howie said beaming with pride.
“But how did you?”
“I know this little shop that makes them. They can program any song you want.”
“Here in Lexington? I’ve never seen a shop like that.”
“It’s in New York.”
“New York?”
Howie shrugged with a guilty smile. “So I pulled a few strings.”
I couldn’t believe this was happening. I looked down at what was instantly the most valuable possession I’ve ever had and noticed that there was an engraving. “And they lived happily ever after.” I whispered reading the inscription.
Howie watched me carefully, waiting for me to say something but I was fucking speechless. Tears pricked my eyes and I was sure the make-up was going to start running down my face. “Thank you.” I finally whispered in a shaky voice.
Howie smiled and then pulled the locket from the case. He leaned in close as he clasped it around my neck and then decided, since he was there I guess, that he’d find out what I tasted like. First my neck and then my shoulder. It was torture. Heavenly fucking torture! “It’s ok to disappear before midnight if I take you with me right?” I said through my now labored breathing. God I was so fucking turned on.
“Sorry.” Howie replied as he nibbled on my ear. “Brian’s sort of got me on the program tonight.
“Then would you kindly stop doing that before I have to fucking hijack you?”
Howie laughed but then threw his hands up in defeat as he backed off. He let out a deep sigh and then motioned toward the door that lead back to the party. “Shall we?” he said.
“If we must.” I said and then stood up.
Howie took my hand and pulled me against him once more drowning me in a passionate kiss. When he pulled away he grinned and said, “Ok, now I’m ready.” And then lead me back inside.
Author's Chapter Notes:
Hey guys! Sorry it's been a while. I've been working on something ...TOP SECRET... for the last couple days. Details comming soon, just be excited! haha.
Anyway, this chapter's a tiny bit shorter than the others but it was kind of one HUGE chapter so I had to find a place to split it up. Unfortunately the other half's not quite finished yet (hopefully tomorrow) but don't worry, this one doesn't really leave you hangin'... much... sorry :) Enjoy!
Anyway, this chapter's a tiny bit shorter than the others but it was kind of one HUGE chapter so I had to find a place to split it up. Unfortunately the other half's not quite finished yet (hopefully tomorrow) but don't worry, this one doesn't really leave you hangin'... much... sorry :) Enjoy!
