Real Love

by Tracy Reed

  “You meant it.” The elevator stopped and the doors opened. She exited and started walking and he followed her. “Where are you going?”

  “I’m walking you to your room.”

  “I can manage. Thank you.”

  “Olivia, stop it.” She continued walking. Normally, when he called her name forcefully like that, she would stop walking. “Olivia…” She opened the door and started to walk inside. “You leave me no choice, but to sit out here.” She stepped inside and closed the door.

  He refused to believe all of his time had been for nothing. A few simple words spoken in frustration may have cost him everything. He took his phone out and dialed her number. He heard the phone ringing and then nothing. Then he started banging on the door. After three attempts with the phone and his constant banging on the door, she finally opened the door.

  “You’ve got three minutes.” She folded her arms across her chest.

  “I’m sorry. What I said was childish and immature. I like you, and I thought you liked me as well. My statement was made out of frustration. I’m desperate to be with you, and I knew spending the weekend with you would make me want you even more. I know we agreed to wait, but baby…”

  “Eric, it’s not that I don’t want to make love to you…I’m scared once we do, you’ll be done with me.”

  “What?” He stepped closer.

  “I want this relationship to go the distance and I need to keep a level head. I think sex would just confuse things for me. I can’t afford an attachment that could lead to a broken heart.”

  What the crap! She was definitely a virgin. This was going to be more difficult than he thought. He needed a new plan.

  “Is that invitation for steak and rodeo still available?”

  “Are you sure you can handle the terms?”

  He pulled her to his chest and wrapped his arms around her waist. “I think I can work with your terms.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Then yes, my offer still stands.”

  “I accept and thank you.” He kissed her.

  Chapter 15

  Eric couldn't believe Olivia’s resolve. He just knew by now they would have had sex. He had given her every opportunity, and she had yet to give in. One year. That’s how long this strange relationship had lasted. He knew that because it was time for the Milford Gala. Olivia’s pet project. This year was going to be different. Instead of his crashing the event, he was attending as her date. In Olivia’s world, his escorting her was a huge statement. She was announcing to her world that he was her man, and with that came certain privileges and recognition.

  He was very excited and impressed. He was about to get the notoriety he wanted without the added benefit of banging Olivia. He was impressed that he was able to get the big prize without having to sleep with her. She wasn’t really his type, but he never turned down sex.

  He knew once the press saw him with her, his picture and name would become known in most of the prominent households in Manhattan. He had visions of his office being filled with powerful patients. His newfound notoriety was his ticket to fame. He envisioned lines of people at his book signings, and being called by the local and cable television producers asking him to appear as an expert. All of Manhattan was about to be rolled out for him in a few hours.

  He hurried home, changed and rushed downtown to the venue. Olivia wasn’t this year’s entertainment chair. But, as a board member, she was still obligated to work the press line. Eric waited outside looking for Olivia. She suggested he meet her because she had some details to check before the event. He looked at his watch. It was getting late, and most of the guests were inside. He couldn’t understand what was keeping Olivia. He reached into his pocket for his phone and suddenly her face appeared on the screen. He pressed the button and she started rambling.

  “Calm down baby. I’m outside, where…”

  “I’m so sorry. A family emergency has come up and I’m not going to make it.”

  “What?” He cursed to himself. This was supposed to be his time, his debut. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. It’s my mother. She fell and broke her foot and cracked her rib.”

  He couldn’t be angry, it was her mother, and he knew how close they were. “What happened?”

  “She was walking down the stairs, tripped on the train of her gown and fell. The doctor said it could have been worse. I already called Stef and told her I wasn’t going to make it.”

  “Do you want me to…”

  “I know how much you don’t like these things, but I need a favor. My folks were supposed to attend a function at church. With my mother incapacitated, I have to fill in for her.”

  “Okay, where do you want me to meet you?”

  “I need you to sort of keep an eye on things there for me.”

  “I don’t know what I can do.”

  “Sort of hold Stef’s hand and keep her calm.”

  “Are you sure you don’t want me to meet you?”

  “No, thank you, Sweetie. I’ll call you when I’m on my way home, and maybe we can have a late dinner.”

  “Okay.”

  “Bye, thanks.” Click.

  Eric cursed to himself. Instead of walking the red carpet on the arms of one of the most powerful socialites in Manhattan, he was playing her errand boy. He put his phone back into his pocket, walked inside, and searched the room for Olivia’s assistant, Stef. He walked around the venue and found her. She seemed to be doing a good job. No need sitting at Olivia’s table. It would be pointless without her. No one would care who he was without her.

  He got a drink and found a seat at a table in the back. He sat sulking and watching the room. The only other people at the table were an older couple not paying him any attention. He leaned back in his chair nursing his drink. He reached inside his pocket and stroked the antique gold key. Then he looked at his watch. He resolved himself to stay another thirty minutes and then head over to La Porte Noir.

  He pulled his phone out and began texting the concierge. “Excuse me…”

  He looked up and his entire body became erect. The mouth those two words came from was attached to an incredible curvy body. He looked the dark-haired beauty up and down. She was gorgeous. The honey colored voluptuous woman was a sex dream come to life. She was even more beautiful than Jasmine. He immediately stood up.

  “Yes.”

  “Seems there was a mix up with my table. Is this seat taken?”

  He was slow to respond. “I’m sorry.” He extended his hand toward the empty chair. “No…no one is sitting there.” He pulled the chair out for her and inhaled her parfum. She smelled like a spicy garden. She sat down and he pushed her chair in. The scent of her parfum traveled up his nose. She smelled incredible. Like a sinful treat he wanted to eat.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome.” She looked around and then back at him. “Can I get you something to drink?” he asked.

  “A glass of champagne would be nice, thank you.”

  He rushed over to the bar and kept looking at the table to make sure he wasn’t imagining the woman. She didn’t seem like any of the other stuck up women in attendance. He quickly walked back to the table.

  “A glass of bubbly for the lady.” He sat down.

  “Thank you.” She took a sip and his eyes were fixed on her lips. The way her mouth caressed the rim of the glass was mesmerizing. She looked around the room. “Nice turn out.”

  “Yes, it is.” He sipped his champagne while staring at the beautiful woman. She was incredible.

  “Do you know what the entertainment is?” she asked.

  He should know that answer, because this gala has been at the top of Olivia’s conversation list for the past few months. He didn’t have a clue, because the only thing on his mind about tonight, was his introduction to Olivia’s circle. And now, thanks to her mother, that wasn’t going to happen.

  “No.”

  “Oh.” She nodded and sipped her champagne. “I hea
rd last year, they did a bachelor auction and some woman paid over a hundred grand for a date.” She shook her head. “Desperate woman.”

  “I wouldn’t say she was desperate.”

  “You wouldn’t?”

  “No. It was for charity. Would you say the same thing if the shoe were on the other foot and it was a man bidding on a woman?”

  “That would never happen because men don’t want other men to know the only date they could get was one they won at an auction. I find it strange, because men have no problem paying call girls or hookers.”

  “That’s different.”

  “How so?”

  “The situations you mention involve sex.”

  “And how is that different?”

  “I think these are people doing something for charity, and no one is looking for anything serious out of it.”

  “Clearly you don’t know women.” She smiled.

  “I don’t?”

  “No. Every woman that bid and or won a man in that auction, had an ulterior motive. She was looking to get laid, and, or find a husband.”

  He almost choked. “What did you say?”

  She turned and faced him. “A man thinks it makes him look manly or virile to say he uses call girls, or has a mistress. But to say he won his date or found his wife at a charity auction is embarrassing.”

  He laughed. “Funny, but true. So, why are you here if you object to the auction?”

  “A client gave me the ticket. I hate coming to these things alone, but I wasn’t about to shell out twenty grand for my assistant to come.” She smiled. “All I know is, it better not be chicken on that buffet.”

  He laughed. She was funny and sexy. She was more his type than Olivia. He really wanted to get to know her, but he had to be careful. The last thing he needed was Olivia’s assistant catching him flirting with this woman. It took him a long time to bounce back into her good graces after the Dallas incident. He was too close to getting everything he wanted, but he didn’t want to miss out on this hot dish.

  “I did a buffet drive by and I hate to tell you, but I saw chicken.”

  “And here I was about to go crazy at the silent auction.” She joked.

  “You didn’t let me finish. I also saw, a beautiful leg of lamb and,” he looked around and leaned in close, “I also heard the chef say, Kobe beef.” He smiled.

  “You wouldn’t kid me would you?” She smiled.

  “Nope.” He laughed.

  “I think that silent auction just might get a few of my dollars.” She laughed.

  She had an incredible laugh. He wanted to know more about this woman. “Can I get you a refill?”

  “Thank you.”

  “I’m Eric by the way, and you are…”

  “Kyla.”

  On the way to the bar, he cancelled his appointment with Jasmine, and spent the rest of the evening with the beautiful curvy woman.

  Chapter 16

  Eric was feeling very good, in spite of his evening not going the way he planned. However, he had a new plan in the works that would take his mind off of the weirdness with Olivia. He had worked too hard charming and manipulating Olivia to give up now.

  Olivia was a nice girl and Jasmine had talents words couldn’t describe, but he wanted more. Spending the evening with Kyla made him realize there was a void in his life. He had to be honest with himself. The thought of abandoning his plan to seduce Olivia in an attempt to move up the social ladder, was getting boring. He missed the kind of intimacy a physical relationship offered him with a woman. He also missed hitting on women. The last time he did that was with Olivia. In the past few months, when he was around her, he felt more like a eunuch, than the virile man that he was. She had turned him into something he swore he’d never become. She had turned him into his father.

  His father never complained about the way his mother neglected him. Instead, he sought solace outside of their marriage. Eric knew this because he had seen his father in action. To be precise, he heard his father banging his secretary in his office. He had gone over to his father’s office to meet him for dinner. The floor which was full of life during the day, was a ghost town after business hours. Eric proceeded down the hall to his father’s office and noticed the door was closed. He approached the door and started to knock when he heard strange sounds. He leaned close to the door and his ears confirmed the sounds.

  He was shocked and ran down the hall. He hid in one of the cubicles and waited for the door to open. About twenty minutes later, the door opened and Eric saw his father’s assistant come out adjusting her clothes. Then his father’s voice, “Leave, I don’t want my son seeing you.” A few seconds later, Eric heard her footsteps walking towards the elevator. He waited for the elevator to leave before taking the stairs down a flight and returning back via the elevator. From that day on, he never looked at his father the same way.

  He always sensed there was a problem in his parent’s marriage. But what offended him the most, was his father playing into type. A successful man cheating with his assistant.

  He wanted success, and was willing to pay the price to get it. After talking to Kyla, he realized she couldn’t help him get ahead in business, but she could probably take care of his physical needs. Sure, he had Jasmine, but there was nothing wrong with a little variety.

  His new plan was even better. He’d make Olivia the perfect show piece. The prize he paraded around town, that boosted his career. Kyla would be his girlfriend, something new and refreshing. And Jasmine would be there to take care of the freaky itch he had.

  He reached inside his pocket for his phone and remembered he had intentionally left it somewhere. At the time, he forgot he was supposed to call Olivia. He reached inside the glove box and pulled out his emergency phone. He dialed Olivia, but it went straight to voicemail. A few seconds later, the phone rang.

  “Hey Babe.”

  “Eric?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where are you?”

  “My car. Why, do you need something?”

  “No, I didn’t recognize the number.”

  “Oh, I misplaced my phone. I’m calling you from my back up.”

  “Oh. So how did it go?”

  “Good. I don’t think they raised as much money as you did last year.”

  “I guess I have the golden touch,” she teased, but it was the truth. It seemed whatever Olivia put her stamp on, flourished.

  “I guess next year, you'll have to show them how it’s done.”

  “Exactly,” they laughed. “How’s your mother?”

  “She’s resting. Do you want to come over?”

  He looked at his watch. It was late, but not too late if it meant he was staying over, which he knew wasn’t an option. He wished Kyla would call him, because he was pretty sure her phone call would include a sleepover. “It’s late Babe, and I have an early day tomorrow.” He was already beginning to lie, and he didn’t even know if Kyla was going to take the bait.

  “Okay. What about lunch tomorrow?”

  “I don’t have my phone with my schedule. Can I let you know in the morning?

  “Yes.”

  “I’m about to pull into the garage. I’ll talk to you later. Good night.”

  “Good night.”

  Chapter 17

  Olivia felt bad about standing Eric up, but it couldn’t be helped. She tried to reach him, but there was no answer. She called an hour later and he finally picked up.

  “Hey Babe, what’s going on?”

  “I thought you were going to call me.”

  “I got hung up with something.” The something was more like someone. Before he went to bed, Kyla called him, and he made arrangements to get his phone. Seems his little plan worked, and after the quick exchange they had breakfast.

  “Oh.”

  “How’s your mother?”

  “She’s fine.”

  “Good.”

  “I was thinking. Since I stood you up last night and I had wanted to introduce you to some
of my friends, I was thinking about hosting a small book signing for you. How does that sound?”

  Eric was speechless. All his months of playing it cool and letting Olivia call the shots had finally paid off. A book signing hosted by Olivia with her friends would generate more press than he could imagine.

  He kept his cool. “You don’t have to do that.”

  “No, I don’t. But I want to.”

  “But, Babe…” His modest act was award winning.

  “It’s settled. How about two weeks from Tuesday?”

  “Is that enough time?”

  “Plenty. Come over tonight and we’ll discuss the details. Oh, give me your agent’s number. I’ll need to hash out a few details.”

  “Details?”

  “Yes, Sweetie. I’ll need some books. I also need to know what business contacts need to be invited.”

  “I have books here.”

  “Oh, how many?”

  “I’ve got about twenty five.”

  She laughed. “That’s cute and would be fine if this were a dinner party. Honey, I’ll need about two hundred copies.”

  He almost choked. “I thought you said the party was for your friends.”

  “My friends, the press and the charity.”

  “What charity?”

  “The one that’s going to benefit from the signing.”

  “I don’t understand.”

  “I’m buying the books. You’ll sign them, and they’ll be given away in the goodie bags. Oh, plus I’ll need some press kits. I know we could do e-books, but a hand delivered, signed copy will make a better impact with the press.”

  “How does the charity figure in?”

  “They get the money from the ticket sales. This is a good way for people to get to know you. Trust me, I know what I’m doing.”

  “Okay. This is your world.”

  “Exactly.”

  “I’ll see you at six thirty. Bye.”

  “Bye.” He didn’t understand what Olivia was going to do, but he knew whatever it was, it was going to change his life.