by Piper Page
* * *
Sunny, no.
* * *
I could almost feel what that dark, scratchy texture would feel like against my skin. I squirmed about in my seat.
“Are you comfortable? Shall I adjust the air?”
I shook my head and blushed, too embarrassed by the internal reaction of my body to speak. Cole gazed sidelong at me and I could feel my knuckles turning white as I gripped the door handle, willing myself not to open the door and jump into the ocean.
I was beginning to think I was in over my head. The car had been the tip of the iceberg, which was melting at a fast rate with each minute that passed in Cole’s presence. The roses, three dozen in all, each one a different shade of pink, made the ice go even faster. Then there was his looks. I swear this man was straight out of an old-time move. He had on light grey dress pants and a blue button-down shirt that brought out his amazing eye color. His tie was a matching silk, overlaid with organza, giving it a whimsical sheen, and his shoes were wing tips. Wingtips! To top it all off, I swear his hair must have been spun ebony, and it must have taken him hours to get it to such perfection. I wondered if he went to the barber every other day. The quaff was close-cut to the back and sides, but the top swooped back into a pompadour wave, and he reminded me of the long-ago crooners my grandmother loved so much. I wasn’t objecting at all, it was just making me melt all the faster.
The music that piped itself through the car’s sound systems was bouncy horns and strings, like big band music for swing-dancing. You couldn’t help but tap something to it. I didn’t know what it was, but I liked it. Apparently, Cole did too. I could see his fingers drumming out the beat on the steering wheel as we turned into the parking lot of the restaurant. “Stay put.”
My hand froze halfway to the door handle. Cole exited his side of the Bentley and strolled around the front of the vehicle. My eyes followed his body. It seemed to flow in a seamless fashion. Confident. Controlled. He opened the passenger side door for me and reached in with his free hand to help me out. I felt like an oaf, stumbling out of the front seat and trying to adjust my footing so I would appear graceful and less like a bumbling fool. I fluffed the fabric of my skirt. “Cole?”
His pretty baby blues studied me with honest concern. “Is everything alright?” His hand squeezed my fingers, assuring me he was real.
I looked down at my outfit and out at the expensive cars in the parking lot. I had never been to a fancy restaurant like this before, aside from the steakhouse my family went to once a year on Father’s Day. I was suddenly second-guessing myself and my choice of outfits. I should have borrowed a dress from Claire. I should have gone with her shopping like she begged me to. Sure, I was wearing the best dress I owned, but it definitely did not resemble any of the glamorous cocktail dresses she and I would see on the Bachelor or Bachelorette every week on girls’ night.
“I…hope I look okay for this place. I didn’t know we were coming here. I—”
“Sunny, you look amazing. I haven’t been able to keep my eyes off you.”
I felt my cheeks warm. “Thank you.”
Cole linked my arm around the crook of his elbow as the valet drove his car away.
And I most certainty had never valeted before. Gosh, I felt more like a fish out of water every minute.
The hostess treated us like royalty, taking us to a secluded table right away. A bottle of wine was already there waiting to be poured. I looked to Cole. “You arranged all this?”
“I like things a certain way, and I don’t like surprises. I called ahead.”
“Very smart of you.” The fact that Cole was prepared, that he always seemed one step ahead was…
* * *
Comforting.
* * *
I sat down, Cole situating my chair beneath me. The waiter poured our wine, but I hesitated to dink any. It wasn’t that I didn’t drink. I did, and I enjoyed having wine or champagne, even mixed drinks. What worried me was the effect it had on me. It lowered my inhibitions and made me set aside rules I had set for myself more easily than I might if I wasn’t partaking. Was I going to take that route now with Cole, a man that was so irresistible to my senses? I didn’t know him. I still wasn’t sure what his intentions were. The waiter brought our salads and refilled my wine glass.
I mean, sure, Cole was well-off, so he wasn’t interested in my money, not that I had a lot, but I did have some stored away in my retirement. I’m the only one of my friends to actually have a retirement account, hence the lack of fancy clothes in my closet. Another thanks to my Dad.
So what did that leave? He said I looked amazing. He asked me out and had no idea who I was or anything about me. So, he clearly wanted me for my looks. I felt myself talking, hearing his words come back at me, and then the waiter brought our main course and another full glass of wine. Who was this man?
Feeling tipsy, I cleared my throat and interjected my stream of consciousness right in the middle of Cole’s conversation. “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to be forward, but what is it that you do, exactly?”
I could tell that he was momentarily stunned by my interruption. His mouth twitched, and then there was that endearing smile again. “I do some international and local business, nothing quite as interesting as one would hope. I’m a suit-and-tie kind of guy who likes to be fit and healthy. Like to know what I expect is being held up and that those who I work with are good to their word. Otherwise, I’m content to be with my family and friends, just good living.”
“Okay, so, who sent you?” I giggled, sipping my wine.
“Pardon me?”
“Did Claire find you and set all this up?” I signaled a little circle between us, indicating I was speaking about me and him, like he might not know. “Did she put you up to dating me? Because it was just last week my girlfriends at girls’ night made a little bet that I wouldn’t try new things.”
His face scrunched up with confusion. “Claire? Dose this Claire person think you aren’t fit to date? Does she think you’re some sort of sea hag that lures men into the ocean to steal their souls?”
I heard myself laugh before I realized I was laughing. The tip of Cole’s finger touched the corner of my eyelid and I jumped back in my seat. “What are you doing?”
“I think I’ve fallen in love with those little laugh lines you have,” he reached forward again, and his touch sent fire from my face to the pit of my stomach “These ones, right here.”
I sighed. His hand lingered, then his fingers brushed down my cheek and the side of my neck. I shivered. “So, you’re not a serial killer,” I conceded.
“Actually, I prefer fresh berries for breakfast.”
I puzzled at his response until the joking words set in right. “Oh,” I giggled.
“I like making you laugh.”
“I do believe I like that you do.” My voice had a certain lilt to it. Was I doing this right? Flirting wasn’t my strong point. I must sound like an immature idiot.
“More wine?” Cole was pouring it before I could refuse.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“I’m trying to get us on the same playing field.”
“Pardon me?”
“You’re gorgeous Sunny. I, on the other hand, need a little help for someone,” His eyes indicated the glass of wine in front of me. “To be seen the same way.”
* * *
Mr. von Larsen you are very, very wrong.
* * *
I could feel my cheeks fill with heat, and I took a sip of wine. I should have switched to water. The subtle music in the background caught my attention and had me swaying in my chair. Cole pushed back from the table as the waiter cleared our plates. He stood up and offered me his hand. “Dance with me.”
“Oh no. No. I don’t. Here? In the middle of the restaurant?”
He stayed standing with his hand extended. “Are you afraid people will be jealous of me, dancing with the most beautiful woman in the place?”
I laughed. �
�Hardly, more like keeping a safe distance from the clumsy girl tripping around in the hands of a sophisticated rich man.” I felt my eyes go wide and my hand go over my mouth. How embarrassing. “I mean, what I meant was…oh goodness.”
Cole’s head fell back, and his laughter filled the room. “Please, dance with me.”
How could I say no now? I didn’t want to offend him. My fingers slid into his, and he led me to an open area, drawing me in close. With one hand nestled in his and his other hand low on my back, we traveled into a circular rhythm. His breath was warm on my neck, and I could feel it seep into my soul. Claire was going to have a cow when I told her about this date and this man.
Time passed faster than I wanted to, and just like Cole promised me, the Bentley carried us back to my car. The short ride back left me tense. How was this date going to end? I needed to thank him and let him go. I was not on his level. How was I going to compare to what he must be used to? No, I needed to end this immediately. It was nice, and Claire would be drooling, but it was time to get back to my comfort box. I risked enough tonight to last me for a long while.
Cole got out of the car, and I waited for him to cross over, and I opened my door. He stopped in front of the windshield and pulled his phone from his pocket, holding it to his ear. Then I watched as he pulled it away and stared at it, mouthing something before moving to my side of the car.
“I’m sorry to ask this, Sunny, but could I by chance borrow your phone for a minute? My battery died, and I need to make a quick call. Would that be okay?”
I dug into my bag and pulled out my cell phone, handing it to him. While he moved back to the front of the car, I stood waiting by my car, giving him a bit of privacy. He returned and handed me my cell, taking my hand in place of it. My heart was thumping in my chest so hard that I was certain he could hear it.
“I had a lovely time with you. Thank you for going out with me, Sunny.” His hand went up to my face, and my muscles froze. I thought he was going to kiss me. “I love your laugh. Don’t stop laughing.” And then he was walking back to his car, leaving my heart in my throat.
* * *
Bye, Cole.
4
Cole
I texted Sunny again. This was the fifth time in the last three days, and not a single message in return. Maybe I shouldn’t have stolen her cell number out of her phone the other night. I couldn’t help myself. I refused to lose her. She was my goal. And I always reached my goals.
* * *
You’ve left me no alternative.
* * *
Along with her personal cell number, I had sent the last three numbers she dialed out to my inbox. When I typed in the reverse look up on them, I discovered three things; one, Sunny had family she conversed with, two, she spoke to someone at the community church center, and three, she had spoken with Memorial hospital, specifically the fourth floor nursing station. I dialed the number.
“Good morning 4B Memorial, this is Cheryl.”
“Well good morning Cheryl. What a lovely voice to start my day with.”
A twitter of self-conscious giggles hit my eardrum.
* * *
Bingo.
* * *
“Cheryl, darling, I was wondering if you could do me a tremendous favor. It would mean the world to me to have your wonderful help.”
“Um, okay, sure. How can I assist you?” Her voice had turned into a purr.
“Well you see, I was in there a few weeks ago, with a family member and there was this nurse, I believe her name was Sue, or Sarah, B-something. She has beautiful blonde hair and just the best laugh you ever heard. A ray of sunshine, really.”
“Sunny Banks?”
“That’s it! Cheryl, you are a doll, you’ve been wonderfully helpful.”
I could hear her giggle again.
“Thank you. I’d like to send her a thank-you card. In fact, I’d like to send you all a little thank-you for your amazing care. Can you tell me when the best time would be?”
“Oh gracious, that is not necessary. This is our job.”
“Cheryl.” I paused so she could hear the emotion in my tone, “Cheryl, you do it so well,” I made my voice lustful, deep, and intense. “You deserve to be appreciated.”
“Oh my, umm, Sunny is working today,” she paused, “with me, if you really have your heart set on it. Thank you, sir.”
“My pleasure, Cheryl.”
I clicked off the line.
* * *
Times a wasting.
* * *
“Good afternoon, you can set that right on the counter,” a voice spoke around the massive flower vase I was carrying in front of me. I dropped the floral arrangement down so that I could peer over the blooms at the woman sitting at the reception desk. Big brown eyes went wide when she looked up after waiting several seconds for a response. “Oh, excuse me.” Her hand fluttered over her chest. “I, um, I, how can I help you?”
I enjoyed making women blush, but this woman’s face was not the one that clouded my every waking moment the past few days and filled my dreams at night. “Can you tell me where I might find Miss Banks?”
If I hadn’t seen it, I wouldn’t have believed it, but the woman’s eyes grew bigger. I feared they might pop right out of the sockets. She pointed down a hallway. “Third door on your right.”
“Thank you. Oh, these are for you and your staff.” I left the oversized bouquet sitting on her countertop, brushed the lint from my suit jacket, and straightened my pocket-handkerchief. I could hear the whispers start behind me.
“Holy crap, do you know who that is?”
“Jessie, get out here.”
“Is that Cole von Larsen?”
“Damn, he is sexy. Did you know he was in Forbes magazine, Wealthiest Men Under Forty?”
“Yes. He’s Houston’s biggest and hottest developer.”
“I don’t remember him being here before, do you?”
“He’s here to see Sunny.”
“What would a powerful man like him want with her?”
* * *
Everything in the world.
* * *
I snickered as I walked to the door I was directed to, easing it open as quietly as possible and sneaking in behind a beautiful blonde, sitting at a desk with her back to me. “So, the thing is, a cellphone is meant for communication.”
Sunny yelped and spun around suddenly in her chair. I stepped back in the nick of time, or she would have clipped my shins with her knees. “Cole? How did you-? Where did you-?”
“If you didn’t want to talk to me again you shouldn’t have given me your number,” I teased.
“What? I didn’t? I…” She was flustered, and I was enjoying every minute of it. Her face was as beautiful angry as it was when she was laughing. “Cole, I’m working right now.” Her eyes traveled over my body, taking in my stature and today’s style of clothing.
* * *
Oh, I can be all yours, Sunny. And I promise you, you’ll like it.
* * *
“You left me no choice, Miss Banks. Seeing as you’ve forgotten that cellphones work in both directions and have this new feature called texting, I obviously need to resort to old-fashioned methods.”
She tilted her head and spun a length of her golden hair around a single finger.
* * *
Why does that get your attention? Are you old fashioned, Sunny? Perfect.
* * *
My hand slipped beneath my jacket, and I extracted a single pink rose from my inner breast pocket. “Like they did in the pure, old, Southern days, I would like to properly invite you to accompany me as my date to a gala on Saturday.”
Her eyes darted to the door beyond me, and she bit her lip as her hands made small waving motions. I turned to look behind me and caught a few other nurses trying to look nonchalant in the doorway.
* * *
Your coworkers agree with me. Say yes.
* * *
“I…um…” she fidgeted, still loo
king back to her coworkers.
I handed her the rose and let my fingers stroke her cheek. I adored the feel of her skin on mine. “You don’t need to fret about a single thing. Dress, shoes, hair, or makeup, I’ll take care of it all. You only need to say ‘yes.’” I held her eyes with mine.
“That is very kind of you but, I’m sure there are scores of other women in Houston who…”
“Who said I was from Houston?” I stepped close and whispered in her ear. Her breathing turned scarce. “Have you been doing some homework me, Miss Banks?”
I could practically feel her cheeks getting hot, they blushed so red. The reflection in her computer monitor showed the women behind her egging her on. A paper sign on a clipboard, written in black marker read, “Say YES, he’s a BILLONAIRE!” I smiled at my own reflection before standing up straight again.
“I apologize, Sunny, but I can’t take no for an answer. I need your gorgeous self on my arm Saturday. One night was not enough for me, was it enough for you?”
I didn’t think it possible, but the blush on her cheeks deepened, and she held her tongue. Electricity bolted straight down as I wondered if it were possible for her to go even redder from pleasures unknown. Damn it, I wanted to know.
