by Piper Page
The nail technician admired her skilled work when she was finished. “They look so hot.”
I cringed. “You don’t think it’s too much?”
“Oh no, it’s very sexy!”
My breath caught in my throat as I stammered, “Sexy?”
“Yeah, honey, you’re rockin’ that shade. I’m sure that whoever the lucky guy is, he’ll love it.”
* * *
I hope so.
* * *
“The lucky guy would be me.”
Everyone jumped at Cole’s sudden appearance.
I followed his gaze down to my nails. “Red?”
I cringed again, “I usually do pink, but I thought for tonight maybe I’d try something different, step out of my box.” I looked upward from my chair, searching his eyes for approval.
“I think it’s perfect, but you’re right—pink would be a much more suitable color for you on most days.”
The self-satisfied feeling welled up inside me. I knew myself, and it seemed Cole might understand that true me as well. “Thank you, Cole. Are you through with work?”
His face fell. “Unfortunately, something’s come up.”
My heart plummeted in disappointment.
* * *
At least I was able to enjoy a massage.
* * *
I swallowed back and stood up. “That’s alright, Cole, I understand. Thank you for the wonderful spa experience. I can get an uber back to Galveston.” I didn’t want him to feel bad on my account.
Cole’s head snapped up to look at me, and his hand was holding mine in a flash. “What? Wait, no.” He sighed and rolled his eyes to the ceiling. “Forgive me, maybe I didn’t say that right. Something’s come up, and I can’t share lunch with you.” His other hand wrapped around my now dry fingernails. He squatted down so that his blue eyes were on level with mine. “Did you think I meant…? Damn my tongue, sometimes I just don’t think.” He sighed once more. “Sunny, of course I’ll be here to pick you up for the gala, come hell or high water.”
My breath caught in my throat when his warm lips touched my forehead. “Enjoy the champagne lunch out on the patio. I apologize, but I’ll be thinking of you the whole time I’m away.”
My heart had gone from rock-bottom to soaring in sixty seconds flat. It had my head spinning. I was surprised at myself for the degree of disappointment I had felt when I assumed Cole meant the whole evening would be cancelled. I could deal with eating lunch alone.
With my personal clothing back on and Cole heading back to his office, I sat down under the maroon, logoed umbrella of one of the various patio tables that belonged to the spa restaurant. Cole had preordered, just like last weekend. My lunch consisted of champagne, Caprese salad with tomato, mozzarella and of all things, peaches. It was delicious. Cole arranged a grilled chicken and couscous as the main course. By the time the cheesecake arrived, I was too full to do more than pick at it, good as it was.
“They make a wonderful chocolate trifle here as well,” said a man standing outside the patio wall that separated the dining area from the public street.
I gave him a polite nod. “I don’t think I can even manage to finish this cheesecake. Maybe next time.”
“You plan on coming back?”
* * *
That’s a strange question.
* * *
“Why,” I asked, “do you dine here often?”
“A few times a month. Good food, good view.”
I looked about. There really wasn’t a view to speak of, just the faces of the other buildings. Maybe this man was some sort of letch, and his idea of a good view was just the women that passed by. I suddenly felt uncomfortable. With my champagne flute in my hand, I stood up and turned away, heading back into the spa.
“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” he called after me.
What a creepy man. My skin felt dirty.
Inside, the same woman I had started out with met me. She escorted me to the showers, where I was able to wash away the icky feeling and all the oil residue from the massage and facial treatment that still made my skin slick. With my hair wet and my skin fresh, I found myself in the salon with Chrissy.
Chrissy was a chatty girl who was going to apply my makeup and style my hair for the gala. She seemed to know all the juicy gossip around the spa and was not afraid to share it.
“So, you’re dating Mr. von Larsen? He is so sexy, don’t you think?” Her comb worked its way through my wet locks as she talked.
“Oh no, I’m not dating him. He just invited me to go to this gala.” I didn’t want her to spread rumors about Cole.
“Oooooh, that’s right, the gala!” Her words made it seem like this event was the year’s social spectacular. “He is just so generous. I heard he gave the hospital enough money this past year to build the entire new research wing. The whole damn thing, no other contributors needed. Do you have any idea how much that was?”
I didn’t. Not a clue. How much money could he possibly make? His own building, a new hospital wing, a private helicopter…Cole couldn’t be a simple investor, there had to be more.
“How long have you known Mr. von Larsen?”
She waved her ratting comb in the air as she spoke. “Ha, me? No no no. I don’t know him at all, except than he comes in here once in and a while to make arrangements for people.
* * *
People?
* * *
Did she mean other women? Was Cole doing this for all his girlfriends? My jealousy meter pinged internally.
“I have met his brother though. Even had the chance to see him at one of the local clubs last year. Talk about a cutie! I mean if I can’t get with the sexy billionaire brother, I’d definitely go for the younger one.”
“I didn’t know he had a brother.”
“Oh yeah, he has two of them.” Her skilled fingers worked pins into my twisted locks. “I don’t know the other one, but I hear he’s some bigshot too, all three of them, really.”
So, it was a family thing. Maybe Cole’s business involved all three of them. Maybe the money was family money—Cole’s parents could be rich, and his money was old money. Sure, that made sense.
The chair spun around, and I barely recognized myself. Chrissy may have been a loose-lipped trivia spinner, but her hair and makeup skills were second to none. My skin glowed. My hair was perfection. I felt amazing, inside and out.
“What do you think?”
“Wow, Chrissy, I…wow, it’s amazing!”
She beamed. “Cole von Larsen is going to fall in love with you, hun.”
My blood turned cold.
“Okay, let’s get you into something he can rip off you.”
* * *
Wait, what?
* * *
“Pardon me?”
She took hold of my arm and lifted me up from the chair. I felt faint. My legs trembled, and I swayed in her grasp.
“Whoa there, honey, you okay?”
“Can we wait just a moment? I just need a quick breath of air.”
“Oh, sure doll, step out onto the patio and come back here when you’re ready. Just try to stay out of the wind. Wouldn’t want anyone but Cole to have first dibs on messing up the ’do.”
I gulped big breaths of city air. Would Cole be expecting me to do more than go to the gala with him tonight? I mean, did he think I owed him that because of all this pampering time? What scared me more was that somewhere deep down, I knew I was daydreaming that maybe it would lead to more. I mean, I wasn’t planning on going all the way with him, but his warm lips on my forehead did leave quite the impression on my instincts, chaste as it was. I gave the idea enough room to brew in my mind as I walked back inside and found my way to a large dressing room.
“Welcome, Sunny. I’m Wendy, I’ll be helping you choose some items for tonight’s event.”
“Okay.”
She drew back a curtain and I nearly fell over. There was a long rack with gowns, lots and lots of gowns. A second rac
k followed, and I covered my mouth. It was dripping with lace, silk, and satin undergarments. Did Cole expect me to wear these as well? I was certain I could find a dress that would allow me to wear my own personal nylon bra and panties.
“Who are those for?”
Wendy looked at me with an odd expression. “Well they are for you, Sunny.”
“But I have my own undergarments on.”
Wendy shook her head. “Sunny, dear, with these dresses, you can’t wear basics. They’re form-fitted, and trust me, you’ll feel much more confident and comfortable with the right undergarments.” She leaned in and added in a whisper, “No girl wants to have her bra straps falling down or her panties riding up when mingling with the likes of these elite social circles.
My eyes went as wide as half-dollars. Who exactly was I going to be “mingling” with? Wendy must have known what she was talking about, or she wouldn’t have bothered to bring all these options. Then I saw the shoes—tall, spiked heels that were going to add to my petite height and definitely make me injure an ankle. My muscles were knotting again.
“Shall we get started?”
There was a knock on the door. A tiny girl dressed in a white blouse and black skirt popped her head in. She must have been a server for the restaurant portion. I gazed at the clock, and my heart beat sped up. How did it get to be this late? Where did the day go?
“Mr. von Larsen has arrived.”
I looked at Wendy with fear in my eyes. Her fingers squeezed mine. Between the various outfits and shoe combinations, we bonded. “You’ll be fine. You look gorgeous, Sunny. Any man ought to be proud to have you on his arm.”
I stood fixated at my reflection on the tri-fold mirror with Wendy beaming behind me. The white, metallic color of the gown picked up and highlighted the various tones of my styled, blonde tresses and complemented my fair tone, make it look darker against the fair color of the material. The fabric was dotted with sequins that caught the light and broke off into faceted diamond sparkles. I was tailor-made arm candy, yet Wendy said the gown still gave off an air of my natural side, like a day on the beach. She was wonderful at making me feel confident in the long, formal, form-fitted dress, paired with the cutest spiked heels that wrapped about my ankles with a wispy bow that peeked out from the thigh-length slit when I walked. “Thank you, Wendy.”
“Go on now, don’t keep him waiting.”
I released her hand, took as deep a breath as the dress corset would allow me, and stepped out into the hallway. It was dim. “Where is everyone?”
The small girl smiled. “They’ll have gone home, miss. The spa is closed.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry! I didn’t mean to keep the place open past closing.”
She held her smile. “The restaurant is still open, and that is where Mr. von Larsen is waiting. Right this way to the bar.”
I followed her, and then she was gone. She vanished, and I was so consumed with nerves and focused on not tripping that I didn’t have a chance to thank her.
The bar room was dimmer then the hallway. I could see the flicker of candle light, and then there was the silhouette of Cole, standing at the bar. I hesitated and gave myself a moment to take his figure in—tall, muscular, impeccably dressed in a tuxedo. The shine off his dark hair reflected the warm glow of the various candle flames. I felt I had stepped out of reality and into a Hallmark romance movie scene. I cleared my throat, placing my hand over my mouth. Cole turned around. His eyes danced, and his mouth hung open.
I took a step forward.
“No, wait—don’t move. I need to remember this sight. Sunny, you are exquisite. How can someone already so beautiful look even more spectacular?”
I felt the heat fill my face.
* * *
Please don’t ruin my makeup, please.
* * *
He crossed the room and took my arm, looping it over his. “I must say, I’m at a loss.”
My forehead wrinkled with confusion. “Why is that?”
“I don’t know if I can share you with all these other people. I’d like to keep you right here for my own viewing pleasure. I’m afraid I’ll have to beat off other men with a stick.”
My tense mouth broke into a smile. “Hardly.”
“Oh no, Sunny, it’s a very real possibility. I’m the happiest man alive right now.”
“Okay, you can stop any time, Cole,” I teased.
“You have no idea. But I’ll respect your comfort level, Sunny.” He took my hand, not with the intention of leaving. He lifted it upward, opened my fingers, and traced the lines of my palm as if he was looking for some meaning. “I learned from an early age you never know how much time you have with certain people in your life, with the gifts of relationships. I don’t mean to shock you by being forward, I’m just a man who knows what he wants. I like to make my intentions clear. Please, allow me to say thank you now, for your company and your beauty.”
I lowered my eyes. “Cole, thank you for all this. I’ve had such a wonderful day!”
“If you’d allow me, I’d treat you this every day.”
I was speechless.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes, please.” I needed people around me, or I might have just kissed him.
* * *
Would that be so bad?
* * *
My emotions waffled among pure elation and jittering nerves and wonderment. I felt my fingers twitching in the grasp of his hand, and I could hear the inconsistency in my breathing. Cole stopped suddenly, turning on his heel, and my body stumbled back on my feet. I gasped when his hand took hold of my upper arm just over my elbow. A lungful of air escaped my mouth when my back met the hallway wall. Cole’s face was so close that his eyes loomed in my field of vision.
* * *
Oh my God, he is going to kiss me?
* * *
“Are you okay?”
I nodded and felt the weight of my eyelids draw down and my stained lips prepare themselves to feel his mouth. My breath froze in my throat when I felt his fingertips trace the side of my face and tuck a strand of hair away behind my ear.
* * *
Here it comes. Yes, please, kiss me!
* * *
My heart was loud in my ears, and I could feel the twitch and tremble in every fiber of my muscle structure. What would his lips taste like? Would he be aggressive, or soft and gentle? My insides were melting into a fiery blaze. If he didn’t do it soon, I would be a Sunny puddle in the carpet. I felt the intake of the air between us as he opened his mouth and breathed in. “I just want you to feel comfortable and relaxed tonight,” he whispered.
I shivered when his finger traveled down over my exposed collarbone. The electric current went from my neck straight downward. I wanted to feel those fingers on other parts of my skin. In that moment, Cole was the only thing my body wanted. Rules and personal promises be damned. I had never felt this sure about wanting someone. Where were his lips?
His mouth was by my ear, the sound of his breath wrapped around my insides, and I quivered. “If you have any questions,” he said, hesitating, “about anything, just ask. Okay, doll?”
I felt my head bob.
* * *
Tell me everything. Move and manipulate me in your hands like a doll, Mr. von Larsen.
* * *
My eyes snapped open when I heard him clear his throat and realized he had stepped back away from me once more. What had happened here—was it a massage-induced daydream? Was this what happened when all the toxins left you and your body entered some surreal, euphoric trance? Maybe I should ration out these message sessions from now on. I had a feeling they would get me into some hot water if I wasn’t careful.
I sat at the front table in the great banquet hall with several other guests, all of us immersed in Cole’s words as he stood on the stage, behind a pedestal adorned with roses and baby’s breath. He looked important and confident as he delivered the keynote speech that evening. I could tell by looking at the guests
as they listened that the men were envious and the women were infatuated. Men wanted to be him and women wanted to be in his bed. It was all alluring and frightening at the same time. This world was foreign to me, but I liked being a part of it.
“My mother would have done anything for us boys. She sacrificed her time, her sleep, and some days, her sanity to deal with the three of us growing up. We were her joy, her sorrow, and her life. I hope that this new research center will be able to help people just like my mother find hope and answers. My mother’s cancer took her away too soon, but one day, I believe we will be able to keep all the mothers, fathers, children, family, and friends from leaving us too soon.” Cole paused, and I could see him struggling for words, emotion in his eyes. “My hope is that one day, those that we love will no longer feel that a cure for cancer is an unimaginable goal, but a very tangible one.” He paused again and swallowed. My heart swelled, and I wiped tears from the corners of my eyes with my napkin. Cole didn’t tell me his mother died of cancer, but I had read it when I looked him up.
Cole cleared his throat again. “As my mother would say, ‘finish your dinner, because dessert is right around the corner.’ Thank you all for coming, for all you have so graciously donated, and enjoy the rest of your evening.”
The audience sniffled and clapped. Cole joined me back at the table with our tablemates congratulating him and telling him how they loved his mother or thanking him for his contributions. I listened to their words and slipped my hand into his beneath the table, giving his hand a tight squeeze. Tonight, in this moment, I was the proud and fortunate one to be with such a wonderful, kind and caring man. I was beginning to think that tonight was more than just me escorting him to a gala, tonight may be our starting point in a new relationship. My worry now was, when was it all going to come to screeching halt?
