by BWWM Club
As a chef eating other peoples food, it could be a challenge or a pleasant surprise. Tonight thankfully, it was the latter. The sea bass was beautifully seared and the herb and garlic polenta were divine. The white wine that Dawson picked out definitely added compliment to the meal. In the end, Victoria knew she had too much.
Her tongue had become loose and her mood receptive. It was time for the drunken tongue to reveal a sober mind. Victoria was smiling - constantly. Dawson took the lead and lured her into conversation.
“Tell me more about you Victoria… your passions, desires and where you want to go in life.”
Her usual guard wall was down and the truth flowed from her lips.
“I am truly passionate about my food. I love owning a business and creating edible works of art. It feeds my soul. My only goal in life is a destination called happiness. I want to live fully.”
Dawson nodded as he listened to her go on about what inspired her to push through and how Abby really was the bedrock of her success. Victoria was a loyal woman.
Just as the waiter cleared the final dishes from their station, Dawson extended his hand and asked, “Will you come with me? I have something I’d like to show you.”
On a regular day she would say no but today her inhibitions were thrown to the wind. She was happy, but not drunk, and noticed that he didn’t pay the tab or make mention of it to anyone. Interesting. Dawson would later reveal that he owned The Pegasus.
Victoria had arrived in a taxi, but Dawson had driven his Bugatti. The valet had a look of pride on his face as he brought the dashing car around to the front of the equally grand restaurant. Thanking the young man, Dawson walked around to the passenger side and held the door open for his honored guest. Sliding into the plush leather seats, she settled in while Dawson revved the engine of the designer car. The night was young and he was with a woman he was intrigued by.
The destination was a small odd building. It could easily have been taken from another place and time with its brightly colored walls and strange looking roof. The door was painted pink. Dawson seemed to know where to park and how to get inside. The general area was deserted except for a few birds that fluttered by as the expensive car was pulled into the car park.
Hopping out and running around to open the door for Victoria, he found her smiling and ready for adventure. Holding her hand he took her to the pink door and twisted the knob. The inside was not what Victoria expected. The walls were covered in art- not just any art, but all black and white prints of the city as it stood hundreds of years ago.
Each piece told a story of progress in the town they both loved. When Victoria finally emerged from her haze of artistic enchantment Dawson was admiring her - taking notice of all the things that she wanted him to see and those that she did.
Holding her hand, he pulled her gently toward the back of the room where the signature piece he wanted her to see was placed. It went floor to ceiling and was almost as wide. The portrait was of a black and white couple-the woman dark and smooth like mahogany and the man tall pale and dashing. As Victoria inspected the masterpiece, Dawson added commentary. “This was a painting my father did when he was in his twenties. He was a fair man and though I’ve never seen him with anyone but my mother he had a wandering eye. I guess he too may have had feelings he never expressed.
Victoria contemplated the artwork though the haze of emotions now over taking her. Was this the right thing to do? Would he seek to dominate her the way he did all other matters in his life? It concerned her. As her thoughts wandered, she noticed Dawson’s body heat behind her, his large hands spawned her womanly hips and before she could turn around Dawson began to nuzzle her neck.
His warm breath against her skin caused goose pimples and he sought to calm them by kissing everyone he could find until they disappeared. Victoria found herself yielding to the atmosphere and feelings passing through her body. It had been a while since she had been touched by any man and her body told the tale. Leaning her head to the side Victoria gave him full access and permission to explore, her body was in control and not her mind.
Inside her head a battle of conflict raged on while her body melted like chocolate under the heat of Dawson mouth. As he kissed, he muttered, “I knew you would taste even better than you look and my God do you taste divine.”
Victoria could not respond, the out of body experience had taken her to another dimension and her brain was having trouble processing the electricity passing through her body. Dawson had lowered his stance to meet the height of her naked back. It was almost as delicious as her neck. They had no idea how their moans and pants of ecstasy filled the room mixing with the masterpieces already there - they were making art of their own.
He was on his knees now and it didn’t matter that his suit cost more than most could afford, he wanted to be up close and personal with the ass that had mesmerized him for the past week. Cupping the cheeks in both hands, he massaged the firm circles with his fingers while resting his head on the curve of her spine.
Lost in the feelings of floating on the softest of cotton clouds he sank into a place of pleasure. Dawson realized that as much as wanted to be between her thick, delicious thighs, he also wanted to get to know her better before he took her. It was time for some self control. Rising to his feet, he slowly circled her and came to focus on her eyes. The brown pools danced with excitement, but he could also see her conflict and as a natural leader, he needed her to be on the same page as him. It would never do to coerce this woman he admired into anything. She deserved better. Resting his forehead on hers, he smiled and settled his ragged breath, it was apparent that she was trying to do the same as well. He needed to ask her one simple question, “Will you trust me?”
Simple question, but it seemed bizarre in a setting like this. Victoria’s answer was appropriate, “I would like to say yes, Dawson but at this point I am not even sure I trust myself.”
He grinned at her - this woman was no pushover.
*****
Palette had grown and so had the demands and work schedule of being the boss. People looked to Victoria to interpret just what they had in mind and expected the virtually impossible. Dawson was calling, but she had no time to flit about with this man who had already established himself in the business world.
The owner of Fantasy flower shops was getting married and her request was to design a cake replica of an award winning arrangement the shop had produced. The task seemed easy, but the bouquet was huge and the details endless. Victoria would scream if she had to make one more tiger lily.
Had she been ignoring Dawson’s calls? Not exactly. It was just that she knew what he wanted and she didn’t have the time to give it right now. Abby had gone home for a few weeks. Her younger sister was set to graduate from high school and because they were a tight knit family, she had to go.
The bookings never paused though, and Victoria was forced to outsource a personal assistant to schedule consultations and confirm payments. DMC Theater live was responsible for the traffic.
It was around three in the afternoon when the knock on the door came, interrupting her concentrated effort to add foliage to the arrangement. The fondant was not reacting well. Wiping her hands and going over to the door, she opened it expecting a delivery of some sort even though none was scheduled.
“Good afternoon Victoria, I see that you are alive and well. May I come in and take a tour of the infamous Palette?” Victoria didn’t usher him in but that didn’t matter, he entered anyway.
“Nice of you to stop by Dawson” she smiled and said as she closed the door.
“Trust me when I say the pleasure is all mine Victoria.” He responded smoothly.
The man could be so obnoxious she thought as he made a beeline for the counter where she worked on her creation. He was reverent enough not to touch anything but smiled and nodded at her artistic abilities. Victoria followed him, hands folded across her chest shaking her head at his commanding nature.
Suddenly, he t
urned and grinned at her. “I know you are in the middle of work, but everyone has to eat. I want you to accompany me to a party tomorrow. You don’t have to stay for long, but it’s you that I need on my arm.”
Victoria thought it sounded more like a demand than a request and raised her eyebrow as he spoke. Clearing his throat Dawson added “please”. He quickly understood that she considered herself to be in charge. He would have to work on that. Her smile was magnetic and it spread across her face as she recognized that he noticed the difference between a request and demand. Like most men, Dawson expected the response she gave.
“I don’t have anything to wear, it’s too sudden.”
Before her words could fall from her lips, Dawson responded, “I have already arranged for you to visit any dress shop of your choice at your convenience. It would be great if you could come naked… I am sure the tabloids would love that, but for the sake of decency, you will have to cover yourself. My assistant will call you tomorrow to see what time is good for you. See you then.”
As suddenly as he came, he left. The whirlwind of emotions that seemed to overtake her when he was near was totally overwhelming. Who exactly did he think he was coming to her place and all but ordering her to come with him when she had work to finish. Exasperating was the word to describe Dawson she decided.
*****
As much as she hated the idea of being commanded to do anything, Victoria confirmed with the personal assistant that she could be ready for three pm. The cake had been delivered to the blushing bride, causing her to erupt in tears and have her makeup fixed.
Victoria’s apartment was attached to the house of an elderly couple who had never been inside a limo. Imagine their surprise when the gleaming white stretch pulled up to take her shopping. It was almost embarrassing. Donning the largest sunglasses she owned, Victoria bowed her head and trotted to the vehicle hoping to disappear.
Inside was Sara and all her gadgets and papers. Victoria’s brain began to spin as she settled into the white leather seats. Did Dawson send this woman to supervise her wardrobe selection? Customarily she would have been curt and to the point in confronting the assistant with her suspicions, but this time she decided to wait for a bit.
The part of the city the driver turned into was unfamiliar to her. Each storefront seemed to say “Platinum or black cards only” and the people going in and out certainly looked like they were credit card approved.
“Do you have any idea which shop you want to go to?” Sara interrupted Victoria’s thoughts with the ridiculous question. Of course she didn’t, but no one needed to know that. “I think if we find a park I will stroll down the street and see what I am in the mood for today.”
Almost instantly the limo pulled over to the curb and the driver got out to open the door. A black man, the chauffeur looked at Victoria with an expression she couldn’t make out. Maybe it was all in her mind, but it was apparent to her the kinds of reactions she may receive from her own kind. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.
Sara got out of the fancy vehicle behind her and as they walked, Victoria reached for her cell. Dawson’s number had been saved and he didn’t sound surprised to hear her.
“Hello Victoria. How are things going?” He inquired.
She told him the truth as she stopped her stride, causing Sara to bump into her. Looking the woman squarely in the eyes as she spoke she said. “I am not sure about your intentions, but I am a grown woman and I do not need to be supervised. Sara can go ahead and pick out what she thinks you would like but I will go to a place where I won’t be followed by your assistant or security officers for that matter. And there is no need to grandstand with a stretch limo at four in the afternoon either.”
Caught totally off guard by her anger, he struggled for words, but shock prevented them from coming out. Victoria wasn’t asking for a response anyway. She wasn’t finished speaking.
“If you want me to go anywhere with you I suggest you start treating me like an equal and not a child who needs to be minded. Oh and please send a normal car to get me later. I have no need to impress the neighbors.”
Sara’s mouth hung open as she watched the woman she was sent to supervise end the abrupt one sided phone call and stalk off. She knew how to deal with one loud, and opinionated boss. Two however, was a different matter.
Chapter 6
The man came in his Bugatti and parked in on the street like a regular vehicle. Yes, a white Bugatti in mint condition would blend in with the Nissan's and Chevrolet's parked there. They were set to leave at seven thirty - it was only six forty five.
He knocked three times and Victoria sighed as she looked in the mirror fixing her makeup. The exasperating Dawson Ledger was there. Wrapping her bathrobe around her full figure, she walked to the door and took note of the framed serenity prayer on the wall. Yes, she needed it.
“Good evening Dawson,” she said while opening the door.
He stood there grinning like a Cheshire cat as he responded. “Good evening Madame Spunk.” She knew he would mention the way she acted earlier and was quite ready for it.
“That’s Victoria Jones to you Mr. Ledger.”
Closing the door behind him, Victoria disappeared into the bedroom, Dawson sat on the couch for ten minutes before he shouted. “ You really hurt Sara’s feelings you know. You need to apologize.”
Appearing from the hall looking exactly the same as when she went inside the bedroom Victoria perched her hand on her hip and said, “If she has survived you for all this time there is no way my little speech could have upset her. Get a new assistant if she’s not tough Dawson. I am not apologizing for anything. And I told you to drive a regular car.”
Standing to his full height and rebuttoning his black blazer, Dawson turned to look at this little woman with the large persona. When he arrived at her side, she was still standing, glaring in his direction. Arriving in front of her, he bowed close to her face, forcing her to step back until her back hit the wall, directly below the prayer.
Rubbing his thumb against her cheek, Dawson gazed into her fiery brown eyes and whispered, “I think I am going to like being with you. You are so spirited it’s a turn on. If only you would take instruction sometimes… but then again, it would be against all you believe in right?”
Victoria heard him, but her eyes were closed, drinking in the sensation or his warm hand against her skin. She was lost. Dawson was tracing the curve of her neck and marveling at how raspy her breathing had suddenly gotten before he spoke again. “For your information, Little Miss Spitfire… I sent Sara to make sure you were happy and taken care of, not to watch over you. I can see… and feel that you are fully capable of handling yourself.”
Because he was a man accustomed to pushing the envelope, his hands slid over her breasts and around her waist where he toyed with the band holding the robe together. In seconds, it fell open, revealing the hidden rare treasures this enchanting woman had to offer.
Her breasts rose and fell as Victoria anticipated his touch, but Dawson wanted to fill himself with the sight of her first. The black lace underwear cupped the full globes pushing them together, creating the most delicious looking valley between the two. Her tummy was not perfectly flat, but rather, one of a woman who ate just enough but never too little. The triangle between her legs was covered by a lace and satin thong and the tiny string holding it to her body circled her hips enticingly and invited his eyes to take in her sturdy thighs and legs, she was a sight to behold.
Neither knew what stopped things from getting to the point of no return, but Victoria knew if she didn’t close her robe, they would never leave. Extracting her nipple from his mouth, she dragged herself away from his intoxicating presence to fix herself. She was a lady and would not sleep with a man this easily. Besides, she couldn’t let him know that she was on the verge of letting him have his way.
It was now a quarter to seven and they were late. Dawson, however, still took the time to admire her final appearance. The dress w
as made of natural colored linen. The top was loose fitting and hung off her bare shoulders before extending down to long sleeves cuffed at the wrist and fringed with gold lace. The mermaid cut maxi bottom hugged her hips and accentuated her waist before flaring out into a swirl also edged in gold lace. On her feet were the most elegant of crocheted slippers and her clutch seemed to be of intricately carved stained wood. The bib necklace was adorned with iridescent crystals punctuated with natural colored beads and her ears were devoid of decoration except for a small copper cuff circling her upper ear.
From her freshly shaved and dyed tiny afro to the tips of her slippers she was unique and exotic. Dawson struggled with the thought of changing his mind about the party as the head below his waist wanted a party of his own. Reading his thoughts, Victoria opened her door and said, “Patience is a virtue Dawson.”
As he joined her on the steps, Dawson added, “I have no intention of being virtuous when I finally get you Victoria, Remember that.”
*****
The stretch limos Victoria despised, lined the entrance of Parrot and Crystal, the newest nightclub to open in Florida. Tonight’s guests, however, were not eager weekend partiers, but the who’s who of the business world in the city. Armed security personnel and bouncers guarded their esteemed employers with trained eyes while excited chauffeurs decided whether to park and wait or leave their rich bosses while taking a few hours for themselves.
The red carpet ushering the guests inside the modern entrance, was lined by camera toting reporters waiting to capture every moment. When Victoria and Florida’s richest and youngest bachelor emerged from the luxury vehicle, Dawson realized he may have a problem. He was accustomed to the limelight, but she was not. He could feel her hesitate, but the valet had already driven off. It was too late.
Grasping her hand tightly, Dawson hoped his grip was enough to reassure her it was alright. Victoria was not that easily calmed. Leaning into him as he held her hand, proved to be a photo op for the vulture journalists and she knew that there was no turning back now. Plastering her fakest smile on her cinnamon face, she braced herself for the flashes.
