The next morning, I woke up to texts from Alison saying they had everything under control, not that I knew what that meant. I put the phone down and looked up at the dress hanging on my closet door, and immediately, nerves surged through me. Today was the big gala, and I definitely was not prepared mentally for it. I was used to downhome people, people who cracked jokes and asked about each other’s cows. I was not used to the rich and famous, and I was terrified I was going to do or say something that caused me to look like a complete fool in front of them. I would never live it down, and worse, Ryan would never live it down. He was the one who had to deal with these people on a regular basis. They already gave him a hard time for being new money, and if I embarrassed him, it would come down on him tenfold. These people had no idea what it was like to get their hands dirty. To them, someone like me only existed on television, outside the confines of the concrete jungle and all the luxury inside it.
Maybe I would get lucky, though, and they would mail in their donations. Maybe the number of rich and snooty would be limited. Ryan did say the event would be small. Maybe small meant a dozen or so people. For some reason, I had a sneaking suspicion I had a completely different idea of what a small gathering was compared to Ryan’s idea of one. For all I knew, small could mean a thousand people. Hell, that’s small compared to how many people lived in New York City. Small to me was twenty to thirty people, and big was the town’s size, around five hundred. I had never been in any event larger than the town’s size, and that was usually informal where people showed up in overalls and ate corndogs off a stick. I had a sneaking suspicion there would be no corn dogs at this event.
Still, I had to keep telling myself it was going to be small. Yes, fancy but small and intimate. It was a chance for me to dress up like I would never have a chance to do again and be on the arm of one of the most handsome men in the city. Surely, I would feel comfortable by his side. He always made me feel safe. I took a deep breath and got out of bed, holding onto the idea of a small, intimate gathering as I slipped into my slippers and went out in search of tea. As I turned the corner into the kitchen, I stopped and slowed down, finding Ryan there. He looked up at me and smiled handsomely, putting down the paper.
“You want some breakfast?” he asked.
“I don’t think I can eat,” I said. “I’m so nervous about tonight, and the horse thing weighing over my head is making everything worse. I keep imagining myself making a total fool out of the both of us at this event. These people aren’t used to a woman like me. I’m not rich and famous.”
“You, ma’am, need to take a deep breath,” he said, walking over and pulling me into his arms. “You are beautiful, charming, intelligent, and they don’t have a clue who you are. You will look the part, and that’s all that will matter to them. In the meantime, you can walk around with me and just enjoy the night. I’m sure there’ll be delicious food, dancing, and of course, alcohol.”
“I should probably stay away from the alcohol.” I laughed.
“I want you to go get dressed in something comfortable,” he said, kissing the top of my head. “I booked you a day at the spa to help you get ready for tonight.”
“Really?” I said, looking up at him.
“Really.” He gave me a fond smile. “Massage, hair, makeup, waxing, whatever you need, they will take care of it there for you.”
“Thank you.” I smiled. “You really thought of everything.”
“I would be a bad host if I didn’t.”
“Now, go on. Go get changed. The car is waiting for you out front.” He smiled, pushing me toward the door.
“What about you?”
“I’ll be here waiting for you when you get back.”
I shook my head and headed quickly off to my room, thinking about how amazingly thoughtful Ryan really was. Then, I spent the day in one of the most interesting places I had ever been before. They didn’t have spas in Bonanza, just the local salon, but the salon only did hair and nails. This place spoiled me rotten, pampering me, plucking me, and styling me for the big event that night. The women waited on me hand and foot, and I almost felt guilty for how attentive they were being. After all, I could put my own robe on, but they insisted. By the time I was done, I was feeling a lot better. When I got back to the penthouse, Ryan was in his office, so I went to my room and started to get ready for the night. I did everything myself, including my hair and makeup, and the only thing I couldn’t reach was the zipper on the back of the gown.
I stood looking at myself in the mirror, hardly recognizing the woman staring back at me. I didn’t look like a country girl at all, and instead, I looked like I fit right in with the rich and snooty. I turned with a smile and went out to find Ryan to zip me up.
Chapter 38
Ryan
I was standing in the kitchen have a pre-party whiskey when I heard Sara walking down the hall. I turned as she entered looking for me. I stood there completely stunned, my focus consumed by this woman in front of me. I could barely recognize her in that gown, and I couldn’t believe my eyes. The red dress sat snugly on her body, hugging every curve until it flared out slightly at the bottom and touched the ground. The sleeves were long and sleek and sat off her shoulders, revealing the skin of her collarbone. She looked absolutely beautiful, stunning even, and the light, whimsical material under the bottom of her dress sparkled with red sequins. Her hair was pulled up off her neck and curls cascaded down. She smiled, her red lips matching the gown, and walked toward me in her matching heels. She was the most stunning woman I had ever seen in my entire life, and she carried herself with the grace and poise of a movie star. When she reached me, she turned around, revealing the open zipper.
“Zip me up?” she said, looking back at me and smiling.
I nodded and stepped toward her, my eyes trailing down the exposed skin of her back and down to right above her ass where the zipper was. Her pale skin shimmered next to the dress, and all I wanted to do was push it off her shoulders and take her right there in the kitchen. I wanted to run my lips over her fair skin and make her moan like she had at the vineyard, a time that felt like it was decades ago. I slowly pulled the zipper up to the top and latched the small eyehook at the top. She looked back at me with a smile and then turned to me and put her hands out. I could feel my cock tightening in my pants, and I took a deep breath, knowing I couldn’t survive the night if I didn’t get ahold of myself. I went to the table, grabbing a large, black velvet jewelry case, and walked back to her. She looked at me for a moment and then down as I opened the case, the rubies and diamonds sparkling in front of her.
“I borrowed this for you for the night,” I said. “I wanted you to fit in with the other socialites, and they’re always dripping with diamonds and other stones. I figured this would match the dress.”
“How did you know what color?” she said.
“I saw the bottom of the dress when you were carrying it out of the store.” I smiled. “I have a tendency to pay attention to details like that. It’s always been a strong point for me. But go ahead take them out and try them on.”
I held the box up to her and her eyes grew wide. Her hand went up to her chest, and for a moment, I was worried she was going to pass out right there on the floor. It occurred to me then that she had never been that close to jewelry like this before. She always wore a little horseshoe necklace around her neck, but it was the only jewelry I had ever seen her in. She was in complete shock and awe of the beauty of the stones, and frankly, so was I. They were pretty gorgeous, and I was proud of my selection.
“Ryan, they’re breathtaking,” she said. “But I couldn’t dare wear something that rich and that expensive. I tend to be a klutz. What if I break something or lost an earring or something?”
“Relax.” I laughed, setting the box on the counter and pulling out the necklace. “I borrowed these from the jeweler, and I made sure they were heavily-insured in case of any mishap. Now, turn around.”
She looked at me for a moment a
nd then turned around, letting me drape the necklace over her skin. She turned back and pressed her hand against them. I handed her the earrings, and she hung them on her ears, shaking her head at her reflection in the mirrored surface of the refrigerator behind me. The jewels looked perfect on her like she was born to wear them. I didn’t think she ever imagined that the life of money and luxury would suit her so well, but she was definitely going to be the most beautiful woman I’d ever had on my arm. She deserved to be pampered like this all the time, not just one day out of the year.
“Do they look okay?” she asked. “They aren’t too much are they?”
“They look perfect, but you’re the one making them look good, not the other way around,” I said. “You are, hands down, going to be the most beautiful girl at the gala. I have never been prouder to have someone on my arm at an event like this. You’re beautiful inside and out, Sara, and that’s what you have to remember. That is what makes you the most gorgeous woman there. You don’t harbor a bit of snotty, rich bitch attitude.”
“I might with these jewels,” she said, laughing.
“You ready to head out?”
“Yes, sir,” she said, taking my arm.
We headed to the elevator and took it down to the lobby. There were several people milling about in the place, but they all stopped and gawked at Sara as she climbed out and waited for me. She was so oblivious to her beauty that she didn’t even notice they were looking at her, but I was beaming with complete and total pride. We got in the limo waiting out front and headed off to the museum for the event. As we pulled up, I braced myself for Sara’s reaction. I looked out the window as we passed by the crowds of people lining up behind the velvet ropes. Klieg lights illuminated the front of the museum, and people draped in luxury walked together up the velvet carpet, stopping here and there to talk to reporters. It looked like every Hollywood awards show with limos lined up around the block and the flashes of camera bulbs going off through the crowd. We didn’t have to wait in line, luckily. We were ushered to the front.
I took a deep breath and turned around to look at Sara. Her face had gone from demure and calm to completely freaking out as soon as she saw the event. I reached over and touched her hand, bringing her attention to me.
“Sara, take a deep breath.” I smiled.
“You-you said it was going to be a small event,” she stammered. “This is not a small event. This is a huge event, bigger than anything I’ve even seen on television. Is that Oprah on the stairs? Holy shit, that is Oprah, and I’m going to this thing.”
She looked back at me, and I gave her a half-smile, shrugging my shoulders. Her eyes narrowed, and I chuckled, seeing the fear and irritation behind them. She was so cute when she got all fired up like that.
“Oprah is a huge contributor to this organization,” I said. “You just need to take a deep breath because it’s not as serious as you think it is. I know it looks daunting, but once you’re inside, it’s a lot less intimidating. You’re going to be the most gorgeous girl here, so you have nothing to worry about.”
“If I don’t pee all over my dress first,” she said before covering her mouth. “I need to remember not to say things like that.”
“I think it’s funny.” I laughed.
The limo pulled up to the front, and the greeters on the curb opened up the door, watching me climb out. Bulbs flashed here and there, and a couple of people behind the ropes called out my name. I turned back, reached down to take Sara by the hand and help her out. The reporters immediately started snapping pictures like crazy, and she glanced up at me with a fake smile plastered on her face. She lifted the front of her dress slightly and took my arm, walking up the red carpet to the steps. A couple of fans of mine were standing on the side asking for an autograph, so I walked over and signed their pads for them before turning back to Sara. I could tell she felt a little lost among the sea of people, but she didn’t let that be known to everyone else. She carried herself with poise and grace, and I couldn’t help but beam from ear to ear having her on my arm.
When we reached the bank of reporters, I stopped and told the one on the carpet that I had no comment. They were shouting questions to both me and Sara, but we both just smiled and waved, refusing to answer them. She clutched my arm tightly as we made our way to the end of the red carpet and up into the museum. The place was completely decked out in flowers and crystals with large pictures posted at the front showcasing some of the organization’s work. I stopped and signed in at the front and then returned to Sara. She was shaking, and I could tell that despite her poise, she was struggling with intense emotions and nerves.
“You did so well,” I whispered to her. “Everyone now knows who the most beautiful woman in Manhattan is.”
She blushed bright red and looked up at me with a smile. She was slightly taken aback by my comment, but I couldn’t help noticing how it made her straighten her shoulders and stand a little bit taller. We stopped in front of the doors to the banquet hall, and I looked over at her.
“You ready?” I asked.
She took a deep breath and nodded her head. We turned toward the greeters and smiled as we made our way into the world of the rich and famous. This was the part I always hated.
Chapter 39
Sara
Everywhere I turned, there was something sparkly, something worth more than all of the houses in Bonanza combined. I couldn’t believe what was going on around me. I almost had to be reminded to continue walking, getting caught up in looking around at all the beautiful people mingling and talking to each other. Everything was so glamorous, draped in luxury, and all the women looked like they walked right out of a high fashion magazine. Nervous or not, it was amazing to see with my own eyes. I knew once I left New York, I would never have a chance to see something like this again. It was definitely way far off from our annual fundraiser in Bonanza, but that was probably a good thing because it would scare the town off, and they were our only donors to the event. The whole thing was extremely overwhelming, and I didn’t know what to even do with my hands, so I had one latched onto my purse and the other around Ryan’s arm.
As we walked through the endless sea of people, Ryan introduced me to face after face. Some were women draped in jewels and others were strong businessmen wearing designer suits and smelling like whiskey and cigars. There were so many people to meet, and I was having a hard time concentrating. Ryan held my hand tightly, though, seeing that I was feeling very out of place and very overwhelmed by it all. I just had to keep telling myself that it could be worse, though thinking that thought made me even more nervous than before. I was worried I looked like a fool, like a small-town girl playing dress up. I was worried I was going to say something wrong, something that embarrassed Ryan or myself. I was worried they were going to figure out I was so awkward that I didn’t deserve to breathe the same gold-encrusted air that they did. All of those things were whirling around my head every single time he introduced me to someone new. It was a bit more than distracting, and it was making my palm sweat.
However, everyone he chose to bring me into contact with seemed very nice. No one asked any questions of who I was, no one had any unkind words to say to me or to Ryan, and the smiles actually seemed genuine. Their calmness began to seep over into me, and I started to settle into the situation a little more than before. My shoulders relaxed a bit, and my smile became a lot less forced and a lot more meaningful as we made our way to our seats. Ryan pulled my chair out from the table and smiled down at me as he took a seat next to me and pulled my hand into his lap. Once the speeches began, I forgot all about the rest of the event, engrossed in the struggle the organization was going through. They were trying desperately to keep these wild animals safe from poachers, and it was almost a losing battle at times. I was near to tears when the pledges started, and it was interesting to watch the people hold signs up in the air with their pledges written on them. I had never seen a charity event do that before.
I looked over as Rya
n held his sign up with so many zeroes, it took me a minute to make out how much he was pledging. The entire room oohed and aahed, clapping as the announcer called out his pledge. I smiled and squeezed Ryan’s hand, proud of him for making that large of a contribution to something so important. After dinner, we all stood around, mingling, looking at the photos the organization had out everywhere and just enjoying the event. Ryan leaned over to me and squeezed my hand.
“If you would excuse me for just a moment, I need to speak with a gentleman across the room,” he said.
“Sure.” I smiled, blushing as he winked at me.
I turned and walked over to the tables where the items for the silent auction were displayed. I walked around the tables, looking at the beautiful items that were up for sale. There was everything from famous paintings donated by the Art Conservatory to trips to exotic places. They were all things I would never be able to afford, but they were really neat to look at. I was about to continue down the line when I heard a woman’s voice behind me.
“Are you here with Ryan Reines?” the woman asked.
I turned around with a smile on my face and was met with the glare of a statuesque female. She had a bit of an accent, but I couldn’t totally make it out from that one question. She was wearing a long, silver, sparkly dress, her huge breasts barely covered. She had diamonds around her neck and up her arms almost to her elbows. Her complexion was perfect, and it looked almost as if they had airbrushed her perfect face on her body. I shifted slightly in my stance, feeling uncomfortable with how close she was standing and how she was shooting daggers with her eyes. I smiled again and nodded my head, watching a menacing sneer move across her lips. I didn’t know what I had walked into, but I was starting to feel a bit attacked. She looked me up and down and laughed.
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