“Yes, I can see that. A little sooner than I would have liked,” Brad muttered to himself.
They step out of the limo toward a gorgeous, glass house. As they make their way over, Jane feels nervous, unsure if they will like her or if she will fit in. She grabs on to Brad’s hand for strength.
“What a beautiful home. I hope your friends will like me,” she says.
“I hope you will like my friends. That is my bigger concern,” Brad says with a smile, and kisses her cheek. “You’re just fine the way you are.”
Chapter 42
Brad and Jane walk into the place. Immediately, people come up and surround Brad with handshakes and hugs. Jane is on the side, not wanting to take up too much space or interfere. Brad notices she is shying away and reaches over to introduce her.
“Hey everyone, this is Jane Bryden. She is our special guest dancer tonight. You will not be disappointed,” he announces.
A few people welcome Jane, and the woman who owns the house helps Jane with her overcoat.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Jane. Brad has spoken so well of you. Thank you for joining us,” the woman speaks with very proper English. “My name is Mary,” she says, reaching out her hand. It is cold, fragile, and thin.
“Nice to meet you,” Jane says, feeling a bit awkward.
“Have you ever been to this island before?” asks Mary.
“No, it’s my first time out of the States,” Jane says innocently.
“Oh, really?” says Mary, a bit disgusted at the lack of culture Jane has just revealed.
“Yeah, I just didn’t have the money, I guess, and both my parents are pretty timid people. It was a big deal for me to move to New York,” says Jane openly.
“Hmm, well, make yourself comfortable, dear,” Mary says, clearly withdrawing from Jane.
Jane feels like she’s said something inappropriate. She goes up to Brad.
“Did I say something wrong?” she asks.
“Not at all, dear. Mary is just a bitch,” Brad responds honestly.
“Oh, okay,” Jane says, feeling comfortable with Brad. Her shoulders drop and she relaxes a bit. She at least has Brad on her side, and based on his status, it is very clear that he is a good person to have in your corner.
Waiters walk around serving hors d’oeuvres and wine. Jane refuses to eat or drink anything because she doesn’t want to be bloated for the dance portion of the evening.
She spends most of her time nodding, smiling, and pretending she’s getting along with everyone. She actually finds them all quite boring. She would much rather go to a room and lie down before they need her to perform. To get out of it, she asks Mary if she can use one of the rooms to freshen up before her performance. Mary fully understands Jane’s need and knows that all ladies need a little powder break every once in a while.
Mary leads her to a spare room and quickly leaves. Jane stands in the room feeling more at ease here than with the party of boring strangers. She looks in the mirror at herself and really likes what she sees—her body, her outfit, and most of all, the pink glow in her face. She recognizes it as the glow of a woman in love. She still doesn’t see what Brad sees, but she will accept it anyway.
Jane starts pirouetting and stretching until she hears a knock on the door. She assumes that it’s Brad so she says, “Come in.”
It’s not. It’s some guy from the party. He walks in boldly.
“Hey, there. We didn’t get a chance to meet. I’m Paul, Brad’s friend,” he says. “You’re Jane, right?”
Jane feels a bit nervous and afraid. She doesn’t know how to respond.
“Uh huh, I’m just practicing, warming up before my show.”
“Oh, right, you’re going to do a little dance for us, aren’t you?” he says. “I like gals in tutus.” He approaches Jane and starts touching her skirt.
Jane freezes. She has never had to deal with an advance from a man she didn’t like before.
“Brad will be coming up soon. I wouldn’t do that if I were you,” she says meekly.
“Oh, Brad is a good friend. He shares whatever goods he has with me,” Paul says more directly.
“I’m not a good, Paul,” Jane says. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll be leaving now,” she says, starting to walk out of the room.
He grabs her arm. “Where are you going? We were just getting friendly.”
“No, we weren’t. I don’t care if you’re Brad’s friend. You’re not mine,” she says, pulling her arm away.
“Well, Brad and I are tighter than you. He told me you were a virgin,” Paul says.
“What?” Jane looks over to him with anger in her eyes. “How dare you.” She has tears welling up and she runs downstairs.
Brad is there talking to his friends, and she goes up to him fiercely. “I have to talk to you outside, right now.”
Brad can tell she means business and excuses himself immediately. They go out on the patio.
“Who the fuck is Paul, and how the hell does he know I’m a virgin?” Jane says in a pissed off tone.
“Wow, Jane, I didn’t know you could swear. I like it,” Brad says, not taking her seriously.
Jane turns away from him and says “Oh, fuck off. I thought you actually cared,” she says aloud to him.
“I’m sorry, Jane. I really am. What happened?”
“Your so-called best friend, Paul, came into the room upstairs where I was. He started touching my skirt and making advances. I told him off, and he made claims that you and he are tighter than you and I could ever be, and said he knows I’m a virgin. Is this some sick game, Brad? To fuck a virgin?” Jane says loudly, not caring at all if anyone hears.
“Oh my God, Jane, no, you’ve got it all wrong. Paul knows I have a thing for virgins because of my longing for my first girlfriend, who I told you about. I’ve wanted to re-create that time in my life, and a woman who has been with other men just doesn’t cut it for me.
“I’ve been looking for the right woman, and you, well, you are perfect for me. Paul is a dick, and I know that. He’s just someone I’ve known for a very long time. I will address this with him, I swear. I’m just as pissed off that he’d try something as you,” Brad reassures, coming up behind her to comfort her. He takes his coat off and wraps it around her. “Here, don’t catch a cold.”
Jane can smell his cologne on it and turns around. She sobs and falls into his chest. “I’m so afraid I’m going to get hurt, Brad. I just don’t know who to trust.”
“Just trust me, Jane. You can feel my heart, can’t you?” Brad says.
Jane sniffles and nods. “Yes. Yes, I can.”
Chapter 43
They go back into the party and sit down to eat dinner. Jane sits next to Brad on his left and it feels good to be with him. She can see how everyone respects him and listens to what he has to say.
Brad puts his hand on Jane’s knee and squeezes it lightly, reassuring her. She feels calm in his presence and confident that everything will be okay.
Jane doesn’t understand half of the jokes people say, nor does she get what they are talking about when it comes to finances. It is all over her head. Finally, a woman named Margaret speaks to Jane.
“So, dear, how did you get into ballet?”
The whole table goes silent and looks over at her. Jane feels very self-conscious now.
Brad puts his arm around her to give her strength.
“Well, honestly, when I was a kid watching T.V.,” she says earnestly.
Everyone laughs. “Oh, that is so sweet,” one woman says pretentiously.
“It’s true. I watched those shows for years, studying their every move. My parents couldn’t afford to send me to ballet school, so I had to wait until I was older. A teacher noticed my interest and encouraged my parents to send me to classes,” Jane continues.
Jane’s boldness about being a poor girl surprises many people at the table. They don’t know how to react, turning their eyes down toward their meals and picking up their glasses
for a drink. Jane has never experienced this kind of reaction before.
She looks over to Brad, a bit perplexed. Her expression asks him if she had said something wrong.
Brad speaks up.
“I admire self-made people. I was of the lucky few who were born with money, and I didn’t have to work half as hard as someone like Jane. You’re a strong woman!” he says, raising his glass to toast her.
They all raise their glasses in sync with Brad. Jane takes a breath in and smiles, feeling the warmth of his acknowledgment.
“To Jane!” he says.
“To Jane!” they repeat.
They finally finish up dinner and dessert. Wendy brings out coffee and tea for everyone, and they all move to the living room.
“Now it’s time for Jane’s performance,” announces Brad.
Jane instantly gets butterflies in her stomach. She feels a bit numb, and now, has doubts she will be able to perform. But she knows she has no other choice at this point.
They dim the lights and bring everyone together in a semi-circle. Jane leaves the room and waits for Brad to turn on the music. She fixes her hair and fidgets with her dress.
A modern, pop ballet song comes on, one that her ballet instructor introduced them to at the beginning of the year. Jane is amazed that Brad knows all of these details.
She takes a deep breath in and out and gets into position. She races into the center of the room and stops. The crowd feels her intensity. She then rushes forward and back, showing emotions of desperation and passion. She twirls and stops, adding in wild and funky movements most people have never seen before.
The crowd is thrilled and amazed at Jane’s abilities. They hold their breath, clap, ooh and ah, and are truly impressed by her skills.
The music stops and Jane flops to the floor, crumpled into a tiny ball. Everyone stands up and cheers. Brad goes over to help Jane up.
“Oh my gosh, young lady, you are the next big thing!” says one man.
“We must get your autograph before you become famous,” says another.
“You have to be the best ballerina I’ve ever seen,” says an older woman.
Jane is so pleased and stunned that people there really like her.
Brad puts his arm around her waist with pride. “I told her you would love her. I fell for her the first time I saw her dance,” he says, kissing her on the cheek. “You were absolutely marvelous, darling,” he says.
Brad wraps her overcoat around her and they walk out to the patio to spend time alone. The cool breeze of the sea and the night air sweep through her hair. Jane feels on top of the world. All her hard work, quiet suffering, and difficulty culminated into this one performance, and it proves she was right to listen to her heart. She absolutely glows with possibilities for her future.
“Jane, you have no idea what you just did tonight. You will become a world famous ballerina. I can promise you that!” Brad says, beaming with excitement.
“I don’t even know what to say, Brad. I can’t thank you enough, and yet, I’m still in shock. What am I supposed to do?” she says.
“Just keep being you. Life will take care of the rest. I’m right here and I will support you,” he says.
Life could not get any sweeter than it is right now. Brad holds Jane close to his chest and she can hear his heart thudding. It makes her feel like everything will be just fine.
Paul comes through the sliding door, drunk.
“So, you got yourself a virgin, eh, Brad? Can I have her first?” he says crassly.
Brad turns to look at him, holding Jane’s hand.
“Shut the hell up, Paul. Don’t you dare treat Jane like that ever again. I can’t believe you hit on her. You and I are no longer friends.”
“What? Because of a chick? Come on, man, you’ve lost it.”
“No, because I don’t hang out with assholes like you. Leave, now. I don’t want to see you again.”
Jane is so touched that Brad would stand up for her like this. She can’t believe he’d do this to his friend for her.
She leans into him more and looks up to him. “Thank you, Brad. You are a true gentleman.” She kisses him on the mouth.
“You are worth it, Jane.” he says, kissing her back.
Chapter 44
At the end of the night, Brad and Jane go back to the hotel in the limo. Jane feels quite exhausted from the adrenaline of the night. She leans into Brad and falls asleep on his chest. It feels like home.
He looks down at her. Her cute nose, the dimple on her cheek, the sprinkling of freckles on her face, she is so delicate and sensitive, and he just loves how adorable she is. He strokes her hair lightly and rubs her arms. She snuggles in closer.
“Jane? Jane?” he says, whispering softly.
“Mmm,” she moans, half-awake, snuggling in further.
“I think I’m falling in love with you,” Brad says, barely loud enough for her to hear.
“Oh, that’s nice,” she replies and starts snoring softly.
When they arrive, the driver opens the door. Jane wakes up and wipes her eyes. “Where are we?”
“Back at the hotel, darling,” Brad says.
“Oh,” Jane replies, not catching the endearing reference.
“Come, Jane, I want to invite you to my room. I have a surprise for you,” Brad says.
“Well, that’s a bit presumptuous,” Jane replies, leaning into him.
“I fully respect your wishes and desires, Jane, you know that,” Brad reassures her. “This is something extra special.”
“You always have something up your sleeve! Where do you find the time, really?” she says. “I love it, though,” she adds.
“Well, is that a yes?”
“Yes,” she affirms.
They walk up to Brad’s room, his coat covering her shoulders. Jane starts feeling a bit nervous because this might be the night she loses her virginity. She’s not sure if she’s ready, but she feels attracted to him and wants to express her love for him.
Brad jiggles the door open, and they are met with the scent of roses. It fills the room and is absolutely beautiful.
Jane walks in first. She sees red rose petals all over the room, and a trail of white ones guiding her into the bathroom. A hot bath is drawn with rose petals and bubble bath suds.
“Oh my gosh. Brad, whatever have you done?”
“There are 2,222 rose petals in here for you and me. It’s all about the two of us, my dear,” Brad says, snuggling up behind her.
He takes his coat off of her, revealing her sexy corset and tutu.
“My God, Jane, that outfit turns me on like crazy,” Brad says, passionately kissing her neck up and down and grabbing her belly from behind.
He kisses her faster and longer, sucking her neck and pulling her closer. He gets aroused, and she feels his cock pulsing behind her. He grabs her tits and starts rubbing them.
Jane closes her eyes and throws her head back. His touches and kisses are driving her crazy. She wants him to bend her over and fuck her right there while she watches him in the mirror.
Her desire for him is so strong, and she knows she could ruin a special moment between them with her lust.
“Oh, I want you so badly, Jane,” Brad says, pulling her closer. He reaches behind her to undo the ribbons on her corset.
“Brad, I want you so badly, too. I just, you know… I don’t want to make this just something raw and quick. Can we please slow down? I do want you, please know that.”
Jane feels disappointed in herself for stopping this. Her body wants to say yes, yet her heart wants this moment to be filled with love.
“Of course, sweetheart, I understand,” he says, grabbing her hands and holding them tight. “You know I want you for more than just your body, right?”
Jane nods and turns to him. “Yes, I do know that, Brad. I really do. You’ve made me feel nothing but special.”
“I’m going to leave you alone in here to undress and get into the tub. May I join you afte
r? I promise, I won’t peek,” says Brad.
“Okay, yes. I’d love it if you joined me,” replies Jane.
He leaves the room for a while to let her undress.
Jane looks in the mirror at herself in her tutu and corset, with the rose petals all around her. She feels so beautiful, attractive and desired. She knows that tonight will probably be the night, and she’s partly nervous, but she feels so safe with Brad.
She undoes her corset and tutu, and slips into the hot tub. The smell of roses and vanilla waft through the air. The suds cover her naked body.
Brad knocks on the door.
“Can I come in now?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
“Just to make you feel better, I’m wearing a blindfold so I don’t see anything you don’t want me to,” he says, partly laughing to make it a game.
Brad is wearing his boxers, and Jane can see through them a bit. She sees how big he really is.
“Well, don’t bump into the step!” Jane laughs. “Oh my God, you’re so silly!”
She reaches out her hand to grab his and guides him slowly into the tub.
“Forgive me now if I do anything inappropriate,” he says.
“Well, I’ll be the judge of that,” she laughs. “You can take off the blindfold now. I’m fully covered.”
He does, and he looks over at her. It’s as if her face is glowing.
“Oh my gosh, Jane. You are just so beautiful. Whatever have I done to deserve having you here with me?”
“You took a risk, is what you did,” Jane smiles. She reaches out for his hand again.
“Brad, I want to be with you tonight. I’m ready.”
Brad kisses her hand. “Jane, it would be my honor and my pleasure to be your first. I’m all yours.”
Chapter 45
Jane moves over to Brad and starts kissing him. It feels so good that she really does want him and that he doesn’t have to keep chasing her or pressuring her. He feels loved and wanted.
She nibbles his lips, touches her nose against his, and wraps her arms around his neck. He reaches behind her, grabs her back, and traces his fingers up her spine. He places his hand flat against the bottom of her spine, rubs her, and reaches down to her ass.
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