Love, Your Concierge

by Jessica Ingro

  This choice was not going to be easy. All the gowns were so beautiful. Too beautiful for me. This choice would likely kill me. So you’d think I’d be grateful when Tina bounced in her spot and clapped. “Fashion show!”

  All the girls cheered, completely down for a show.

  Seriously? They wanted me to model the gowns?

  “Why don’t you guys just figure out which ones will look best and I’ll try those on,” I recommended and finally got them all to agree. Nat continued to pull at my hair, while Mimi poked my eye with the mascara wand.

  When Lola started plucking stray hairs from my eyebrows, I yelped, “Ouch!”

  “Wait a minute. You’ll put yourself through the pain of getting your eyebrows and vagina waxed, but you act like a baby when I pluck your brows?” Lola asked with a raised eyebrow.

  “It’s different. Trust me.” I giggled when she gave me a comical look of disbelief. “It is!”

  We all laughed and commented on the different dresses, and all the while they kept primping me and poking at me like I was Sandra Bullock in Miss Congeniality. We decided to play my dress choice out as a process of elimination. Some didn’t suit my skin tone. Others would not be kind to my figure.

  Once we were down to four dresses, they stopped their torture long enough to let me try them on.

  The first dress was a champagne colored off-the-shoulder sequined lace gown with scalloped edges along my bust line and the arms. There was navy lace added throughout, giving it a nice patterned look. It was floor length with a flared skirt. I felt like a modern day Cinderella in that dress.

  Tina gasped, “You look beautiful!”

  Nat smiled, “Like a princess.”

  Mimi chimed in, “You look hot.”

  The second was a red gown with a cowl neckline and drop waist. There was a sequined underlay that peeked out from above my breasts. The back was completely exposed, stopping in a V-shape just a few inches above my butt. It was a sexy dress, and I felt myself shiver imagining the heat of Grant’s hand on my exposed flesh in the back.

  Lola blurted out, “This one!”

  Tina tilted her head, “It’s sexy. That’s for sure.”

  Mimi chimed in, “You look hot.”

  The third dress was a black gown with cap sleeves with draping at the waist. There was a slit running up the center in front that was partially hidden. The V-neckline was cut so low it ended a few inches above my navel. The back had an intricate design with spaghetti straps going horizontal and diagonal, leading to a ruching at the small of my back. That one was by far the most risqué, and I found myself yearning to wear it just to see Grant’s reaction. I imagined it would be lust filled, and he would be compelled to run his lips all over my exposed skin before peeling it off me. Or at least in my dreams he would.

  Nat chuckled, “Choosing might be tougher than we thought. They all look great.”

  Tina blew out a frustrated breath, “I know, right? You look gorgeous, damn it.”

  Mimi chimed in, “You look hot.”

  Everyone in the room turned to face Mimi. She looked confused for a moment before she sniffed and rolled her eyes, “What? She’s hot!”

  The final dress was an iridescent blue that reminded me of Grant’s eyes. It was a sleeveless one-shoulder gown, with an asymmetrical neckline. There was a section with four rows of sparkling blue rhinestones along the neckline and running under the arm. There was a slit running up my right leg that stopped almost indecently on my thigh. But the best part was that the back was completely exposed except for the swatch of fabric that ran under my arm and down the side of the dress, and a line of rhinestones running along my shoulder blades, holding the dress up. It had a draping that cut low, just above the crack of my butt. It was the most provocative dress I had ever seen.

  When I looked at myself in the mirror, my breath caught, and I had to blink to clear the mist forming in my eyes. The dress was so striking that I couldn’t tear my eyes away from my reflection. The color accentuated what was left of my modest tan, making it look like my skin was glowing. I turned to the side in the mirror and ran my hand down the silky material loving how soft it felt. This dress was everything a gown should be, and it evoked all the feelings a woman should have when wearing it. It made me feel feminine and elegant and sensuous, all at the same time.

  “Wow,” Lola murmured in awe.

  “This is the dress,” I concurred with her observation.

  Tina brought her hands together and smiled sweetly, “Yes. It is.”

  Nat nodded in agreement.

  Mimi mumbled, “Hot.”

  “Okay, let’s get back to business ladies. T-minus ninety minutes until we need to be out of here. Grant can’t know it took all of us to make her look gorgeous.” Maya winked at me and then yelped when I pinched the underside of her arm hard.

  “Real nice,” I scolded her.

  She gave me a tight hug and whispered, “You know you’re the most beautiful woman I know, both inside and out. Never doubt that just because I was kidding with you.”

  “Stop or you’re going to make me cry,” I wailed as I felt tears building up in my eyes.

  “No crying! You’ll ruin all my hard work, damn it! This face is my masterpiece and I’ll take direct offense if you shed one tear, lady!” Nat said.

  When all the preparations were done, there were only a few minutes to spare before Grant arrived. The girls left in a flurry, much the same way they came. I nervously sipped the glass of wine that Lola gave me, informing me that it would be good to soothe my nerves. Placing it on the counter, I walked into my bedroom and stared at my reflection once again. I really did look amazing. I was so grateful to my friends for coming over and helping me out. I could have never looked this good without them.

  My long bangs were swept to the side and hanging loosely in waves framing both sides of my face. The rest of my hair was pulled back loosely, leaving volume at the crown of my head. Mimi twisted it into different sections, pinning it loosely in the back.

  My makeup was soft and subtle. Fake eyelashes enhanced my eyes, and my lips were a peachy pink.

  I was wearing my great grandmother’s antique crystal and pearl chandelier earrings and a four row pearl choker necklace with matching bracelet.

  My strappy, silver stilettos made my legs look exceptionally long whenever I moved and my right leg peeked out from behind the slit in my dress.

  I also had on the lingerie Tina gave me, sans the garter because the slit in my dress was too high to wear with it. There’d always be a next time though.

  I once again found myself choked up at how beautiful I looked. Being so busy these days, I didn’t get to dress up often, and tonight I definitely felt like Cinderella going to the ball.

  Speaking of Prince Charming…

  A knock at my door had me racing into the living area. I looked through the peephole and saw Grant standing there in a black tux with his hair styled but slightly tousled, like he had run his fingers through it after styling it.

  Damn he looked good enough to eat.

  It was going to be a long night of keeping a professional distance with him when everything in my body screamed to let him take me and make me his.

  His? Right. More like one of his many.

  Chapter Eight

  Believe in the Magic

  I took a deep breath and opened the door. When his eyes looked me over, the heat in them nearly made my knees buckle. He gave me a sexy grin complete with hooded eyes, and I could see why women would throw themselves at him.

  “Elizabeth, you look absolutely stunning. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a more beautiful creature. All the women are going to be envious of you and all the men will want to be with you. I’m honored to have you on my arm.”

  My heart beat a staccato rhythm in my chest at his words. I already felt beautiful, but he made me feel more. He made me feel sexy and like a woman. That was the only way I could put it. The way his eyes drank in my body, and his hands flexed at
his sides made me feel powerful. I wanted to believe that he was dying to reach out and touch me. That he wanted it as much as I did. God, I felt like a teenage girl who didn’t know what the hell to do on a date.

  Rein it in girl. This is not a date, Elizabeth. It’s a business function.

  “Thank you. Come on in. I’ll be right back,” I demurred and headed to my bedroom for the blue clutch purse on my bed. I needed to take a breather from the intensity of his stare. From the intensity of him.

  Once I was in my bedroom, I took a couple of deep breaths and reminded myself that I could do this. It was just one night. Nothing was going to happen between us. I had nothing to be nervous about. My rules were still intact. It wasn’t like Grant had been fantasizing about me all this time. If anything I would just be another in a long line of women, regardless of what Tina thought. That was enough to sober me up and make me less nervous.

  “I’m ready,” I said when I joined him in the living room, pulling a wrap from my bedroom around my shoulders.

  “You have a nice place,” he said conversationally while looking around the room. “It suits you.”

  I blushed a little at that. It was always a bit nerve wracking when someone studied your home, especially when you put as much of yourself into it as I had.

  Playing down how pleased I was that he appreciated my apartment, I murmured, “I like it.”

  I followed him out the door and locked up before taking the elevator down. When a driver opened the door to the limo, I got a little giddy. I hadn’t been in a limo since my Senior Prom. Town cars, sure. Limos, not so much.

  I slid across the bench seat and Grant folded in next to me. He was so close I could smell his cologne. That wonderful citrusy and woodsy smell that worked perfectly with his natural scent. I sometimes took a deep breathe of his shirts when I did his laundry, it was such an addicting smell.

  Our thighs touched from hip to knee with how close he sat. The warmth radiating from him felt good on my exposed leg, the slit up my thigh barely concealing my flesh. I suddenly felt slightly awkward. I didn’t consider how the slit would look when I would have to sit at dinner.

  “Garrison. Take the long way and give me a five minute warning before we arrive,” Grant said into the intercom. That’s when I noticed the privacy screen was already up. Seemed like someone may be jumping the gun.

  “Dare I ask why you want him to take the long way?” I raised my eyebrow and attempted to hold his gaze, feeling a little uncomfortable about being alone with him in such close proximity. It wouldn’t take much for my resistance to crumble if he did, in fact, want to push the issue of physical intimacy with me.

  “I figured we should talk before we arrive. Is this your first gala?”

  I nodded my head and accepted the glass of champagne he had poured me.

  “This event is to benefit music in the inner city schools, where there is so little funding that they can’t even provide instruments and teachers for the kids. There will be many important people there tonight. Politicians, celebrities, musicians, people with old money, hell people with new money. It’s important to be seen at this function. I’ll expect you to stay by my side the whole night. And I don’t want you publicizing the fact that you work for me. Understood?”

  “Are you ashamed of me?” I’m not sure why, but the thought that that could be the case hurt more than I’d like to admit.

  He gave me a wry grin and explained, “No, Elizabeth. Not at all. Let’s just say I have a certain reputation to uphold and if people thought I had to hire a date, it would spark the gossip mills. Something I loathe to do.”

  “Okay.” Liking his explanation I agreed with him.

  “Good. Do you have any questions?”

  “Actually, I was wondering where the gala is being held. You never did tell me and I was too busy today to research it myself.”

  “Ah. My apologies. As I mentioned, there will be a lot of old money present, so the organizers chose a more established venue – the Waldorf.”

  I felt my eyes widen. Even though I’d been living in the city since I was eighteen, I’d never actually been inside the Waldorf Astoria. I’d seen pictures of course and people have talked about it, but I’d never gotten the chance to experience the rich history contained within its walls. I was beyond excited to have the chance to do so tonight.

  “I take it that excites you?” Grant easily deduced from my expression.

  I nodded enthusiastically. “Yes, I’ve never been.”

  “Well, I’m glad I get to be the one to show it to you.” His voice had taken on a low and seductive quality, and his index finger lightly trailed up my exposed thigh. “I’m looking forward to showing you a lot of things, Ms. Ward.”

  As he began leaning towards me, his driver announced we were only a few minutes away.

  The moment effectively ruined, I straightened in my seat to put some much needed distance between us. Grant let out a low chuckle, and I glanced over to see his eyes dancing. “We’ll play things your way for now,” he cryptically said, and I swallowed hard.

  What the fuck did that mean?

  There was a determination in his eyes when he said it, and I started to get nervous about what he expected. I sure hoped it wasn’t for me to be like all his other whores, for a lack of a better term.

  He set his hand on my knee and squeezed it lightly. “We’ve arrived,” he said as the car came to a stop and pulled me out of my thoughts.

  I quickly checked my lipstick in my compact mirror and readied myself to follow Grant out of the car.

  He held his hand out and when I took it to pull myself out of the limo, I felt a charge from the contact. It was thrilling. No one had ever done that to me with just a touch.

  His hand was exquisite. The perfect example of what a man’s hands should look like. His fingers were long, and his hand had strong veins running along the back. When his hand wrapped around mine, I felt oddly at peace. It felt natural and right.

  Excited energy shot through me as we walked under the marquise to the flash of the paparazzi’s lights. I shuddered, realizing that my picture would be on Page Six tomorrow, just like all the others.

  We walked up the marble steps into the main lobby, and I couldn’t help but look around in astonishment. An elegant crystal chandelier hung from the enormously high ceilings. The color scheme was creamy white and gold with dark, rich woods. Dominating the lobby was the famed, ornately carved, bronze Waldorf Astoria clock. Its octagonal base was made from marble and mahogany and was topped with a Statue of Liberty. Everything looked so expensive. I was afraid to touch anything. You know the whole you break it you buy it mentality.

  As I rubbernecked my way through the lobby, Grant led us to the large ballroom elevator with cast nickel doors.

  “Impressed?” He asked after we stepped on the elevator and the doors closed us in.

  “Thoroughly. I always wanted to take the tour they offer, but I never had the time. This place is gorgeous. The only thing that would make it better would be seeing old photos of the way it looked decades ago. I love to look at old photos and imagine what it was like back then.” I gushed and then felt my face heat at the way Grant was watching me. He had a funny look on his face that I couldn’t quite put my finger on. Before I could try, he blanked his expression.

  The elevator doors opened, and we stepped out on the third floor into the Silver Corridor. It had a silver and white arched ceiling, massive chandeliers, wood and mirrored walls, and black and white checkered tiled floors. Red velvet benches ran along the walls and there was a black piano at the end of the hall.

  Grant murmured hellos to mingling guests, who we passed on our way to the Grand Ballroom. With his hand on my exposed lower back, he guided me into the room. A waiter passed by with glasses of champagne, and Grant’s hand left my back so he could grab me one. Sipping the bubbly champagne, I knew this was an expensive brand. It was crisp and went down far too easily, especially seeing as how I hadn’t eaten since breakfas
t.

  I couldn’t help but feel like an out of place tourist as I took in the grandness of the ballroom. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. There were two levels of balconies on three sides of the room that were the equivalent of theater boxes. Each one accommodated a table with two chairs. There was a large stage at the farthest end of the room, where a school orchestra was playing. The floor directly in front of the stage was open as a dance floor. The rest of the room was filled with round tables seating eight individuals. On each table were spectacular centerpieces of roses, lilies and lush greenery, along with sparkling crystal and china.

  Holy cow! I was way out of my league on this one.

  “Grant.” An astute looking gray-haired older gentleman approached from my right and shook Grant’s hand. “I was wondering if I’d see you here tonight. Honoring Devereaux’s memory still I see.”

  I felt Grant stiffen at my side. I idly wondered who Devereaux was and why Grant seemed uncomfortable with this man talking about him.

  “Indeed,” Grant said with a hard voice. “If you’ll excuse us.” He didn’t wait for a reply before he started guiding us away.

  “Well, that was rude,” I noted once we were outside of hearing distance from the man. “You didn’t even bother to introduce me.”

  “That man is a snake. I didn’t want him breathing your air, let alone knowing your name.”

  Hmmm… that was interesting and kind of sweet. Crap.

  “Care to explain?”

  “Not a chance. Fisher,” he abruptly changed the subject by calling out another person’s name. Well then.

  “Morgan. Good to see you!” The good-looking man replied before shaking hands with Grant and kissing my knuckles when he took my hand. His hair was blond, and his eyes were blue. A dimple poked out when he smiled. He looked fit and trim beneath his tuxedo.

  “Fisher, this is Elizabeth Ward. Elizabeth, this is Michael Fisher. We went to law school together.”

  “Pleasure to meet you.” I smiled at him, and he winked.