William shrugged his shoulders as he glanced around the room at the inebriated people around them. “I would never have guessed teachers and guidance counselors would party this hard.”
“This is an end–of–year, possibly end–of–career, event for these people. I suspect they project a serious image during work hours. Anyway,” Sulie said, giving William a wry smile. “I thought I walked in on you and Jackie having sex in one of the stalls.”
“Me?”
“I heard them at first, then the man walked out of the stall with his black cape waving proudly behind him.” She tugged at William’s cape. “He even wore a white mask like yours. I thought he was you until I smelled the human blood coursing in his veins, and the stench of food on his breath.”
“Seriously? That is what told you it wasn’t me? Not that I wouldn’t jump on a drunk woman in a filthy public restroom?”
“Well, there is that,” she smiled. “But for a split second I thought he was you. The man also winked at me — and not in a friendly way. He then hit on me, even while his last conquest dressed herself only a few feet away.”
William knew his friend all too well. “What did you do to him?”
“What?” she said coyly. “Little ol’ me?”
William’s eyebrow rose questioningly.
“Right now he’s cleaning the bathrooms on this floor. Once he’s done, he’ll clean the ones on the second floor, and then go home and get some rest. Starting tomorrow, he’s volunteering at a woman’s shelter one day a month for a year.”
Rolling his eyes, William said, “He got off easy.”
“I was in a relatively good mood. After all, he did find me attractive. And I suppose, in a way, his desire for me was a compliment.”
Overall, the man’s behavior did not shock William. Plenty of players existed in the world, but the man’s flagrant bravado of the situation seemed brazen. William could guess the explanation. “Maybe he was drunk.”
When Sulie gave him a hurt look, William ran the remark through his mind again. “I didn’t mean he’d have to be drunk to hit on you. But to engage in sexual activity with all your coworkers and the board members only a few feet away, well… the idea makes no sense.”
“I don’t know,” Sulie said. “If the timing is right and the passion is hot… a tryst in a secluded spot, maybe even behind locked doors, would be acceptable.”
William’s mouth fell open. “Is there a story behind that, that you’re not telling me?”
“What?” Sulie smacked his arm. “Not me. I’m just saying that you should allow yourself to get carried away with passion once in a while.”
He nodded as he studied her. “I don’t remember the last time you had a date.”
Her jaw hardened and a stern look came to her eyes. “Do you want my help or not?”
William knew when to drop a subject. “Jackie is here and she’s wearing a gold costume with a feathered mask. You can leave when you need to, but for now, let’s keep looking for her.”
*******
Jackie tossed her empty plate into the trash, along with the empty plastic wine glass. Eating five mini–cheesecakes was foolish since Steve wasn’t worthy of her time or attention, and alcohol wasn’t going to solve anything either. He had made a fool of her once more. And he did so in front of their co–workers with the red slutty devil. Jackie should have known better. Pitty party or not, she never should have agreed to come here tonight with him.
She turned the light off in the music room and left her secluded spot. The room didn’t prove much of a haven since it only gave her time to think of how stupid, and how desperate, she had been. Not anymore. She planned to walk out this door, march into the gym, and give Steve a piece of her mind. She would be the one to publicly dump and humiliate him, not the other way around.
She anger fumed over her poor judgment and where she was in her life as she heard the sound of her high heels clicking against the tiled floor of the long hallway leading back to the gym. She only had a job because Steve provided one for her with his trust fund money. She had no husband and no babies — she didn’t need them to define herself as a successful woman — but dammit, she wanted her happily ever after with a man who wanted to grow old with her. Was it too much to hope for?
When she entered the gym, Mr. Vampire conveniently walked past her, his black cape swaying with every step. He walked slowly around the room, as though looking for someone. Perhaps he sought the sexy red devil or another woman, but not her. Since she hadn’t talked to the man since their arrival, she doubted he even noticed her absence. He was probably looking for the she–devil bombshell who had hung all over him while he signed up for the romantic dinner auction. When Jackie checked the auctions earlier, she was pleased to see someone had outbid loverboy.
She matched Steve’s pace as her anger built. She wasn’t going to give him the satisfaction of a scene. Oh no, he didn’t seem worthy of such effort. A curt, “you’re such an idiot and not worthy of my time” shake–down would suffice, with her taking the higher ground and looking repugnantly at him.
At least, that was the plan. And naturally, intentions are different from reality.
Using her index finger, she poked him in the back. “You son–of–a–bitch!” she fumed before he could turn around. Ladies from a nearby table stopped talking as Jackie’s words caught their attention. “I come here with you, listening the entire drive how you’ve changed and I’m the only woman for you. Then you go and treat me this way? Hell no!” She swallowed the lump in her throat as she noticed which ladies now sat at the table. The gossipy witches of the admin staff at her school got an ear–full. It didn’t matter. She took a deep breath and centered herself. “I only agreed to come here tonight so I could find out the truth about the grant money you gave to the school — the money you lied to me about. Since I have you to thank for my sorry ass job, I quit!”
She took a deep breath as she heard her own words. She hadn’t planned to quit, she also didn’t mean to spill the beans on where the grant money had come from. She needed this job, and her father needed her financial support. She stood taller and felt her resolve. She needed her dignity more than anything else, and her father would understand. Besides, taking control of her life felt good.
She watched as Steve turned around, his partially covered up face now visible to her. His smooth cocoa skin color, his deep brown soulful eyes, and militarily cut hair… all foreign to her.
“I believe you have me confused with someone else,” his deep voice filled the air.
Her eyes widened as she let out a gasp. This was not Steve.
Chapter Sixteen
Jackie felt a heaviness settle in her chest. She had made a terrible mistake, and in front of the gossipy witches no less. She licked her suddenly dry lips and inhaled a deep breath. “I thought you were someone else. I’m so sorry,” she squeaked out.
Even though he wore a mask, Jackie could see a trace of recognition in his deep brown eyes. She watched a smile spread across his full lips.
“I’m not. I’ve been looking everywhere for you,” he said.
His voice sounded deep and sinful. She took a good look at Mr. Dracula and became unsure what to say, especially in front of witnesses. She felt her heart pounding in her chest. She wasn’t sure if the surprise had set it off, or the fact that this incredibly handsome man stood before her. She had no idea who he was, but she needed to find out.
Her fingers touched a curl of hair along her cheek. “You’ve been looking for me?” she asked coyly.
The masked man took a step and closed the gap between the two of them. He reached out and held her hand. “You’re the reason I came to the party.”
It was a smooth line, and even though she saw it as such, she loved hearing the words — especially since his voice rang of sincerity. She gave him a playful smile and said, “And if I had already left the party and not bumped into you?”
His free hand touched his chest. “Then I would have truly
missed one of my life’s greatest moments.”
As cheesy as the line was, she did like the sound of it, so she smiled back at him. He was handsome, complimentary, and sexy as hell. She bit her lip as she surveyed his beautiful body. Muscles stretched the fabric of his costume, showing his pecs and broad shoulders. Even without touching him, she could tell his chest was rock hard — as well as his abs. This tall, dark, and handsome man also had a firm butt, Jackie was sure of that. Unfortunately, even if she asked him to turn around, she knew his cape would cover up the beautiful sight.
She playfully bit down even more on her lower lip as she sighed, her eyes scanning down past his abs to even more exciting body parts.
“Jackie?”
She cleared her throat and looked him squarely in the eyes. “Yes?”
“I guess you didn't hear me. I asked if you wanted to sit down?” His head tilted to the side. “Are you all right?”
A light chuckle escaped her throat. “Oh, I’m fine Mr. Vampire. Just fine.”
Chapter Seventeen
Jackie set her wine glass down on the coffee table as she removed her high heels and folded her long legs beneath her. The oversized, stuffed couch in the teacher’s lounge molded to her body, making her realize just how comfortable the old, donated furniture to the school could be.
She licked her lips as she eyed him. What was it going to take to find out this man’s identity? They had talked for such a long time. Was he really going to have her wait until midnight to find out?
Sipping another glass of wine slowly, she enjoyed Mr. Vampire’s company, and bided her time. Moving their conversation into the lounge, and away from prying eyes, had been her decision — and she was grateful for the opportunity to get to know the masked man. For starters, he wore no ring on his finger. He looked hotter than Denzel Washington, spoke silkier than James Earl Jones, and had a personality sweeter than honey. For all intents and purposes, he seemed like the perfect package.
But who the hell was he?
She stared longingly at him. If she could believe what he told her, he was searching for a Mrs. Right. The idea of family and growing old with someone appealed to him. Other than her father, Jackie didn’t think such men existed anymore — at least none had ever looked her way before.
The clock couldn’t count down time fast enough for her to get to know who he was.
She peeked down at her watch and realized nearly an hour had passed since they had entered the room. During that time, she had confirmed he had granted the money to the school and that he somehow knew her, but she didn’t know who he was.
Not having the upper hand made her a bit uneasy, but he was so easy to talk to that she put her fears to rest and opened up to him. She shared with him her heartache of not being the best art and music teacher for the school, especially since the kids deserved a whole lot more from their teacher than she could give them. Even as the words escaped her mouth, she couldn’t believe she was confiding that information to him. She had suppressed the truth of her inadequacy deep down, not wanting it to come out. And now, she was opening a floodgate.
She shared her fears about her father’s happiness, well–being and health next, followed by any apprehension she felt towards what direction her life was heading and how she felt powerless to take control. Jackie rolled her eyes, even her job had been a gift given to her and not something she had earned.
A job given to her by the very same masked man sitting across from her. A man who’s name she didn’t know.
During all the time Jackie rambled, she noticed how good of a listener this man was. How he had nodded and allowed her to lean on his shoulder, even offering bits of his own past when his stories ran parallel to hers. Through his stories, Jackie got to know her masked man. He wasn’t much different from many of the boys she taught at the school who were being raised by foster parents and trying to balance responsibilities and life.
She gazed over at him and felt a tingling in the pit of her stomach. He sat across the couch from her, smiling in such a way that his brown eyes reflected his thoughts and feelings. Her arm lay draped across the back of the couch, and she was pleased when he mirrored the position and softly touched her hand, caressing her skin softly with his fingers.
His hand felt cool to the touch, even though she found the room quite warm. She tugged at the neckline of her costume where sweat had beaded. Yes. It was definitely warm in here. She wasn’t sure if it was the alcohol taking effect, the actual temperature of the room, or perhaps the gorgeous man sitting next to her. She gave a longing look at his full red lips and wondered if he kissed tenderly or passionately. Either way would be fine.
And even with her overt gaze, he did not make a move towards her. Why hadn’t he tried to kiss her yet? She had played with her hair a countless number of times, and had even leaned in closer once or twice. She thought surely when she touched his arm once before that it would be a prelude to something, but nothing was forthcoming.
This man seemed different from the other men in her life, patient and kind. Any other man would take advantage of her alone in this room, and she was stupid even to venture in here with him, but there was something so honest about him.
Her fingers sought out his fingers on top of the couch, and she returned the soft caress doing her best to warm him. “It’s nearly midnight,” she said playfully.
Thank God.
He sat straighter on his side of the couch, as if Jackie had announced she was Cinderella and needed to leave the ball. “The time is still early,” he protested.
“The party ends at midnight. Everyone removes their mask and the auction winners are announced.”
Finally, she would find out who he was.
Smiling, he confessed, “I don’t know anyone else at the party, and I don’t care if I won any auctions or not.” His hand now left hers on the couch and lifted to the side of his mask. “You’re the only one who needs to know who I am.”
He pulled the mask away, and Jackie let out a gasp. It was him. William what's-his-name, the Secret Service agent from all those months ago — the man she hadn’t stopped thinking about. She had no idea it would be him, and yet, a part of her wasn’t surprised to discover his true identity. Her heart raced at seeing him again.
Chapter Eighteen
The feeling of butterflies erupted in Jackie's stomach when William said he wasn’t quite ready to end the evening, and that he wanted to take her out.
After removing their masks, William had taken off his cape and said their outfits might be a bit showy for where he wanted to go, but that they would be passable. She at first suspected he planned to take her out dancing or to some other gracious event. But he hinted that he had something more special in mind.
The drive was a bit lengthy, but she knew her way around the city and was familiar with the streets. William then turned down Pennsylvania avenue, and Jackie quietly smiled. She loved this street. Passing in front of the White House always had her turn her head just to get a look at the place. It was one of the perks living in D.C..
Her head was already turned to take in the lovely image, when she heard the car blinker sound as they approached the impressive home. William past some protesters and then turned down the North Drive in front of the mansion.
Jackie’s jaw dropped. “You’re kidding?”
“I thought you’d like to see where I work.”
She couldn’t even breath. He was taking her to the White House? My God! How cool was that? Her face now hurt with how big of a smile she now wore.
As they pulled up to the impressive mansion, Jackie’s eyes grew wider in delight and she could feel her heart beating faster. “You’re taking me to the White House?” she asked again.
Grinning from ear to ear, William drove onto the North Portico where guards awaited his identification. Before they reached the guard station, William stared intently at her, and for a moment Jackie thought something might be wrong.
“You don’t intend to harm the Presi
dent, his family, or endanger anyone within the White House, do you?”
Before she could even think, she answered, “No.”
“Do you now, or have you ever, planned to take over the government.”
Again, the word “no” escaped her lips. She felt slightly dizzy and realized the car was now parked along the north staircase of the White House, but she didn’t remember the guard giving back the IDs. And yet, her driver’s license rested safely in her hands.
She shook her head, realizing she had drunk too much wine earlier in the evening.
A guard opened her door and let her out of the car while William came around to hold out his arm before escorting her into the building.
“Have you ever been in the White House before?”
Jackie shook her head. Barely able to speak, she managed to say, “I’ve been meaning to go on the public tour. Just never got around to it.”
She counted each step, reveling in the glory of where she was. But then something occurred to her. Halfway up the stairs, she stopped. “Are we going to be in trouble for just walking in here?”
William stopped, as well. “I work here. I’m here every day.”
She stood one step higher than him and looked directly into his eyes. “But do you have any reason to be here tonight?”
He continued walking and urged her to follow. “Yes. I want to show you the White House.”
She smiled and realized she had been smiling most of the evening. As far as best dates go, this was numero uno on her list.
As they made their way into the building, the swiftness with which the guards let them pass impressed Jackie. With only a few words from William, nearly a virtual red carpet was laid at their feet. She figured he stood higher up in rank in his job than she thought, or maybe these people owed him a favor, or perhaps it was just this easy to enter the White House. She hoped it wasn’t the latter one.
William's Tale Page 8
