Watch Me Walk Away

by Jill Prand

  I unpack my gown. It is vintage Halston. A black sheath that shimmers in the light with a daring slit up my left leg, it is cut low in the back so I cannot wear a bra. The front is a square neckline cut to show just a hint of cleavage. It is sleeveless and I know Bobby is going to love how much skin I will be showing. The dress is not new, I wore it to an event in Atlanta but who’s going to know that here in New York and I spent serious money on it so I should get to wear it more than once. I put on my shoes before slipping on the dress. It is just easier to do beforehand then when wearing ten pounds of fabric.

  There is no full length mirror in the room so I stand back as far as possible from the one over the dresser to try and get a look at the effect. The dress fits me perfectly. The seamstress that altered it for me when I first got it did a wonderful job. My hair cascades across my shoulders and back. The spiral curl causes it to be a little shorter than usual but it still falls to almost my shoulder blades. I might be able to get away with just wearing the earrings since they are showcased with my hair being pulled back off my face. I wish Jodi were here to ask.

  I put my phone and lip gloss in my clutch and I grab the necklace. I am ready to go. I walk out into the living room and go to the windows. I love the view of the park. Bobby should put a table right here so we can look out onto it in the morning while having coffee.

  I don’t hear him come in but I feel his eyes on me. I turn around and oh my God he is gorgeous. He is wearing a black suit cut just for him. It showcases his broad shoulders and tapers just enough to show off his build. He is wearing a white shirt and black tie and I can’t wait to rip it off him later. My heartbeat picks up just looking at him. He hasn’t said a word yet but looks at me like he wants to eat me. He starts to walk towards me and I almost feel like I’m being hunted. His determined stride eats up the distance between us and he is suddenly right in front of me.

  “You are exquisite,” he says as he lowers his mouth to mine. He slips one hand under my hair to my neck and his other is on my naked back. He pulls me against him and I can feel his erection on my stomach. I moan as his tongue enters my mouth. I have to hold on to him to steady myself. I want to wrap myself around him and never let go. He tears his mouth from mine and puts his lips against my neck, “God I love the way you smell.” I tilt my head to give him better access and put my hand in his hair holding him to me.

  He drags himself away takes a step back and looks at me. “I’m never going to be able to keep my hands off you,” he growls.

  I smile at him, “I’m going to have a hard time keeping away from you too. You look gorgeous. I’m going to have to beat the women off you with a stick.”

  “Baby, the only woman I want is standing right in front of me. I won’t be able to see anyone else all night,” he caresses my face.

  He makes me feel wanted and special. I love him. I don’t think I’ve ever stopped. The realization hits me and I’m ok with it. I don’t feel scared anymore I just want to be with him. I have to be with him. I don’t want to be without him ever again. “And the only man I want is right in front of me.”

  I want to tell him that he has me forever. That I love him and always will but I can’t yet. I need to break up with Stuart and I need to do it soon because I don’t want to be apart from this man even a room’s length is too far.

  “Let’s go,” I say. “We just need to get through dinner so I can break up with him.”

  He grabs my hand then holds it up. My grandmother’s necklace is still wrapped around my fingers. “Oh I forgot. Can you put this on me? I couldn’t get the clasp to work,” I turn my back to him and pull my hair to the side.

  “I wish this was the necklace I bought you,” he says as he puts it on me.

  I turn back to him, “It will be soon.”

  I grab his hand again and we walk out to the elevator.

  Chapter Eighteen

  We are in the car and about to get to Stuarts, I am texting him to come down. I can feel Bobby getting tense beside me, “You know it’s only for a couple hours and then we can be together.” I caress his face, “Just remember who I’m going home with.” I look into his eyes and I see this is hard for him.

  “I don’t know if I can take it when he touches you. If he kisses you I think I’m going to break his neck.” His eyes flare. He pulls me closer and kisses me roughly demanding my mouth open for his tongue. I moan because I love knowing he wants me this much, so much he is losing control.

  My phone chirps alerting me to a new text message.

  Be right down baby can’t wait to hold you xoxo

  Bobby is looking at it with me and he snarls, he actually snarls. “I’m gonna kill him by the end of the night.”

  I turn and wipe off the lip gloss from his lips, “You are going to keep cool and let me break up with him after dinner. Then you can bring me home and we won’t have anything between us anymore.”

  He kisses my palm and releases me. I slide away from him so Stuart doesn’t suspect anything. Bobby brings down the privacy glass between us and Arthur, “Can you stand outside so Stuart knows which car is ours?”

  Arthur nods and gets out, leaning against the car. I think it’s a show of force more than anything else, Bobby wants Stuart to see how imposing Arthur is, he wants him uneasy. “Please, Bobby, just play nice for a little while. You are making this tougher on me. Do you really think I want to be with him even for a short time? I should have just broken it off earlier this week and saved us all this torture.” I turn to look out the window and see Stuart walking to the car. “Please,” I plead with Bobby.

  I see him nod his head just as Arthur is opening the door for Stuart to get in. I slide over next to Bobby to make room for Stuart and I feel Bobby caress my back in support. I turn to Stuart with a smile, “Hi you,” and I move towards him as he sits.

  “Hi, beautiful. I’ve missed you,” he says as he puts his arms around me. He lowers his head to kiss me and I turn my head so it lands on my cheek. He pulls back and looks at me questionably. I roll my eyes towards Bobby and tilt my head so he gets the idea.

  He looks at Bobby extending his hand over me, “Hi Bob, nice to see you again. Thanks for the ride and taking care of my girl.”

  I turn to sit forward and glance at Bobby, I can see the strain in his eyes as he reaches for Stuart’s hand, “No problem. It seemed foolish for Lisa to have to take the train in when we were going to the same place.”

  Arthur has gotten back in and starts to pull away from the curb. I can see him looking at us in the rearview mirror. I am sure he is getting a laugh out of this.

  We make small talk for the few minutes it takes us to get to the Waldorf. When we pull up the curb is on Bobby’s side and he gets out first. Stuart grabs me and kisses me before I even know what is going on. It is a quick kiss but I know that Bobby has seen it and when I turn to get out he is glaring mad. I give him my hand so he can help me out and I plead with my eyes for him to stay calm, “Thank you,” I say squeezing his hand.

  Stuart gets out behind me and puts his hand on my back, “You look great, sweetheart. I’m going to have a hard time keeping other guys away from you tonight.” He leans in and places a kiss on my neck. I just want to shrink away. This is so much harder than I expected it to be. I just want to turn around and jump into Bobby’s arms and tell him to take me home.

  We walk in and the opulence of the Waldorf is overwhelming. The chandeliers and furniture are so extravagant I feel like a pauper walking through the foyer. Thank God I’m dressed well, I could not imagine coming in here in my normal clothes. I walk between Stuart and Bobby and heads are turning our way. Yes they are both gorgeous and until I cut Stuart loose they both belong to me. It makes me feel heady as I see the looks of envy on other women’s faces. The event is in the Grand Ballroom with the cocktail hour in the East Foray both are on the third floor. We walk up the Grand Staircase and Stuart points out his boss standing just to the left. I have met Simon Daly before when I first took over their account b
ut I have not seen him in some time.

  Stuart ushers me over to say hello, Bobby hangs back but is still behind us. Stuart shakes his boss’s hand, “Mr. Daly you remember Lisa Plata don’t you?”

  His boss turns to me, “Of course, Lisa, how are you? I understand that you are no longer working on our account.”

  “Hello Mr. Daly, yes that is right. I am now with Harris Reardon and Stuart chose not to move with me.” I shake his hand. “I was sorry to lose the business.”

  “Well I will see about that. I want you back on the account and I would like to speak to you about taking on some of my other businesses as well. You are a bright young lady and I think it is a mistake not having you with us any longer.” He turns to Stuart, “I want to see you on Monday, Donna is around here somewhere, find her and get a time.” He has dismissed us but Stuart sees Bobby behind us.

  “Mr. Daly, do you know Bob Harber?” he gestures to Bobby. Damn him, he is trying to save his ass now.

  “Bob, nice to see you. I had heard you weren’t going to make it,” he holds out his hand to Bobby.

  “Simon, always a pleasure. I had originally thought I wouldn’t be back in time but things changed.” He glances at me. “So did I hear you correctly, you are throwing more business Lisa’s way?”

  Mr. Daly looks at me. “You know Lisa?”

  “Yes we went to high school together. She’s a good friend of mine.” He grabs my hand and pulls me closer to them. Stuart looks at us and turns on his heal. “I’m glad you can see how remarkable she is.”

  I start to blush. “I am right here you know.” I hit his chest lightly. “Mr. Daly I would be happy to help you with any of your businesses.”

  “Call me Simon please,” he takes my hand. “You know we have been losing sales without you so it just shows me how integral a part of my team you are. I will be sure to have my assistant call you to set up a day for you to come in to discuss your future with us. Bob, I can see you have outstanding taste in friends.” He shakes Bobby’s hand again.

  Bobby puts his hand on my back and urges me towards the foyer. “Well looks like your bookings are going to jump up. You’re going to be so busy I’ll never see you.”

  I look up at him. “I will always have time for you. You’re not getting rid of me that easily but I will have to find a place in the city, the commute is killing me.”

  “Baby, you can stay at my place anytime you want,” he says as he drops his head to my ear.

  “Stop that, he’s already pissed that his boss called him out for not moving the account and I have to deal with him for at least the next two hours.” I glare at him. He sheepishly smiles at me and I can’t be mad at him. I laugh. “You are in so much trouble when we leave.”

  “I can’t wait for you to punish me.” He licks his lips. Oh this man! Now all I can think about is what we will be doing later. It would be nice if I could have dry panties for a little while. He dips his head to me again, “If you keep looking at me like that everyone in here will know what you’re thinking.” I blush and look away from him and my eyes go directly to Stuart who is watching us with fire in his eyes. Damn! This is not going to go well.

  “I have to go,” I say. “Stuart is watching us.”

  “I’ll be here if you need me.” He drops his hand from my back.

  I walk over to Stuart who is standing with Keith, Scott and their guests. I put a sweet smile on my face. “Hi everyone, how’s it going?”

  Keith and Scott both say hi and introduce me to their dates. Stuart grabs my arm digging his fingers into my skin, “Will you excuse us for a minute? I need to talk to Lisa in private.” He pulls me with him into the hallway and turns on me. “What the fuck is going on? First you sell me out to my boss and now I see you flirting with that asshole!”

  I pull my arm away. “Calm down Stuart. I did not sell you out to your boss. I only told him the truth. You decided not to move your account.”

  “Don’t even, Lisa. I am so mad right now I want to throttle you. If I lose my job over this we are done,” he is practically yelling.

  “You know what, Stuart, I was going to wait until after dinner to do this so you could save face but I’ve decided you’re not worth it. We are thru now. Don’t touch me and don’t call me. I hope Simon has someone else I can deal with because I will be taking over the accounts and I don’t want to deal with you anymore.” I turn and start to walk away and he grabs my arm. He pulls me hard against him and grabs my chin.

  “And how long have you known you were breaking up with me?” he hisses at me. I can’t believe I ever thought he was a nice guy.

  “Get your hands off her.” Bobby appears behind us. “Now, Stuart, if you don’t want me to kill you right here.”

  Stuart drops his hands and takes a step back. He is scared but he is also mad as hell. “Let me guess you’re sleeping together? It took you all of a week to drop your drawers for him and you kept me hanging around for a year?”

  Bobby grabs my hand and guides me behind him, “Look you scumbag, what Lisa and I are is none of your business anymore and if I hear you talking shit about us I will track your ass down and beat the living shit out of you,” Bobby’s voice is the total opposite of Stuart’s, calm and intense and he doesn’t have to yell to get his point across. I can’t see his eyes but I can tell from Stuart’s reaction that he got his point across. Stuart backs up and then walks away like the loser he is.

  Bobby turns to me, “Are you okay? Did he hurt you?” He is looking at my face and my arm.

  “I’m okay,” I move into his arms and put my head on his chest. “Don’t suppose we can get out of here yet?”

  His arms tighten around me and he kisses my hair, “I have to stay for a while since people have seen me but if you want to go back to the apartment I can have Arthur take you. I would rather you stay with me so I know you’re okay.”

  I know he has obligations now that he is here and I don’t want him to worry about me, “I’ll stay but can we just not go back in right now? I need a few minutes.”

  “Whatever you need, baby. How about we go have a drink in the Oak room and come back for dinner?” he rubs my back.

  “That sounds like a great idea. I could use a drink without everyone staring at us.” I look up at him and can see the concern in his eyes. I smile at him to prove to him I’m okay, “So do you have a chair for me at your table?”

  He laughs. “Baby, I would let you sit on my lap but yes there is an extra chair at our table.” He takes my hand and we go downstairs to the bar.

  “So I guess the plan didn’t quite go as planned,” he says to me when we sit together in a booth. His arm is around me and I feel safe even knowing that Stuart would like to murder us both at this point.

  I smile up at him, “The best laid plans and all that. Actually I’m glad it’s over, I can’t believe what a jerk he turned out to be.”

  “Not your best choice of character,” he picks up my hand and examines my arm. “You’re already getting bruises. I want to kill him for this.” His eyes flare and I know that if he ever gets Stuart alone he will make sure repays the debt.

  I caress his cheek and kiss his lips. “Thank you for being there and getting me away from him.” Not that I wouldn’t have been able to handle it but he did it without making a scene which I surely would have had to do to get away.

  A waitress comes over with our drinks. I lay my head on his shoulder, “So Mr. Harber, now that you have me what are you going to do with me?”

  His arm tightens around me. “I’m going to love you.”

  My eyes snap to his. “Is that a promise?”

  “Yes, baby, I promise I will always love you and I will spend the rest of my life showing you just how much.” He kisses me and it is gentle and sweet and filled with love. I have waited so long for this man and now he is here telling me what I’ve always wanted to hear. I am filled with happiness and hope.

  We stay there locked up with each other for another twenty minutes but event
ually we have to go back to the fundraiser. We walk upstairs and find that people have already started taking their seats. Unfortunately our table is only two over from Stuart’s and I can feel the knives of his glare on me as we sit down.

  Bobby introduces me to our tablemates, all men who work with him. They are an impressive group not a bad looking one in the bunch and all are in shape. Wow I know a few women who would pay big bucks to be sitting with this crew. They are all polite with that military way of making you feel secure and protected. I can see why Bobby’s company is doing so well, if this is any indication of the people he has working for him a client would definitely feel safe with them.

  Chris who is sitting to my right turns to me, “So you are the famous Lisa?”

  “Famous?” I turn to Bobby questionably.

  All the guys laugh. Chris says, “Yeah you’re famous in our group. Bobby has been talking about you since we’ve met him. We all thought you were a figment of his imagination.” They are all smiling like fools.

  “Really, and what sort of things did he say about me?” I am still looking at Bobby while I ask and I see him glare at Chris. I put my hand on his leg to get his attention and I smile at him. He smiles back and shakes his head.

  Paul sitting across the table from us says, “Well he didn’t exaggerate like we thought he did.” What does that mean?

  “Okay now you really have to tell me,” I say turning to them.

  “But if we tell you then we have to kill you,” says Tom sitting next to Bobby.

  “You mean the boss would kill us,” laughs Chris.

  “Oh no, you brought this up now you have to tell me.” I laugh. This is just what I need to take my mind off the last hour. I lean into Bobby and his arm goes around me. I am right where I should be.

  The guys banter back and forth and I can see they really are more than just co-workers they are all friends who have been through a lot together to know each other this well. Dinner is served but it doesn’t stop the guys from talking and I am so thankful that I am at this table instead of the one behind me.