Chapter 17

Lorali

Work has been pretty uneventful. I’m thankful that I have no events tonight or tomorrow night. I get the feeling that after the art show this evening I’m going to need the girl’s night out tomorrow more than I’ve ever needed one before.

Leaving work at promptly five o’clock, I head home to get ready for my date. I’ve done my best to keep Ian Hale off of my mind, and by my best I mean I told myself not to think about him while I, in fact, thought about him all day. I’m ridiculously excited and slightly apprehensive about how tonight will go.

I jump in the shower shortly after getting home. I stayed under the spray for over an hour, wasting way more time in there than I normally do. I spent time shaving and applying lotion, because who am I kidding? I know the chances of what tonight might have in store and I wouldn’t be stuck in an awkward situation trying to explain my, ahem, bush.

I decide to quick dry my hair and keep it with its natural waviness, hoping it’d provide more protection around me from Ian.

My dress for the evening is capped sleeves and form fitting around the waist. The chiffon knee length, coral colored dress is gathered at the waist allowing it to have a romantic flow when I move. I pair it with nude pumps and keep my makeup modest, contributing to the simple, elegant feel I’m going for. In keeping with the simplicity theme, my makeup was minimalistic. I only apply a light shimmer of eye shadow, mascara, and a pale lip gloss. I skip the blush because I’m sure my cheeks would do that on their own many times tonight. Being around Ian Hale tends to leave me flushed and full of color.

I load my clutch with the essentials, purposefully leaving the condoms behind, hoping it’ll help me to deny any sexual advances I’m certain Ian will try to tempt me with. I’ve no idea what I’ll do if he was a boy scout earlier in life and comes prepared himself!

I step out of my room, loving the swish of the dress around my legs. I feel incredibly sexy and the unbidden thought that I hope Ian thinks it too makes me smile. Tonight’s going to be a disaster, a hot, steamy, once in a lifetime disaster. One I’m not willing to avoid because not going and the what-if’s would leave my mind in utter chaos.

“Nice!” I hear Josie say from the living room couch. She has her feet perched on the table in front of her, remote in hand. Her head is turned around and she’s grinning from ear to ear at me.

“Thanks,” I look down and swipe my hands down my front clearing away invisible wrinkles.

“You look amazing! Very prim and proper.” Alexa is leaning on the door frame of the coat closet, a mischievous grin on her face. I tilt my head to the side, trying to decipher why she’d have that look on her face. She gives me nothing. “Have a good evening,” she says before turning and heading into the kitchen.

I grab my shawl from the coat closet and head out. It’s just before eight o’clock, and I want to catch Ian before he makes it to the door. No way I’m letting these two have a go at him, knowing they’d grill him more than a detainee at Gitmo.

I make my way out of the apartment complex keeping an eye on my feet to prevent me from stumbling down the stairs. Once I hit the bottom landing, I lift my eyes and stop cold.

Ian’s at the curb, leaning against a dark town car. His focus completely on me and he looks even more devastating than he did in the hallway, distracted on his phone. I take his smile to mean he likes what he sees. I swear those dimples will be my ruination! If it’s even possible he looks better than the last time I saw him. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored suit jacket and slacks. His stark white shirt is unbuttoned at the top, leaving that gap of throat open for the world to see. Yep, tonight will be a magnificent disaster!

Closing the distance between us, I maintain eye contact with him. He reaches up with his hands, placing them on my biceps and leans in, brushing his perfect lips across my left cheek. One simple peck on the cheek and my face is aflame. I pray he can’t see the blush on my cheeks in the dark.

“You look beautiful,” he whispers in my ear before pulling his face from mine. His three simple words enter me and land right in my core. I sway a little, thankful for the grip he still has on my arms. Keeping his hands on me, he takes a small step back and unashamedly rakes his eyes from top to bottom. I think I hear a small grunt from inside of him.

I grin and turn to get in the car, his left hand falling to press against my lower back; the intimacy of his touch causes cold chills to take over my body. Sliding into the back seat of the car I can see him adjust himself in my periphery with his right hand.

Oh boy. I seem to be affecting him as well.

Less than five minutes in and we’re both this affected. This evening has the potential to be the most interesting night of my life!

Ian slides in next to me and pulls the door closed, right arm resting against it, left arm in his lap. I keep both of my hands clasped in my lap, fingers nervously wringing. I realize right away that I’m completely sexually charged and yet I feel shy and enamored by the enigma that’s Ian Hale.

I sit in silence, knowing if I speak my voice will waiver. He doesn’t torture me with silence for very long.

“How was your day, Lorali?” His voice is gentle and soft but he remains stiff against the door, only turning his head for our interaction.

“Just another day at the office.” Idle chit chat? He doesn’t seem the type for idle chit chat and our last interaction certainly didn’t hint at idle anything where he was concerned.

“I hope you didn’t have to rearrange much to spend the evening with me.” He keeps his gaze on me.

“I’ve no work events until Friday and all I have then is a grand opening for a new bingo hall on Main Street.” I respond knowing he could care less about my work schedule.

“Hmm, nothing to do until Friday? I was sure someone as beautiful as you would have a social calendar that was over-flowing.” He has a slight grin on his face.

“You know very well I’m not a very social person, or have you forgotten your conversation with Betsy? I know I sure haven’t.” I gaze over at him, his dimples are turned up to one hundred percent. Lord help me. “And I didn’t say I didn’t have anything planned, I just don’t have work assignments until Friday. Tomorrow, as a matter of fact I have a girl’s night planned.” I say with a hint of smugness.

“A girl’s night huh?” His face now more somber, dimples gone.

“Yep. Just my sister, my bestie, me, and a ton of free drinks.” I beam back at him realizing how excited I actually am to be going out.

“Free drinks huh? So you’re trolling for men, to get them to buy you drinks all night? I can see how that won’t be much of a problem for you. What club is it?” His voice has a slight air of chastisement to it.

“Not exactly. The drinks are free because we’re going to the opening of a new nightclub my best friend Alexa got VIP invites to. I can’t remember the name something electrical I think.” My explanation seems to calm him a bit, but I’m still puzzled by his reaction.

I smirk back at him. “Jealous?” The fact that Ian Hale would be jealous of me going to a club and getting men to buy me drinks is laughable. I wait for his rejection.

“Extremely,” he says finally breaking the distance between us. His body is turned towards mine, and he lifts his left hand, running his soft knuckles down my cheek. Having no control over my body in his presence, my face leans into his warm fingers.

Slowly he leans in and brushes his lips against mine, his breath becoming my breath. My eyes slowly close, my lips waiting for more. Hours seem to pass with nothing. I open my eyes and meet his. I know they’re pleading with him to continue the kiss.

“We’re here,” he whispers against my lips. I nod my head only slightly as he pulls away from me. I was so enthralled with him that I hadn’t even felt the car slow down and stop. Nor had I heard the driver exit from the front and come around and open Ian’s door.

Get it together Lorali!

Shaking my head to rid my mind of the lust my whole body was hell bent on releasing, I do my best to glide from the car gracefully without falling face first. Ian offers his hand and I take it thankfully, knowing my legs will be wobbly.

We’re in front of a nondescript building in an industrial part of Denver, a part of town I’d never come to during the day much less at night, but for some reason I feel safe here with Ian and his driver. Stupidly presuming even the hardened criminals who frequent this area would never lay a hand on the magnanimous Ian Hale.

Two very large men stand sentry on either side of a small door into the building. Both are dressed in all black, their gloved hands clasped in front of them. They don’t acknowledge us as we approach them.

Ian guides me through the heavy metal door, his warm hand on the small of my back; this light touch doing nothing to abate the growing hunger my body has for him.

Just through the door is a small waiting area occupied by a petite brunette with a mega-watt smile on her pixie-like face.

“Welcome, Mr. Hale. Lorali,” she says to us once we clear the threshold. “May I take your coats?” She holds her hands out to reach for the items.

Ian shrugs out of his suit jacket and hands it over to her. The white shirt that remains does nothing to hide the expanse of his shoulders or his tight muscled form. I know I’ve been caught gawking at him, when the pixie clears her throat, bringing me back to the present.

He grins at me, knowing full well what I was doing. I shrug out of my wrap and hand it over to her, reluctantly, as I’m sure we’ll need it for the floor later. I chuckle at the thought of this regal man getting down to business on the floor of an abandoned building in one of the most dangerous parts of town.

My hormones are calmed suddenly when the thought that maybe we’re here in this area of Denver because he has no worries about the thugs who live around here. Maybe he’s the criminal element and they know better than to mess with him.

Crap. What have I gotten myself into?

“Something funny. Lorali,” he asks, that smirk still on his face.

“No,” I say flatly wishing now I’d never come. “Shall we proceed?” I’m hoping we can get this little date over with quickly so I can get back home. I want nothing to do with whatever underground operation he runs.

Before he can respond a door to the right opens and a fiery redhead walks through and joins us. Her bright green eyes are taking us in. “Mr. Hale!” She says and comes across and gives him a European kiss on each cheek. She clasps my hands in hers. “Lorali!” she says standing back to drink me in. “You’re absolutely stunning in that dress!” She leans in and awards me with a double cheek kiss as well.

How in the world do these people know who I am? “Hi.” Is all I say, not knowing who this woman is or what the plans for the evening are. I look back to Ian in an attempt to get him to do introductions.

“Sorry!” She says, noticing my apprehension. “I’m Jody J. I wanted to welcome you personally to my show!” This is her show?

Feeling more at ease I respond “Thank you so much for having me! I’m sure you’ll meet each guest with as much enthusiasm but I’m honored to meet you. I tried to find some of your work online but I didn’t have the required access code.” I try once again to get some details about the event.

“Each guest?” She looks bewildered. “Ian did you not let her know that tonight was a private showing?” She looks at Ian with bewilderment. He just shrugs his shoulders and smiles.

What? An incredibly exclusive artist and now a private showing? I look over at Ian; with what I’m sure is a complete look of shock.

He clears his throat, “I was going to. I must have been distracted in the car.” He looks at me with a smirk.

I feel my face flush again as he continues to look at me with that smirk that has the tendency to drench my panties.

“Well, you guys enjoy yourself. I’m so glad you’re here Lorali. Ian has my information. I’d love to hear from you about what you think of the show.” She exits through the front door, leaving us completely alone. The coat collecting pixie has also disappeared. I stand there before Ian, unsure of what comes next. The trepidation of being here slowly leaving my body replaced with a warm tingle and utter elation of once again being alone with him. My body and my mind are at war with one another.