Valerie

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“So, I have a date for the thing tonight.” Valerie found Aunt Susan and Jan in the dining room with a rack of dresses, bags of accessories, and boxes of shoes.

“Oh! So that means she’s going and our shopping won’t go to waste.” Jan clapped her hands.

“It never goes to waste. We’d have donated anything Valerie didn’t want, you know that.”

“True, but this is more fun,” Jan said and came over to give Valerie a little pat on the shoulder.

“The fighter is the date? Which one?” Aunt Susan narrowed her eyes. Valerie realized she really did want her aunt to approve. She didn’t want to disappoint Aunt Susan or Uncle Meyer.

“That fighter we saw the other night, you remember Zane Diggs?” Valerie answered, and she tried not to sound needy. But she was. She wanted them to think Zane was a good choice.

“Oh yes, Meyer signed him right after that fight.” Aunt Susan didn’t miss many details in life Valerie realized.

“Yes, he walked me to my car the other day and brought me lunch today. I thought it would be okay to have him come to the Gala thing?”

“For sure! Meyer loves his fighters anywhere he can get them. It gives him some non-stuffy types to talk to at these things. And there’s always the possibility they’ll stir things up and fight for God knows what reason at a formal affair. Meyer can relate to that!”

“Glad those days are over,” Jan chimed in. Uncle Meyer must have been a brawler back in their day.

“Zane Diggs, which one is he?” Jan asked Aunt Susan.

“Best looking fighter we’ve had in the Octagon since Craddock Flynn. Reminds me a little of him actually, with a strong jaw, beautiful eyes, and well you know they’re all buff.” Susan told Jan, and Jan nodded approval.

“Well then, just be careful of this Diggs. Make sure he knows your Uncle Meyer will kick the shit of out him if he gets handsy,” Jan reminded her.

“I think I’d like him to be a little handsy,” Valerie said, and her two fairy godmothers giggled with her like girls.

“Okay, let’s figure out which dress! And don’t worry Valerie. I’ll only release your Uncle on your date if it looks like you’re not having fun.”

“Thank you. What did you two come up with?” Valerie had gone to prom once. She had visions of formal wear that didn’t have anything to do with Galas. What the ladies selected was miles away from prom.

They had four options, each one stunning. Valerie didn’t want to think about what this cost. She tried to remind herself again what Jan had told her. Aunt Susan and Uncle Meyer liked spending on their friends and family. They also liked spending on their community. It still made her squirm a little inside, but Aunt Susan was in her element.

She obliged the ladies and tried on each dress. She gave the Godmothers a spin in the kitchen, and their discerning eyes added up the pros and cons of their selections.

After the impromptu fashion show, the three women decided that a fuchsia dress was the winner.

“You’re young, you shouldn’t wear old lady colors,” Jan said when Valerie worried that the halter dress was too bold. It was high up around her neck. In contrast, the back was open, and a slit showed off the gold shoes they’d chosen for her. They also selected gold hoop earrings and a matching bracelet.

“Jan’s right. And those handsome movie star looks of Zane Diggs have nothing on you sweetheart.” Aunt Susan hugged her. She shooed away their attempts to try to do her hair and makeup. It was too much fussing. Valerie took the gorgeous fuchsia gown to her room.

The plan was to meet Zane at the event. She may be going to the fancy gala on a date, but she wasn’t sure if she was ready for Zane to show up at the Thompson Mansion and submit him to the third degree from her uncle, his boss!

She and Zane agreed meeting there would be the best. Valerie did her hair in loose waves and used a comb to pull up one side. It was hard to believe what she saw looking back at her in the mirror.

The dress was worth all the clothes she’d ever owned, combined. She was sure of it. She felt glamorous and still felt like pinching herself. How had the worst moment of her life led to this new path? It was a question Valerie couldn’t answer.

Valerie walked to the foyer with her aunt, and they made their way together to find Uncle Meyer waiting in the limo. He was ready to go. Aunt Susan said that was usually the scenario with them, and she didn’t care if it annoyed her husband.

“It’s not easy looking this spectacular, he can chill out and return messages on his phone while we get it just right!” Aunt Susan told her as they walked out to the car.

Valerie realized she had butterflies and tried to quiet them.

“Diggs huh?” Uncle Meyer was half paying attention to them and a half to the million messages on his phone as her Aunt predicted.

“Yes.”

“Hmm. We’ll see what he’s made of soon. Big fight in less than a month. If he drinks or whoops it up too much tonight, I want to know.” Uncle Meyer was always running his business, even in the back of the limo with his family.

“She’s not a spy, it’s a date. Have a good time honey. Don’t worry about this one.” Aunt Susan pointed to her husband. The two of them made an impressive couple. Aunt Susan was gorgeous, sophisticated, and was a perfect counterpoint to her rugged, lumberjack-sized husband.

“You both look beautiful, forgot to say it. Thought it. But forgot to say it.” Uncle Meyer said to his wife and his niece.

“We’re working on that communication thing.” Aunt Susan gave her a wink. Valerie admired them both so much and what they’d accomplished. They were stinking rich but they clearly earned every penny, and they freely gave most of it back. This Gala for Children’s Services, the neighborhood redevelopment, and even what they were doing for her. They’d given her a fresh start.

“I want to say thank you. The last few weeks were so much better than the few weeks before. Right after. You’re both so important to me and…” She felt at a loss for words on how to thank them.

“Shh. Don’t mess your pretty makeup. We’re family, this is how it works.” Aunt Susan handed her a tissue and Valerie dabbed at the corners of her eyes.

“Exactly.” Her uncle nodded and patted Aunt Susan’s knee.

They pulled up to the front of the Grand City Museum of Art, the venue for the event. The building was gorgeous, the front entryway supported by giant columns. Each column was illuminated from below. It looked as grand as she’d imagined it would. To her surprise, there were news cameras and even a red carpet.

“Wow. In Grand City?” She asked her Aunt Susan.

“I know, but these fighters, having all the local ballet dancers here, Craddock Flynn, your uncle, all of it adds up to a little press coverage. Some of them are local news, some state-level news people, and heck, some even national I think. That’s for sure to cover Craddock and your uncle here. Tabloid fodder. But it’s all good to have attention. The fancy-pants residents of Grand City will feel very important, and we’ll raise a lot of money for the kids.”

Cameras exploded in a flurry of lights around her aunt and uncle. Her aunt was so pretty and so classy in a white column dress. Valerie hoped one day she’d show that same grace under pressure that came so naturally to her aunt.

They walked in, and Valerie felt a little sick feeling in her stomach. Prom was clearly not enough formal training for what was happening tonight. What if she tripped over her gold shoes and landed ass up in fuchsia? What if she reacted to the event like she did the other night in the bar? Valerie tried not to let anxiety control her steps. She opened her eyes and took in the scene. She focused on what she was witnessing and not her own insecurities.

She tried ignoring the fact that she was here with the richest man in the state, heck the country, not only that, she was part of his family all of sudden. She wasn’t raised to know how to deal with this kind of situation.

“Don’t worry about us, honey. This is our table, but we’ll be mingling and what not, that’s what you do, if you want to bid on any of the auction items go for it. I’m buying, and it all goes to charity. And don’t be intimidated.” Uncle Meyer had come through with the words of encouragement. He sensed her nerves and reassured her. Uncle Meyer patted her on the shoulder, and Aunt Susan began to tug at him.

“Thank you.”

Her aunt and uncle were enveloped in a scrum of older looking rich people. Valerie was alone in a sea of tuxedos and fancy dresses. What did she do here? What was she supposed to say?

It was less crowded and quieter than the other night. She felt like an imposter or like she wasn’t supposed to be here.

Valerie put it out if her mind and squared her shoulders. She decided a glass of champagne would be a stellar idea when a man with a tray full appeared and she took a flute. It at least gave her the look of someone who knew what they were doing here. She took a sip.

Valerie tried not to jump when she felt hot breath on her neck.

“Oh my God, you look so fucking gorgeous. Let’s leave right now.” It was a low voice in her ear. She felt just the slightest brush of his hand along her bare arm. And she felt relief. He was here. Zane was there with her. She felt calmer knowing he was there. And at the same time, she felt a thrill at the touch of his hand on her arm.

“I think we have to stay a little at least,” Valerie replied, thought the idea of leaving immediately and getting a pizza or something was very appealing.

“I get it. I thought you looked great today on that desk. Then this? You’re not playing very fair Miss Colson. Not at all.” She blushed and tilted her head down as Zane came around and looked her up and down.

She got her first look at him and was floored. When they said movie star handsome to describe Zane Diggs they were right. But there was something more than handsome, there was a ruggedness, a tough set to his jaw, and an intense look in his eyes that pushed her over the edge into carnal lust. She also already knew what he could do with his lips. The idea of leaving right now with Zane was gaining steam in Valerie’s imagination.

“Zane Diggs. You clean up well.” It was Uncle Meyer, who appeared next to them from across the room. It was clear he wanted to be sure Zane knew what was what.

“Thank you, sir.”

“Just so you know, Valerie here is extremely important to me. You hurt her, I ruin you, your family, and any future generations of Diggs out there. In perpetuity. That’s legal talk.”

Zane nodded.

Uncle Meyer wasn’t kidding, and Valerie recognized that Zane understood completely.

“She will be safe with me,” Zane replied.

“Just so she’s safe from you.” Uncle Meyer slapped a big hand on Zane’s shoulder. She saw him wince and realized her Uncle hit him good and hard.

“My wife beckons. Have fun kids.” Meyer Thompson was gone as quickly as he came and she was glad of it. It was strange enough to be here much less have a brand-new protector in her uncle. She’d thought the fire had left her alone, orphaned, and in fact, the opposite had happened. She had two godmothers and a bodyguard protecting her these days.

“So, that was fun. Leave it to me to fall for the boss’s favorite niece.” Zane smiled and shook his head.

Fall for? He was falling for her? That phrase had her stomach doing a flip. She wanted nothing more than to spend time alone with Zane. There were eyes on her, there was pressure, by virtue of being with Uncle Meyer and Aunt Susan, and Valerie tried not to wilt under it.

“Let’s go. Like you said, let’s get out of here.” Valerie offered, though she had no idea where to go.

“Not yet. You look so pretty I want everyone to be jealous as hell of me for the rest of the night.” Zane put out a hand, and she put hers in his.

“Dancing? I’m not really good at…” before she could protest Zane guided her to the dance floor. His arms were a firm frame for her as she tried not to trip over her gown or her ridiculously high shoes.

“When I move you move, easy as that.” The music was slow, Frank Sinatra she guessed. This was so far from her normal life she felt like she was in a movie. Zane gently pulled her along, twirled her a little, and reeled her back in close.

“Wow, you’re good at this.” Zane Diggs, the brash, bold, brute, was also damn good at gliding her across the floor. What the heck?

“Yep. Good at everything. Plus, it’s my job to know how to move.” He said, and there it was: that swagger. Why did she like that swagger so much?

He pulled her tighter to him, and Valerie inhaled. He smelled clean and fresh and so good.

She felt his little bit of stubble on her cheek. They finished the song with no more words between them. Each beat of the music bringing their bodies closer together and in total sync. Valerie forgot they were in a room with other people and let herself enjoy this man who had her in his arms.

They danced two songs, then they spent a little time talking to some of the other attendees of the charity event. Zane and Valerie even sampled a bit of the fancy food.

At one point her aunt introduced them both to several people who were apparently big donors. Valerie held her end of the conversations. People were just people, she told herself, she should stop making it a bigger thing than it was.

Just like learning the language of the contractors, she’d navigate this world if needed. If her aunt and uncle asked her to mingle, she’d mingle. She found herself pretty sure she’d do anything they needed.

Valerie and Zane stood at the edge of the room for a moment, and she felt his finger tracing a line from the strap of her halter down at her neck, then down her back, to her waist and back. His touch was light, but it made her mind and body race with the dirtiest thoughts.

She felt a wave of heat in her core and knew they had to leave, soon. She was grateful their backs were to the wall, and no one could see how dangerous his one finger truly was.

“I’m going to make my goodbyes.” She walked away and found her aunt.

“Well, Zane didn’t drink. That’s reassuring.” Aunt Susan didn’t miss a thing.

“Thank you, and no, he didn’t. He’s a perfectly safe driver.”

“Okay, darling you look so lovely. Thank you so much for being here and charming all our donors.”

“I didn’t do anything. Thank you for the dress.”

She leaned in and kissed her aunt on the cheek, and that was it. They’d spent almost two hours at the event. That was enough.

Valerie could now focus on the rising sexual chemistry between her and this cocky fighter. He had invaded her thoughts and dreams. Now nothing was stopping her from living them.

The second she left Zane alone in the room, women surrounded her fighter. They were fawning, flirting and pissing her off she was surprised to discover.

“I’m all set.” She said loudly to cut off a girl who thought she’d help Zane out and straighten his tie.

“Sorry ladies gotta go.” She watched him barely acknowledge the gaggle of girls and sweep his arm around her middle.

“I never asked, where are we going?”

“My place. Now. The boys are all cleared out for the night. We can watch a movie.” He winked at her. Valerie smiled, and he kissed her forehead as they left the Grand City Museum of Art.

“Where’s your car?”

“Actually, if your shoes aren’t too uncomfortable my place is right around the block.”

“I’m game, though we’ll see. One block eh?” She lifted the long skirt of her dress just a bit to look at the stilettoes her aunt had insisted she wear with this dress.

“Those should be illegal,” Zane said, and for a moment he seemed to be in another world.

“Stop,” she said, and he looked back up to her face again.

“I’m not kidding. I like you in those tight skirts you wear at work, but this is. Well.” Zane shook his head.

Zane went around to her left side and then put out his arm. She’d realized he’d put himself between her and any traffic that might drive by. It was a small gesture, but it made her feel safe and protected. Even though they were just walking on the sidewalk together.

“Taking the prettiest girl at the dance for a walk, I’m a lucky son of a bitch.” He said to her, and she put her hand on his arm. He was taller than her by almost a foot, but he matched her pace. She once had a date with a guy who was super tall, and he had her running behind him to keep up all the time. A real ass, she’d decided. Zane was careful of her and her precariously high shoes.

“I never realized,” Valerie looked around and found Downtown Grand City to be sparkling.

“What?”

“I lived on the other side of the river, not a bad neighborhood, but well, not like those people we were with tonight. I never realized how pretty downtown is.”

“Yeah, it looks amazing, though I don’t have too much to compare it to.”

“Me either.”

“That’s one thing I’m excited about, with being in the 21C, the chance to see other places.”

“Well, the first fight is Detroit, not too exotic.”

“No, but then Vegas, and Madison Square Garden. That’s the kind of thing your uncle sets up for his big names.”

Valerie really had no idea what an MMA fighter’s career was like. It had been only a few days ago she’d seen Zane fight, and it had been the first fight of her life.

“That would be incredible. Do you get nervous thinking about all those big places or crowds?”

“No, I’m excited for sure but not nervous. I trained my whole life for the shot I’ve got now. I’m not going to fuck it up.”

“I’d like to see those places.”

“I’ll take you with me,” Zane said, and she smiled. She had no idea where she was going… where this was going.

Zane abruptly stopped walking, and she took one more step forward. He pulled her arm in closer.

“I’m so sorry I forgot to ask you about how you were doing in that crowd back there? Were you okay?” Zane’s concern was touching.

“I’m okay.”

“You saw too much with that fire. It was what started your anxiety.” How did Zane know? He seemed to be wise beyond his years about the emotional side of losing her parents. His strength let her be open, and before she knew it, she was telling him more.

“I’d been out with friends. I drove home, and it was too late. I tried to go in and get them, but they wouldn’t let me.” She felt herself crying and Zane putting his arms around her.

“That’s the PTSD. That’s why you left the bar. You’re still processing.” She felt his hands gently stroke her back. She looked up. She’d almost forgotten her panic the other night.

“I guess you’re right. I’ve been trying to forget it.”

“It’s okay. You’re safe.” They continued the walk. This time Zane’s arm was around her shoulders. It felt like he was guarding her from all sides. But more than feeling safe from something outside she felt like whatever was inside her soul was safe with Zane.

She could cry with him over something she hadn’t completely figured out yet, and he didn’t run away or laugh. He also didn’t push her to give more than she could.

There was no doubt he wanted her and she him but there was something more with him. He listened to her before she even knew she had something she wanted to say.

“Here we are.” She recognized the townhouse. It was one of the first of the rows completed by her uncle’s development company. She was helping the next phase of construction, and the new units were based on the models he’d started here.

He opened the door, and they walked up.

“Kind of an awesome place, right?” And it was. These weren’t boxes on top of boxes. These apartments were historic renovations. She’d seen how her uncle wanted to improve, not demolish, and it meant Zane’s place was damn near perfect, if not a little bit sparse.

“Yeah, I’m not much with furniture shopping.” She looked around. The apartment had a card table, a couch, and some t.v. trays. But it didn’t matter to Valerie. She saw that the unit itself was a cut above any new development or college campus shoebox.

“I think it’s pretty great. The new units I’m working on are similar.”

“That’s right you probably know the floor plan like the back of your hand.”

Zane lifted her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. All the time his eyes stayed locked on hers. She didn’t shy away from his gaze, but she felt her body react where his lips touched her at the center of her palm. Valerie found herself getting closer by small steps. Zane’s lips moved to the skin on her shoulder, bare thanks to the halter dress clasped at her neck.

Zane pressed soft kisses on her shoulder then up her neck, slowly, to her earlobe. His arm encircled her, so their bodies were pressed together. The sensation of his mouth on her skin, his tongue teasing her, gave her shivers like she’d never felt before.

Zane scored kisses along her jaw and finally landed on her lips. She knew she was standing but somehow, he seemed to be doing all the work of holding her up. She felt like she was floating in his arms. Her own hands had found their favorite spot at the base of his neck. Why did his blonde hair feel so good in her fingers?

Zane’s kisses traveled back down, and he hovered for an instant over the swell of her breasts. She worried for a second. Was she too curvy on top? She was small everywhere but there, and he was physical perfection. Would he be disappointed in her non-six pack abs? She tried to quiet the doubt.

Zane’s teeth trapped the bud of her nipple that was now straining against the fine fabric of her dress. She heard a moan escape her lips. She wanted him, she wanted to do what he wanted to her body. Valerie had never experienced this level of heat with any other man before. She wasn’t a virgin but she sure as hell never wanted to let go like she wanted to do with Zane.

Zane teased her other nipple with his fingers, and she felt like she might crawl out of her skin.

“I want to see you naked Valerie. I want to rip this dress off you and run my tongue everywhere.”

“I, yes, please….” That was all she could think of to say. Please.

And as soon as she finished saying the words he’d undone that clasp holding her dress together. There was no fumbling, smooth as silk he’d undone her dress and it slid it down to the floor. That worry popped in again that she wasn’t as beautiful as he so clearly was.

She stood in the center of the room, with the matching thong and strapless bra that cost more than her prom dress of old. She saw that her breasts were pushed up and together in a way that had put a look in Zane’s eyes that could only be described as hunger.

“Jesus,” was all he said and she was glad the room was dim because this time her blush went from her face to her knees, she was sure of it.

Zane’s slow torture sped up after he’d looked at her in her bra and panties and it made her feel like whatever he saw, he liked, even though she wasn’t a hard body like he was.

And oh, he was. She’d been so into her own sensations that she’d just now realized she was going to have his body to herself. To do what she wanted.

Zane’s hands were everywhere. She felt him slide her fancy bra down. Her breasts were barely contained and nearly spilling over the cups when she felt his hands go around and expertly pop the hooks. She didn’t think too much about how many times he might have done this before.

Zane sucked hard on her now, and she felt the air leave her lungs. The sensations had her nearly losing control while standing there. She wanted him closer, as close as he could get.

Zane’s fingers threaded through the string of her thong and slid down between her legs. She hitched her leg up along him and they both sunk to the carpet. They weren’t going to the bedroom or even the nearby couch. They were enveloped in each other’s bodies. Right here in the middle of his apartment.

His fingers were inside of her, and she felt her hips rise to meet him, hard. This was almost too much. What was the next step going to feel like? Would she even make it there?

Valerie struggled to get Zane’s shirt off and then his pants over his hips while the palm of his hand did things that had her body yearning for more.

“Zane, I, oh my…” Her words trailed off.

“Hold on baby doll, hold on.” He slid his fingers away, and she felt momentarily bereft. She was open to him and trying to find the friction she needed from him, she wanted him now, but he put both hands on her hips.

“Shh…” They were immobile but locked together. His body was touching hers as he leaned up and looked at her. She put her hands up and ran them over his shoulders. She was so ready. She was almost frantic, but he kept them both in the moment, just on the edge of something she knew would be unlike anything she’d experienced. She felt her own juices coursing, ready, and yet he’d slowed them down and only lightly touched her. Every nerve ending was screaming for him.

“Zane, yes please, now.”

“I just don’t want to miss a thing,” he said as he looked at her face and then his eyes traced down to her now totally naked body. Zane reached for a condom, finally. Thank God, he was ready. It was so good not to have to ask or worry about that, one more way he’d taken care of her tonight. He had everything handled.

“I’m going to go slow. Tell me if it’s too much.” She had no idea what he’d meant until slowly, deliciously, the tip of him found her. She rocked her hips toward him, and he bit his lip. That was so fucking sexy she thought.

“Yes, God, Zane.” Was all she could say. She wanted it all.

He pushed in further, and she gasped, Zane had spread her wide open, she felt filled as he rocked slowly in and then out.

“You still okay?” He asked her, and she nodded. Why was he so careful?

Between breaths, Valerie said, “yes.” She realized she’d said yes three times. It was almost a chant. This was wild!

“Hold on baby.” He said and drove in harder, and this time she knew it was to the hilt. This man was bigger than anything she’d imagined. Valerie gasped. She was pinned down, surrounded, and she understood now, why he’d gone slow. She didn’t know if she could take all of him. She felt his cock rub against her most sensitive flesh, and she was awash in pleasure.

Zane pulsed in again, and she cried out. It hurt, but it felt good at the same time. What was he made of she wondered? Steel for sure, hot steel she thought.

Zane cradled her head as he pulled out a little but not all the way. He looked at her again, to be sure, she supposed, that she didn't split in two. She was split in two, but most amazingly, her muscles clenched around him, held him, wanted him back, all the way.

Zane rocked his hips again and slid in, in, in. She screamed his name as a wave of orgasm took her almost out of her body but also gloriously in it.

“God, you’re so tight. So fucking tight.” He said as all gentleness evaporated and he rocked her world and came with her as the night exploded into millions of beautiful stars.

“You’re amazing Valerie. A-fucking-mazing.”

Valerie leaned up and took Zane’s lips with hers. She kissed him deeply, and he kissed her back. Their legs were still tangled together. His heat still inside her, filling her.

“You’re a-fucking-mazing too, Zane Diggs.”

Zane flipped them over, and she let out a little squeal with the whoosh of motion. He placed her on top of him. They laid on the floor, Valerie didn’t know for how long. If it was forever that would be fine she thought as she closed her eyes.