Chapter 5
Michelle
It didn’t take a rocket scientist to know what game he’s playing. I did have to admit meeting Raven for the first time up close and personal had earned him a reprieve. Speechless is how I would describe my reaction when I walked into the office.
He was nicer than I was led to believe and I could see Tyson out of the corner of my eye with this big smile on his face. He had made up for last night. It was by no stretch of the imagination that he’s using this magnanimous gesture to get under my skin.
I stand here looking at my closet wondering if I have a suitable dress to wear. The tickets were his crowning achievement and it was definitely the icing on the cake. I probably would have thrown myself at him, but I had a little bit more self-respect for myself than that.
I’m not even sure I can call this a date and he never made it sound that way. I’m going to take it on face value that his intentions are to reward me for a job well done. I couldn’t go into this thinking I’m obligated when it couldn’t be further from the truth.
I had to pick wisely without sending the wrong message. The black dress in the back of my closet is out of the question. It would give him ideas and I wanted to avoid any messy complications. The perfect one is right there in front of me.
I put it on and it feels like the fabric is caressing my skin. It’s almost sensual and glides down my body like an extension of my sensuality. It’s blood red, off the shoulder with gravity doing most of the work to keep it from revealing too much skin. The slice up the side exposes my long lean legs whenever I move a certain way. I feel a little naughty and promiscuous.
It almost makes me second guess myself.
I hear the telltale honk of a horn and I look out my window to see him waiting in a tuxedo tailored to his body. My heart skips a beat and it’s lucky he is preoccupied looking at his watch to notice me in the window. I’m unconsciously undressing him with my eyes putting extra emphasis on a certain part of his anatomy.
He finally sees me staring and he taps his watch letting me know I’m running late.
I’m acting like any other woman trying to garner his respect and admiration. I don’t want to be like all the others and I certainly don’t want him to think I’m an easy target.
I choose a pair of shoes to accentuate the positives. I absorb the whole picture in the mirror swaying to the unheard music in my head. I’m actually feeling like the belle going to the ball. My chariot is waiting for me with the stretch white limousine a nice way to give this evening some sophistication.
I grab a sweater in case there is a chill in the air. My purse is there discarded on my bed surrounded by many of my stuffed animals from childhood. It makes me feel comfortable to keep those childhood memories alive.
“I know I’m late and I have no excuses,” I declare while moving around to give him a better idea of the reasoning of my late departure.
“I’m in no position to complain. You look absolutely amazing. I’m guessing this is your first time in a limousine. Tonight is going to be many firsts. This is only the beginning,” He reveals the inside of the limousine with a bottle of champagne chilled on ice.
“You didn’t have to go to all of this trouble for me. It looks like you don’t do anything unless you go all the way. I’m not easily impressed, but you sure do know how to make a good first impression on a date,” I blurt out not realizing I have put a label on what is supposed to be a casual outing.
I duck my head and get into the limousine feeling like a princess being pampered with the finer things in life. The champagne tickles my nose and I feel the effects like it is connected to my vein intravenously. I can’t help to indulge feeling a little overwhelmed by his presence.
“It’s not easy to get box seats to the ballet. I had to call in a lot of markers, but seeing your face light up like the 4th of July when I mentioned it makes it worth it. I have connections, but I barely ever use them because I never have the time. You make me believe in making time for what is important. If you haven’t guessed it by now, you are what is important,” He tempts me with fresh strawberries covered in a dollop of whipped cream.
I didn’t refuse his offer and I plucked the strawberry from his fingers with my tongue touching the tips in an effort to get every single drop.
I snap up my head to the side afraid of the signals I am giving him. He doesn’t seem to notice, but I can tell the awkward silence is deafening to the both of us. I shift nervously in my seat, looking out the window desperate to find something we can talk about without resorting to work.
His hand touches me and I can feel the warmth of his fingers on my trembling flesh. My panties become moist and I don’t dare show him my excitement. He will get the wrong idea and determine it’s the right time to strike.
I want him to, but I can’t voice my desire without looking cheap and tawdry.
“I’ve been to the ballet a handful of times and it’s always a spectacle. I confess this is the first time I have gone with someone else. It’s hard to find anybody in my close circle of friends who are interested in the arts. I have to drag them kicking and screaming to an art exhibit. They only humour me, but the same thing can probably be said for you,” I surmise not wanting him to confirm or deny my suspicion.
His fingers felt nice but wickedly evil at the same time. I’m almost begging him to slip under the cover of my dress to find me soaking wet and hungry for more. There’s just so much a woman can take before she gives in to what she harbours for the most.
“It must get lonely to go to these things stag. You have an open invitation anytime you want to use it. It’s my pleasure and my privilege to have your company tonight. This is going to be fun,” He utters with his fingers massaging my knee.
“I hope you’re not just saying that to get into my pants. I’m not that kind of girl. I thought you knew that about me, but it bears repeating. Nothing is going to happen between us. If this is your intention then maybe tonight isn’t such a good idea. We can go our separate ways. No harm done,” I said defensively not wanting to be another notch on his bedpost.
“I would never assume anything. We can still have fun with our clothes on. It won’t be the same, but I’m willing to try something different. Let’s see how the evening goes. You can always take a taxi home if you feel I’m not living up to your lofty expectations.” He said with his words cold and impersonal.
“I’m sorry, but I think it’s a good idea to be clear about these things. I have never given you any indication I want more than your company tonight,” I said while peeling his fingers off of my leg even though I didn’t want to.
“I can take a hint.”
“Don’t be like that. Let’s forget about this ugliness and enjoy the evening. I’m looking forward to this and I’ve heard nothing but good things. The reviews have been amazing. I want to see if it lives up to the hype. The story is as old as time itself. Boy meets girl, parents disapprove and then love conquers all,” I said with my back toward him.
“That is naïve and a fairytale parents tell their children at bedtime. The truth is more than a little jaded. I’ve never prescribed to the happily ever after. Women are the only ones who buy into the white picket fence. Sex, on the other hand, is less complicated. It can be all about the pleasure without the trapping of a ring on the woman’s finger,” He huffs and throws his hands in the air in frustration.
I can understand how men can feel the same way Tyson did. On the surface men were after one thing. It didn’t have to be that way. I want respect and the kind of unconditional love women dream about. Most settle for the path of least resistance.
It’s those women that give love a bad rap. They want the same thing, but they don’t want to be alone. I’m happy to live a life of celibacy. I’m no stranger to the stories of lust from my friends. They don’t know it, but I live vicariously through their explicit words.
“I’m sure you believe what you are saying. It saddens me to see how far society has fallen. There’s no such thing as romance. It’s all a game to see how fast you can seal the deal. Don’t sit there in judgement, because you know it’s true. The days of meeting and waiting until marriage is over,” I exclaim with a bit more conviction than is intended.
“I actually have friends who swear they never should have gotten married. It makes a guy take a cold hard look in the mirror,” He said with the glass of champagne in his hand.
‘That’s precisely the problem. Men have been conditioned to look for someone that reminds them of their mother.”
“Yes, but women are the same way. They want to find someone like their father. You might not believe it, but it’s true. I’ve seen the proof for myself,” He counters and I can’t argue against his reasoning.
“It looks like we are at an impasse. Both of us think we are right and nothing is going to change our minds. This is a touchy topic and maybe something to avoid in the future,” I advise with my finger touching the invisible ring I always wanted.
He held my chin and made me look at him. I don’t know what he is going to do. I’m prepared to reject him again. I can’t look at him without thinking about the kiss.
The fire that came over me altered my perception of the first kiss. It was all-encompassing and had me in its grip.
I lean forward and kiss him out of the blue. It is highly erotic and has me foraging my tongue into his mouth. I can tell he’s not ready for it. It surprises him, but no more than it surprises me. I can’t take it back and I don’t want to.
The heat of our exchange and the anger of our words bubbled to the boiling point. I was either going to slap him or kiss him. It turns out the latter is more pleasurable and much more satisfying.
I pull away from him stunned at how easily I have succumbed to his advances. The kiss is even hotter the second time around. I really didn’t think it could get any better.
I gasp when his finger slips under the dress and my panties in that order. His eyes go wide when he penetrates and finds resistance.
“Holy fuck….you’re a virgin,” He moans and holds my gaze with his eyes bugging out of his skull with his mouth parted in what I can only describe as being a deer in the headlights.
The cat is out of the bag. I didn’t expect him to go that far, but I’m to blame for letting him get finger deep inside me. I have no idea where to go from here.