and his scent was intoxicating.
“Simon, I…I can’t go out with you.” Her voice was trembling, and she was having trouble concentrating.
“Elizabeth, you are a very beautiful woman with your head on your shoulders,” he whispered, pulling her closer to him. He wanted to assure her, not make her walk away from him. “I want that out of a woman. I want you. No actress, no model.”
Her head snapped back to look at him, and her mouth dropped open and closed quickly.
“You don’t know what to say, do you?” he asked as his hand went to her face, caressing it softly. Then he slid his fingers behind her ears, holding her head as he lowered his head. His hot breath was fanning her face, and she melted against him. Wanting to be kissed by him, she closed her eyes as she let out a long sigh.
His lips touched her lips, and the kiss was soft, almost like a feather. But she felt it all the way down to her toes. There were oohs and aahs in the crowd, but it did not matter. All she wanted to do was kiss him.
She returned the kiss and lost herself in the need. Longing built up inside of her, and she had been longing to be needed, wanted.
“Simon,” she whispered against his lips, “I will go out with you.”
What the heck, dating him might be fun, and would they just be making love?
“There is going to be more kissing,” he assured her against her lips. “We seemed to enjoy kissing each other.”
“This is happening so fast,” she said, feeling light-headed from the kiss and the wine. “I’d like to go home.”
“I could take you there,” he said seriously, watching her. She looked exhausted. What does this woman do to herself?
“I am exhausted, Simon. The drive here was an hour from my house.” She let a huge sigh. “This is your party. Don’t you want to stay?”
“It’s a fundraiser,” he stated as he led her to the entrance. “I have them every year. No one will miss me.”
“People will talk, Simon,” she said, almost in whisper. She did not want to be a rumor.
“Let them talk.” He laughed and added seriously, “I want them to know about us. I am not hiding this time. It’s my turn. And believe me, Elizabeth, you are going to be mine.”
“I am not a one-night stand or a plaything.” She had to say that. She wanted him to know, but she knew that this man was not that type.
“I didn’t think you were, and I would not treat you like that.” He let a heavy sigh as they walked outside, and he hailed a taxi. ‘So just get that out of your head. I would not hurt you. You’re the last person I would hurt.”
A taxi pulled in front of them and waited as he opened the door for her.
“I am going to let you go this time, Elizabeth,” he said as he cupped her face in his hands and kissed her deeply. She felt the kiss all the way to her toes.
“Good night. I will call you.” He released her, and she climbed into the taxi.
She watched him as the taxi was driving away and let out a heavy breath. She rubbed her face and turned to watch the taxi leave. Was she out of league with him? She felt her stomach twisting inside of her. She felt like this was a dream, but she could feel the kiss on her lips.
He watched the taxi drive away and shook his head slowly. He knew had to win her over, and he was planning to do just that.
The apartment came into view, and she released a heavy sigh. She was very exhausted, and she did not feel like doing anything except going to bed.
Her father was not awake when she entered the apartment, but he left the light on. She let out a heavy sigh. What a night!
A black car was sitting outside of Nichole’s apartment as she climbed out the taxi, and Gabriel Lafayette climbed out with her. They kissed passionately, but they did not notice the car. The young lover broke apart, and Gabriel climbed back into the taxi. The black car drove away quickly. Nichole watched the taxi drive away, and she knew she was going to have Gabriel eating out of her hand. This was the best thing she could do with her life; she wanted to turn it around and live life like Elizabeth. She knew she had to cut ties with her past. She walked into her apartment and into her bathroom. She glanced at the razor and the small mirror sitting on her vanity. There was small amount of cocaine left, and she closed her eyes. She did take some before the fundraiser, and she knew she had to give that up. She wanted a future, not a problem. Her stomach twisted inside of her as the urge grew, and she wanted more of the drug. It had a grip on her, and she had to free herself from her monkey before it controlled her. She threw it in the trash and hoped the urge would go away. But it did not. She was digging in her trash for the powder, crying, her hands shacking. She needed the drug, and fast. She was addicted and took the drug, not caring. All she cared about was the high and how it made her feel. No one knew about this, and she looked at her phone as she wiped her face. Her drug dealer was on speed dial, just in case. She needed more. Yes, more! That was what she cared about now. She would deal with Gabriel later and her goody-two-shoes life. She dialed her drug dealer, her heart pounding in her chest, and she began to sweat.
He answered on the third ring. “What do you need, babe?”
“More.” Nichole sniffed; her hands were shaking.
“Do you want to party?” he asked and laughed. His voice was gruff. “Come down. We will party together.”
“All right.” Nichole was willing to go to him. She had done that in the past. She always met him at his nightclub.
“Then come.” He laughed as he hung up the phone.
Yes! She was hurrying around, making sure she had everything, and left her apartment feeling like she could fly. She was going to stay up all night. She could sleep in.
Nichole woke up feeling like her head was on fire, and her stomach was being ripped into pieces. She found herself beside the drug dealer, and her eyes grew wide, and she was naked. She jumped out of bed, her heart racing. This was the first time she did something like this.
“You know where to come when you need more.” He laughed as she hurried around his apartment, getting dressed.
She was appalled and swallowed the gall that built up inside her throat. What the hell she was doing! Her life was spiraling out of control.
*****
The next morning, Elizabeth’s father was in the kitchen already making coffee and some croissants.
“Good morning, Dad.” She kissed him on the cheek and took some coffee and croissant.
“Good morning, my dear.” He kissed her on the cheek, and they both sat at the small table together. He was still dressed in his nightclothes. He looked good for his age—salt-and-pepper hair, and fit. He was still going strong at fifty-five.
“How was the fundraiser?” Dominic asked his daughter, glancing at her.
“Interesting,” Elizabeth said. “Nichole was with Gabriel, and I was with Simon Lafayette. He kissed me and asked me out on a date.”
