| |
I had never met the man but one of our journalists had interviewed him for our July issue and everyone had been talking about it for ages and unfortunately I was in the Bahamas on a week long getaway with some “close” friends, who just happens to be the owners of the newest night club in New York City, who were treating me to a sample of their latest French dessert which they added to their menu recently, so I was not introduced to him. From what I heard however he was quite a charmer and invited the camera crew and everyone who helped in the interview out to dinner.
I entered the lobby of the spacious gallery at twilight wearing my new Gucci silk wrap around my black cashmere knit dress that clung to my curves in a mildly seductive manner, and wondered where my gracious host could be. I spied some fellow fashion and art enthusiasts and ventured over to say hello.
I spent half an hour wandering around mingling with New York’s finest in the industry and occasionally doing what I came here to do, appraise fine art. I eventually bought a rather lovely portrait of a European countryside that set me back close to a quarter million. I stood staring at a rather unusual clay figure trying to guess what it was when someone said close to my ear, “What do you figure it is? I can’t guess,” he chuckled heartily.
“Well, I figure it was a rather bad attempt at an ice skating pig,” I replied laughing as I faced the speaker. He was tall with the most intent eyes I have ever seen, dazzling with mischievous flecks of green in them. His smile was wide on his generous mouth and all the noise seemed to disappear into thin air as he took my hand and introduced himself, “Elijah Thorton, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you.”
“The pleasure is all mine Mr. Thorton,”
“Elijah, please, I feel like we’ve known each other so long there’s no need to be formal,”
“Then you may call me Sam or Samantha and I feel the same way,”
“Feel the same way about what, Sam?”
“Knowing each other so long although we only just met, do you have that effect on everyone you meet?” I told him a playful smile teasing my lips.
Now, now Sam this is not an interview why don’t we just talk some more about this amusing sculpture and we can discuss certain aspects of our lives over dinner tomorrow night say seven?”
That settled it and we spent a lovely evening talking a bout crazy-looking sculptures and our purchases of the evening and as I had an early meeting with the executive body of Finish Line shoes, I said good night and drove home.
The following day was just as hectic with our November issue out on newsstand s everywhere in two days and with printing coming up short on the required copies for each sector the office was a twister of paper, catalogs, interns and models. When I answered my telephone at about three-thirty I was expecting some more trouble that I would have to deal with.
“Samantha Quentin, ECHO magazine,” I said as cheerfully as I could.
“Wow, you sound stressed, need a break?” It was Elijah. I felt the beginnings of a smile coming to my face.
“Hello, this is unexpected and yes I need a break but I can’t take one right now we have pandemonium going on down here. You’re not calling to cancel dinner are you?” I hoped that I didn’t sound as distressed as I thought I did. I didn’t notice it but I’d been anticipating it since he’d suggested it the night before.
“Oh no, I just wanted to ask you if there was anyplace you would like to go in particular and if not if Candelabra would be okay?” My pulse quickened a little.
“Wow, that sounds great but can you get reservations? It is a bit last minute.”
“Don’t worry about it so I’ll pick you up by seven, will you be ready?”
“Of course. I will” After he hang up it seemed that all the problems at the office worked themselves out and I was out of the office at five , something that hadn’t happened in over a year. When I got home I ran a hot bath and slipped into a white chiffon ankle-length robe that exposed a generous portion of my back and just the right amount of cleavage. I applied some scent and pinned my tresses up with a few loose strands elegantly framing my face.
I completed the look with dangling earrings and some sheer lipstick. I was adjusting the strap of my two inch pumps when the doorbell rang. A quick glance at the clock told me he was ten minutes early, a great start. I opened the door to a stunning dressed Elijah holding a large bouquet of tulips and a huge grin.
“You look fantastic,” he said placing a light kiss on my cheek.
“You clean up pretty well yourself, thank you,’ I said as he handed me the tulips, “they’re beautiful.”
“I thought roses would be inappropriate since I haven’t declared undying love.” I looked at him wondering if it was jest or if he was silently hinting at something more.
“Are you ready to go ?” he asked before I could decide and give my answer. I nodded and grabbed my purse. Outside a limo was waiting, I was truly impressed and he seemed to like that. We drove to Candelabra and he opened my door and escorted me inside leading me lightly by the arm. He chatted to with the host as though they were best of friends and we were shown to our table with such promptness I hardly realized that we were at our table until Elijah was pulling out my chair for me.
We spent the evening chatting lively and flirting unabashedly. After dessert he took me by the hand and told me he did not want the evening to end. He then asked if I would like to do something else. I consented and let him take me to a late movie. We bought popcorn and raisinets and I felt like a giddy teenager the entire time.
W decided to skip the limo and take a walk back to my flat. Elijah was the perfect gentleman and placed my arm in his and leaned in close to speak to me, so close that I could smell his cologne and got a whiff of his shampoo. I was a bit distracted when he asked me the question that I did a slight double take and had to ask him to repeat it.
“Will you be my date for the Policeman’s Gala tomorrow night and maybe on other nights, if you would do me that honor?”
“Are you saying that you want to date me, Elijah?”
“Yes Sam that is what I’m asking you, will you do me the honor of being my girlfriend, listen to me I sound like a prepubescent “, he chuckled nervously then looked at me steadily and when I said yes he looked like a five year old on Christmas morning. He lifted me high and spun me around and kissed me on the lips, his lips molding with mine and sensually massaging my own.
|
|
