E-Volv

I knew I needed to leave soon. That sexy little stunt Shelly pulled would have derailed a lesser person. But I am not a lesser person. I was looking forward to meeting with Noel again. I looked around the room, careful not to make direct eye contact with anyone for too long. I only wanted to talk to one person. Where was he? The room was filled to capacity. Jazz musicians played on the recently vacated stage. Wine and drinks were still flowing. Little finger foods and desserts were being passed around, and the atmosphere was exuberant. There was a lot of... stuff..in this room, that's for sure. Suddenly, there was a lot of jostling and people rearranging themselves near me.

A tall elderly gentleman Shelly was flirting with called out to Noel, bringing him into a hardy embrace. It was obvious they were old friends. They spoke briefly about a business matter and then shared a laugh. The elderly gentleman took it upon himself to introduce everyone in his close proximity to the Savior of Metropolis Prime. I turned away as the introductions were being made to set the glass of wine I had been nursing down on the bar.

I turned back around just as the intros got to me and extended my hand, smiling.

"Hello Mr. Peterson, I'm Kelissa Hill. Wonderful speech."

Noel's eyes widened as recognition seeped in, and he politely took my hand but did not readily release it.

"Call me Noel" His eyes raked over my body with a hunger I had not expected, causing a momentary flutter in my stomach and a little moisture between my legs.

"Lovely dress and that pendant. It is a fascinating piece of jewelry," he cranes his neck a bit to get a better look.

Damn, she looks smoking hot, and I asked her to meet me for coffee. I should have had her with me on my arm tonight. I had no idea she cleaned up this nice. This is going to be a long, lonely night.

It doesn't have to be, I whispered in his mind.

But maybe it doesn't have to be...

"It's a family heirloom. It was my mother's." I said absently, reaching up to trace the circle of silver as it lay enticingly between my breasts.

His eyes... and a few others watching my every move.

"Can I get you a drink?" Noel swallowed hard.

"Oh no, thank you. I have one," I assured him.

Retrieving my hand back from Noel, I slowly turned around so they could all have a gander at my fantastic ass-tributes. I reached for my glass of wine that was on the bar.

Noel imagined tracing the curve of my spine with a piece of ice in his mouth, then placing a kiss where he ended up sending a little tingle up my spine.

I was flooded with mental catcalls, Damns, and some other things too perverted to repeat.

Really.. old dude? Now that is just nasty!...yuck! I shiver mentally.

Oh... reader, you want to know what he was thinking? Let's just say it involved his cane...moving right along.

I quickly tuned them all out and focused on Noel.

Noel made a noise in his mind that sounded suspiciously like a growl. I must admit it was sexy, primal even, laced with need, and it made me a little wet. This night was shaping up rather nicely.

Turning back around, I said, "I like your bow tie. It's very sexy. Did you tie it yourself?" remembering he was worried about it earlier when I accidentally ported into his shower. I sipped my wine, waiting for his response.

"Yes, yes I did," He said with a satisfied smile.

A bit of sadness crept in at the end as his mind flashed back to when his wife tied his bow ties. She was lovely from what I could briefly see. Nothing like the country bumpkin type Shelly alluded to. See how catty women can be for no good reason?

I reached up to touch his tie to bring his mind back to the present. He smiled. The brief wash of sadness now gone. I allowed my hand to linger, then slowly drew my hand down his chest to rest over his heart. It picked up speed. And there it was again. That rushing sound in my ears, and I could hear his pulse. I moved my hand away, and it subsided. My stomach knotted again like it had in the coffee shop. I felt warm, warmer than usual. Breathe, girl. Just breathe. I took a slow, steady breath hoping my face did not relay anything was wrong. But I was wrong.

"Are you ok, Miss Hill?" Noel asked.

"Fine, I'm fine. Maybe just a bit too much wine for one night. I think I'll get some water" I smiled, turned, and put the wine glass back on the counter, just as that pesky ache returned in my gums.

"Can I ever catch a break?" I thought, furious.

To the bartender, "a glass of Fillico, please" He brought out the beautiful chess piece-shaped bottles and looked expectantly towards Noel, who nodded. It would be a shame to drink such expensive water alone. After a few sips of water, I felt a little better, my stomach settled, and the ache in my teeth subsided. The roaring of Noel's pulse in my ears was much less evident.

Finishing my water, I made a move as if I needed to leave.

"I apologize. I am meeting someone," I announced, "I don't want to be late."

He looked momentarily surprised. I hope he has not forgotten our coffee date.

"Let me walk you to the lobby." he offered. I took his arm as he proceeded to lead me to the lobby.

I waved goodbye to Shelly as she covered her mouth and stretched her eyes wide in facetious surprise. I allowed Noel to lead and steer me through the crowd. It was more of a parting of the People Sea as everyone gave him space as we came through. A few stepped forward to clasp his back or shake his hand and reassure him they would make a sizable donation. He smiled and gave all of the expected courtesies.

"I had no idea you would be here this evening. I must say I was more than pleasantly surprised," Noel stopped walking. I turned to face him.

"I had no idea we were going to the same thing. I was a co-worker plus 1. You, on the other, were the man of the hour. I am still not sure we are at the same event." I said a smile in my voice.

"Yeah, that," He said, looking down at his Salvatore Ferragamo shoes and rubbing the back of his neck.

"I don't know what all that hype is about. I am a simple guy who likes a few niceties.

"Who may have saved a life or two," I added.

"There's that," He agreed; looking down at his shoes, he shuffled his feet, shoving his hands in his pockets.

We both laughed. If what they were saying about him was true. He had done no small thing, and he was not some ordinary guy.

"So what is it you do, Mr. Peterson?" I asked.

"I am a scientist—specifically more of a biologist. I try to develop vaccines to keep Metropolis Prime safe. Sometimes I do okay...sometimes I don't." He said, looking up.

Noel looked past me and ever so slightly shook his head. I gave him a questioning look. I craned my neck around to see what or who had caught his attention. I turned back to him as he answered my unspoken question.

"My security detail just checking on me," He paused. "They are annoying at times."

"You are obviously a significant man, an asset to Metropolis Prime," I said. "Now what did I overhear someone call you...Oh yes, The savior of Metropolis Prime," I finished with a smile.

"So you have heard that, huh?" He was actually embarrassed.

"I have nothing to do with that, and it is certainly not true. I just lent my support to finding a vaccine-"

"Saving hundreds of thousands of lives," I interjected.

"Yeah, I guess," he mumbled.

But not the two that mattered most. he said to himself

We made insignificant small talk for a little longer. I was too busy wondering if his bow tie would be long enough for later tonight

She is magnificent, and her laugh is so sexy. Noel noted

Noel spoke suddenly like he had just remembered something.

"You said you were meeting someone, and I promised to get you to the lobby." He grabbed my hand and continued down the hall towards the lobby.

"He's a lucky guy." Noel commented.

"Who?" I said, playing along.

"The guy that you are going to meet," He answered.

"I would definitely say so. I mean, look, have you seen how fab my ass looks in this getup?!"

We both shared a hearty laugh.

"Noel, I have had a lovely time, but I really need to get going. I would not want to keep him waiting. I mean, I could call and cancel, but I don't have his number...you understand? Don't you?" I said in my most apologetic voice—a smile threatening to erupt any minute now.

"Of course, we couldn't have you stand the poor guy up," He bantered right back. "That would be poor manners."

We finally reached the lobby.

Instead of stopping in the lobby, Noel sped up slightly, dragging me towards the front door, causing the doorman and valet to scurry into action.

"What are you doing?" I asked, a little unnerved by this sudden rash behavior. I wasn't in his mind at the moment and decided not to peek and allow myself to be surprised.

It's not fun if you know everything all of the time...now is it?

"Making sure you are not late for your date," He answered, smiling wickedly.

A hired car pulled up to the curb, and the driver rushed around to open the door for us. After assisting me inside the car, Noel shut the door behind me and spoke briefly to the driver. The driver got in and pulled off into traffic, leaving Noel on the curb, heading away from Metropolis Prime. I assumed we would just go around the block and come back for him and have a good laugh, but that was not the case at all.

"No worries, Miss, I will get you to your destination on time," the driver reassured me.

"Benton Street right, the little coffee shop over there is one of my favorites. Ooh... looks like we have a bit of traffic, but we will still meet your schedule," The driver promised.

"Thank you," I said, reaching up to close the privacy glass.

Obviously, Mr. Peterson liked playing games. So I sat back and enjoyed the ride in the luxury car. It had been a bit of a trying day, and honestly, I needed the solitude to resett and focus. I ran my tongue over my teeth. Nothing out of the ordinary, just a small ache remained. I was going to probably need to make an appointment with the dentist soon. For now, I would need to be on my toes for wherever and whatever this night would bring me.

To Be Continued...

©Venis Nytes