Authors: Kate Baum
Chapter 23
I never spent so much time getting ready for work. Vinnie’s flirting made me want to look as desirable as I could get within the confines of office wear. I chose a gray pencil skirt that I had never worn before. When I first brought it home after I bought it, I thought it might have been a little short.
Not today!
With my skirt, I wore a tight fitting Ivory silky shell that had a v-neck. I had only worn this shirt once before under a jacket because it made me look way too busty.
Not today!
It was a hot day for June and there would be no jacket to cover assets that Vinnie obviously appreciated. I chose decent length sandals with heels. The idea of the three block walk to work had me going for the conservative look when it came to heels.
On my way to the office, I saw the Aunt Jemima lady hawking her roses. I remembered that Ivy had a milestone today. Her college was showcasing the documentary she worked so hard on. She won best in her class. I was so proud of her. She said she was stopping by to pick up Jamal before the 12pm showing. On a fluke, I decided to buy her a rose.
“Who are you buying for lovely one?” asked Aunt Jemima as she watched me reach into my purse.
“A friend who deserves a congratulations. She won an award for a project she put her heart and soul into.”
“Roses are always a beautiful gesture. You are a kind friend. Now, let me ask you. What color speaks to her spirit?”
It was just then that I noticed an orange color that she didn’t have the night she was in front of my dorm when Vinnie walked me home.
“Oh, this color is perfect. I’d like to buy three of those.”
“Why this color?” She asked as she started to tie them together.
“I see this color when I envision my friend. She is bright and warm. It makes me think of her spirit. She’s an incredibly creative person.”
“Very good choice. You have an eye for this.” She says as I pay her and she gives me the roses. “I remember you. Your man picked out a rose that was perfect for you.”
“Yeah, it was pink.” I snorted.
“You did not like?” She asked.
I felt guilty like I was insulting her. “No, it’s not that. I just thought he viewed me like a little girl. That’s why he chose pink as opposed to something more romantic like red.”
“Your face is flushed as you talk about him. Are you still sure that is how he feels?” She smiled as if she already knew.
“Yes, well things are progressing.” I smiled back shyly.
“That is good. You looked at his selection the wrong way. Red was not the right color, silly girl. Red is for relationships already established. Pink is for hope. It is for one who wishes a beginning. By the way that man was looking at you, I could clearly see that was exactly what he wanted.”
I practically skipped all the way to work.
Within an hour of opening the office, Jamie strutted in. He collapsed in the chair by my desk and said “Spill it girl!”
I thought I had no problem talking to Jamie about anything. We’ve had some pretty frank conversations. I didn’t even blush in the past when I described some of Anthony’s hard core porno scenes I walked in on. He shared some of the scenes he walked in on when he had to tail a couple having an affair. It seemed like we could discuss sex so freely.
Yet, somehow I was having a hard time talking about just sitting on Vinnie’s lap in his car without blushing.
“Grace you’ve got it bad.” Jamie grinned.
“It’s just mild flirtation, Jamie.”
“Vinnie doesn’t do mild flirtation. You are the woman that finally broke through. Luke and I think this is just too romantic.”
“Yeah well, nothing happened so you and Luke can go find some sappy movie to watch to feed your fantasies.”
“Why do we need to do that when the real thing is sooooo much more interesting.”
“You’re a troublemaker.”
“No, just a hopeless romantic.”
Me, too but I’d never admit it.
An hour later, Vinnie came in. I was so nervous about this moment. Would it be awkward? Would I stammer and blush and make a fool of myself?
His smile immediately disarmed me. “How’s my little girl?” He asked slyly.
“Aaah, starting out the day by teasing me. Good move, Vinnie.” I answered in the same manner as he.
“Now that is awful foolish of me isn’t it?” Again with that sinful smile. Right then I wanted to jump on him.
Then, of course, Jamie had to ruin the moment. He walked back into the lobby carrying some files for me.
“Hey Vinnie. Next Friday night, Luke and I are going to take Grace to an S and M club. You know the type. Bondage, handcuffs, spanking her naked ass. It’ll be another opportunity for you to rescue her.”
The gay man was now a dead man.
Vinnie didn’t bat an eye, “No problem, Jamie. Just give me the address.” And then he walked off to his office.
Right at that moment, a client walked in to meet with Anthony. I mouthed “You are dead” to Jamie before I went back to get Anthony. Jamie laughed all the way back to his office.
I walked Anthony’s client in and even got the man a cup of coffee. I hated feeling like a secretary but it was turning out to be my dream job in more ways than one. I guess the least I could do was to get a client a cup of coffee.
As I was walking back to my desk, Vinnie called me into his office. I barely got in the door before he quickly pinned me against the wall. I squealed in shock and he shushed me in my ear.
“Anthony has a client, Grace. Don’t make a scene.”
“Okay, big bad man. What do you want with me?” I was trying to be coy and seductive right back even though my pulse was racing.
“Handcuffs and spankings? I thought you were a nice girl.”
“Very funny, Vinnie. No, I’m afraid when you hear spankings, you’re getting me confused with Anthony.”
Then, he released me to laugh the loudest I think I’d ever heard. “You’ve got Anthony’s number, that’s for sure.”
I heard the phone ringing and ran back to answer it. It turned out it was someone inquiring about services so I was on the phone for awhile. When I got off the phone, I saw Anthony asking Vinnie to join his meeting. I was relieved for a chance to cool down. At that point, I was becoming overheated with the sexual tension.
I wasn’t sure what was happening between Vinnie and me but I sure was enjoying it.
Chapter 24
I finally admitted to Dee, Janie, and Eve, about my growing relationship with Vinnie. I had to. Things were progressing. They were furious with me for not telling them sooner. I covered it up by saying I had no idea he was thought of me as anything but friends which was close to the truth. I never thought a guy like him would show an interest in me.
He was being quite obvious that he wanted to share more than friendship. As often as he could, he would walk me home after work. Sometimes we would get a bite to eat together afterwards.
He even started to call me on the weekends. One Saturday we rented bikes. Another one, we took a boat to the Statue of Liberty. I found it interesting that we never went out at night. We just hung out during the day or for a brief time after work. He never tried to kiss me either which I found frustrating. He was really trying to take it slow.
I did notice, however, that he touched me any chance he could. He held my hand when we crossed the street. He stroked my back while we were waiting in line. When we were sitting on a park bench or a table, he put his arm around me.
One night I poured out my annoyance at the lack of progress to my girlfriends. Vinnie and I had been seeing each other like this for two weeks now and still no kiss.
“Today, he called me and told me he was taking me somewhere but it would be a surprise. I had no idea how to even dress.”
“How about dressing in naughty lingerie?” Dee asks.
“Well that’s the problem, Dee. We haven’t gotten to the point where he would even see sexy lingerie under my clothes!”
“No, I didn’t mean
under
your clothes. I meant answering the door in nothing but lingerie.”
“You are definitely reading too many of those trashy romance novels, Dee. Please continue, Grace, I am dying here about the surprise.” Janie says excitedly. It was nice to see Janie’s spark again.
“Well the surprise was that he took me to the museum of crime and punishment.”
Eve gasps. “Grace, you love that kind of stuff! This guy is totally into you!”
“He acted like I was the only one in the room. You have got to picture this six foot four tough guy holding my hand while we walked through the exhibits. Every time we would stop to read one of the standing panels, he would lean into me. I swear his body heat was driving me insane.”
I watched as three women simultaneously sighed at the same time.
“Then what happened when he took you home?” Dee asked hopefully.
“He drove up to my dorm, told me it was one of the best days he ever had, then stroked my cheek with his thumb and said goodnight. Now I am going to kill myself out of sexual frustration.”
“Stop it Grace, this is so sweet. He is courting you.” Eve gushes.
“You have got to see this guy’s body and then you will know why I can’t wait much longer. Jamie told me that Vinnie spends hours at the gym after work. Believe me gals, you can tell. He is more than built. He could be casted in a movie as Hercules tomorrow.”
“He is rich too. I bet that helps.” Dee snickers.
“Grace isn’t looking for a man for his money. She will make her own money one day.” Eve chastises.
“I have tried to buy my own lunch or at least pay half but he has a fit so I just gave up.”
“He sounds like a dream.” Janie practically moaned.
“He is a dream but now he is trying too hard to make me the total opposite of the trash he grew up with. He is handling the situation like I am some fragile flower that is going to break.”
“Okay, it’s time to solve this right now.” It didn’t take long for Dee’s domineering side to come out. “Grace, we need to find the ideal situation where you can get him back to your dorm room so you can make the first move.”
“I’ve already thought of one.” I smile slyly.
“Oooh, this is getting good.” Janie claps her hands.
“I won’t be seeing him this weekend because it is Ivy’s bachelorette party but the following weekend….” I pause for effect. “….is the wedding. It is in New Jersey so we all are getting hotel rooms. The reception is conveniently located in the same hotel. You see where I’m going with this?”
“You do have a plan to get him back to your hotel room?” Eve snickers.
“He is protective of me so
of course
I will have to ask him to walk me back to my room when the wedding is over.”
“Well of course!” Janie adds.
“Don’t forget the naughty lingerie.” Dee reminds me.
I am so ready.
Chapter 25
I was disappointed that I wouldn’t be seeing Vinnie this weekend. I hadn’t realized how much time we had been spending together until I saw that there would be two whole days without him. However, I promised Ivy the weekend would be all about her.
India was the only family she had in the area. Ivy, India, and Jamal were all from Detroit. I guess India’s parents were not that accepting of her sexual orientation. Those stories always make me so sad. How could you ever push away your child just because of who they love?
When Ivy decided to go to NYU for graduate school, it only made sense that India would follow, I definitely know why Jamal came out here. When you saw Ivy and Jamal together, their love and affection for each other was incredibly real. It made me believe in true love. It made me want it one day.
Ivy and Jamal did have some family coming in. They decided that the reception was going to be in New Jersey because it was less expensive than New York. Many of their relatives were flying into Newark and going right to the hotel. It wasn’t going to be a big wedding. Ivy said there would be 60 people attending.
Her bachelorette party was going to be small. She had two good friends through her classes at NYU that would be coming. Then there was India, Mindy and me. I thought six people would be perfect for a fun weekend out.
On Saturday, Ivy, me and one of her NYU girlfriends, Janet, were going to go shopping and then the rest of the group was meeting us later at Ivy’s apartment. We were then renting a limo to take us to a club. I had never been in a limo before. I didn’t tell anyone though because it was just one more area I was inexperienced in. Still, to say I was delirious at the thought of finally riding in a limo was an understatement.
The club was one that Ivy and India had been to on occasion. Ivy is not a big fan of the New York City club scene. Tonight though, she was in the mood to celebrate her last weekend as a single woman. I wasn’t surprised about the choice of the club. Ivy was extremely protective of her sister. I knew she wanted to make sure that India and Mindy could dance together and hold hands without any problems. I had heard from Jamie that the club she picked was welcoming to both gay and bisexual people.
I had a boring black tank dress picked out to wear that night. With the stress of finals and then all the time I was spending with Vinnie, I hadn’t thought about buying a dress. I brought it over to Ivy’s place because we all were going to get ready there. My head wasn’t into what I should be wearing out to New York City nightclubs. When I looked at what I brought, I realized I would probably be underdressed.
It was Ivy’s idea to go shopping today. She said she was in the mood to buy something racy. It was her last weekend as a free woman so she wanted to flaunt it. I thought this attitude was amusing. She was so dedicated to Jamal. What was she talking about with this last night to be free comment? I was enjoying how that independent woman was getting all traditional with her pre-nuptial celebration.