Protect Me (12 page)

“Ok, you two are magicians.” Abbi gushed as she turned back towards the girls.

“Well it doesn’t hurt when you’re working on a beautiful canvas.” Judy gave Abbi a sideways glance. She would never be used to getting compliments, even if they came from one of her two best friends.

“Ok bitches, let’s get this party started! Here’s to a good night, with great people, and a rich bastard who is letting us on his yacht.” Ashley held two glasses out for Judy and Abbi before they all clanked them together in a toast.

The champagne was crisp and bubbled up her nose. Within second she could feel the bubbles go towards her head. As she went to take her second sip she heard the doorbell ring. She sat her glass down and eyed the two girls.

“Go answer it.” Judy whispered as if someone on the other side wasn’t supposed to hear.

Abbi made her way over to the door. Opening it she made contact with handsome blue eyes. Jeff stood at the door, more attractive than she remembered and it made her stomach do flips.

“My God woman, I should have brought better protection.” He said grinning.

Her mouth dropped open, talk about laying it out there. “Uh, well, uh.”

“I’m talking about the fact that I am going to have to beat guys off of you all night.” He said smirking.

“Oh, oh, ok I see.” Abbi’s cheeks flushed, good thing he cleared that up. “Well would you like to come inside or do you wanna stand at the door all night? We just opened a bottle of champagne if you’d like some.” She motioned him inside.

He wore a pair of black jeans along with dress shoes, a white dress shirt accompanied by a pinstriped tie, and his hair in the same faux mohawk he had worn at the club. With his muscular physique he looked red-carpet ready. His bright eyes shined as he took in the sight of her.

They made their way over to the kitchen where Judy and Abbi stood both with shit eating grins on their face.

“So you ladies must be Judy and Ashley, it’s nice to officially meet you.” Jeff extended his hand to both ladies.

“Yeah, we are the fearsome duo, which has now been extended into a threesome.” Judy laughed

“You could say we are like a three woman wolf pack.” Ashley joked.

“Ah, that was a great movie.” Jeff laughed as he took the champagne flute that Judy was offering him. “So are you ladies ready for a fantastic evening?” He slipped his hand around Abbi’s waist and pulled her close to him.

She shot a look up at Ashley who just winked. Oh man, if she was going to get through this night she was going to need more to drink.

“I know I am ready to eat, drink, and be merry. You think there will be plenty of single guys to choose from at this party? We really only need one.” Ashley shot Judy a glance before laughing.

“I am sure you won’t have problems finding a guy up for that kind of fun at the party.” Jeff said taking a sip from his glass.

After one last refill Jeff escorted the ladies down to the awaiting car. The chauffer made his way to the door opening it and ushering them in. It was slightly larger on the inside than it looked on the outside, with two bench seats facing each other. A small lighted beverage bar on each side of the benches filed with champagne and orange juice. Ashley and Judy sat opposite Jeff and Abbi. As soon as the car was off Jeff reached over and took Abbi’s hand. Giving her a slight squeeze of reassurance, again the butterflies knocked around in her stomach. She grinned up at him and took a sip of her drink. Ashley and Judy made conversation amongst themselves as Jeff leaned closer to Abbi’s ear.

“You look stunning tonight, I am glad you decided to come.”

“Thank you, you don’t look too bad yourself.”

“Eh, this old suit. I have had it since high school.” He said rolling his eyes before smiling. “When we get there I want you to meet my boss, he is a cool guy. And I will introduce you to some of the guys I work with also.”

“Sounds great, just schmooze and booze. I got it.” She laughed.

“Oh I will most definitely be showing you off tonight.” He pulled her hand up to his lips and kissed the back of it.

She shot another glance at the girls across from them. All they could do was smile, Judy mouthed to her that it would be ok as Ashley made an obscene gesture with her hand. Rolling her eyes at Ashley’s gesture of stuffing her mouth, she took Judy’s advice and breathed. So much that it probably sounded like she was in Lamaze class.

“You ok? You seem a little nervous.”

Oh no, there was no way she was telling him that this was her first date in years. Quickly she made up a lie. “Uh, um, I just don’t really like boats. I get sea sick sometimes. I don’t want to be chumming for sharks over the side.”

“Only you could make the word chumming sound sexy.” He leaned into her.

Keep that up and you will see just how sexy it is.
This was a mistake she should have just stayed home. She could have been in her pajamas reading a good book in her bed eating popcorn right now. But no, instead she let these two girls get her all dressed up to go dancing on a uber rich man’s giant yacht, with a guy who was laying it on a little too thick. She smiled up at him, as she leaned down into her chair. She grabbed her drink and tossed back the remaining liquid in her glass.

“Would you like some more?” Jeff held the champagne bottle up for her.

“Yes please.”

*****

Ryan made his way out of the office, heading downstairs to the main lobby of the building. It was already seven o’clock. A part of him didn’t feel like attending this party tonight, he could head home now and get in a good work out before finishing up some more work and heading to bed. After all, these international bids they had going on right now were top priority. A part of him knew that everyone going out tonight would have a great time whether he’d be there or not. But instead he made his way towards his black lifted 4Runner and set off in the direction towards the party.

Pulling up he parked and grabbed the garment bag hanging in the back of his truck. He would have to change here, not that his business suit wouldn’t be fitting attire, but he had told everyone that this would be a less professional atmosphere and he knew how people already had a hard time letting loose and having fun around their boss. With his change in clothing in hand he made his way into the small front office of the grounds. Behind the large desk sat a woman dressed in a navy blue skirt suit. She greeted him as he approached.

“Good evening Mr. Dixon, Is there anything I can do for you tonight?” She smiled up at him.

He couldn’t help but catch the innuendo, “Yes actually I need a place to change before I head out to the party do you have a room available?” He smiled courteously back at her.

“Yes we do, follow me this way.” She walked around the back of the desk and lead him down a small hallway, retrieving a key card from the inside of her suit jacket she slid it into the door turning the handle as it beeped accepting her code. She motioned for him to enter and lingered in the doorway. It was a small room with a twin sized bed placed against the side wall, he figured it to be the overnight staff quarters, but it would make do. He turned back to find her having not moved from the same spot she was in.

“Thank you, that will be all for now.”

“Ok, you let me know if you need anything else at all.” She winked as she left out of the doorway.

He had determined that the last thing he needed right now was another woman screwing with his thoughts. Sex craved or any other type, it had been everything in him not to think about Abbi the past few days. Tonight would be about having a good time, and mingling with his employees, he had just hired on a few new guys so it would be nice getting to know them. Under no circumstance was he letting Jace talk him into saddling up with anyone tonight. He quickly slid of out his business suit and replaced it with a pair of boat shoes, khaki pants, and a white polo shirt. He tucked his shirt in and put on his belt before zipping up his suit in the garment bag and heading back to the front desk.

“That was quick.”

“Yes, thank you for accommodating. Could you please have this sent back to my truck?”

“Of course Mr. Dixon. Are you sure there isn’t anything else I can do for you?”

“Yes I am sure, thank you. Have a great evening.” He said heading the opposite direction of the front desk.

“You as well sir. I will be here if you need anything.”

Man she was reaching. He never understood why women didn’t get the first hint. Though through all the reckless pursuits he had seen Jace go through, he guessed men didn’t do too well in that department either. He just always looked at women as more dignified than men, must be his mother’s influence.

Before making his way to the party he stopped to check on the caterer’s. He had ordered an array of different hors ‘devours, platters full of sandwich meats and cheese along with a multitude of other appetizers. He looked over the platters and dishes attempting to make out what each one was. He confirmed that they had stocked the alcohol and mixers well, one thing was for sure the guys that worked for him could put down some booze. After checking to make sure that everything was moving smoothly he made his way towards the party.

Colorful lights hung all around almost as if it were Christmas in the summer. Music from the DJ blasted into the night sky. There was already a handful of people milling about as he made his way up to the party. He noticed Jace standing to the side and walked up to him.

“Well boss man I think we are going to be having another exceptional party tonight. As always you have outdone yourself.” Jace slapped him on the back.

“Ha, well just make sure you’re not puking on your date like last year. That girl looked mortified. Didn’t she send you the dry cleaning bill?”

“Dry cleaning, shit, she sent me a bill for a new damn dress. Whatever woman pays $650 for a dress, is no woman I want to spend the rest of my life with. I need a bargain shopper.”

“Well good luck with that because you’re not going to find many of those around this town. And besides aren’t you wearing designer shoes right now. I am sure those cost a pretty penny.”

“Yeah, actually I have been meaning to ask you, isn’t it time for my yearly raise?” Jace elbowed him as the two men greeted a couple walking up to the party.

“Yeah we can talk about it, but it doesn’t mean you’re getting one. How’s everything inside?” Ryan scanned around the party noticing a few people partaking in the appetizers and drinks.

“Good, other than the fact that we should have hired some dancers or something. Slim pickin’s in there as far as ladies.”

“I told you that some of the guys are bringing their wives, I don’t think they would be too happy with strippers.”

“Oh come on, every woman secretly loves strippers.” Jace smirked.

“Maybe the women that you hook up with you kinky bastard.”

“I am just waiting for the right one to fall into my lap.” He paused briefly “Face first that is. Nothing wrong with taking a few test drives before you pick the right one.”

“Jesus Jace, your warped sense of relationships scares me.”

“Oh yeah, I forgot you were in love nowadays. Have you seen your dream girl lately?”

“No, just the other day at the grocery store.”

“Well you got her number right? Call her, set up a date.”

“The last thing I need right now is to be complicating things with a girl.”

“Yeah I hear you man. If it’s meant to be it will be right? Isn’t that the saying?”

“Yeah, that’s what I have been asking myself.” Ryan turned and headed towards the party, he really didn’t want to talk about this tonight. He was supposed to be having a good time. Before heading in he turned to Jace “Cast off at nine, right?”

“Yep, I already confirmed it with the captain and deckhands.” Jace turned and welcomed another couple making their way onto the yacht.

Abbi spent the rest of the ride to the Marina sipping on her drink and nervously laughing at all of the flattering compliments that Jeff had been giving her. She was relieved when the car finally pulled up in front of the main building.

“Show time ladies.” Jeff lifted his brows at Abbi as the chauffer opened the door.

As she stepped out of the car a few people walking past stopped and looked, as if expecting to see celebrities getting out. But even after they saw that it was her and not some well-known movie star, they still stared. It was making her feel a bit self-conscious. Was her skirt tucked into her panties? Brushing down with her hands in the front and the back to make sure, she realized it wasn’t. So what were they staring at? Then slowly it started to sink in that she looked that good. A beaming smile stretched across her face as the butterflies slowly started to go away. Tonight was going to be good night.

Ashley and Judy came up to her left side, Judy slipping her arm into Abbi’s. Jeff came up to her right side smiling down at her, and placed his hand on the small of her back.

“See, I told you I would have to beat them off of you.” His eye’s alight.

The group made their way to the side walk and then took the path leading towards the rows of boats. The marina was huge with hundreds of boats ranging in size and shape. Some large yachts, some medium sized fishing boats, but she could see from where they were standing, that one stood out in particular. It was eight thirty and the last of the pinks and oranges of the sunset were still swirled in the air. The yacht at the end of one of the piers was larger than any other one in the harbor. Twinkling lights strung all over the boat as the sounds of the music floated in the air. She could just make out the figures of people dancing as they began to make their way closer. The panoramic view was breath taking, almost as beautiful as the weather. A warm breeze blew gently, as the crisp salt air rolled over her skin.

This was it, she was going to jump in head first and hope she didn’t drown. Jeff had told her the boat would be casting off at nine p.m. sharply and wouldn’t return back to port until approximately two a.m. Once she was on, she was on for good. Excitement started to take over the feeling of nervousness, maybe it was the champagne she had been drinking, but oh well. She hadn’t let loose in a long time and tonight was a night about having fun and not worrying about bills or having enough money for food. Not worrying about being stuck in a small town where she would never have the chance to get out, she had done it. She had left and taken the world by the balls.