Saving Dallas (12 page)

“Do you really want me to go, Dallas?”
he asked in his dark, raspy bedroom voice. 
I couldn’t answer.
 
I was trying to concentrate on not
convulsing into an orgasm from his closeness.
  “You don’t like me taking care of you?”  He kissed me further down my neck, pausing when he got to the base of my throat and then continuing back up.  “I could take real good care of you.  You need someone to look after you Dallas-

s
omeone to hold you when you cry, someone to satisfy your needs, someone who isn’t scared of a little intimidation.  Have any of your other boyfriends made you feel this way?”  He continued the torturous onslaught with his mouth by moving my robe off of my shoulder, loosening the belt that held it closed. My panting grew louder and a soft moan escaped my lips when he nipped my shoulder with his teeth.

“Look at me
,” he demanded, pulling my chin up so my eyes met his.
I could see that he was looking for an answer.  I knew deep in my heart what that answer was, but I couldn’t let him have complete control over me, especially after what he had done.  I was still wounded from the way he talked to me at the bar.  My heart still hurt from him sending someone to watch after me, when I knew that deep down if he was really worried about my safety he would have come himself.  Digging deep inside me, I found the courage to end this conversation before it took a turn for the worst. 

“You need to leave
, now.”  My voice came out much harsher than what I intended.  A look of rejection and hurt passed over his face before he quickly hid it with his signature smirk. 

“Ok
babe, I’ll leave.  But, just so you know, I sure do miss that girl I met last week.”  He kissed me tenderly, almost reverently on the lips and walked out.  I stood in shock, staring at the now closed door.

Why did I keep doing this to myself?  If I wanted him, why did I put myself through such misery?  There was nothing wrong with me falling for him.  Why couldn’t I put my stubbornness aside and actually
enjoy something in life for once?
 

By the time Lindsey walked back into the room I was dressed and ready to leave.  She took the silent hint and dressed quickly, grabbing a bagel before heading out the door.  I spe
d from the parking lot, hoping to get away from his lingering smell and presence, but not before seeing him watching and waiting for me from the side of the building.  Without a second thought, I pushed my rearview mirror up, blocking the sight of him. 
If only it were that easy with my heart
. 

Chapter 9

I pulled up next to Lindsey’s car at the office. We had not
spoken since we left the hotel, and the awkward silence between us was becoming more and more uncomfortable.  She gave me a weak smile and got out.  I stayed to make sure she was securely in her car, and then pulled into traffic to head home.   I couldn’t wait to crawl in my bed, in my dark bedroom and shut the whole world out for the next forty-eight hours. 

A week ago, I knew exactly who I was.  L
ife had given me just what I expected it too.  Then, like a whirlwind, Luke had appeared and turned everything upside down.  Now, I didn’t recognize the girl I saw in the mirror every morning.  Every second of every day, I thought of him.  I was happy and smiling, for no reason.  He had changed me.  In the small amount of time that I knew him, he had reminded me what life felt like.  How it felt to love and appreciate things that money could not buy.  He had given me Lindsey.  My friendship with her was one I knew would last forever.  He taught me humility.  I found myself doing things for people that normally I never would have.  He had impacted my life, yet I pushed him away.  For what?  Because he didn’t want me driving home drunk?  Because he made sure I was taken care of?  Did he not warn me not to be flirting with other men?  I blew it.  The only man who could ever potentially love me and capture my heart was now out of the picture. 

Maybe I did need someone who wasn’t scared of my intimidating ways and who could take care of me.  I decided right then that if God was gracious enough to give me another chance with him, I would not push him away.  Well, not for the things he had done in the past anyway.  We would definitely discuss it, but I would not run from him.  Hattiesburg was a small town.  Surely I would
bump into him.  But, what if he no longer wanted me?  What if I had ruined my last chance?

  My phone rang out over the loudspeaker
, and without even seeing who it was; I hit the call button on my steering wheel. 

“Dallas Knox
,” I answered in my Monday thru Friday monotonous tone. 

“Do you always answer your phone like that?” Lindsey asked disapprovingly. 

“No, it normally rings only on work days.  What is it?” 

“Well,
I wanted to remind you of the Mayor’s daughter’s engagement party tonight.  We sent an RSVP.  Do you want me to cancel?” Lindsey asked, regret filling her voice.

Who was I to ruin her
weekend?
  “No, don’t cancel.  I’ll be there.  Arrange for us to have a limo.  Y’all can pick me up at six.” 

“A limo?
” Lindsey asked shocked, as if it was the first time I had asked her to get one.  “Don’t you think that is a little over the top for an engagement party?”

“It’s a black tie isn’t it?” I snapped.

“Yes, it is.  I apologize.  I don’t know where my head is.  I’ll arrange for it to be here at five-thirty and we’ll be at your place by six.”

I hung up the phone with
out a goodbye.  Lindsey was my friend, but business was still business and I didn’t like to be questioned.  Hell would freeze over before I showed up driving my own car while some of my most prestigious clients and competitors looked on.  I agreed to this dinner for one reason only.  Mayor Kirkley owned some properties that I was interested in purchasing.  I already had an investor looking for something in that area and if I could land it, it would mean a huge profit for the company.  Not to mention, that would mean that I owned over sixty percent of the commercial property in Hattiesburg.   Tonight I would put Luke out of my mind and focus on business.  If I was lucky, maybe some bachelor would come along and relieve some pent up stress.  No, nothing to remind me of Luke.  Tonight I would be the Dallas Knox I know.  Tomorrow I could go back to being the sap I had become
. 

After a nap, a bubble bath, and a quick masturbation session, I was completely relaxed and ready to begin dressing.  The limo would be here in an hour, which means we would arrive at approximately six-thirty.  Perfect.  The party started at six, so that would give the other guest
s plenty of time to arrive before my grand entrance.  I applied light make-up consisting of a little mascara, blush and a clear lip gloss and swept my hair into a knot just above my neck.  A few tendrils fell, framing my face, but still making my diamond teardrop earrings visible.  I chose a floor length, pale yellow, satin gown that had a small train.  The back was cut out and dipped low, starting right at the top of my perfectly toned ass.  It was borderline inappropriate, but still looked classy.  One row of rhinestones went across the back, right below my shoulders, keeping the dress held together.  The front was cut low, covering both my breasts, but leaving the space in between open.  I slipped on a pair of matching heels that were custom made just for the dress, grabbed the matching clutch and turned to look at the vixen in the mirror.  I would, without a doubt, be the talk of the town.  My tanned skin contrasted perfectly with the pale colored dress, and although I was covered, the outline of the dress left little unknown as to what was underneath.  I sprayed on my most alluring perfume and headed out to make every man in Hattiesburg envious of the husband I didn’t have. 

The limo arrived at exactly 6:00
p.m.  Henderson, the driver, quickly opened the door for me and assisted me by holding my hand while I sat. 

“You look lovely tonight Miss Knox
,” he spoke in his deep, yet warm tone. 

“Thank
you, Henderson.  You look well yourself.”  He smiled warmly, and then closed the door.  I looked beside me to see Lindsey gaping with her mouth open.  “You ok?” I asked.

“Uh,
you look hot, Dallas.  Like, really hot,” she said with real appreciation in her tone. 

“Thank
you.  You look beautiful yourself.”  And she did.  Her hair was swept up on top of her head and her black, strapless gown was stunning.  She smiled and leaned up, grabbing a couple glasses and a chilled bottle of champagne.  We toasted to the night, the business and friendship- then to Henderson, leather seats and the rapper 50 Cent.  Before we pulled into the Convention center the bottle was empty and we were both light headed and tipsy. 

This was no Hollywood movie premier, but for Hattiesburg, it was the main event.  The time people went all out to make an impression on the ever important, Mayor Paul Kirkley. 
Mayor Kirkley had been in office several years now, and had drastically improved the city.  Some considered him a celebrity. He even had an article written about him that was published in
Time
magazine.  His one and only child, Nathalie, was marrying her high school sweat-heart, Mason, the son of State Representative John Blunt.  Everyone who was anyone would be present tonight and I could not help but enjoy the attention that I drew once I walked through the door.  Grabbing a glass of champagne from the waiter, I made my way around the room smiling and making small talk with those I encountered.  Seated at my table for dinner, were two very important potential clients and their wives. 

By the time dinner was over, I
had successfully landed three new properties, gained two new clients, and made a generous donation to a charity that both clients’ wives were on the board of.  It felt good to be in control again.  It was amazing what you could accomplish with a smile, a low cut dress, and a check book.  Mayor Kirkley had been busy all night, but once his eyes landed on my dress, I saw my opportunity and took full advantage of it. 

“Mayor Ki
rkley, what a magnificent party.” I said cheerfully, kissing him on both cheeks. 

“Miss Knox, I
’m so glad you could make it.  Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, not being able to keep his eyes from my cleavage.

“Oh, yes.  Dinner was delightful and very rewarding.  Thank you for arranging the seating for me
,” I said with a wink. 

“My pleasure.  Will you save a dance for me later?”
he asked, eyeing me seductively. 

“I’m looking forward to it.”
  I turned and walked away, giving him a clear view of the back of my dress, then joined Lindsey for a drink-something a little stronger. 

I gladly
danced with everyone who asked.  You never knew when that person could be of assistance to you.  I danced with aldermen, firemen, county workers, and young bachelors, and not once did I think of Luke.  I had locked him in a box in the back of my sub- concious and was determined to keep him there until the night was over. 

Mayor Kirkley had fi
nally made his way around to me and I was anxious to get it over with, so that I could leave. 
I had approximately
three minutes to convince him to sell his land to me, and Mayor Kirkley was known for being a shrewd negotiator.
  “Ahh, finally I get to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room,” he said to me, sweeping me into his arms. He was a very good looking man.  His tall strong body was flawless.  He was once a bodybuilder, and when I placed my hand on his shoulder, I could feel his taunt muscles through his tuxedo.

“Well, I have to disagree with you Mayor.  It seems that Nathalie is by far the most beautiful woman in the room.” 

“She is nothing more than a child, but you are
all
woman.  Do tell me Miss Knox, why did you really come here tonight?  To try and acquire some land I have, I presume,” he said arrogantly. 

“Why
, Mayor Kirkley.  I am shocked that you would think such a thing.” I responded, appearing wounded. 

“Oh cut the shit, Dallas.  What do you want with that land anyway?”
he asked his strictly-business tone now in effect. 

“I
’m thinking of combining all of my offices into one building,” I lied smoothly. 

“Some of that land
, I could sell by the square inch.  It is in high demand right now.”

“And I plan to pay you top dollar.  It will be at least five years before the property has enough commercial business surrounding it to even be worth anything.  That is why I want to put my office out there.  It will be t
he only real estate company on Ninety-Eight.  Everyone else is downtown.”  I could tell that he was intrigued by my proposal.  He was going to have to sell the property soon anyway and everyone knew that if anyone could afford it, Dallas Knox could. 

“So there is no hot shot investor waiting to jump on the first opportunity to put a strip mall or other large business there
?” he asked curiously.

“Not that I am aware of
,” I lied again.