That evening Victoria took special pains to look her best. Tom had booked her into a really nice hotel. The bathroom alone was probably costing him an arm and a leg. It had double black porcelain sinks dropped deep into a dark green marble top. The middle of the marble counter dipped down into a make-up table with a pull-out drawer for storage. On the wall hung a swing-out mirror with lights for make-up application and a small embroidered stool under the vanity. As Victoria sat on it in nothing but a black lace bra and matching panties, she carefully applied her make-up. Her hair had been dried, well brushed, and swept out behind her in a healthy glowing red mane. Her nails were perfectly manicured and lacquered subtle silver, just like her toes.
When finished, Victoria went to the closer and carefully chose an outfit for the evening. As she flipped through the clothes hanging, she finally came across it ... a tight black pantsuit, not skin tight, but tight enough to show off ample curves. The pants had a matching long sleeve jacket which was trimmed in black velvet. The jacket was just long enough to brush the top of her pants. The first four buttons were left open and the cleavage she revealed was enough to weaken the resolve of any man. But the only man she was interested in weakening tonight was Colin. She was wearing high-heeled black sandals tipped with silver to top off the whole outfit.
Looking into the full-length mirror on the closet door one last time, Victoria couldn't help but think of Colin's looks as well. Some of Colin's co-stars had described him as "absolutely awesome" and "aesthetically pleasing", but Victoria opted for stunner. How else would you describe a soulful face, poet's brow, cherub lips and ocean-blue eyes? He had eyes that could look right through you to your inner soul. His long hair constantly fell into his eyes, hinting of the sexuality that was about to burst out of him. His six-foot frame was long and lean like a panther. Victoria couldn't help but shiver in anticipation of the evening to come.
As the phone rang from the front desk, informing her that she had a visitor in the front lobby, Victoria took one last look in the mirror, mentally calming herself. Taking one last look behind her, she closed the door and headed for the elevator.
Colin made a good first impression by arriving on time with a black stretch limousine complete with chauffeur and security. Victoria was impressed but also nervous. "Wow!" was all Colin could get out at first. He watched the long legs striding gracefully, the firm breasts in the black jacket, and the eyes that were locked to his. Christ, she was beautiful! And he smiled to himself as suddenly she stood there, looking up at him as sexy as he had ever seen anyone be. He held out his hand, taking hers and lifting it to his lips. Looking down at her as his lips slowly caressed her fingers, he said, "You are beautiful."
"Sorry I kept you waiting." She smiled and her voiced seemed deeper, sexier than it had been this afternoon. "I hope you haven't been waiting too long."
His blue eyes reached deep into hers. He smiled a smile that melted women's hearts, and if not their hearts, their resistances. It was a half smile ... a smile that touched his lips and his eyes. "Some things are worth waiting for."
She laughed. "Thank you, Colin."
"Are you ready?"
"As ready as I'll ever be," she said, slipping her arm into his as they walked outside to the waiting limo. He offered her something to drink in the limo, but she turned it down. "I don't to a lot of drinking."
"Smart girl," he said as he poured himself one. Victoria watched him, wondering just how heavily he indulged. She didn't want her image of him to be shattered by finding out he was an alcoholic, but he just had the one in the car. When they arrived at Millennium, they were met by a small mob of screaming fans. It was Victoria's first introduction into a star's life and it took her by surprise. Colin seemed so calm in the midst of it all. They were quickly escorted inside by security and the bouncers at the club.
They had a good time, but she kept getting the feeling that people weren't sure she should be there and especially with him. Again, his friends were there and she was amazed at how immature they were. They danced like there were no rules ... running into one another, falling on the floor, gyrating against each other and whoever else came in contact with them, purposefully or not. She kept her distance from them most of the night and danced exclusively with Colin. His friends tried many times to ask her to dance, but she always turned them down graciously, feigning thirst or weariness.
When he wasn't acting like a fool with his friends, Victoria observed that Colin was really a good dancer. She had heard and read through some tabloids that he had been tossed out of some clubs for dancing inappropriately and now she could see why. Watching him, she quickly came to the conclusion that that was fixable but not now, not when she had just gotten her foot in the door with him. She wasn't going to blow it by putting down his dancing or trying to change him, at least not yet. Despite her surprise at how he danced and his friends appalling behavior, she had a good time and found out that she and Colin really were compatible. When she asked him about his ambitions, he admitted that he was not out to be a great movie star, but that he just wanted to be taken seriously as an actor and a professional. Victoria came to the conclusion that he just wanted to be good at what he did, not unlike her own ambitions; although, she DID want to be recognized as a great children's author.
When he took her back, Colin insisted on escorting her up to her room. He came in close like he was going to follow her into the room, but Victoria was determined to make him wait ... to anticipate another chance to go out. She unlocked the door and turned around. "Thank you for a wonderful evening. I had a lot of fun."
"Aren't you going to invite me in?" he asked, peering over her shoulder.
She smiled. "I would, but I'm really tired and I still have a lot of work to do before I can retire for the evening."
"You're not seriously going to work, now?" he asked, eyeing her with admiration. The way he towered over her gave him a terrific view down her jacket. "If the problem is sleep, I'll be glad to keep you awake for a little longer." He watched her reaction with a sparkle in his eye.
"Now Colin, we just met and if I didn't know better, I'd say you were trying to take advantage of me," she teased.
One of his eyebrows shot up as he jokingly asked her, "You're not serious about this 'I'm an old-fashioned girl from Texas' routine, are you?" He looked very surprised when she answered yes.
"Mr. Mengatti, you'll have to ask me out again if you ever hope to see the inside of my hotel room."
"Is that your way of telling me you'd like to go out again?" He leaned in a little closer, so close that Victoria's breath caught in her throat as she stared at inviting lips that hovered just above her. "You're not going to get rid of me without a good-night kiss." She watched him for a moment.
"That comes on the second date as well," she admitted softly, but inwardly hoping he wasn't taking her seriously. Before she could say anything more, he leaned forward and kissed her. It was a gentle kiss at first, but it was rapidly warmed by the passion she felt and then fact that he took her in his arms and held her fast. His grip was strong and his lips pressed hard against hers. She was breathless when she pulled away at last. She said nothing but the look in her eyes said it all as he kissed her again and then stood upright with a look of regret. But he knew his limits with this girl and he had already reached them. Another kiss like that and he would have torn off the black pantsuit and he didn't think he should do that.
"I think it's time for me to go." He smiled down at her with a tender look that warmed her heart. Inwardly he thought it was a nice change not to fall into bed on the first date. "You know," he said, reaching out to touch her hair. "It's been a long time since I've been out on a date with a woman who's in control of what she wants from me." Victoria laughed softly as he asked for another date.
"I'm not going to go out with you again if you're just doing it to get me into bed."
"Darling," he said, directly and honestly. "If I was only looking for someone to go to bed with, I would be here acting chivalrous." Victoria took it just as he put it, very matter of factly. She was old enough to know she wasn't the only girl interested in this handsome young man. He laughed as he saw her ponder what he had said. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You make me ready to find something other than sex." Again he stroked her hair as he watched her.
"Call me," she told him, her blue eyes holding his for a long moment and then she smiled. "I'll check my calendar for my next free night." Victoria knew, of course, that every night was free when it came to Colin but what fun would it be without a little chase and she wanted desperately for him to chase her. What he didn't know is that she was already caught. |
