I saw the dark green dress out of the corner of my eye. Even in my periphery, I saw the contours of her body. And boy, was she smoking. There was a steep curve around her hips, giving her an hourglass figure. Her breasts were noticeable in the plunging neckline. I saw their shape and perkiness. And her legs. They went on for days. I absorbed all this information discreetly then felt myself get hard. Rock hard.
She sat beside me then looked around the box, unsure if she was in the right place. Then she looked at the ticket.
“It’s nice to see you again.”
She turned to me, her eyes wide. Recognition flashed across the surface of her face, and her cheeks started to tint slightly. I loved the effect I had on her. She was just as smitten as I was. Excellent.
“Hi…” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. The golden earrings in her earlobes shined bright, catching the lights overhead. When I studied her profile, I noticed her prominent cheekbones and the curve of her face. Up close, I could see the softness of her lips. If only I could feel them against mine…
“How are you?” I asked.
“Confused, actually.” After the initial shock of my presence passed, she regained her confidence. “Why am I here?”
I shrugged. “You tell me.”
“When I picked up my ticket, all my friends were placed in a different row. I was directed here.”
“It’s a better view anyway.”
She eyed me suspiciously. “I didn’t catch your name the other day.”
“Because I didn’t give it.”
Her eyes narrowed. “And what would it be?”
“Cash.”
“Cash?”
I nodded.
“Like Johnny Cash?”
I smiled. Only a musician would identify my namesake. “Prudence from the Beatles song?”
A grin stretched her face. She had perfect teeth. I loved perfect teeth. “Touché.”
I nodded to my private waiter in the corner. He stepped out and waited for my direction. “Prudence, what would you like to drink?”
She eyed the waiter apprehensively. “Umm…water is fine.”
“I’ll have a bottle of Vosne Romanee with two glasses. And a water, please.”
“Yes, sir.” He disappeared from the private balcony.
“Is that your servant?” she asked.
“No, just a waiter I hired for the evening.”
“Oh.” A strand of hair fell from her clip and grazed her face. She didn’t pull it away and I was glad. It was a classy touch. “Is that normal for you?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
“Do you always have someone serve you?”
“Not at all.”
She took her phone then sent a quick message, probably telling her friends she was fine. She rested her hands in her lap then looked straight ahead. “Did you arrange for me to sit here?”
“Would you think I was crazy if I said yes?”
A slight smile upturned her lips. “I’m not sure yet.”
“Take your time.”
The waiter returned with a tray. He placed the open wine bottle with the glasses beside me. I uncorked it and filled both glasses. After I handed one to her, I sipped mine. “Do you like wine?”
“I do.”
I waited for her to sip it.
She smelled it before she brought it to her lips. She savored the taste like a professional wine drinker. I knew there was more to her humble appearance. She was educated and refined. Her rock band was just a cover for that.
“Do you like it?”
“I love it.” She eyed the bottle. “And if I didn’t like it, I wouldn’t dare admit it.”
“Why?”
“Because I know that bottle cost a fortune.”
She must come from money. “You appreciate good wine?”
“My father does. He has a wine cellar where he stores it.”
I nodded. “And you’re close with him?”
“Not in the least.”
I wasn’t expecting that reaction. Was I supposed to question her about it? Was that too personal? Her unusual personality caught me off guard. I wasn’t on my game.
“How do you know so much about wine?” she asked.
“Just through time. I’ve done a lot of wine tastings.”
“Have you lived in California your whole life?” She leaned back in her chair but kept her back straight. Her posture was elegant and graceful. You would never expect her to play the bass like a rock star.
“Yes, but I travel frequently.”
“What do you do for a living?”
I always lie about this. I didn’t want to lie to her. It felt wrong, cold. But I didn’t have a choice. She might try to use me for my connections. It wouldn’t be a good idea. It never was. And I wanted to hold onto her as long as possible. In order to do that, I had to get her first. “I’m a business investor.” It was the most vague thing I could think of that wasn’t an outright lie. Most girls had no idea what that was.
“What firm do you work for? My brother works for Mitchell and J in London. He loves it.”
Damn…now I had to make something up. The women I dated didn’t usually ask for details. “I’m a private sector for Hillberg.”
She nodded. “Respectable place.”
Did this girl know everything? I decided to take the offense. “Do you love living in London?”
“Umm…yeah. I’ve lived there my whole life so I have nothing to compare it to.”
Her hesitance announced the presence of a backstory. It didn’t seem like she cared for her homeland. “Do you like it here?”
“I’ve been here for less than a week,” she said with a laugh. “I really couldn’t say.”
“I know I said this already, but you were amazing the other night.”
The usual tint came into her cheeks. “Thank you.”
I was obsessed with the color. I loved seeing her blush with embarrassment. It was cute. “How long have you been playing?”
“My whole life.”
“When did you pick up your first instrument?”
She didn’t answer. Instead, she stared at the banister ahead of us. The curtain was still closed and people were taking their seats before the show began. “I don’t think you’re crazy.”