Page 37 of Memoir of a Heaux
“Thank you for the invitation,” I said as I looked around at all the space.
I really hoped these boots would be made for walking, because I felt I was going to be doing a lot of it.
The night wound on, and there were so many high-end pieces being auctioned off. Proceeds from paintings, sculptures, vacations, etc., would be donated to research aimed at finding a cure for Lupus. It was an amazing cause, and I even won a couple of pieces myself.
The event coordinator came back up to me with a man. If I had to describe what he looked like, he looked like arrogance, dominance, leadership, and a bad decision all wrapped in a handsome ass man. He was fine, beyond words. Beyondanything I could actually describe. His mahogany-hued skin, deep expressive eyes, chiseled jaw, beard that glistened as he turned his head, and tall frame that towered over the other eventgoers made me swallow hard. When they closed the distance between us, he looked down at me. He gave me a smile that spiked my pulse before he even extended his hand toward me. I placed my hand in his. He smelled amazing.
“It’s an honor to have you at our event. Maria said she sent the invitation; she never told me you accepted. Thank you for coming.”
“This is a great cause; I wouldn’t miss it for the world,” I said honestly.
“I appreciate it.” He said but didn’t let go of the grasp that he had on my hand immediately. Instead, he let his thumb brush against the back of my hand and then dropped it.
He gave Maria a gracious pat and then left the two of us standing there.
It wasn’t abnormal for him to know who I am. Everyone in the city should know me by name or face. But I didn’t have a single clue who the man in front of me was.
“Maria, I don’t believe I caught his name,” I said before she walked away.
She told me his name and told me that he was the CFO of the company hosting the party. The nephew of the richest man in the state. I nodded, and we parted ways.
I was gathering my team and telling them we were about to go when four men in black approached me. I didn’t even have time to summon Big A because before I could even turn around to look at him, he was pushing me backward and stepping in front of me.
The guy standing in front of the three raised his hand, “I’m sorry, Madame, I don’t mean to alarm you. We were coming topersonally escort you to the boss; he said that he wanted to have a word with you before you left.”
Big A turned toward me and waited for my answer.
“Fine, my security will accompany me,” I said as I walked through the crowd with the five men, wondering what the hell the boss could want with me.
We made it through the ranch, which was beautifully crafted with polished brass hardware and wide aisles that made me want to become an equestrian. We made it to this large wooden door, and the man who had been leading us tapped on it, then pushed it open. We all waited outside before he came back out and opened the door to allow me and Big A to walk in.
I was expecting the eldest of the family to want to have a conversation; it never crossed my mind that the man I had shaken hands with would have summoned my company.
When I stepped inside, he greeted both me and A.
Then he began to speak. “If you don’t mind, Madame, what I would like to talk to you about is a private collaboration opportunity.”
I turned toward A, who was thoroughly amused, but I nodded to him. Giving him the okay to wait outside the door. We both stood in silence as A went toward the door and closed it behind him.
Now facing him, I waited for what he wanted with a raised eyebrow.
“How may I help you, Mr.?” I asked, calling him by his surname.
“Dinero.” He corrected me.
I didn’t acknowledge the correction. Just waited for him to actually tell me what he wanted.
He came around the desk and closed a little of the space between us. I raised my eyebrow in confusion, still waiting for what he wanted.
He didn’t leave me wondering for too long. He told me exactly what he wanted; he didn’t sugarcoat it or wrap it in a bow and hand it to me softly either.
“I think you’re very beautiful. I would love it if you would spend a night with me.” I was all for being as straightforward as the next person, but the way the words made me shake my head in disbelief and straighten up made me laugh after the initial shock wore off.
“I’m not really one to be lost for words. But I don’t know how to respond to that.” I answered honestly.
He came an inch closer; I could smell the freshness of his breath.
“The important thing is that you didn’t say no.”
