Long
hair... Real fair skin
I'm long legged and I'm-a out-a sight
My,
my babe I'm gonna take you out
- 'Love Man': Otis Redding
She hadn't taken her eyes off me the entire night, I could tell without even looking over my shoulder. I literally felt the weight of her stare on my back all evening long. I wanted it to bother me, I really did. But there was something about this girl that was already starting to eat through the walls I had built up my entire life. Now that, that was worrying me.
Trying to ignore the big neon warning sign blinking furiously in my head, I focus back on the elderly gentleman in front of me, very well aware of his roving right hand that was coming dangerously close to landing itself on my backside. I try my best to smile charmingly up at him, releasing myself from his grasp at the same time.
"Thanks for the dance Mr. Mikalowski."
He reached for my hand as I was desperately trying to get away. "Trust me Miss Stone, the pleasure has been all mine." The urge to gag hits me full force as he leans down and proceeds to slobber all over my knuckles. Even the fact that he slipped me a bill as he did is little comfort.
I make sure the faux smile is still plastered on. "Aww, you're such a sweetie." And as fast as I can I pull away from his grip, spinning around to come face to face with a woman who looks to be an older version of my little voyeur.
"Can I help you?"
Without a word, she grabs my arm and drags me back towards the dance floor, pulling me into a loose embrace. Realizing she doesn't know how to lead apparently, she looks down at me from her considerable height advantage. "Well this is your job isn't it?"
I can't hold in the smirk. This girl has got some major attitude. "Right. Job. I don't do this for free honey."
She rolls her eyes, glancing back over towards the direction she came from. "I really don't know what she could have seen in you."
Now that certainly got my attention. I have to play it completely cool though, the last thing I need is this brazen thing to go running off and making a big production out of something.
"And who would that be?"
I'm pretty sure she saw right through me, if the look I'm on the receiving end of is any indication. "My sister. You know, the one who hasn't taken her eyes off of you since the second you stepped foot in this gazebo."
Well the resemblance this woman has to Bianca certainly makes sense now.
Bianca's sister continues before I have a chance to say anything, which is a good thing, since I have no clue how to respond anyway. Of course I knew she was watching me, but I can't exactly admit that. "You are cute, I'll give you that. But beyond the better than average looks, I just don't get it. What exactly did you do to spin Bianca so completely around? I've never seen her this……….smitten."
Before I actually stop to take in everything she's just said, I can't help but wonder if Bianca knew just how forward her sister would be when she came storming over to me. I saw something in her eyes last night. While she loosened up once I got her out onto the dance floor, I can sense an innate shyness in her soul. Something tells me if she knew everything Curly here was sharing with me, she would not be appreciative.
Which makes me come back to just what it is I've just been told. Smitten? Do people even really use that word anymore? "What makes you think I did anything?"
No, all I really did was charm her into my arms last night, seeing something I could play with for a little while, and maybe teach a bit of a lesson to at the same time. Leo really should have known better than to bring her up to the barn. I didn't expect the jolt that went through my body at first contact with her though. That single moment, something I never had prepared myself for, is starting to change everything.
Curly looks down at me with an all too knowing grin. "Well I did hear about your little dance last night." She pauses to look down between us. "And while you're not half bad, I'm not swooning at your feet, so something else must have happened besides a little bit of bumping and grinding."
Trying to play it completely cool is becoming harder and harder by the second. Whoever this woman is, Bianca's sister or no, she totally has my number. That's definitely not a good thing in my book. Besides, it was a lot more than just a 'little' bumping and grinding. We were practically crawling all over one another.
I cast a glance around my dance partner's body to see Bianca's stare burning a hole through her sister's back. Heh, I knew she didn't have anything to do with this little fishing expedition. Taking my hand away from Curly's waist, I crook a finger in Bianca's direction, motioning for her to come over. I almost laugh, the perplexed look crinkling her brow is too cute. She looks to her right and left before meeting my gaze again. Nodding in the affirmative, I gesture again for her to join us. Ever so hesitantly she slowly walks across the dance floor.
"So Bianca," I begin when she's within hearing distance, letting go of her sister in the process and spinning her body around to face Bianca. "Your sister here seems to think I did something to you last night."
I couldn't help it, I'm a complete tease by my very nature. And if I have to admit it, a little on the mean side at times too. Whatever pull I feel towards Bianca, I can't act on it, I just can't. My job, my career, my entire future, rests on making sure I'm nothing but completely professional for the next six weeks.
As I see the redness creep up Bianca's neck into her cheeks though, I know that it's going to be the longest six weeks of my life. I've only known the girl the better part of 24 hours, and already I'm finding her just about undeniable.
"Kendall!"
Ah, so that's big sis's name.
The aforementioned Kendall shoots me a dirty look, stepping towards her sister and placing a hand on her shoulder. "Binks, it was nothing."
Binks? God, I'm even finding the oddest of nicknames cute on this girl. I'm in SO much trouble.
"Nothing? Really?" The sarcasm is literally dripping from every syllable coming out of Bianca's mouth.
Deciding that I didn't really want to have them argue, about me of all people, in front of my boss, I reached for Bianca's hand that was firmly ensconced on her hip, ready to do battle with her sister.
"Wha"
"Dance with me." I cut her off, pulling her away from Kendall and towards the other side of the gazebo. Over Bianca's shoulder I could see a smirk forming on Curly's lips, obviously feeling triumphant in her attempt to play matchmaker.
I grasp Bianca's hand tighter as I encircle her waist with my arm, leading her in a slow Foxtrot, resisting the urge to pull her arms over my shoulders and continue where our dance left off last night.
"I'm sorry about my sister. She's far too nosey for her own good. And mine too it would seem." I'm fast becoming completely addicted to that blush of hers.
I smile up at her, enjoying the red tint her cheeks have taken, and the way the Chinese lanterns draped around the outside of the gazebo make her skin seem to glow ethereally. "So you never did share with me what you told that sister of yours." I can't help but tease her, knowing that the red hue will only deepen.
Bianca's mouth opens and shuts, I'm assuming she's trying to figure out whether she should lie to me or not. "Well she saw me come in late last night, and I didn't want her ratting me out to our parents, so I told her that I'd met some of the dancers and we had a couple beers."
Now why do I think that's not entirely the truth? Kendall knew me specifically, so I'm certainly not just one of the 'dancers' Bianca used to excuse her lateness. But she looks about ready to crawl out of her skin, I think teasing time may be over. For now at least. I raise my eyebrow a bit to show her I'm not completely convinced, but I say nothing, letting her know I won't push the issue.
I'm rewarded by a small relieved smile ghosting over her lips. And, not for the first time, my gaze travels down to her mouth, taking in the soft plushness of her lips, coated tonight in a light glaze of pink lip gloss. I can't help but wonder if she tastes just as delectable as she looks.
Before I have a chance to do something incredibly stupid, not to mention extremely public, I feel a heavy hand on my shoulder.
"Maggie, you need to come quick."
I turn around, reluctantly breaking my hold on Bianca in the process, to see Leo's concerned face. Whatever it is that put the look of fear in his eyes, it can't be good.
"Why? What's going on cuz?"
"It's Babe."
A jolt of panic shoots through my veins. "What happened to her?"
Leo glances over at Bianca, signaling me with his eyes that it's something that she really shouldn't know about. I can't help but wonder why he didn't see the need to use the same discretion last night when he brought her up to the Barn in the first place. It certainly would have saved me the growing trouble I'm finding myself in now with her.
I wordlessly shake my head in agreement, releasing Bianca's hand that I honestly hadn't realized I was still holding in the first place. Leo and I are halfway down the stairs of the gazebo when I feel her come up behind me, placing a gentle hand on my forearm.
"Can I come with you?" The soft sincere lilt to her voice almost breaks my heart. But I just cannot let her get involved. Not with me, and certainly not with any of my problems.
"No, you need to stay here." I glance up to see Jaime watching us, a small scowl already forming on his brow.
I try to release myself from her grasp, only to feel it tighten. "Please, maybe there's something I can do to help, Maggie." Looking up into her chocolate eyes, I can't do anything but gradually shake my head in the affirmative. My resolve crumbled with ten little words.
"Fine, come on, we're wasting time." This time I succeed in pulling away from her touch, feeling my arm tingle where her hand had been holding on seconds earlier.
