The Bet

Vicki's hand traveled down Henry's back as they kissed. While vampire receded the two lovers were enjoyed their human feelings. She found the baseball cap in Henry's pocket and snagged it with one finger while he was busy kissing her neck and didn't feel it being slipped out. Looking over his shoulder, she sent it sailing into the bushes. Vicki gave a satisfied little sound and said, "Lets find our snacks and get back. I need to finish up with the staff."

Henry reached for his cap and found it missing. He held out his hand, "Give it back." She shook her head, "No more Henry. I like the white streaks. You're not going to hide under that awful hat." She raised her hands and ran her fingers through the hair at his temples and arranged the curls so that the white strands blended with the golden brown. "People pay hundreds of dollars to get a look like that. Sexy, mysterious, and wise all at the same time. I hate to feed your ego, but you look even better now. The man has replaced the boy, and men are so much more fun."

The peacock in Henry preened, "You think so?"

Vicki smiled, "Tell you what. Let's test it out. You and I will attend the gallery opening of your artwork and I'll even let you shop for my outfit. If more people are attracted to you than ever before, you let the subject drop. If less, I will help you color your hair and find a make-up to cover the freckles."

"I get to shop for you? And you'll wear what ever I pick out?"

"Yep!"

"Deal." He held out his hand. They shook and strolled on down the street looking for a bite.

Mike was standing at the bottom of the stairs waiting for a glimpse of Vicki. Henry had mentioned that he was picking out a dress for her to wear at the gallery opening and Mike begged Henry to let him be there when Vicki came down the steps. Getting dressed up for Vicki meant clean jeans and lace around the top of her tee. He could count the times he had seen Vicki in a dress on one hand and that was after knowing her for over twelve years.

Henry came down first dressed in a black tuxedo, hair brushed back with white wings showing over each ear and his knees were cooperating with his natural grace and he glided down with no effort, and giving Mike a dazzling smile and regal nod. At the bottom of the steps he turned and called to Vicki and she made her appearance with a measured step. Pausing at the top to allow one hand to guide her down with the use of the railing, because she didn't want Mike know her vision was normal. For him, she needed to be vision impaired. Henry, sensing the plan, moved half way back up the steps and offered her a steading hand. Mike watched in awe as this new vision of Vicki floated toward him. He cleared his throat, trying to find words that could capture what he was seeing. "If I live to be a hundred, I don't think I will ever see you look better, Vicki. Henry you picked the perfect dress for her."

The dress, a simple but elegant cut, draped her body in soft folds hiding and revealing a firm, fit figure. The color defied description, neither blue nor green but a mix of both, while gold at her throat, ears and wrist caught and reflected light. Matching cuff links sparkled from Henry's wrists as he guided Vicki down.

Mike looked from one to the other. "Damn if I can tell which one of you looks better." He stepped back allowing them to pass. "Have fun kids and don't stay out too late."

The outer door opened and an uniformed driver stood waiting at the open door of a white limousine. She stopped turning to her friend, "Thank you Mike. I wish I felt as confident as I do in jeans. I can just see me falling flat on my face." She turned to Henry, "Don't let go of me okay? And I want to know why you chose three inch heels?

"I won't let go and I wanted to show off your sexy ankles along with your perfect body. Come on, we need to be at the gallery and in place before the opening."

Henry's latest work revolved around his day in the sun and his love for Vicki. He had spent weeks mixing and blending colors and when he could not find what he wanted, he went back to the techniques of the old masters and mixed his own pigments and oils. The result was a totally different use of color, texture, brush strokes and palette knife. Vicki hadn't seen any of the pictures framed, hung and in correct lighting until tonight and she was amazed. As she took the time to study each one with Henry at her side he explained what they meant to him and how he came up with the idea, Vicki saw in him something other than the vampire or prince. She saw the artist driven to create, wanting to share his work, hoping that it would be understood. His agent joined them as they were standing and discussing the last of the paintings.

"Henry this work is astounding. There have been silent bids submitted based on rumors. You and I should do very well this night." He turned to Vicki, "I don't think I have met your guest."

Henry tilted his head in acknowledgment of his work and made the introductions. "Vicki, this is my pushy art agent and worst critic Max Dannel."

Max took her hand in his, "You're his model aren't you? I can see your face and form in several of these pieces. He didn't do you justice. You're the most beautiful woman I have ever seen."

Vicki was about to say something about his poor vision when Henry gently nudged her. In place of her usual snide remarks she said simply, "Thank you."

Henry looked at his watch and said, "Let's get to our places, the doors are about to open."

The doors opened and several people came in at the same time talking, seeing and being seen, anxious to see the new painting. It was always interesting to see Fitzroy's work, and to get a glimpse of the reclusive artist was a rare treat.

After the initial rush, people roamed the room with drinks in hand, discussing the work while laughing, air kissing cheeks and pulling out credit cards. Most of the paintings sold within an hour, and the rest were tied up in bidding wars.

A voice gushed from behind them, "Henry, Oh my God, you look wonderful and your work is better than ever." Henry turned and saw Caroline, his last lover before meeting Vicki. She reached up and touched the white hair over his ear, "You look so handsome, this touch of white suits you." She pouted a little, "Henry I've missed you."

Henry pulled her into his arms and gave her a kiss that was more than friendship, "Caroline, you look marvelous yourself."

She placed her hands on his chest and pushed back just a little, "You never called me back. I still have the tickets you know. I never did see the play."

Henry closed his eyes trying to remember all the reasons he didn't call, "I got caught up in life. I'm sorry."

She patted his cheek and fingered the white hair again, "Don't be. We didn't have any commitments to one another, and besides I've found someone a little easier to keep track of. He wants marriage, and I just may consider it. I saw the woman you're with tonight. Where did you find her?"

He turned to introduce Vicki only to find she was gone. He had lost track of her while talking to Caroline, and He excused himself to start scanning the crowd.

Vicki was sitting in a restroom stall trying to keep from having a jealous vampire rage when two women walked in chattering. "Henry looks good. Better than ever."

"Caroline got his attention. Did you see them kiss."

"Yes but she has a live one on the line. Henry is fun, but slippery.'

"I know. She couldn't keep him then. She can't keep him now."

"Did you see the one he's with tonight?"

"None of us stand a chance against her."

"Well, they do look good together. I wish her luck. He's a rover."

"Did you buy one of his paintings? I got a small garden piece. I can feel the warmth and smell the flowers just looking at it. It's quite a change from his last showing of dark gloomy nights."

"Not yet. Hubert is bidding on a nude painting of the woman he's with." She Laughed, "There are about five other drooling men bidding on that one. Let's get back and watch the fun."

Vicki smiled to herself. She had heard enough to tease Henry for months to come.

He was standing just outside the restroom door, "I thought I was going to have to come in there and get you." He looked at her face, "You're not mad are you. Caroline and I were very close when I first met you."

"I kinda figured that out. It's okay. Honest. I had Mike while you had Caroline. We can't change our past. We have the future together."

He put his hands on her waist and rested his forehead on hers, "The show is a success, and I have commissions for a dozen or more paintings with you in them. Anyone that knew me likes how well I've aged. They're comparing me to fine wine and all that. You win, princess."

"And just what have I won?"

"All of me, as I am, for all time. Let's go home. I want to get this suit off and you undressed. I have some nude studying to do if I am going to be working on commissions."

Thank you BETA READER for your help. Sincerely RealTears.