I stood in front of the mirror when I heard the intercom buzz. I took a deep breath and tried to smile. It looked pained but passable. Alice would probably ask about it later when Mikhail and I arrived. She was very sneaky with this whole evening I wouldn't even be surprised if 'something came up' or she and Jasper 'had other plans'. I pursed my lips and crossed to the intercom.
"Hello?"
"It's Mikhail, may I come up?"
"Sure." I pushed the button until I heard a click then I walked back to the mirror. My black cocktail dress stopped a few inches above my knees and its bust was less conservative than my other dresses. I was positive Alice would approve. My hair was up with a few pieces framing my face. It was the best I could do by myself. There was a knock so I crossed back to the door to let Mikhail in.
He was speechless when he saw me. His eyes roamed over me and I felt a blush creep up my face. When a man as sexy as this gives you a look like that, the opinion of a lowly gym girl matters very little.
"Bella Donna. You are a vision." He stepped forward to kiss my lips but I turned my face slightly. He instead kissed both my cheeks in turn. I smiled at him trying to hide my nerves.
"You don't look bad yourself," I commented. He was wearing a navy blue silk shirt with coal gray pants. He oozed elegance but as I looked at his face I longed for another. "You had your chance." My head snapped up and looked to the side. A certain green eyed man stood in my kitchen doorway. No that's impossible. "Don't worry; he can't see me, considering I'm a figment of your imagination." My hallucination explained.
"Is there something wrong?" Mikhail asked looking into my kitchen.
"What?" I was startled from my own thoughts. "Oh, no I was just trying to remember if I… fed Maurice or not." I smiled again. I am officially going insane.
"Who's Maurice?" His brow furrowed.
"He's my cat. I think he's asleep on my bed right now actually. Would you like to meet him?"
"Hmm, perhaps another time. I think it best we be going." I nodded and grabbed a shawl to wrap around my shoulders. There was a car waiting for us outside and to my surprise no cameras. Perhaps tonight would be more relaxing than I had expected. "Do you like jazz?" He asked once we were situated and gliding down side streets.
"I love all music. No exceptions." I tried to look him in the eye but my eyes were drawn elsewhere. His gaze was to intent on me.
"Even the 'hillbilly' music?" He made quotation marks in the air with his hands as he asked the question. I couldn't help myself despite his seriousness. I burst out laughing but calmed quickly.
"Yes even the 'hillbilly' music." I retorted with the same gesture. He smiled.
"To be frank I did not think I would see you in such a setting."
"What kind of setting?"
"One of convenience or on purpose."
"Why do you say that?"
"I get mixed signals from you Miss Swan. Even now." I didn't know how to respond.
"I'm sorry if my actions are confusing. I have never had to deal with paparazzi before, or so much pressure. It seems like my life was falling apart this week. Please forgive me for any rudeness. That was not my intent." I tried to cover the bases, smooth any hurt feelings. It was his turn to laugh.
"That is not what I meant at all." He didn't elaborate. The car came to a smooth stop so we exited. He held out his hand to assist me from the car and as my feet touched the ground the flashes started. We smiled tightly at the cameras. I noticed that once I was up right Mikhail wrapped an arm around my waist. I didn't protest but I did not approve.
I saw Alice's head pop up behind the mass of people so we waded our way through the crowd.
"You made it!" She held Jasper's hand as she bounced up and down. Jasper smiled at me when our eyes met. I had never asked Alice how they had reconciled… "Come on, it's going to start soon." We stepped into a smoky atmosphere. Each low table had four comfortable leather chairs situated around it. Ours was towards the back of the club, but still had a perfect view of the stage.
"So who exactly is playing?" I asked as Mikhail slid out my chair for me. I gave him a smile but directed my attention at Alice.
"You'll see." She smirked. Once we were seated a waiter materialized. Mikhail handed him something discreetly and smiled. The waiter looked in his hand and blushed.
"Right away sir." He stuttered and practically ran to the bar. I cocked a brow at Mikhail but he just shrugged. His 'show' was getting on my nerves. "Relax Bella, Alice and Jasper are watching," He whispered in my ear. I could have sworn I could feel his breath on my cheek and I felt myself blush and shiver. "Here you are." A bottle of Stolichnaya Elit appeared in front of us and I felt my eyes widen. It is one of the most expensive vodkas on the market.
"Don't look so surprised Bella; this is my calling after all." Mikhail smiled and poured us all vodka on the rocks. No wonder Mikhail never drove himself anywhere, vodka ran in his veins.
It didn't take long for the lights to dim and the announcer to come on stage.
"Good evening to all you cool cats and dolls, within these walls you will be on the balls of your feet, so quick with the beat, with the rhythm and flow, you know the soul just soars with the birds with
the words of… Jacob Black." His voice was intoxicating, that way it rolled and jumped with rhythm but when I heard Jacob's name my eyes popped open. I gave Alice a look but she kept her eyes on stage with a huge smile across her face.
He strut onto the stage looking larger than life. He held a saxophone in his hand. His black hair glistened around his broad shoulders as he flashed a bright smile at the audience. I felt myself clap loudly and smile.
"Do you know this person?" Mikhail whispered in my ear. I cringed a little at his closeness but responded.
"Yeah, he works in the technology department at the newspaper." He leaned back into his chair but placed a hand on my leg satisfied with my answer.
Jake didn't introduce himself. Instead he bowed slightly and slid his tongue out to lick his reed. I chuckled as he wiggled his eye brows at the girls in the front row. Mikhail's fingers massaged my knee slightly before sliding up just a little bit. I stopped laughing. If I forcefully removed his hand it would cause a small scene but I did not like where this was heading. I shot a glance at Alice to see if she noticed, but she had locked eyes with Jasper's. They weren't kissing but anyone could see that they were no longer present at this table.
The first note slid from Jake's sax and I felt myself shiver from pleasure as it moved around the room. He ran up and down a few scales before starting a recognizable melody. Mikhail took my shiver as encouragement and slid his hand a little higher. I tried to cross my legs and discreetly move out from under his grip but his arm was long enough to keep contact. Drums and a piano joined Jake's intoxicating sound as the song continued.
I did not look at Mikhail; instead I watched Jacob's fingers dance along his instrument with awe. His eyes were closed but I could see a faint sheen of sweat on his brow. His tight black shirt accentuated his muscles as his hands moved. I felt myself get lost in the music. Mikhail continued his journey but stopped at the hem of my dress.
I felt the motion and glanced at him. There was a warning in my eyes. I did not want him to continue. He sipped his vodka and took my hand instead. I felt like he was a nervous teenager trying to keep a girl's attention. He was thought of as an alluring bachelor but I was convincing myself he wooed women with his money and charm more than personality. I could not see this becoming anything of consequence.
He played with my hand during the performance. It didn't bother me at all. He traced the lines on my palm and drew intricate patterns. It felt quite good to my surprise. His warm hands helped me relax and enjoy the music more. I closed my eyes and let the notes create a tapestry of color in my mind. Mikhail's fingers were the brush. They stilled as the song came to an end.
No wonder some refer to the saxophone as the sex-o-phone. The music it creates brings with it an erotic wave. Jake played a few more songs as I nursed my beverage. I was surprised at how smooth the expensive stuff was. In college I could take vodka shots like a champ, but this I could drink as water. As my glass emptied I found it refilled without a request. As my blood alcohol intake climbed the tapestry in my head became less defined.
I glanced over at Alice only to find that she and Jasper had moved to the small dance floor. They moved as one. Two halves of one whole, much the same as Rosalie and Emmett. I was happy for them but felt and emptiness in myself. I knew that Mikhail would never be a permanent fixture in my life, he was too much of a ladies' man to settle down, but perhaps he could keep me company tonight. I turned to him and entwined our fingers. His eyes met mine as I stood. He followed me as I moved to the rhythm.
We did not dance as we had at the other club. This was not a grinding session. Jazz is to smooth for something so primal. Jazz is sensuous and liquid. I wrapped my arms around Mikhail's neck and his arms snaked around my waist. Our hips and feet did most of the dancing as the songs continued to play. I closed my eyes and Mikhail spun me. My eyes popped back open not wanting to trip.
"I would prefer you kept your eyes open Bella, I feel like you are imagining someone else otherwise," he whispered in my ear ending with a light kiss on my temple. He caught me. With my eyes closed I was dancing with my hallucination, his emerald eyes gleaming in the gloom never leaving my face. I blushed slightly but didn't respond. I kept my eyes open for the rest of the night.
By the time he had finished Jacob was slick with sweat. I knew how hot stage lights could be and took pity on him. He was surrounded by fans as he stepped from the stage and was replaced by another musician. He smiled but he looked exhausted.
"I'm going to go talk to Jacob. I'll be right back." I explained to Mikhail. I left him on the dance floor and tried to wedge my way through the fans. Jacob must have seen me because he helped me through.
"Hey Bella, I didn't know you were a fan of jazz," he smiled at me. My returning smile was genuine.
"You play beautifully. I was having a mental orgasm for half of the performance." I surprised myself with my wording, but it was true. His smile turned a bit wolfish as he scanned the crowd. He noticed Mikhail and snickered.
"Only half the performance? Bells, if you dump that dude right now I'll have you humming all night long," he licked his lips and I laughed even though I knew he was serious. It was more tempting than it should have been but in the end I couldn't be rude.
"Maybe another time Jake, I invited him here so I would be a real jerk to boot him now. I actually didn't even know we were coming to see you until you came onto the stage."
"That's a pity. I'd play you whatever you wanted to hear." He ran a finger down my cheek. I blushed and bade him goodbye. I made my way over to Alice and Jasper to ask if they were ready.
"Yeah, it is 2 a.m., maybe we should get out of here." Alice looked at Jasper longingly.
"You guys can stay if you want but I really am bushed. I'll see you on Monday."
"If you don't mind, thanks Bella. Yeah I'll see you Monday." Alice replied before Jasper engulfed her in his arms again. I squeezed back through the crowd to Mikhail. He had another glass in his hand.
"Are you ready to leave?"
"Yeah, I'll take you home." He placed his hand on the small of my back as we made for the exit. I glanced back at Jake and his eyes were following me. I smiled and walked out the door.
Back at my apartment Mikhail sensed my exhaustion.
"Are you up for company tonight?" He sounded hopeful but not forceful.
"I'm sorry. I am a zombie right now. I am just going to go to sleep. Thank you for coming with me. It was… ah…" I couldn't come up with a good word to describe the evening.
"Entertaining." He supplied helping me from the car. He walked me to my door and waited for me to open it. I turned towards him before entering. I stretched up and kissed him lightly, just rubbing my lips on his. He went to deepen the kiss but I placed my hand on his chest.
"Goodnight." I entered my building without a backward glance.