Emerald was on stage again, holding court over her subjects as she danced. However, she moved more for one person than the others; Rick was on her mind and in her psyche. She could feel him in the audience even before she found him. He was not at the table front and center as he had been in L.A. but Emerald had no difficulty finding him. His piercing blue eyes shone as a beacon, calling out to her as in the songs of old. The audience was entranced by her performance, once again feeling each was the only one in the audience, but for Emerald, there was only one in the room. She had surreptitiously disrobed during her act, leaving nothing on but her aloof aura and her emerald necklace and earrings as she danced only for him. He held her on her pedestal in his mind, venerating her to the highest place of honor he could imagine. She was his goddess, the only quest he could possibly undertake.
As in all her performances, Emerald stood tall and proud center stage, in all her natural glory, nude for all to perceive. She held the awe of all who were there, but she gazed on only one. Rick was her audience and she knew he was the flame to which she was inexplicably drawn and, understanding she could be badly burned in that flame, she could not resist; the allure was overpowering.
After her dance, she came to Rick's table without prior invitation, knowing that the request was implicit. Rick greeted her, saying, "You are always welcome at my table. Would you like a glass of wine?"
Emerald replied, "Not tonight. I'm done with the club for the evening; I would like tequila, if you don't mind."
Rick raised his eyebrow in surprise but quickly complied with the request. He requested the bottle, shot glasses, salt and lime slices from the attendant. The tequila arrived shortly and Rick poured two shots. Emerald lifted her arm and slowly licked a trail up her wrist. She poured some salt on it and then tongued the salt from the moist streak, watching Rick seductively all the time. She downed the shot and quickly popped the lime slice in her mouth, the burst of the citrus soothing the burn of the tequila in her throat.
Rick quickly followed suit, wincing at the bitter taste of the tequila. Still not breaking character, Emerald laughed, "Not so tough with the hard stuff?"
Rick laughed with her stating Scotch was his preferred drink. Emerald asked if they could leave now that her dance was done and Rick agreed. Emerald took her leave of the club manager, letting Flo know she planned on performing tomorrow evening as well. Flo welcomed her back and said she would see her tomorrow evening.
"Now, where to?" Rick asked of her.
"Let's go back to your hotel?" Emerald suggested. "It is nice and also relaxing there. We could have some time to continue our conversation from this afternoon. I would like to know about your writing, but still insist on no last names or personal secrets."
"That won't be a problem. I will only tell what kind of books I write, not the titles so you will feel more comfortable sharing some information with me. I will not try to delve in to your true identity," Rick assures her.
"OK, we have a deal then," Emerald smiles and Rick falters in his steps, seeing her smile for the first time. She is absolutely breathtaking, a smile eclipsing the Mona Lisa herself, and more mysterious.
Rick and Emerald arrive at the hotel and Rick shows her to the elevator, guiding her with a gentle hand to the small of her back. Both feel the shock as they finally come into contact with one another. Emerald relaxes back into Rick's hand and Rick's breathing hitches slightly as she does. They both are nervous but excited at the same time. Rick cannot believe he is so lucky as to have Emerald actually invite herself back to his room. She is still wearing the "little black dress" from earlier and all eyes are on her in the hotel lobby. He understands that all men in the lobby desire her and he proudly lays claim to the time he has with her. She is the ultimate goal, the Mt. Everest of female companionship. All who encounter her desire her. She is moving to the elevator with him, heading to his suite; with him.
What did he do in a previous life to deserve this one night with his dream?
Emerald takes Rick's arm and eagerly follows him into the elevator. They are fortunate to have it to themselves. She leans into his arm and holds him closely. For whatever reason, she feels safe and warm when in his presence. He encompasses her with a peace that is not about him wanting something from her, but is all about him wanting to give to her the comfort and safety he thinks she deserves.
This has never happened before. Most of the time, she has to be the one in control, holding off the advances of the boys in school and the men in the modeling business, keeping them at arm's length. She has found men in the modeling field think the models are there for their amusement and can have what or who they want. They think the models will do whatever is asked to advance in the business. Not so for Kate; she is in it for the fun and what money she can make before she has to settle down and become an attorney. That is where her advances will be made, and not on the beds of the modeling scouts or photographers. Emerald is her one release from the rat race of the modeling business. She is in control as Emerald.
This is not how she feels with Rick, however. He truly treats her with respect and gentility. He treats her as a goddess worthy of the respect the title demands. He fosters the bad-boy image, but she knows his gentle manner is his true nature. He adores her and it shows.
The elevator finally arrives at Rick's floor and they quickly move to his suite. Rick orders some more tequila and asks Emerald if she needs anything else to be more at ease. She says she would like to get out of her dress and into something more comfortable. She asks Rick, "Could I wear one of your shirts? It will be cover me as much as this dress and be much more comfortable. "
Rick can hardly agree fast enough. He offers one of his shirts to her and she moves to the bathroom to change. When she comes out, she is a vision of beauty and desirability. Rick thinks nothing is sexier than a woman wearing a man's dress shirt and Emerald does not disappoint. She is truly lovely but at the same time a study in sultriness. The shirt is buttoned at the center two buttons, leaving glimpses of skin at the neckline and her long toned legs.
My God, she is beautiful.
Kate has always felt comfortable in her skin. She knows she is beautiful and her height and slim figure only compliment her appeal. She honestly thinks she can get any man to do what she wants if she puts her mind to it. The persona of Emerald only reinforces this belief. She knows she could ask Rick for anything, turn on the charm and it would be hers. But there is something about this man that admonished those thoughts in her. She does not want to hurt him as she knows she could. A woman can completely undo a man if she so desires, but Kate feels a kinship with Rick. She knows Rick is honest and gentle and means her no harm. He desires to know her for herself and does not want to exploit her just for her looks or for sex. He truly cares about her.
"Hey, want another shot?" Rick asks.
"Not really, not right now anyway," Emerald replies, "I think I just want to relax and talk with you. It has been a long day. You know, Rick, for whatever reason, I feel really comfortable with you. But more importantly, I feel safe."
Rick is impressed and relieved. He does not want to cause her fear or alarm.
"I'm happy you feel that way. I mean you no disrespect or dishonor agreeing for you to come to my room. I want you to feel free to leave at any time you feel you need to, but I do want to spend time with you. You fascinate me. I have never met a young woman as intriguing as you. I am pretty sure your real name is not Emerald, but I don't care. It suite you to a "T" and I like it. You are Emerald and all that implies and it is my pleasure to entertain you in my humble abode. After all, you have been entertaining me since I first met you in L.A. I have imagined seeing you again ever since we first met in the club there. And now, here you are. I feel I, in all fairness, should return the favor."
Emerald laughs, a sweet sound that brings joy and warmth to Rick's heart. "I have been compensated very well to 'entertain' you at the club. You do not owe me any return favors for that. If I remember, you have tipped me quite handsomely for my dances. Actually, I have a very good time when I dance. I relish in the feeling of empowerment I feel when I have control of the men in the crowd. I am not a poor creature being exploited by the male gender, but am one who delights in the authority I exercise over the audience. I am in control and I decide what I do, how far my dance goes, how long I dance and on whom I bestow my attention. I danced for you in L.A. because you were the 'guest of honor'. I danced for you in San Francisco because I wanted to."
Rick doesn't know what to say about her statement, so he lets it slide.
He does say though, "You see, this is exactly what I wanted to talk about tonight. You have given me some insight in to how you feel and why you dance in the club. You are not some drugged out stripper that needs another hit, but are a beautiful powerful young woman that just enjoys dancing and the freedom it brings. I thank you for opening up to me a little."
Emerald smiles and slides closer to Rick, feeling the pull of L.A. and earlier today. She cannot explain the attraction, but cannot resist it either. He has put her at ease and she is drawn to him as a bear is to honey. She is content to just be, at least when she is with Rick. Rick is a force in and of himself and she is just as caught in his nets as he is in the ones she has cast over him.
They are bound in a web of subtle seductiveness that neither can escape nor or they inclined to try.
They only exist in the present for each other.