“Christmas party,” I said. “The night where we all pretend we’re having fun, but deep down we’re all trying to make sure we don’t have one too many and say something we shouldn’t.”
He chuckled. “Right. And the night at least one couple gets walked in on in the supply closet.” Andrew had his own party to worry about that night.
“Did you find a date?” I asked. I hoped the answer was yes. The situation with Annie was messy enough already. Andrew had broken up with her, but if there was a chance he still had feelings, it wouldn’t be pretty when they eventually met.
“Nope. Going stag for this one. And so much the better. I’m not high enough on the totem pole to relax and enjoy myself like you. Maybe when my name’s on the side of the building, I can actually have fun at these things instead of worrying about how I come off.”
“Something to shoot for,” I said as I stood near the floor-to-ceiling window of the bedroom, watching as a few flakes of snow drifted down from the dark, cloudy sky above.
“And what about you?” he asked. “You taking that girl you’ve been dating?”
“The very same.”
“Taking her to the Christmas party,” he mused, as if processing it. “So, your coworkers get to meet her before your brother?”
“Didn’t plan it that way,” I said. “I want you guys to meet soon. Just a crazy week with the holidays and the new business plans.”
“I’m just busting your balls,” he joked, though it didn’t sound like it. “But we should meet soon. Got to make sure she’s good enough for you.”
“How about next week?” I asked. “Should be a little bit of a lull before the holidays.”
“That should work,” he said. “I’ve got some downtime, believe it or not. And I’d be happy to meet her.”
“Perfect,” I said before throwing back the rest of my glass of wine.
“And something else I wanted to ask,” he said, uneasiness in his voice. “Speaking of the subject of meeting people.”
“No.” I knew precisely what he was referring to, and I had no doubt as to the answer.
“Duncan, it’d be good for you. It’s your mother we’re talking about here.”
“I have a mother, Andrew,” I reminded him, my good mood dampening slightly. “She raised me and nurtured me my whole life. I’m not ready to meet her. And we’re leaving it at that.”
“Fine, fine,” he said. “I’m not going to push my luck anymore tonight.”
“I should get on with the evening,” I said. “About time to pick up my date.”
When I hung up, I navigated to the conversation with Annie, flipping through the shots she’d sent me last night while she was out shopping. The photos were of her in her bra and panties in the dressing room, playful smiles on her face in every one. A few of the photos showed me a little more than just her in her underwear. It was enough to make my cock hard where I stood. My prick strained against my slacks. She’d been all I could think about, and after the simple kiss that had finished our last date, I wanted her like mad.
And I’d have her that night. No doubt in my mind.
A new message appeared as I was scrolling through the pictures of her.
Hey! Finishing up right now – I should be ready to go by the time you get here.
I was just thinking of you. I’ll leave now, should be there soon.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and checked the time on my Patek-Phillipe watch. I was ready.
As I stepped into the garage, I decided on the BMW for the evening ahead. Not the most practical choice given the weather, but it sent a little more of a message than the Land Rover.
The snow began to pick up as I drove into town toward Annie’s place. Part of me hoped a blizzard would set in, some weather that would cancel the party and give me a reason to call the night off, change our plans from a night out to just us, snowed in at my house.
But I was eager to show her off, to have her meet some of the most influential people in the city. And I was more than excited to take her to the downtown hotel I’d booked.
I pulled up to her building, getting out to greet her as usual. However, she sent me a text before I could.
Hey! Almost ready. I left the door open if you want to just come in.
The front door was open, so I stepped into her building, the floor groaning underneath me. Up the stairs her apartment door was slightly ajar, and I knocked before stepping in.
“Annie?”
“In the bathroom!” she called out. “There’s some bubbly on the table – go ahead and open it!”
I shut the door behind me and spotted the bottle she was referring to. After taking that in hand, I started opening it.
Then she stepped out.
I opened the wine bottle, the cork shooting off with a pop and the foam pouring all over my hand around the neck.
She was stunning.
Annie was dressed in a tight, powder blue gown that looked poured over her curves. The neckline was low, but tasteful. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves, draped over her shoulders. Her shoes were off-white heels, a perfect complement to the dress.
I was rock-hard on the spot.
“Screw the bubbly,” I said, setting down the bottle. “I know what I want.”
I cut the distance between us, stepping over to her and putting my hands on her hips, pulling her against my body closely enough that she could feel my hard-on through my slacks.
“I’d ask if you like the dress, but I think I know the answer.” She gazed up at me with those gorgeous green eyes, a smile on her lips.
And I kissed her hard. Our tongues were knotted together, her taste filling my mouth. I squeezed her hips, noting the absence of panties through her dress. Then I moved up to her breasts, grabbing them firmly.
Annie sighed, falling into the kiss. But the moment I put my hand on her leg, ready to move up her thigh, she moved it away.
“Now,” she chided playfully, wiggling a finger at her. “I didn’t get all dressed up just to get naked before I had a chance to show off this lovely gown you bought me.”
“Good point,” I said, giving her hips one more squeeze before backing off.
“But,” she continued, “that doesn’t mean you won’t get the chance to take it off later. If you play your cards right.”
“And what’s step one in playing my cards right?” I asked, up for the challenge.
“First step is pouring me a glass of that champagne.”
“You got it.” I returned to the table and poured us each a glass, bringing Annie’s to her. “You know,” I said, looking her up and down. “Maybe I messed up, letting you pick out a dress. This might be far too distracting.”
“Then you’re going to have to learn to focus. Aren’t doctors good at that?”
I nodded. “We are. But it’s not like I have to perform surgery with stunningly beautiful women in the room.”
She laughed, raising her glass. “To an incredible night.”
“I’ll drink to that.” We tapped rims and sipped before I checked my watch. “Shit. We’d better get moving. Lots of people I want you to meet tonight.”
“Got it.” She opened her closet and took out her fake-fur-lined coat.