“We’ll have to do something about that, too,” I said, running my fingers over the fur.
“I didn’t want to go too nuts with your account – figured the dress and shoes were enough.”
“You’re more than welcome to go nuts with me anytime,” I smirked, sending a double-message.
We took a few sips of the wine and headed out. The town looked beautiful in the gently falling snow, the flakes drifting down and flicking with light from the streetlamps. Our shoes crunched softly on the white dusting already on the sidewalk.
“Nice ride,” she commented, taking in the sight of the dark red BMW M3.
“Thanks. I don’t get much of a chance to take it out. Figured this definitely counted as a special occasion.”
“Happy to be one,” she said with a smile.
I opened the door and let her in, and we were soon on our way.
“So,” she said. “What’s the plan?”
“The plan is we head to the party,” I told her, smiling when I added, “It’s at the Four Seasons, and I went ahead and got a room for us so when we’re ready to go, we can get the hell out of there.”
“You got a room?” she asked with a wink. “Someone’s presumptuous.”
I chuckled. “I’ll take the couch if you want the king-size all to yourself.” I matched her wink with one of my own.
She took my hand on the shifter, letting me know her true thoughts on the matter.
We drove on, reaching Denver and heading downtown. The Four Season was abuzz with activity, a long line of limos in front letting well-dressed men and women out onto a massive red carpet that led to the illuminated, ornate front of the building.
And, of course, the paparazzi were there. The press was on both sides of the stairs, yelling out questions and snapping pictures.
“Wow,” she said. “This is all for your company?”
“I like to hire good people, and one of the solid hires I made was my head of marketing. Don’t ask me how she did it, but she managed to turn Pitt Medical Group’s holiday party into the social event of the season.”
“Looks like we’re going to have to wait,” she said, noting the line.
“Nah. One of the perks of being the man in charge is you never have to wait.”
I pulled the car up to the curb, bypassing the line of limos. A valet, spotting me, hurried over and took the keys.
“Have a good night, Mr. Pitt!” he said as we stepped out of the car.
“You as well.” I slipped a hundred into his hand as he ducked into the car. Then I took Annie by the arm and led her toward the huge procession of people.
“Is that the press?” she asked.
“Unfortunately, it is. I hope you don’t mind being on the cover of a few local gossip websites.”
“Oh, I mean, not like I ever read those.” She blushed and grinned – cute as hell.
We weaved our way through the press, joining the rest of the guests making their way up. As soon as the paparazzi realized who I was, and that I was with a date, it was on.
Being caught up in the press was like being caught up in a blizzard or thunderstorm – some force of nature. It swirled all around you, drowned out your thoughts with its noise. All you could do was put your head down and try to get through it.
I waved my hands as they took photos, the flashes of their cameras popping off around us. My hand stayed on the small of Annie’s back, and out of the corner of my eye I saw a look on her face that made it clear she had no idea what to make of the events around her.
They shot out their questions about me, and most certainly about Annie. I didn’t answer a single one of them, of course, and soon we were at the towering front doors of the Four Seasons, four equally towering guards in black suits locking eyes with us.
Realizing immediately who I was, they opened the doors and let us both inside. Annie let out a whoosh of air from her lungs, her eyes wide.
“That was something else.”
“Just the paparazzi,” I said, adjusting my bowtie. “You’ll get used to them.”
Annie regarded me with an expression that suggested she had no idea how anyone could get used to something like that. But her expression changed on a dime as soon as she turned her attention to the hotel.
“Holy…Christmas,” she said, her eyes wide as she looked in every direction.
The lobby of the Four Seasons was as elegant as ever, the massive space decorated with all sorts of Christmas décor, a gigantic tree in the center between the two towering staircases.
“We’re in the ballroom,” I said. “Shall we?”
“I think we shall,” she said, still smiling but clearly still trying to wrap her mind around everything happening.
I extended the crook of my arm and she took it, flashing me one more smile as we made our way to the ballroom. Two more guards opened the doors for us, and we stepped inside.
The place was gorgeous, a huge, century-old space with tall, vaulted ceilings and parquet floors. Hundreds of people were there, all the top strata of Denver, from local celebrities to politicians to sports stars, attended, dressed in their most elegant garb. A live band was on the far stage, playing upbeat versions of Christmas classics.
“Wow,” Annie mumbled as the scene around her unfolded. “I’ve never been to a party like this before.”
“And I’ve never been to one with someone as beautiful as you on my arm. Come on.”
She smiled at me again and we started into the crowd.
The next couple of hours were wonderful. We chatted, we drank, we danced. Annie, despite her unfamiliarity with social events of this proportion, fit in like a charm, showing no fear with meeting the elite of the city, quickly winning over everyone she spoke to with her incredible personality
She was charming, she was vivacious, and she was fearless. I’d been on dates before with women who weren’t entirely familiar with my circles, and they always approached being a part of them with the same enthusiasm, like they couldn’t wait to social climb.
But Annie was different. She radiated warmth and was a joy to be around. And as much fun as we were having, it wasn’t long before I wanted her all to myself.
“So,” she said as we slow danced to White Christmas. “What’s this about a room?”
“Looks like we’re thinking the same thing. Come on.”
Leaving the party the right way would’ve been an hour-long process. And there was no way I could wait that long to have her. So I took her by the hand and led her through the party, giving quick goodbyes to the familiar faces I passed. And as soon as the elevator doors shut and we were finally alone, we were all over one another.
We kissed with wild abandon, like there was no one in the world but each other. I swept my hand under her leg, bringing it up around my waist as I put my other hand on her hip.
The doors opened and we broke apart and hurried down the hall, laughing and smiling like a couple of kids. The room was on the far end, and when we reached it, I didn’t waste a moment swiping the key card and opening the door.
Annie
I was more than ready to pounce on Duncan. But I needed a moment to stare at that room. It was incredible. The room wasn’t a room at all; it was more like a big apartment in the best part of downtown Denver. A large living room with a fireplace and elegant furniture dominated the space, and windows looked out onto a balcony with downtown glittering beyond. A massive bedroom was to the right, and to the left was a huge bathroom complete with indoor hot tub.