I took a shower and spent the rest of the day getting ready. I decided on vintage waves for my hairstyle and did a glam look with my make up using a lipstick that matched my dress. It was giving me serious Jessica Rabbit vibes. Red really was my color. At 3:30pm I had Lily help me get my dress on and added the finishing touches to my outfit. Before I knew it Alexander was knocking at my door for the second time that day and I couldn't wait for our evening to start. I opened the door and what I saw made the words of greeting I was about to say die on my lips. God, he looked so good in a tailored tux. His eyes were so green lined with thick lashes and his hair was sexily tousled which made his perfectly angular features even more attractive. I remembered that I wanted to see his reaction to my dress, so I looked up. I could see appreciation with a touch of lust on his face and a little something more I couldn't place. It made my body temperature rise and I needed to get outside as soon as possible to cool down.
"Shall we go?" I asked and I told Lily bye really quick.
She whispered "good luck" to me and winked. I didn't want to give her time to be able to say anything embarrassing about me in front of him yet, so I grabbed my things and we left quickly. I was surprised when I saw a limousine parked out front instead of his Audi. I'd never been in one before. The driver opened the door for us, and he politely let me in first. There was so much room, but he sat right next to me. My thighs were exposed from the slits in my dress and his hand was so close I couldn't think about anything else. I snapped back to reality when he reached over to the mini bar to get two glasses and a bottle of champagne that was waiting for us.
"Would you like a glass?" He asked as he poured.
I smiled and took the glass saying, "Thank you, I think this is what I need to calm my nerves. I'm seriously nervous about having a piece in the auction but I'm very excited to see all our hard work come together."
I took a sip of my drink. It was the best tasting champagne I'd ever had. Glancing at the bottle I realized why, it was Dom Perignon.
"I think that it's going to be very successful so don't worry. I'm basically an expert at these things." He said giving me a goofy smile.
I chuckled, "Well, aren't you lucky?"
He didn't miss a beat and smoothly stated, "I am but it's because you're here with me. You look incredible by the way."
I smiled stupidly. "I could say the same about you."
I turned away and downed the rest of my drink. I can talk a big game, but I needed a little liquid courage tonight. Not too much though or I'd be dancing on tabletops later. I wonder what he's like drunk.
Alexander POV***
Penelope looked amazing in her dress but as much as I appreciated it, I also wanted to tear it off her. Honestly she looked fantastic in anything but tonight it was on a whole other level. She was the most beautiful thing I'd ever laid eyes on and I was truly seeing it for the first time. This is the first day that we have ever crossed the line to seeing each other outside of work and the more I get to know her the more I'm attracted to her.
I wanted to hold her so much that when she looked up at me through her thick lashes I impulsively blurted out, "Is it ok if I put my arm around you?"
Oops, well it's out now and I don't want to take it back. In fact, I was anxious for the answer. I could see her cheeks redden but she answered "yes" with a smile looking down shyly. As I put my arm around her, she leaned forward slightly so I could put my hand around her waist. Her back was exposed, and I grazed my fingers across it as my hand made its way to her waist. It felt like sparks flew through my fingertips. She shivered and looked directly at me with her hazel eyes holding desire in them, but she looked away quickly. Watching her react to my touch made me wish I could have her alone with me the whole evening, not sharing her with anyone. She leaned into me sighing contently letting me know she was comfortable being close to me. I'd been wanting to do this for so long. Basically, every time she sat next to me. I tenderly held her like that, and my heart fluttered. Neither one of us spoke for a bit, we were just enjoying the moment.
Eventually I broke the silence, "So I know that I just asked you to be my date for tonight, but I was wondering if you would be interested in seriously dating me. I feel a connection with you that I've never felt with anyone before. There are going to be reporters and paparazzi at the entrance when we arrive because of the high profile list. Tonight they're all going to see us together so our relationship will be out to the public. That is, if you want this to be a relationship like I do."
I hadn't exactly planned on asking her to be my girlfriend this evening. I was going to take it slow and take her on a few dates first but waiting felt like agony after getting to spend so much time with her. She just felt so right in my arms. Plus, I didn't want to run the risk of anyone else trying to make a move on her. I'm not a jealous man but with her I seem to be.
I watched as she took what I said in. She was stunned for a moment but smiled brightly and said, "I would like that very much. I actually feel the same way. You know me almost as well as Lily does, and I've never shared a relationship even close to that level with anyone I was also attracted to."
At that last admission her face reddened again. She does that a lot around me but I love it. I wanted to kiss her right then but was interrupted when the car stopped because we had arrived.
Penelope POV***
I couldn't believe he'd just asked me to be his girlfriend! I had been open to that step for a few months now, but I didn't see him asking me when we were literally on our first date. After I said yes, he looked at me so sweetly. The car stopped shortly after. Alexander got out first and held out his hand to help me out. I took it knowing I was about to step into cameras flashing and people shouting questions at us. I took a deep breath to steady myself and stepped out. Once out of the car he continued holding my hand.
It was both intimate and comforting. "I usually just smile and wave without stopping to comment. I invited Journalists to cover the actual event and already did an interview with them. Tonight is about enjoying ourselves." He whispered in my ear.
As we were being blinded and shouted at, we made our way to the entrance and once inside I couldn't stop staring at how beautiful the venue was. Each room where the art was displayed had a table with a tablet where bids were placed on the pieces and it had an employee standing at it who monitored and managed the bids. We walked around looking at all the art and he saved mine for last. I stepped closer to take it in. It had my name, the title and the year listed next to it. I never thought I'd see my art in a place like this, so it was such a thrill to see people walking over to it and observing it knowing I made it. Some of them turned to do a double take after they looked at the painting recognizing me. I turned and Alexander was talking with one of the guests that was in the room. Not wanting to interrupt them I excused myself from the room because I was too nervous of what people would say about my piece. I didn't want to overhear anything right now. I found the bathroom and stayed in there for a few minutes to calm myself down. After my anxiety subsided, I walked out and went to the bar to get a drink and snagged some appetizers too. I was hungry but didn't want to spoil my appetite before dinner. I spotted Talia. She was standing alone next to a sculpture, so I went to talk to her. We had also become pretty close because I worked so much with Alexander, and she was right outside our offices.
"Hey! What's a foxy lady like you doing all by herself?" She turned around like she was about to slap someone for being so forward but smiled instead when she saw that it was me.
"Ryan went to get us drinks. Holy cow you are a knockout in that dress!" she said appraising me and making me do a spin for her.
"Thank you! I didn't get a chance to tell you before I left work yesterday, but Alexander asked me to be his date for tonight! I guess technically we are actually a couple now because he asked me that tonight." I giggled.
Her eyes widened and she said, "Oh my gosh that is so great! I was wondering when one of you would finally have the guts to make a move on the other. It's so obvious you're into each other. I thought I was going to have to lock you two in a room together tonight in an effort to move things along. I bet he's having a hard time keeping his hand off you looking like that." She raised her eyebrows suggestively at me.
I rolled my eyes at her joke.
"Same goes for you but with Ryan." I smirked. Talia had a pink halter top dress with a deep plunge in the front and that dress hugged her curves flaring in a mermaid style at the bottom. Ryan got back with their drinks about 30 seconds later.
"Alexander was looking for you Penelope. I just saw him when I was at the bar." He said.
"Ok you two, I'll leave you to enjoy each other's company. I need to go find my date."
I went over to the bar area to search for Alexander. I couldn't see him, so I checked all the rooms and then made my way back over to the appetizer table. I decided to just stay here and snack while I waited for him to find me.
Suddenly a cold voice that I recognized whispered in my ear, "I've finally found you."
It was not the voice I was hoping to hear. In fact, I never wanted to hear this man's voice again. I turned around with extreme irritation written all over my face.
"You know, it's called stalking when you follow someone around after they break up with you Keith. I have a restraining order on you so why are you even near me?" I said angrily.
He smiled slyly, "Well let's just say I pulled some strings to pose as a caterer so I could see you. I saw you're here with another man and I don't like that." He said grabbing my arm.
My blood ran cold, and I started to panic. I looked around for anyone near me but most of the people had gone outside where dinner was being held and the DJ had started playing music on the dance floor out there so nobody would be able to hear me scream. Fuck! I grabbed the thumb of the hand that was on my arm twisting it back and wrenching my arm from his grasp. I turned to face him once again. I had imagined what it would be like running into him. In all the scenarios I never imagined feeling the rage that was bubbling up inside me overtaking the panic. Quickly I threw the drink I was holding at his face, squared my stance, punched him in the nose with as much force as I could, and then kicked him in the groin leaving him on the ground before running away. I ended up running right smack into Alexander and he looked concerned but also angry. Had he seen what happened?
It all tumbled out, "My ex-boyfriend is stalking me. We need to get security and call the police ASAP. I have a restraining order on him and will be happy to see him go to jail for violating it."
He understood and pulled out his phone making a call. We watched as they came and handcuffed him to take him away. He was still on the ground holding his nose and balls, so it was pretty easy for them. Alexander led me to an office with a couch that I could sit on. I started shaking. He took off his jacket and put it around me holding me till I stopped.
"Do you want to tell me what happened? I saw you pretty much kick the shit out of him, but I missed the rest. I shouldn't have walked away to talk to Mr. Tate earlier. I'm so sorry, this is my fault." He looked so upset.
I said, "This is not your fault. Neither of us knew Keith was going to pose as a caterer just to get to me. He must have seen my name listed as a featured artist in this. I should have told you about him a while ago, but I didn't honestly think he would take it this far and I had the restraining order as well. I hadn't even heard from him in years before tonight."
He hugged me tightly, "Well at least we know he is going to be in jail now, so you won't have to worry about him for a while. I really am sorry that this happened. If I'd been with you this wouldn't have happened."