I finished my make up the following night with a final touch to my smoky eye and looked at myself in the mirror. The red dress was strapless and tight against my body, making every curve quite pronounced and loud, which I had no problem with. I added the red lipstick, and fluffed my curls before stepping back and taking a selfie, sending it to the group of ladies, along with the message that I as making the most of our final night. They had already gotten the low down when I called them when Howie had left to go to his room for a bit; I had to spill. And each one of them freaked out on me, although they all gushed. And I wrapped up the call with making sure that Alex was picking me up from the airport. I hung up the phone, trying not to cry.
My phone beeped and I looked down as I saw the emojis piled in of kissing faces, being on fire and a couple drooling ones. God, I loved my friends. I might have hated them for a moment for pushing me on this damn boat, but I really couldn't fault them now. And all they were doing was trying to boost my confidence. I sent a heart emoji back and then grabbed my purse. I walked out the door, hearing my phone ding again, this time seeing it to be Mike.
"Fuck," I muttered to myself. I still hadn't thanked him for the roses, which were drying up. Yeah, I couldn't quite toss them like I wanted; they were too pretty and it's not like I got roses all the time. I wrinkled my nose as I walked over to the elevator and pushed the button then opened the message. I shook my head and hit the call button, waiting for him to pick up.
"Hello you."
'Hi Mike. Sorry, I didn't get the chance to thank you for the flowers; or the nice comments."
"I'm not lying Resa, you fucking look amazing." I rolled my eyes at that.
"Thank you. Wait, how did you just see the picture?"
"I'm with Ashley going over some wardrobe ideas." God, he was making it a habit of seeing things from my friends phone and I wasn't like that. Just because there history behind us, didn't give him the right to checking things, or even being in on major, well, our business.
"That wasn't meant for you to see."
"I know, but you looked to amazing for me not to stare. So, big plans tonight?
"Yes, it is the final night."
"I know. Think I could see you when you come back?"
"Aren't you married?" I asked, lifting a brow as I stepped off the elevator.
"Well…"
"No well, Mike, bye." I hung up and grinned as I saw Howie at a lone table overlooking the water with some candles. Now, how the hell did he managed this on the lido deck? He glanced my way and I slowly walked over.
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His eyes trailed over the body clad in red and it was like time slowed down. Her legs looked even better in those heels and that dress just made him want to tear it off her with his teeth. Fuck, she was a fiery vision and he loved it. Dressed like that, he could see her all decked out for the award shows and he knew he wouldn't be disappointed.
He was looking forward to the evening, just not looking forward to saying goodbye; God, not when she was looking that good. He stood up as I walked closer and held out the chair for me; such a gentlemen he was. I sat down and smiled at him.
"On a call?"
"Yeah, you won't believe with who." Howie just gave me a look before pouring each of us some wine.
"I might believe," he muttered but I caught it.
"Hey now.
"He is just trying to get in your good graces."
"I'm aware. And that won't happen. I don't even see him like that anymore." I took a sip of my wine, looking at Howie, although, I wanted to believe that. But if Howie and I walked away, to save my pour self esteem, would I walk back to Mike? I never wanted to be a mistress though, so the chanced would be a hard no. "Can we not destroy the evening with that," I asked, tiling my head.
"You are right, I'm sorry. You look amazing by the way. You stole my breath when I saw you walking over."
"Why thank you, you are looking pretty good yourself. Don't think I've seen you in a three piece suit yet."
"I had brought it, but had nothing to wear it to, till tonight." I leaned back and smirked. I lied; he didn't look just good; he looked utterly fucking delicious. What was it about a man that was all dressed up that was sexy as hell?
"I'm honored that I got to be the one to see this amazing outfit." He smiled and took a sip of his wine. "Care to tell me how you arranged all of this," I asked, waving my hand.
"Money." I blinked and he grinned. "I just asked for a private table and some music. Really, the only thing I had to pay for was the food."
"You are a sly bastard." He gave me a wicked grin and then stood up, taking my hand. He pulled me into his arms and slowly started to sway with me. God, he felt so right pressed against me.
"Jesus, you smell good enough to eat," Howie mumbled as his lips traveled over my shoulder and my neck.
"You can nibble away if you like." He pulled back and gave me a wink.
"Oh, sweetheart, trust me, my plan is to have my lips, and my tongue, all over this sexy body tonight." I couldn't stop the groan that came out of my lips, not by a long shot. He did all kinds of crazy things to my body. And sassily, I never wanted him to stop. I tilted my head as I looked at him, knowing my cheeks were as red as my dress but hell if I cared. I leaned forward and pressed my lips against his, enjoying the sweet sound of his moan. His hands shifted from my hips to my ass and pulled me against him. I shivered as his hands squeezed and had to force myself to pull back, smelling the food.
"Come on, time to eat," I said, pulling him back to the table. He helped me sit down again and then took his spot. The waiter took the lids off the plates and I stared at the long rectangular box that was sitting right before me. What the hell was that? I glanced from it to Howie, who only shrugged.
"I suggest you open it."
"You would huh?" I questioned as I opened it, gasping at the sight of a silver rope bracelet on a blanket of blue velvet. It wasn't a diamond of anything expensive, NOT that I wanted that; that would have been too much. In fact, I wasn't even sure about this. "Howie," I whispered, looking back up at him as I took it out.
"I know you might think it was crazy, but I wanted you to have something to remember this trip by. You deserve to have something nice."
"That…is too sweet. I …don't know what to say but thank you." I held it out to him, along with the wrist. "Please help me?"
"Gladly." He fastened it on and then kissed the inside of my wrist. "You know, I'm not expecting anything," he said, reading the question in my eyes. I shrugged as I leaned forward a bit and moved my hands underneath the table.
"I know, but," I said as I stood up and grabbed my phone and clutch and walked behind him, leaning over to whisper in his hear in the most husky, desire filled voice I had, "that doesn't mean I didn't have something," I moaned out as I placed the black lace thong in his hand. "It's my special and favorite pair and now it's yours. Get dinner to go and join me," I ordered as I kissed his neck while pulling away. His eyes followed the ass as I walked away and then looked down at the material in his hand, quickly jumping up and following.