Calling the shots
Jack
Jewel looked over at me. The uncertainty was written on her lovely face. Things had just gotten real. I wasn't sure what her plans with Aaron had included. She'd kept that to herself. At this moment, however, I was kind of glad Aaron had declined. Not because I wanted to see her hurt. I would've done anything in my power to avoid that. Seeing her eyes light with desire, I felt my cock start to swell. If Aaron had taken her up on her offer, I would've missed this. This scene unfolding in front of me wasn't to be missed.
Making sure my smile held warmth and reassurance, I ran my fingers over her neck as I leaned close to her. "Do what feels right," I whispered in her ear.
"This feels like a trap," she whispered back, honesty and concern mirrored in her expression.
After leaving a kiss on her cheek, I said, "I'd never set one." That's how I'd gotten her to say yes to me all those years ago. By never setting a trap to ensnare her. She was a unicorn. If I was going to love her, I had to love her on her terms. She would always need freedom. If that's all it took to keep her by my side, it was a price I was willing to pay. Happily.
Her smile softened with the truth of my statement. "I know. I'm not sure what to do."
I shook my head. Oh, she knew. She'd just played the card that guaranteed she got exactly what she wanted. Which was, for me to take the lead. I wouldn't have objected had she simply stated that. There was no need for her to play games. At least, not with me. Still, I realized this was new to her so I gave her extra grace. We would be talking about this when we got home however. "Lean forward. Give him a glimpse down the front of that gorgeous dress you're wearing," I whispered back. "Tell him what's going on in your head."
Best to get this timid backslide out of the way. When she met up with Aaron again, she would need to have her confidence completely back. Flirting, or more, with a cute bartender had the potential to give her that.
She took a deep breath and nodded. That was my good girl. Turning from me, I missed being her focus of attention. When her shoulders straightened, however, I decided to enjoy the view instead of feeling sorry for myself.
"I was just...um...thinking that you were very kind to recommend a place for us. We weren't relishing the idea of chatting with Scottie and I could use another drink before we go to this," she paused and cleared her throat before saying, "party."
"Not a party person?" Connor asked. I had to commend the man on picking up on cue and taking the time to ask about it. Not enough men spent time on the details. They were goal driven. Which often worked well for careers and education but sucked where women were considered. The details? That's where women lived.
"It's a partners' party hosted by Jack's boss." A slight stretch of the neck and fidget of her shoulders were the only tell she gave that she was uncomfortable. Still, I saw them. Scooting closer to her, I put a hand on her shoulders in support.
Connor nodded. "I get it. Let me get the next round."
He stood and disappeared before he could ask what we wanted. Jewel turned to give me a quizzical glance, but all I could do was shrug in response. Connor returned a few minutes later holding three full martini glasses.
"That was quick," Jewel said as she carefully took one of the glasses from him.
Connor shrugged. "I'm a regular." He handed one of the others to me. "Martinis. Martinis with orange bitters. They are the signature drink of the house. Please, for the love of all that's holy, never order one from me. Mine don't compare."
"I find that hard to believe." Her voice was a deep and rich purr to my ear. The tone always made my blood heat. It was official, the alcohol had started to kick in. She was beginning to relax. "Mmmm..." The rumble of gratitude she made at her first drink sent a spark of longing through me. Oh to be that drink...
"Glad you approve." Connor raised his glass in a toast. "Cheers"
Jewel giggled as she pulled herself from her drink. "Oops. Sorry." She lifted the glass up as I lifted mine. "Cheers," we said in unison.
When I took my first sip, I could understand Jewel's reaction. It was tart and mellow at the same time. I held it in my mouth for a second, something Jewel always teased me about, until the undercurrents of the gin melted into cardamom and coriander with just a touch of pepper at the tail end. When I swallowed, I was surprisingly impressed by how smooth it went down. "Excellent drink," I said with an appreciative nod.
"So he always does that long taste thing?" Connor asked, leaning in to Jewel. "I thought it was designed specially just to torment me."
I smiled. "Nope."
"Jack lives to appreciate the finer things," Jewel said before taking another drink.
"Women, drinks, cars, cigars, food...." I shrugged as I let the sentence die unfinished. There were too many things that I loved to enjoy for me to list them all. We'd be here all night. "If you don't really savor the best things in life, you never fully appreciate the craftsmanship that went into them."
Connor looked down at his drink as if considering my words. "So women are a product of craftsmanship?"
"The best are," Jewel answered. When Connor lifted an eyebrow in question I smiled. Oh, yeah. This was one of Jewel's favorite soap boxes. Even when she was sober. "Please don't tell me you are one of those guys looking for a girl who wakes up all dewy and smelling of fresh mint. She steps out of bed and gets dressed with the aid of forest animals?" She sat back, her posture one of challenge.
"I guess I hadn't thought about it," Connor answered.
At least the guy was honest. And he didn't seem to be getting defensive while she spoke. Another plus as far as I was concerned. She would hate it to know I went out of my way to only hold conversations with people who treated her with respect, however. So I kept that tidbit to myself. It was one of the main reasons I could never stand to be in a conversation with my douchey co-worders at these stupid parties, though. They all treated her like she was some sort of living Barbie. Aaron was the only one who had ever talked to her like an equal. He'd even offered her a job as his assistant out of professional respect. That was part of the reason I thought she had been attracted to him.
"It takes time and energy to achieve any type of look that appears put together and cohesive. After a certain age, makeup is pretty much a daily task. Still, how theatrical, how natural, how much of a shimmer or shine does the woman want? Each takes time and effort to learn."
