My hope, p.3
My Hope, page 3
Chapter 5
ANNA
I groaned as I rolled over in bed, feeling both a mix of anticipation and nerves. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains casting a warm glow over my bedspread. A million thoughts were racing through my head. I was both looking forward and not looking forward to this day. The event I had been working my booty off for was here. There was a sense of excitement, the thrill of accomplishment, and this event that I had poured my blood sweat, and tears into was finally here. But the heavy weight of dread, knowing that anything could go wrong lingered. I still had an entire day of rushing and dictating orders in which something could still screw it all up.
I lay in bed and closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the solace of darkness. I let my mind wander to the intense stare of gray. It wasn’t the first time these thoughts had seeped into my mind like a welcome visitor. Since the club, these eyes have appeared in my dreams. I would probably never see him again, but he provided very, very effective material for some more intimate moments. Relaxing, I pictured the brown curls and the muscles rippling underneath me. I succumbed to the embrace of my imagination. My hand made its way from behind my head, down my chest. Pushing my nightshirt above my breasts, the cool air ran over my nipples causing me to shiver. I pressed and pulled, my nipples growing tighter and harder. Further down my fingers trailed, until they hit my patch of hair. My fingers slid down between my legs, rubbing and circling. Every ounce of stress dissipated as my fingers pressed down. The pressure built and my imagination brought forth the sight of a curly brown head as it bobbed between my thighs, his eyes as I imagined his tongue slid through my folds.
I rolled over and grabbed my toy from my nightstand. A mini black vibrator. Turning it on to the highest vibration I pressed it against my mound and my hand goes back to rolling and pinching my nipples. I start thrusting in and out with my toy, rolling over my clit. My fingers were still pinching and pulling. My breaths came rapidly, as Wilder’s name fell as whispers from my lips. My fingers slid with my juices, and I could hear the slick of the toy pounding in and out. The heavy, tingling feeling built up inside my belly. I was so close to coming. I moaned, softly. My stomach tensed up, and my climax hit me.
After the night at the club, I gushed to Alexis about Wilder. We didn’t manage to get too far into introductions; I knew almost nothing about him. But the way he carried himself and commanded the room was so attractive. His full attention was on me. There was an air of danger in his eyes, deftly hidden behind the charm he put forth. I couldn’t quite tell if I should feel uneasy or if feeling exhilarated was wrong. Alexis thought I was reading too much into it. She thought I was overanalyzing the situation, reading too deeply into a mere encounter at a club. She was right though, odds are I would never run into him again in this massive city.
Feeling calm and clear, my nerves dissipated and I rolled out of bed. The morning unfolded as a whirlwind of activity, with the ballroom at the Crown Hotel serving as my main stage. Stepping into the grand space, I marveled at its classic beauty. The Crown Hotel, a treasure, and relic from the 1920s, had been the venue for the annual gala every year. As I made my rounds, confirming arrangements with the caterers and the band, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that everything was falling into place. The ballroom itself was a sight to behold. With its high arched ceiling and magnificent stone walls adorned with shimmery white and black banners, it exuded an air of sophistication. The elegant décor perfectly aligned with this year’s black and white theme, creating an enchanting ambiance that would impress even the veteran gala attendees. Besides the exorbitant ticket price for the meal and event, our big draw was the auction which enticed attendees with once in a lifetime events. Among the coveted prizes were a private event on a luxurious yacht and the opportunity to have a personal cooking lesson with none other than Martha Stewart herself.
After the speeches, the presentation of awards, and the hopefully spirited bidding on the auction items, the lights in the ballroom would turn down low. There would be a soft glow from the twinkling lights stringed up above the dance floor. I was going for a sense of romance and wonder, and honestly, I nailed it. Every detail had been carefully considered to evoke a feeling of intimacy and splendor. This event was a reflection of my passion and dedication to crafting an experience that surpassed all expectations.
Alexis glided into the ballroom with an air of confidence and authority about four o’clock that afternoon and demanded that I leave her to oversee the rest of the setup. I really did need to go home and shower. Maybe take a quick nap before I returned for the evening. Even though this event was my primary concern in my life right now, everything had already been done that could be done.
As I stepped into the familiar surroundings of my apartment, I was able to take a sigh of relief. I took a quick refreshing shower and passed out on the couch. Awaking energized and ready for the night.
I arrived back at the ballroom dressed in a floor length, emerald gown. The back dipped dangerously low and was held up with a choker at my neck. I felt gorgeous and confident, and eager for the night to begin. But the nerves in my stomach darted around when I let my guard down. The press arrived first; they lined the entrance waiting for all the big names to show.
I flitted back and forth across the venue, my green dress trailing behind me, making sure things were being done as they were supposed to. That people were where they were supposed to be, and the flow of events happening as it should.
The evening passed by quickly. My colleagues and guests alike both shared their appreciation for the evening and I felt better about the whole thing. People were enjoying it. Unfortunately, my most dreaded part of the evening arrived when I was expected to thank everyone for the attendance and support as well as introduce the auction and dance portion of the night.
6
Chapter 6
WILDER
I pulled up to the hotel in a limo and walked through the entrance lined with photographers from every news rag in the city. Time to put on that gentlemanly charm. The flashing lights from the cameras and the drizzle coming down from the sky made it an irritable walk inside.
“Wilder, do you have a comment on being named one of the top 20 bachelors of the city?” I glanced towardsthe voice.
I smiled and bowed my head, showing how sheepish and humble I could be. It’s always an act whether I am in front of the cameras or not. “I’m flattered that I was even thought of. Hopefully, the article can bring awareness to the many causes I support, such as the Chicago Humane Society.” I actually did care about many philanthropic issues. I just showed my support for them monetarily. The humane society is one of them. I had a dog when I was growing up. I had named her Missy and besides Levi, she had been my best friend. She kept all of my secrets. My mom had gotten him for me before she left. When I was 12, I came home and she wasn’t waiting at the door for me. I knew better than to ask, but I know my brother had something to do with my dog going missing. He sat down at dinner that night and asked me where she was. But he had that look in his eye like he knew exactly what happened. I knew better than to say anything though. My mom had left by that time and my dad could care less about a dog. I got my revenge for that later, blood for blood.
Unfortunately, the event attracted all the right people. I was stuck shaking hands and making small talk for the cocktail hour and all through the dinner.
“Wilder, it’s good to see you. What have you been up to?” Sitting at the table next to me was a large man with thinning gray hair. Judge Roberts, who had to be at least 70, was sitting redfaced and draped on by a very young woman. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was barely legal.
“Life is going to plan,” I responded. “My father’s business has been very busy lately. Lots of projects to keep an eye on.” I leaned back in my chair and took a sip of my whiskey. I gave him a pointed look and smiled. He gave a quick smile in return and turned back to the girl while his hand slipped up her quite short dress. Judge Roberts had an affinity for gambling as well as high class girls and was a frequent visitor to the back rooms of our clubs. Because of this, he was pretty much in our pocket when we needed a judge in the legal system.
I looked for my exit, I had put enough time in and posed for enough pictures that would show how charitable the Kavanaghs were. It was time to be alone.
As I headed toward the exit a spotlight hit the stage and a familiar face greeted me. My breath caught as I recognized the green eyes scanning the crowd. I had thought about her daily since I saw her at Paradiso.
Her nerves bled through her confident facade causing her voice to tremble just a bit. I was enthralled with the girl who had caused my eyes to watch every word formed by her dark red lips. I hadn’t made the connection that she would be here. Stupid of me since I saw her in every girl I had fucked since then. I hadn’t heard a word of her speech but moments later there was polite applause filling the room.
She quickly left the stage after her speech and the lights dimmed to a soft glow. Her grace moving through the crowd kept my eye as she mingled and talked with some of the more well-known donors. I stood off to the side and unsure of if I should reach out. Women didn’t stick around in my life. That was more my preference than theirs. I definitely didn’t think about them when they weren’t around. This one had already proven different. The decision was taken from me as our eyes met and recognition gleamed in her gaze.
She sauntered over. Suddenly a lot more confident in herself.
“My hero. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She remarked.
“I came to save the animals.” I bantered back. She eyed me suspiciously with a smirk playing at the edge of her lips. A charitable good guy didn’t fit the version of me that she had already built in her mind. That’s good, it means that on some level she knows that I am not good enough for her. “Alright. Family obligation, but I do donate.” I tried turning up the charm.
Her cheeks tinged with pink from the champagne she carried in her hand, her gaze lingered on my body. Her attempts to be discreet made it more obvious to me. I, on the other hand, was not being subtle at all. “Would you like to dance?”
Sitting her glass of champagne on a nearby table, I guided my hand to the small of her back and led her to the dance floor. Pulling her close, the slow music wound itself around us. It was unusual for me to have these types of interactions with the women I pursued. Most were quick hookups that I picked up at the club. A means to release the violent frustration that my job imbued. So what was I doing here? She felt perfect in my arms, and I never wanted to let go. But fuck me, but I wanted to get Anna back to my apartment. I wasn’t able to read her like the other girls. But I could tell she was innocent and happy, and good. And I don’t want to scare her off with the life I had. She didn’t deserve that, no one did.
“So you said a family obligation. What family is that?” She asked.
“Kavanagh.”
“Like Wilder Kavanagh as in the Kavanaghs that own the casinos?” She blurted out.
Fuck. Being new to the city, I was hoping that she wouldn’t be familiar with the name. “My father, Ryan Kavanagh, is the man who owns the Casinos. I actually have a few other businesses here in the city.”
“Oh, sorry.” She gently tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at me. We continued to dance slowly to the music as we made small talk about her love of dogs and wanting to “make a difference” in the world. We talked about how she was adjusting to the city and what sites she had gone to see and what sights she had yet to explore. Which it turned out had been most of them.
As our conversation started to wind down, we headed off the dance floor. “I better get going. We have to prepare for the auction. Thank you. For the dance.” She lingered for a minute.
“Would you like to go to dinner with me this week?” Damn. Now I was nervous.
7
Chapter 7
ANNA
I paced back and forth across the living room. I tried talking to Luna but she was ignoring me, instead choosing to chew on a bone. I didn’t know what the plan was for the night. Wilder hadn’t given me any clues, just that he would pick me up at 8 tonight.
Everything was going so well for me right now. Work was amazing. The gala was crazy successful for my first event. I had my first date since moving to the big city.
Getting through the work week since Wilder had asked me to dinner was mentally exhausting. I didn’t have many pressing issues to attend to at work so I was free to let my mind wander. And wander it did. It had been a while since I had a date. I dated a few guys in college, but it never really amounted to anything serious. And none of those guys had the immediate chemistry that Wilder and I had. I hate to say love at first sight but maybe strong lust at first sight would be more appropriate. So I began to worry. At home, I second guessed every outfit I pulled out of my closet. Beyond jeans and a tshirt, I didn’t have too much to wear between casual and fancy. Finally, I settled on a pair of black skinny jeans that had ripped knees, a black tank top, and nude heels. I left my long hair wavy and down with a ponytail on my wrist just in case. I perfected my winged eyeliner and swiped some light pink gloss on my lips. I had ten minutes to spare.
Despite knowing when Wilder was supposed to be here, a knock on the door startled me. Opening the door, I was glad that I didn’t dress any fancier. Wilder looked like a god. His height filled the doorway and I could tell he was strong by the way his muscles filled the tight black tshirt he was wearing. He was dressed in a similar outfit to the night at the club. But now in the light, I could see the edges of tattoos curling out from under his sleeves and peeking up over the edges of the neck.“Who is this?” Wilder asked as Luna came bounding up dropping a toy at his feet. She brings everyone a present when they come over.
“This is Luna.” I watched as he threw the toy a few times for her. “I’ll put her away and then we can go.”
Outside, Wilder opened the door for me to a black Range Rover. “Where are we going?” I asked after settling in.
“To see the sunset.” I was starting to realize that Wilder was a man of few words. I tried to fill the silence and talk about my job and the sights I have on my to-do list. Wilder was listening to everything I said and even though he wasn’t talking much, I could tell he was attentive to every word I was saying. He does it without bringing the conversation back to himself and it was refreshing. A lot of the guys I have run into lately want to talk about their jobs and their accomplishments, and always seem to bring the conversation back to their life.
“The John Hancock Center is over a thousand feet tall. And at the top is an observation deck that overlooks the Chicago Skyline on the 94th floor. I was hoping you wouldn’t have a fear of heights.” Wilder glanced at me from the driver’s seat, eyebrows raised in question.
“Nope, no fear of heights. A fear of tiny, dark spaces. But heights don’t bother me.”
“Awesome.” He said as he pulled into a parking garage. We walked to the building, and although there was a line, Wilder guided me through the doors and into the elevator. Although I was still not really sure what it was that Wilder does for a job, I was starting to think this guy had a little more influence than I was aware. Obviously, he had money, he was at the gala for the wealthy and he was part of the Kavanagh family, but I guess I could’ve done a bit more googling. Wilder reached for my hand as we boarded the elevator, the warmth sending a shiver up my arm. My tummy floated with the excitement and the speed of the elevator as it flew up 94 stories. But stepping out of the elevator to the view was fan-freaking-amazing. The tower sat right on Lake Michigan. I could see the Willis Tower in the Chicago Skyline. I walked around the deck, and I kind of stopped paying attention to Wilder because the sunset was so awe-inspiring.
Leaning against the railing, I lost myself in the beauty. My memories wandered to my parents and how we used to go watch the sunsets at the lake near our home. I thought about how hard I had been working the last few years and since I got my new job. I was always working toward the future and I realized that I was on a date with a really handsome, successful guy and I had lost focus to the past. I needed to be more aware of the present. As the sun dipped below the horizon, fireworks exploded over the Navy Pier. I turned back to Wilder and smiled. He was smiling as he watched me.
He leaned against the railing, arms encompassing me, and watched the fireworks with me. The heat from his body mingled with mine. Our bodies were not quite touching, but my brain was aware of his body so close to mine.
ANNA
I groaned as I rolled over in bed, feeling both a mix of anticipation and nerves. The soft morning light filtered through the curtains casting a warm glow over my bedspread. A million thoughts were racing through my head. I was both looking forward and not looking forward to this day. The event I had been working my booty off for was here. There was a sense of excitement, the thrill of accomplishment, and this event that I had poured my blood sweat, and tears into was finally here. But the heavy weight of dread, knowing that anything could go wrong lingered. I still had an entire day of rushing and dictating orders in which something could still screw it all up.
I lay in bed and closed my eyes, surrendering myself to the solace of darkness. I let my mind wander to the intense stare of gray. It wasn’t the first time these thoughts had seeped into my mind like a welcome visitor. Since the club, these eyes have appeared in my dreams. I would probably never see him again, but he provided very, very effective material for some more intimate moments. Relaxing, I pictured the brown curls and the muscles rippling underneath me. I succumbed to the embrace of my imagination. My hand made its way from behind my head, down my chest. Pushing my nightshirt above my breasts, the cool air ran over my nipples causing me to shiver. I pressed and pulled, my nipples growing tighter and harder. Further down my fingers trailed, until they hit my patch of hair. My fingers slid down between my legs, rubbing and circling. Every ounce of stress dissipated as my fingers pressed down. The pressure built and my imagination brought forth the sight of a curly brown head as it bobbed between my thighs, his eyes as I imagined his tongue slid through my folds.
I rolled over and grabbed my toy from my nightstand. A mini black vibrator. Turning it on to the highest vibration I pressed it against my mound and my hand goes back to rolling and pinching my nipples. I start thrusting in and out with my toy, rolling over my clit. My fingers were still pinching and pulling. My breaths came rapidly, as Wilder’s name fell as whispers from my lips. My fingers slid with my juices, and I could hear the slick of the toy pounding in and out. The heavy, tingling feeling built up inside my belly. I was so close to coming. I moaned, softly. My stomach tensed up, and my climax hit me.
After the night at the club, I gushed to Alexis about Wilder. We didn’t manage to get too far into introductions; I knew almost nothing about him. But the way he carried himself and commanded the room was so attractive. His full attention was on me. There was an air of danger in his eyes, deftly hidden behind the charm he put forth. I couldn’t quite tell if I should feel uneasy or if feeling exhilarated was wrong. Alexis thought I was reading too much into it. She thought I was overanalyzing the situation, reading too deeply into a mere encounter at a club. She was right though, odds are I would never run into him again in this massive city.
Feeling calm and clear, my nerves dissipated and I rolled out of bed. The morning unfolded as a whirlwind of activity, with the ballroom at the Crown Hotel serving as my main stage. Stepping into the grand space, I marveled at its classic beauty. The Crown Hotel, a treasure, and relic from the 1920s, had been the venue for the annual gala every year. As I made my rounds, confirming arrangements with the caterers and the band, I couldn’t help feeling a sense of satisfaction knowing that everything was falling into place. The ballroom itself was a sight to behold. With its high arched ceiling and magnificent stone walls adorned with shimmery white and black banners, it exuded an air of sophistication. The elegant décor perfectly aligned with this year’s black and white theme, creating an enchanting ambiance that would impress even the veteran gala attendees. Besides the exorbitant ticket price for the meal and event, our big draw was the auction which enticed attendees with once in a lifetime events. Among the coveted prizes were a private event on a luxurious yacht and the opportunity to have a personal cooking lesson with none other than Martha Stewart herself.
After the speeches, the presentation of awards, and the hopefully spirited bidding on the auction items, the lights in the ballroom would turn down low. There would be a soft glow from the twinkling lights stringed up above the dance floor. I was going for a sense of romance and wonder, and honestly, I nailed it. Every detail had been carefully considered to evoke a feeling of intimacy and splendor. This event was a reflection of my passion and dedication to crafting an experience that surpassed all expectations.
Alexis glided into the ballroom with an air of confidence and authority about four o’clock that afternoon and demanded that I leave her to oversee the rest of the setup. I really did need to go home and shower. Maybe take a quick nap before I returned for the evening. Even though this event was my primary concern in my life right now, everything had already been done that could be done.
As I stepped into the familiar surroundings of my apartment, I was able to take a sigh of relief. I took a quick refreshing shower and passed out on the couch. Awaking energized and ready for the night.
I arrived back at the ballroom dressed in a floor length, emerald gown. The back dipped dangerously low and was held up with a choker at my neck. I felt gorgeous and confident, and eager for the night to begin. But the nerves in my stomach darted around when I let my guard down. The press arrived first; they lined the entrance waiting for all the big names to show.
I flitted back and forth across the venue, my green dress trailing behind me, making sure things were being done as they were supposed to. That people were where they were supposed to be, and the flow of events happening as it should.
The evening passed by quickly. My colleagues and guests alike both shared their appreciation for the evening and I felt better about the whole thing. People were enjoying it. Unfortunately, my most dreaded part of the evening arrived when I was expected to thank everyone for the attendance and support as well as introduce the auction and dance portion of the night.
6
Chapter 6
WILDER
I pulled up to the hotel in a limo and walked through the entrance lined with photographers from every news rag in the city. Time to put on that gentlemanly charm. The flashing lights from the cameras and the drizzle coming down from the sky made it an irritable walk inside.
“Wilder, do you have a comment on being named one of the top 20 bachelors of the city?” I glanced towardsthe voice.
I smiled and bowed my head, showing how sheepish and humble I could be. It’s always an act whether I am in front of the cameras or not. “I’m flattered that I was even thought of. Hopefully, the article can bring awareness to the many causes I support, such as the Chicago Humane Society.” I actually did care about many philanthropic issues. I just showed my support for them monetarily. The humane society is one of them. I had a dog when I was growing up. I had named her Missy and besides Levi, she had been my best friend. She kept all of my secrets. My mom had gotten him for me before she left. When I was 12, I came home and she wasn’t waiting at the door for me. I knew better than to ask, but I know my brother had something to do with my dog going missing. He sat down at dinner that night and asked me where she was. But he had that look in his eye like he knew exactly what happened. I knew better than to say anything though. My mom had left by that time and my dad could care less about a dog. I got my revenge for that later, blood for blood.
Unfortunately, the event attracted all the right people. I was stuck shaking hands and making small talk for the cocktail hour and all through the dinner.
“Wilder, it’s good to see you. What have you been up to?” Sitting at the table next to me was a large man with thinning gray hair. Judge Roberts, who had to be at least 70, was sitting redfaced and draped on by a very young woman. I wouldn’t be surprised if she was barely legal.
“Life is going to plan,” I responded. “My father’s business has been very busy lately. Lots of projects to keep an eye on.” I leaned back in my chair and took a sip of my whiskey. I gave him a pointed look and smiled. He gave a quick smile in return and turned back to the girl while his hand slipped up her quite short dress. Judge Roberts had an affinity for gambling as well as high class girls and was a frequent visitor to the back rooms of our clubs. Because of this, he was pretty much in our pocket when we needed a judge in the legal system.
I looked for my exit, I had put enough time in and posed for enough pictures that would show how charitable the Kavanaghs were. It was time to be alone.
As I headed toward the exit a spotlight hit the stage and a familiar face greeted me. My breath caught as I recognized the green eyes scanning the crowd. I had thought about her daily since I saw her at Paradiso.
Her nerves bled through her confident facade causing her voice to tremble just a bit. I was enthralled with the girl who had caused my eyes to watch every word formed by her dark red lips. I hadn’t made the connection that she would be here. Stupid of me since I saw her in every girl I had fucked since then. I hadn’t heard a word of her speech but moments later there was polite applause filling the room.
She quickly left the stage after her speech and the lights dimmed to a soft glow. Her grace moving through the crowd kept my eye as she mingled and talked with some of the more well-known donors. I stood off to the side and unsure of if I should reach out. Women didn’t stick around in my life. That was more my preference than theirs. I definitely didn’t think about them when they weren’t around. This one had already proven different. The decision was taken from me as our eyes met and recognition gleamed in her gaze.
She sauntered over. Suddenly a lot more confident in herself.
“My hero. I wasn’t expecting to see you here.” She remarked.
“I came to save the animals.” I bantered back. She eyed me suspiciously with a smirk playing at the edge of her lips. A charitable good guy didn’t fit the version of me that she had already built in her mind. That’s good, it means that on some level she knows that I am not good enough for her. “Alright. Family obligation, but I do donate.” I tried turning up the charm.
Her cheeks tinged with pink from the champagne she carried in her hand, her gaze lingered on my body. Her attempts to be discreet made it more obvious to me. I, on the other hand, was not being subtle at all. “Would you like to dance?”
Sitting her glass of champagne on a nearby table, I guided my hand to the small of her back and led her to the dance floor. Pulling her close, the slow music wound itself around us. It was unusual for me to have these types of interactions with the women I pursued. Most were quick hookups that I picked up at the club. A means to release the violent frustration that my job imbued. So what was I doing here? She felt perfect in my arms, and I never wanted to let go. But fuck me, but I wanted to get Anna back to my apartment. I wasn’t able to read her like the other girls. But I could tell she was innocent and happy, and good. And I don’t want to scare her off with the life I had. She didn’t deserve that, no one did.
“So you said a family obligation. What family is that?” She asked.
“Kavanagh.”
“Like Wilder Kavanagh as in the Kavanaghs that own the casinos?” She blurted out.
Fuck. Being new to the city, I was hoping that she wouldn’t be familiar with the name. “My father, Ryan Kavanagh, is the man who owns the Casinos. I actually have a few other businesses here in the city.”
“Oh, sorry.” She gently tucked her hair behind her ear and looked up at me. We continued to dance slowly to the music as we made small talk about her love of dogs and wanting to “make a difference” in the world. We talked about how she was adjusting to the city and what sites she had gone to see and what sights she had yet to explore. Which it turned out had been most of them.
As our conversation started to wind down, we headed off the dance floor. “I better get going. We have to prepare for the auction. Thank you. For the dance.” She lingered for a minute.
“Would you like to go to dinner with me this week?” Damn. Now I was nervous.
7
Chapter 7
ANNA
I paced back and forth across the living room. I tried talking to Luna but she was ignoring me, instead choosing to chew on a bone. I didn’t know what the plan was for the night. Wilder hadn’t given me any clues, just that he would pick me up at 8 tonight.
Everything was going so well for me right now. Work was amazing. The gala was crazy successful for my first event. I had my first date since moving to the big city.
Getting through the work week since Wilder had asked me to dinner was mentally exhausting. I didn’t have many pressing issues to attend to at work so I was free to let my mind wander. And wander it did. It had been a while since I had a date. I dated a few guys in college, but it never really amounted to anything serious. And none of those guys had the immediate chemistry that Wilder and I had. I hate to say love at first sight but maybe strong lust at first sight would be more appropriate. So I began to worry. At home, I second guessed every outfit I pulled out of my closet. Beyond jeans and a tshirt, I didn’t have too much to wear between casual and fancy. Finally, I settled on a pair of black skinny jeans that had ripped knees, a black tank top, and nude heels. I left my long hair wavy and down with a ponytail on my wrist just in case. I perfected my winged eyeliner and swiped some light pink gloss on my lips. I had ten minutes to spare.
Despite knowing when Wilder was supposed to be here, a knock on the door startled me. Opening the door, I was glad that I didn’t dress any fancier. Wilder looked like a god. His height filled the doorway and I could tell he was strong by the way his muscles filled the tight black tshirt he was wearing. He was dressed in a similar outfit to the night at the club. But now in the light, I could see the edges of tattoos curling out from under his sleeves and peeking up over the edges of the neck.“Who is this?” Wilder asked as Luna came bounding up dropping a toy at his feet. She brings everyone a present when they come over.
“This is Luna.” I watched as he threw the toy a few times for her. “I’ll put her away and then we can go.”
Outside, Wilder opened the door for me to a black Range Rover. “Where are we going?” I asked after settling in.
“To see the sunset.” I was starting to realize that Wilder was a man of few words. I tried to fill the silence and talk about my job and the sights I have on my to-do list. Wilder was listening to everything I said and even though he wasn’t talking much, I could tell he was attentive to every word I was saying. He does it without bringing the conversation back to himself and it was refreshing. A lot of the guys I have run into lately want to talk about their jobs and their accomplishments, and always seem to bring the conversation back to their life.
“The John Hancock Center is over a thousand feet tall. And at the top is an observation deck that overlooks the Chicago Skyline on the 94th floor. I was hoping you wouldn’t have a fear of heights.” Wilder glanced at me from the driver’s seat, eyebrows raised in question.
“Nope, no fear of heights. A fear of tiny, dark spaces. But heights don’t bother me.”
“Awesome.” He said as he pulled into a parking garage. We walked to the building, and although there was a line, Wilder guided me through the doors and into the elevator. Although I was still not really sure what it was that Wilder does for a job, I was starting to think this guy had a little more influence than I was aware. Obviously, he had money, he was at the gala for the wealthy and he was part of the Kavanagh family, but I guess I could’ve done a bit more googling. Wilder reached for my hand as we boarded the elevator, the warmth sending a shiver up my arm. My tummy floated with the excitement and the speed of the elevator as it flew up 94 stories. But stepping out of the elevator to the view was fan-freaking-amazing. The tower sat right on Lake Michigan. I could see the Willis Tower in the Chicago Skyline. I walked around the deck, and I kind of stopped paying attention to Wilder because the sunset was so awe-inspiring.
Leaning against the railing, I lost myself in the beauty. My memories wandered to my parents and how we used to go watch the sunsets at the lake near our home. I thought about how hard I had been working the last few years and since I got my new job. I was always working toward the future and I realized that I was on a date with a really handsome, successful guy and I had lost focus to the past. I needed to be more aware of the present. As the sun dipped below the horizon, fireworks exploded over the Navy Pier. I turned back to Wilder and smiled. He was smiling as he watched me.
He leaned against the railing, arms encompassing me, and watched the fireworks with me. The heat from his body mingled with mine. Our bodies were not quite touching, but my brain was aware of his body so close to mine.
