Part 1
Dan stood in the doorway, scanning the room of partygoers and taking in their elaborately tailored garments. Gold and glittering jewels encircled the ladies throats, fingers, and wrists, sending off prisms of colored lights when touched upon by the strobe ball that turned above them. It was the fantasyland of the rich and famous. The women fluttered about the room like the colorful social butterflies they are. Men were talking business in a more relaxed atmosphere.
Dan despised these functions, yet certain ones were impossible to get out of. His agent had insisted that he come as one of the most recognized publishers from New York would be attending.
It was an unseasonably warm night for September, and though he had tried to dress accordingly in a lightweight silk two-piece Armani suit with a silk shirt left open at the throat, the heat felt suffocating. He had already decided that he would stay only an hour, and no longer. This was just not his scene. He wanted to be back home on his ranch, amongst the horses that he found more comfortable to deal with and where jeans and lightweight shirts sufficed.
When his wife decided she needed more than what he could offer her and ran off to find her dream, he had buried himself in the ranch and his writing. He was finding peace in the sometimes-tedious everyday chores of the lifestyle he had been raised in and the freedom of letting his imagination soar through his love of writing. Now at 48, he was the owner of one of the most prestigious thoroughbred horse ranches in state and a published author of a series of western novels.
Though his life seemed complete, he often felt the need to reassure himself that he was content and needed nothing. He had his ranch, writing, a housekeeper (a woman who actually followed orders), and an uncomplicated affair with a lady from town for an occasional release. The last thing he needed was a wife. The last one had cured him of the fantasy of soul mates and true love everlasting. It was all bullshit.
He noticed Wayne, his agent, frantically gesturing to get his attention, and sighing heavily, started making his way over to him. He figured he might as well get this over with. Then he could get the hell out of here, he thought ruthlessly.
Part 2
As he moved through the crowded room, his gaze caught a couple arguing off to his right.
"Come on, Hon. Let me take you home." The man's speech was slurred and he pulled her to him, burying his pudgy face into her neck. She grimaced at his breath that reeked of cigars and whiskey.
Pushing him away from her, she smiled wearily. " No Jacob! I have already called you a cab, and I want to stay a while longer. I have a ride home," she said quietly, turning and walking away from him.
Grabbing on to her arm, he ground out viciously, " I said I will take you home. You came with me, Bitch, and you will leave with me."
Dan watched, wondering if the lady was going to need assistance, but the woman who looked to be in her late 30's or perhaps early 40's deftly, and with great aim, brought her knee up. She connected with the man's groin, effectively gaining her release from his grip. Turning, she touched the arm of one of the other men dancing close by, whispering something to him. The man nodded and immediately went to Jacob, who was doubled over. Putting an arm around him, he helped him out of the room.
Dan chuckled to himself. That was one spunky little filly. His eyes took in her deep blue dress that sparkled with sequins. It was expensive, yet spoke of elegant simplicity. Her golden brown hair was short, yet stylish. But it was her eyes that really caught his attention. They were such a deep blue, and incredibly sexy! As she walked past him, her gaze swept over him momentarily, and two things came to mind. One was the old expression that eyes are the windows to one’s soul. As he met her gaze, it was one of pure honesty and an uncontrolled inferno of passion that seemed to sear it's way deep into his mind. He felt the heat of that look throughout his body and could feel himself growing hard as images flashed through his mind of her laying naked beneath him. He could feel her tantalizingly soft, warm, and moist lips enclosing around his cock as those eyes looked up into his. Then just as quickly as the image came, they were gone.
She turned away from him, and walked over towards a group opposite the room from him. For a moment he stood transfixed, staring after her. "What the hell!" he said quietly. He felt decidedly shaky from the impact, his cock engorged and aching with a powerful need to possess her.
When he looked in her direction again, she was gone. He almost panicked, then saw her a little further away with another group. One of the men took her hand and led her out onto the dance floor. He had to forcefully stop himself from going out there and cutting in.
Turning away he made his way over to Wayne. He was introduced to the Publisher, and after a brief discussion, Dan decided that this guy would work out well. He seemed straight as an arrow, a man with integrity. Dan always went with his gut instincts, and they were saying that this man was to be trusted. They made plans to meet the next day to go over the paperwork. All the time they were talking, Dan's gaze never strayed far from the beautiful woman across the room.
