Glow Read online

  “Here we go,” Ben said as he placed his hands on the door handles.

  I smiled as I felt the breeze graze across my skin from the doors opening. I could hear laughter, chatting, and the music. I strutted past Ben like nothing could stop me. I own this place, this place is mine. I could feel wandering eyes on me, I casually walked over to a table. Pulling my chair out I sat down then gracefully crossed my legs not bothering to adjust the length of my dress. I leaned back, placing one arm along the length of the chair, and the other casually on the table top. I could feel Ben's eyes on me as he watched from the entrance. I stayed focused and ignored him.

  As I looked around this unfamiliar place, I zoned in on everything going on around me. The music suddenly became quieter to me as I watched the woman giggle, smile and laugh at these 'players' lame attempts at being irresistible. I looked over my left shoulder to see a shaggy-black haired man in a black Armani suit leaning into an older woman's ear and as she giggled he made eye-contact with me then winked. I felt my jaw drop.

  What a dirty bastard! I thought to myself.

  I then looked over my right shoulder to see another man around his early thirties with very short-blonde hair and tan skin in a white button down shirt and blue jeans leaning against a table. He too was whispering into a females ear. I watched him as his fingers on his left hand fidget secretly at his side... what's he doing? I wondered. Is he? He is! He is shoving his wedding ring in his pocket. My eyes widened as I watch this malicious, adulterous act.

  “Hey there,” I jumped startled, turning my head quickly to see a cute dark-haired young man in his mid twenties with his serving tray in his hands; his hair sticking up sexily in all directions. “What can I get a pretty lady such as yourself?”

  I felt the blood rush to my cheeks. Take it easy, Vanessa. “A Cabernet Sauvignon,” I smiled. I felt my heart start to race as he looked me up and down. His eyes stayed focused on my legs. I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. Hello, eyes up here!

  “Classy,” he winked before walking away.

  I looked around taking a deep breath trying incredibly hard to relax.

  “Not bad,” Ben said as he took the seat across from me. “Well, I would be fooled in thinking you actually haven't been on a date for a year if it weren't for the waiter actually talking to you,” he joked.

  “He was staring at my legs,” I shrugged. “it was weird,” I continued to look around.

  “Vanessa, it's only a human thing to do for a guy when he sees an incredible woman with an outstanding body,” he stated casually as he leaned back into his seat.

  “Did you just say I am incredible and outstanding?” I felt my heart melt just a little.

  “No. I said it implying that he thought you were,” he popped back quickly.

  “Hm, because I remember you staring at my legs when I answered my door,” I pointed out.

  He didn't say a word, he acted like he didn't hear a word I said. Sucker.

  “Here is you're Cabernet...” the waiter stared at me waiting for my name.

  “Vanessa, and thank you...” I said sweetly, moving my hands so he could set my glass down.

  “Josh,” he smiled then looked over at Ben. “And for you?” he asked.

  “Just a water, please,” Ben said lowly not making eye contact with Josh.

  Wow, that's rude.

  “I'll be right back with your water,” I watched him walk away.

  “You don't drink?” I asked.

  “Oh, I do.” he leaned in towards me. “Someone has to make sure you get home safe, Miss. Classy Pants,” he pointed to my wine glass.

  “Ah,” I watched Josh make his way back to our table. He smiled the most adorable grin and I seductively smiled back.

  “Here is your water.” he set it down on a coaster in front of Ben, then placed a napkin next to my wine. “For you,” he winked.

  What? I picked the napkin up, it was his phone number. I laughed aloud as I stared at the scribbled numbers in Sharpie marker. I felt exhilarated inside. I got a phone number! I was giddy, bouncing up and down in my seat. Every time I looked at the black numbers, I squealed like a little girl.

  “He totally gave me his phone number,” I sang, putting it into my clutch.

  “Are you going to call him?” Ben asked.

  “Well, yeah...” I shrugged watching Josh behind the bar. He looked over and smiled at me. “I mean, he's sweet, and sexy, why not?”

  “No your not,” Ben took a sip of his water.

  “Excuse me?” Who the hell does this guy think he is?

  “Player Code number three; when you are given a number you must wait at least three to five days before making the initial call.” he winked at a tall auburn haired beauty making bedroom eyes at him. “Make his mind work like an overrun machine wondering why you haven't called him yet,” Ben stood up.

  “Wait, where are you going?” I asked him.

  “To talk to this lovely lady over there,” he smiled at her again, then turned around to look at me. “Oh, and next time try not doing the whole squealing and bouncing thing you just did,”

  Please, I huffed. I watched him with disgust as he walked away. He is just going to use and abuse that girl like every other guy in this nasty place. So I kept my eyes on him curious as to how he approached her. I watched him casually lean up against the bar not too far but not too close to her. He smiled, and said something to her as I can't hear him over the music. Whatever it was, it made her turn bright red and laugh. Did I just look like that? How embarrassing. I watched him touch her hair and she smiled while nodding.

  I looked her up and down and I have to say that Ben does in fact have good taste. She wasn't dressed in designer clothes, but I could tell she paid a decent amount for her tight-white mini dress and heels. Her auburn hair in loose curls draping down her back, light make-up with a touch of red lipstick. Not bad, Ben... not bad.

  “Is this seat taken?” I heard a low voice say from next to me. I looked over to see an extremely muscular guy sitting in the chair right next to me. His dark blonde hair was in a military buzz-cut style, and I could see his ridiculously huge bicep begging to be released from his overly tight shirt. I wanted to crawl under the table and hide.

  “If you consider the glass of water in front of you an invitation to sit then I don't know what to tell you,” I said smugly. I was being rude, I know, but I assumed he was already drunk from the way his sentence just kind of poured out of his mouth. There was no structure behind his words.

  “Wow,” he said as he stood up from Ben's seat. “You're a bitch, lady,” he walked away. Oh, well. I shrugged.

  I looked over at Ben making eye contact with him as he was watching me. He slightly laughed, giving me a thumbs up.

  “Thank you,” I mouthed. He turned back towards the auburn beauty and continued with his conversation.

  I sat back and relaxed as I scanned the club. I had seen a few guys playing pool in the corner who had caught my attention. When they looked at me, I made sure that my body language let them know I was interested. I played with my hair as I smiled. Fluttered my lashes, and sexily kept my legs crossed towards them. I just hope that I didn't look like I were having a seizure.

  I watched a tall, well built, tan skinned guy make his way over to my table. He fell for the bait, now all I need is to yank the pole and reel his ass in. He ran his fingers through his messy blonde hair as he casually approached my table with a smile upon his face. The fashionista that I am, I let my eyes wander his body taking in his nice sense of style in his faded Diesel blue jeans, and tight fitted white Calvin Klein t-shirt. I'd recognize the Klein stitching anywhere.

  “Hey,” he says as he grabs a chair and scoots it close to me.

  “Well, hello there,” I say playfully.

  “There is noway that someone like yourself is sitting here alone,” he looked into my eyes. His eyes were gray and glistening with lust and curiosity.

  I smiled. “No, my friend Ben is over there,” I pointed
toward the bar at Ben who was now closer to the woman, touching her face and making her blush. I knew it! Just like the others. I sighed.

  “Ah, I see,” he laughed. “What's your name?”

  I stared into his gray eyes. “My name is Vanessa,” I smiled.

  He held his hand out. “I'm Jordan,”

  I shook his hand. His shake wasn't strong, it was a softer shake. He is sensitive to woman. I know this is true because my dad always told me that when a guy shakes your hand and it's a strong shake, that they want to be in control of the relationship which could lead to all sorts of relationship issues. Verses a guy who lightly shakes a woman's hand, he has respect for her, he has a compassion for woman and isn't so worried about being a control freak. I then realized that I was too nervous to pay attention to my hand shake with Ben. Was it strong? Or soft? I blinked quickly erasing my thoughts to see Jordan smiling at me, I relaxed more.

  “Nice to meet you, Jordan,”

  “Likewise,” he smirked.

  ~

  A few hours, a few drinks, and a lot of conversation with Jordan later, I am three sheets to the wind. Ben stayed with his...thing- dancing and talking to her. Every once in awhile when I would glance at him, he was already looking at me. He was watching out for me which also made me feel a bit more relaxed.

  It was nice getting to know Jordan as I discovered that he is interning at his fathers architect business. He is successful, which is something I look for in a guy. In my book, there is no excuse for laziness.

  “What is it you do?” he asked then grabbed my hand and held it. I felt my stomach go crazy with all sorts of butterflies.

  “I am senior editor at the magazine Glow,” I smiled.

  “No kidding?” he asked shockingly. “So you are the famous Vanessa Montello,” he smiled. “I was thinking that you looked familiar but I couldn't figure out why,”

  I nodded a little unsure about his reaction to knowing who I am. It could be a good thing, or a bad thing.

  “Remember, my dad's an architect, he designed the water wall in your lobby. I was there with him often.” he pressed.

  I thought about it for a moment and remembered a handsome blonde guy with the architect. I would catch him staring at me as I walked into the building. I thought he was cute, but you know me, work comes first.

  “Oh,” I laughed. “That's right!”

  “I think your writing is great, by the way,” I could tell that he was slightly nervous.

  “I more over see the articles now verses actually writing them anymore. But which one did you like the most?” I asked curiously, wondering if he actually has read something I have written or if it was to try and get to me.

  “It's seriously kind of embarrassing, really.” he swirled his straw in his glass of whiskey and coke.

  “Aw, no, it's okay,” I rubbed his arm for reassurance.

  “Well, my mom told me to read an article about how 'Nice Guys Finish Last' and I did, it was great... and very true,” he laughed.

  “You read that?” I asked in awe. I could see why, he truly was a sweet guy.

  “Yes,” he nodded. “Do you want to dance?” he stood up and offered me his hand.

  “Of course,” I smiled and took his hand. He led me to the dance floor where everyone was out there slow dancing.

  I wrapped my arms around his neck and started to move my body against his. His hands tightened around my waist-line, gripping my dress. I closed my eyes and felt my body melting into his, my hips moving more to the rhythm of the music. He pressed his lips against my neck, trailing soft kisses from below my ear to the nape of my neck.

  I felt like I was in heaven that I had this incredibly sexy mans hands, and lips on me right at this very moment. It has been so long since I have been touched at all... I felt like I was going to explode. I let a soft moan escape my lips.

  “Vanessa,” the kissing stopped.

  “Yeah,” I looked into Jordan's gray eyes.

  “I think your friend is ready to leave,” he nodded.

  I turned to see that Ben was standing there smiling at me, “Let's go...” he mouthed. So nice of him to do his thing, but the second I get into someone he is ready to leave.

  “Hey, I'll call you later, alright?” I said. “You put your number in my phone didn't you?”

  “I did,” he smirked before placing a soft kiss on the back of my hand. “Until next time, Miss Montello,”

  “Bye, Jordan,” I walked away to get my clutch and go.

  “Wow,” Ben said as we were walking to the car.

  “What?” I asked. I stumbled a little getting my keys out of my clutch. I tossed them to him.

  “Other than the number freak out, you did amazingly well,” he said proudly. “You kept your body language perfect, you didn't seem too desperate, and you got a phone number,”

  “Well, thank you,” I opened my car door and got in. “It's nice to know I didn't seem desperate,” I laughed. “Oh, and I got two numbers,” I waved my cell in the air.

  “Nice,” he waggled his brows as he messed with the stereo. “I liked the part where you told steroid-junkie to get lost,”

  “Oh, God, he was so gross,” I said in disgust. “You seemed to like that auburn-haired girl though,” I smiled at him.

  “Karen was alright. I was mostly letting you do your thing so I could watch, decide what we need to work on,” his eyes concentrated on the road. “But, you did well, I was impressed.” I watched the thoughtful look on his face fall into a frown. It made my heart break a little.

  Still a little hot from the whole dancing thing with Jordan, I kept my eyes on Ben. I watched his blue eyes light up when he smiled. He truly was God's gift to woman. Just because I hate him, does not mean that I don't find him attractive. Extremely attractive.

  “What?” he looked at me.

  I lightly shook my head. “Nothing,”

  “Are you hungry?” he asked. “I could use something to eat,”

  “Yes, let's go eat,” I said as I gave my face a once over in the visor mirror.

  We stopped at this little diner I normally would have nothing to do with as I am used to the five-star restaurants I take clients to. When I walked in, the walls along the restaurant were lined with booths. The gray haired waitress with a permanent frown and crows feet sat us down in one closest to the door. I looked at the dirty hand prints along the tacky-floral wallpaper and shuttered with disgust.

  “Thank you,” Ben said politely as he gestured for me to scoot over.

  “What? Aren't you going to sit on your own side?” I asked him as he plopped down next to me.

  “Nope,” he smiled and picked up the menu.

  “Do we really have to eat here?” I asked rubbing my arms hoping to keep the germs away.

  He laughed huskily. “Why, you don't like it?”

  “It's just...” I looked closer at the wall. “Oh my God, is that what I think it is?”

  Ben leaned closer, his golden exposed neck only inches from my lips. “A booger, yes, just don't touch it,” he shrugged.

  “A what?!” I shrieked then leaned into him.

  “Kidding, just kidding...” he laughed again and continued to stare at the menu. “It looks like gravy, calm down,”

  I closed my eyes as I held my hand to my chest then took a deep breath. “I was going to leave,” He just ignored me.

  I could feel my skin light on fire with every skim of his arm on mine, with every gentle touch of his leg bumping mine. I cleared my throat trying incredibly hard to avoid this feeling. I have no clue what is happening to me right at this very moment.

  “What are you going to order?” I asked him.

  He looked at me as my voice sounded well, different. He just smirked at me, his blue eyes filled with some kind of emotion that I can't read. Whatever that smile was for, I have no clue. All I know is that I feel different, and I don't understand it.

  “Oh, I don't know,” he reached over then placed his arm around my shoulder, pressing
me into his side. He leaned over, pressed his lips onto my ear. He whispered, “The burgers here are to go crazy over, they just make you want to-”

  “What can I get you both to drink?” Our waitress asked. I sat there clenching my aching thighs together, biting my lip.

  “A, uh... just a Diet Coke, please,” I struggled to say, feeling my leg muscles burn as they are still tense. I looked up at Ben who was grinning from ear to ear, just staring at the list of drinks they serve.

  “A Coke is fine,” he said then continued to look over the menu.