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A few hours later, James had mellowed out. He was content to just stay in, but I was just getting started. If I couldn’t write my book or get outside and away from him, he was going to pay dearly by entertaining me, which would be a nice twist for a man like him, so I dragged him to the party.
“It's going to be fun. You’ll see. Besides, you dragged me to get a massage and I had a blast. We had fun in the pool and a great meal. Now it's time for some more fun.” I had a big surprise for him that I hoped he’d enjoy, even if he hated me after.
The party was wild — loud music, free drinks for everyone, a dance floor filled with couples dancing, and tables filled with snacks and games for prizes. I was shocked by the lengths the hotel went to please and entertain their guests.
“Come on, let’s dance, Jimmy!” I pulled at him, but he stood firmly in place.
“I don’t dance.”
“Yes, you do. Anyone that can move as you do in bed knows how to dance.” I tugged again, but still nothing. “Come on, please?”
I was relaxed, so I threw him the pouty face, hoping to loosen him up. The last thing I wanted was for him to go back into agitated, annoying-boss mode on his birthday.
I was dying inside. He dragged his feet and did all he could to get out of getting on the dance floor. When I finally got him there, he just stood there holding my hands. He looked around, confused, as if he didn't belong there.
Thankfully, the song changed to a slower beat, and I pulled his arms around me. “You really don’t know how to dance?”
“Nope, I’ve never danced. I was always the one standing on the sidelines watching.” He held me close.
I leaned in further and planted a warm kiss on his lips. “Well, tonight, you're going to learn. This is a slow dance. Normally, a guy leads, but tonight, I will lead. Here, put your arm here on my back, and the other here.”
His awkwardness helped give me strength. “Okay, so we can just move back and forth for now, like this. Slow dances are easy, and you're doing great so far.”
We turned in a circle, there were so many people dancing on the small dance floor, I knew no one would notice if he got the moves right or not. Everyone was engrossed in their own little couple’s party, smiling and looking into each other’s eyes, and they couldn’t care less what James Renegade did or didn't do.
“That’s right. Relax your body, don’t be so tense. No one cares what you're doing. Just go easy and relax.”
James smiled down at me. He looked happier than I’d ever seen him, other than when we were having sex.
“Thank you. I can’t say it’s my favorite thing to do, but I don’t mind because I’m holding you close.”
“You know I can’t understand how you got this far in life without dancing with a woman. No prom, corporate parties, weddings, or anything?”
He laughed. “No, I've done plenty of that, but I always manage to get out of it somehow. I have a drink in my hand, business to deal with, billiards to play, and a phone call to make. Whatever it is, I’ve always managed to get away with it until now.”
I rested my head against his chest and enjoyed the feel of his heartbeat in my ear, forever mindful of the music. Eventually, the song turned to a fast beat, and he stopped dead in his tracks.
“I’m not dancing to this one Gwen.”
James pulled away and took me with him because we still held hands. Two hours later, after meeting a few people and chatting it up, it was time for me to get him upstairs, but not before grabbing a box I had waiting for me at the front desk.
“Here you go.”
Box in hand, I let him lead the way to the elevator and walked in beside him.
“What have you got in there?”
“I’ll show you in a bit. I have to make a phone call first.” I kept my mouth shut, held the box away from him so he wouldn’t grab it, and hurried into the suite when he opened the door.
“I’m going to take a shower. Thanks for the day, it was great. I can’t believe it’s still snowing out. This is insane. Had I known it was going to snow like this, I would have postponed and waited on Martie.” He shut the door.
His words hurt. I knew I had no reason to be upset; she was his permanent employee, but something deep inside me was bothered by that last statement. Still, I went ahead with what I had planned and made my phone call.
“So, I want you to call me back in about twenty minutes, Martie.” I had to whisper when I heard the shower stop.
“I can’t believe none of us knew. Honestly, I am such a bad person to work for him and not know he never celebrated a birthday. Do you know how old he is today?” She still sounded sick, but thankfully she learned it wasn’t pneumonia.
“No. But, we can ask him after.” I hung up before he came out of the bathroom.
