AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The practical me said it would be just fine. Wayne would want me to look attractive, and he was…gone.
I fought the finality of that word—gone. He was. He wouldn’t come back to chide me about the black dress. He had always taught me to be happy. I didn’t think he would mind. Yet, I hesitated. Why did it feel like a betrayal? I told myself that sooner or later, I would wear the dress. Why not wear it for Codrin? It would be one rather large step that was coming one way or another. I pulled the dress from my closet. I made sure it was wrinkle-free before I tried it on. Posing in front of the mirror, I could hear Wayne’s low whistle. He always said that when I put on the dress, he just wanted to stay home and do whatever we would do when I took off the dress. It still fits. I still had the heels that matched. I hung up the dress and looked at myself again.
“Jasmine,” I said out loud. “You’re going to wear the dress because Wayne would want you to. It’s just that simple.”
The next evening, Marcie knocked before she entered. She stopped and stared.
“Wow,” Marcie said. “That’s some dress.”
“My favorite,” I said. “It’s OK for a New Year’s Eve party?”
“It’s OK for anything. Drac…Codrin is here.”
I accepted Marcie’s praise and checked out my makeup one last time. I couldn’t find a flaw. That was exactly what I needed. I felt pretty. I felt sexy. I felt like a woman, something I had avoided feeling for a long time. Remembering Codrin’s kiss, I left the bedroom.
Codrin’s reaction was perfect. He grinned a grin that told me he liked what he saw. He helped me into my coat, pausing a moment to put his hands on my shoulders. It was an act of acknowledgment. I appreciated his touch.
“We’re going downtown. Dinner in my favorite chop house. Then, the hotel for dancing. If you want, I can get you back to your house if you wish to greet the new year with Emily.”
“Emily has Marcie. I think we should ring in the new year.”
He nodded. “Perhaps, we can leave the dance a little early and drink champagne at my house.”
“You cleaned it just for me?”
He chuckled. “My house is always clean. Not that I do it. I have a service that comes every other week.”
“I think champagne with you is exactly what I need.”
“Me too.
The chop house was crowded and lively. The food was excellent, as was the wine. To my surprise, Codrin did not talk shop. As far as he was concerned, the project and bank business was off limits. That was fine with me. I was given the opportunity to learn more about him, about his childhood, which was varied by the firm. His father believed in hard work and self-discipline.
“My dad always said the only discipline was self-discipline. No one could make you do anything if you really didn’t want to do it. Oh, there would be a price to pay, but if you were willing to bear the pain, then you could not be forced. I was taught to discipline myself. I set my limits and goals. I wasn’t always successful. No one ever is. I found there is a good feeling when you manage to live up to your ideals. That sounds boastful, but it’s true.”
“I agree, although I didn’t always manage to enforce my limits. I’m trying to teach Emily the value of self-control. Some days, I think it’s a losing proposition.”
“She’s too young. Soon, she’ll get it.”
The hotel ballroom was full. The music was loud, the lights flashing, and the dance floor crowded. Codrin and I managed several dances. I found myself relishing his strength and unexpressed power. For some reason, other couples did not invade our space. That wasn’t because of me. I was the meek woman in the black dress. We decided to leave after an hour and one drink. Codrin grabbed two hats with the new year emblazoned on them. He said we would need them at midnight.
As we pulled into Codrin’s spotless garage, a nervousness rushed through me. Was I ready for what was coming?
Chapter twenty
Codrin’shousewasindeedspotless. He escorted me to the family room, where a chilled bottle of champagne was waiting. He served me before he started the fire. I kicked off my heels and curled up on the sofa. He removed his tux jacket and joined me on the sofa. We toasted. The champagne was excellent.
“You know we have ten minutes before midnight,” I said.
“I’m well aware, Jasmine. I’ll refill your glass before that. Would you like to dance?”
I smiled. “There’s nothing I would like better.”
I put down my glass even as he fired up the huge TV on the wall. The countdown to midnight was on the screen. He had already started music, and soft strains of a romantic lilt filled the room. I slipped into his arms, as if we had been dancing for decades. There was something incredibly sexy about him. He was in terrific shape, strong and straight—like Wayne. I didn’t push Wayne out of my mind. I let him slip into the background. Codrin was my focus. I pressed myself against him, my head on his shoulder. Heat rose through me. I felt a familiar rush, a rush I hadn’t felt for a long time. There was a need inside me. I was a healthy woman. I wanted contact. I wondered if he would offer.
“The new year is coming,” he said. “I, for one, would like it to be different from the old year.”
“How so?” I asked.
