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KNIGHT IN SHINY COMBAT BOOTS
Olivia
I twirl the base of my wine glass on the table, watching the red liquid swirl around before lifting it to my lips and taking a drink. This is my second glass of wine and I’m about ready for the third, but who’s counting? I should feel proud of the event. It’s been a tremendous success. Hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised for charity. All the guests raved about the food. But the most talked about has been the grand ballroom with its lavish decorations and shimmering lights. The dark cherry wood offers a beautiful elegance while the white table and chair linens, make it appear bright and airy. An enormous chandelier hangs from the center of the room, the light reflecting off its crystals and illuminating the grand staircase at the bottom of the steps. Yet here I am, alone, all the while my thoughts are consumed by only one man.
“Why do you look like you want to be somewhere else right now?” Tatum takes the seat next to mine and replaces my empty wine glass with a fresh one.
“Thanks.” I hold up my wine glass before taking a giant gulp. “Would it be bad if I said I wish I was?”
“Not at all because same.”
I glance around the room before turning my attention back to Tatum. “Where’s Adam?”
Her gaze drifts down to her wineglass for a moment. “Oh, he couldn’t make it. Something came up with work.” She takes a long drink of her wine.
Something tells me it’s not work related, but I don’t press it. This has been two events now where he hasn’t showed. I know Tatum will tell me what’s happening, but on her own terms. If it’s not soon, I’ll resort to prying the information from her.
“Olivia, there you are.” My mom prances up to the table, the Rene Ruiz slate blue off the shoulder gown shimmers in the low lighting, a younger man on her arm.
As I stand, I roll my eyes, making sure only Tatum can see. The last thing I want right now is my mom trying to play matchmaker again. When I face them, I flash my mom a tight-lipped smile.
“I want you to meet Jonas Callahan.” She brushes her hand down his bicep like she’s petting a cat. By the look on her face, she’s the one purring. “Jonas recently opened up his own pediatrics office in town. Isn’t that right?” My mom gazes up adoringly at Jonas. If she was twenty years younger, she’d probably try to date Jonas. Who am I kidding? She’d date him right now. Married or not.
I hold out my hand for Jonas. His grip is firm, but his skin is much softer than the familiar calloused ones I’m used to. A pang of sadness flows through me. For the first time in my life, I finally figured out what I want, but I can’t have it. What kind of kick in the crotch is that?
“Nice to meet you, Olivia.” His voice is smooth like an aged scotch. Too bad my tastes have changed, and I would much rather have the bite from a tequila shot. No training wheels. He’s attractive with sandy blond hair and piercing green eyes, but he’s not the guy for me.
“Likewise, Jonas.” His grip on my hand never wavers, maybe for a beat longer than normal. In most cases, I would take that as an invitation for more to come, but Jonas isn’t the one I want more from.
“Sorry I wasn’t able to pick you up beforehand. Things got crazy at the office right before I was scheduled to leave. A young mother came in with her infant who had a terrible cough. I couldn’t leave until I could reassure her everything would be fine.” His features soften.
“That’s quite alright. The infant is certainly more important in this situation.”
“Maybe I can make it up to you. I can take you out to dinner sometime.”
“Oh. Um—”
“She would love that,” my mom answers for me.
My muscles tighten and my jaw clenches as I glare daggers at her, but she doesn’t notice me since she’s too busy doting on Jonas. She asks him questions about his practice and while Jonas rambles on, and I can’t help but be bored. It’s like his voice could lull anyone to sleep. My gaze wanders off to find something more interesting, but then my heart stops and I forget how to breathe. At the top of the grand staircase, peering over the railing, is Ledger. Even from a distance, his steely gray eyes bore into mine.
Without a second glance back, I excuse myself as they continue talking. My pace quickens with each footfall as Ledger descends the stairs. My smile goes wider with each passing second. All I want is to be wrapped in his arms. That’s all I want. For a man who doesn’t smile, like ever, he’s also wearing one of the biggest I’ve seen. My heart hammers in my chest as we draw near. It’s only a few feet, yet it seems like miles. Finally, he’s so close I can smell his signature sandalwood scent with a hint of grease. Without hesitating, I throw myself into his chest, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulls me tight to him, arms wrapped around my waist. I gaze up into his eyes, and it feels like home. Not wanting to wait another second, I kiss him. I kiss him as if I’m never going to kiss him again. Slowly, we pull away. Still love drunk from his lips on mine, I somehow manage to ask, “Why are you here?”
Not missing a beat, he says, “There was a time when you showed up at my house and declared you weren’t going to let me go. I’m here now, doing the same thing.”
My heart jumps to my throat. I’ve never had a guy do something like this for me. To chase after me like this because he wants to, not because he has to. “You’re my knight in shiny combat boots.”
He presses his lips to mine. “Here to sweep you away from the evil castle.”
“You can’t sweep me away if I go willingly.”
“That would make it easier than me throwing you over my shoulder and carrying you out of here.”
“I can always pretend.” There’s a brief pause. “But seriously, how did you get in? Tickets are five-hundred dollars apiece and have been sold out for months.”
“Let’s say someone with more expensive tastes than me came over to my house with a ticket and a suit.”
I pull back and gaze down at his chest. “I didn’t notice the suit. Armani looks good on you. This looks like something Trey would wear. Did he?”
