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“You’re right. We need a break.” I respond.
A few gentlemen that we’ve done business with in the past, come up to our table and start up a conversation about work, then switch to basketball. These men played basketball in college and that’s what we bonded over when we did business a few months ago. I engage in the conversation, offering who I believe will make it to the playoffs. We all chat for a while. As the topic changes to something that doesn’t interest me, I begin looking around the club. Thedécor is trendy but sophisticated. Throughout the space, there are different areas that seem to have different themes, but it still matches as a whole. The walls are painted in a dark gray that offsets the white-framed, abstract paintings hanging throughout with spotlights that illuminate each of them, no doubt commissioned by a noted artist. Without the bar and all the tables, this club could be conceived as an art gallery. The high-top tables are silver metal with white and black marble tops. Long loungers line the walls in the back of the club for a more comfortable sitting area. This place is decorated nicely, and it feels more upscale than the usual clubs.
Just as I glance toward the bar, I see her. The woman from the coffee shop is here. What are the chances of this happening, especially twice in one day? I stare for a moment making sure that it’s really her and not my imagination. As I watch, I know for sure that it’s the Jane Austen woman. I knew in my heart that I would be seeing her again, but in this moment, I’m paralyzed looking at her. My heart begins to race, and I feel anxious. This is a reaction that I have never had toward a woman. I’m taking this as a sign that I need to get to know her. I sit at my table and watch. She is wearing a stunning red dress that hugs her curves perfectly. Her long black hair covers her back, making her look like a goddess. She seems so charismatic. I see her laugh and can’t help but smile. I remember that laugh. It has been playing in my head on repeat all day. I’ve got to go and talk to her. It’s like there is a magnet pulling me toward her. I hear my father’s words in my head again, and I smile. This woman is mine; she just doesn’t know it yet. I can feel it in my soul. She’s the one.
“Excuse me, gentlemen, I will be back,” I advise, looking at the men at our table and my brother. He looks at me quizzically but doesn’t say anything, just nods. I get up and head toward the bar where she is standing. The closer I get, the more radiant she becomes. Suddenly, I can’t think of what to say. I don’t have trouble talking to any females, but everythingabout her seems different than any other woman I’ve ever encountered. I need something special to break the ice. A sudden thought comes to mind that just might work.
I slide in beside her at the bar, but she has her back to me because she’s still talking with her friend. I stand and listen to her voice and the enthusiasm as she is speaking. There is a pause in the conversation, and I know this is my chance to speak up. I lean into her space, so she can hear me as I say, “I certainly have not the talent, which some people possess, of conversing easily with those I have never seen before.” She turns her head quickly to look at me with surprise in her eyes as I continue, “I cannot catch their tone of conversation, or appear interested in their concerns, as often I see done.” I smile at her. "Fancy seeing you here.” I smirk while leaning into her. I am instantly hit by the intoxicating smell of vanilla on her skin.
“Austen,” she says breathlessly. I smile at that because I know she feels the same connection that I do. I chuckle and respond, “Actually, my name is Miles.”
She looks up at me with a playful expression in her eyes, “Do you go around to every woman and recitePride and Prejudiceto them?” she asks.
“This is a first for me, truly,” I sigh, and then continue, “I knew you liked Jane Austen from our meeting this morning. I saw you from across the club, and I knew I had to come speak to you.”
She smiles a bright, beautiful smile that reaches her eyes. She holds out her hand for me to shake and says, “My name is Elizabeth, but since the first time I readPride and Prejudice,I insist that people call me Lizzie.”
As our hands slide together, that same jolt of electricity runs up my arm. She seems to notice as well and looks up at me with her lips slightly parted. “It’s nice to officially meet you,Lizzie,” I muse, still holding her hand and not wanting to let go. I hold it for a few seconds longer than appropriate but drop it before she thinks I’m some creep. I instantly miss her warmth. Her friend has now come up beside her. She is also beautiful but not in the way Elizabeth is. She has on a black dress that is very flattering to her figure. She looks at me up and down with a large grin on her face, and I’m almost certain that she recognizes me.
I am about to speak up when Elizabeth says, “This is my best friend, Sarah.” Elizabeth motions to the woman next to her. I take her hand as I say, “Nice to meet you. I’m Miles.”
She shakes my hand and replies, “Nice to meet you.” She drops her hand and leans in to whisper something in Elizabeth’s ear, and she heads toward the dance floor with a drink in hand. As I turn to look back at Elizabeth, I am again struck by her beauty. Pulling me out of my gaze, she asks, “So, where did you study literature, or are you just a Jane Austen enthusiast?”
“I actually went to Princeton and studied marketing. However, during my undergraduate I took many literature courses, one of them being British lit. That is when I began to fully appreciate Austen’s work, along with many others.” She studies me for a minute but seems impressed with my answer. I mentally give myself a pat on the back. And so, I ask, “Did you study literature?”
Her smile grows as she replies, “Yes, actually, in great detail. I majored in literature, and I had a minor in British lit. It is a passion of mine. I became obsessed with it in high school, and I knew that’s what I wanted to study when I went to college…” she pauses with a slight frown, then continues, “… although, it wasn’t what my father wanted. I’m sorry. I don’t usually talk about him. I’m not sure why that slipped out.” She blushes and looks a bit uneasy.
“And what is it that your father wanted you to study?” I ask.
She takes a deep breath and says, “He wanted me to study law and take over his practice one day.” She sounds a little bitter.
I don’t want to push further into that subject because I sense there is something deeper there, and I don’t want to try my luck. So instead, I change the subject. “So, I have now met you twice today. I believe the universe is trying to tell us something,” I say, smiling widely.
She laughs loudly and looks back at me. “Do you truly believe in the universe aligning moments like this?” she asks quizzically but with a sparkle in her eyes.
“No, I confess I normally do not. I believe in making my own dreams come true with hard work, but this seems like more than a coincidence, and I think we would be fools to ignore it,” I reply. She studies me for a moment. I’m not sure if she is going to laugh in my face or accept that this chance meeting must mean something.
She seems to be considering my response when she suddenly says, “Would you like to dance?” She gestures toward the dance floor. I cringe inwardly because I am not the best dancer, but I am pleased that she doesn’t want to get rid of me just yet.
“Absolutely,” I say. “Lead the way.”
I hold my hand out for her to take and feel the warmth immediately return when she places her hand in mine. I look down at our entwined fingers and get a sense of rightness. It is something I wouldn't be able to explain in a million years other than fate, like two puzzle pieces coming together. I have never had that kind of thought in my life, but here I am thinking about Elizabeth. I hardly know her, but I feel as though I’veknown her for years. It’s contradictory to everything I have come to know. She is so easy to talk to. Also, she doesn’t know who I really am, so I know that she is being genuine. We make our way through the crowd to the dance floor. The music playing is loud, and the lighting is dimmer, making a sensual energy beat throughout. As I look around, every couple seems to be in their own world. I look down at Elizabeth and confess, “I have to admit I am not very good at this.”
She looks up at me with those big brown eyes that seem to pierce my soul. She leans in closer, and I can smell her vanilla perfume again. With her eyes still on me, she says, “Put your hands on my hips and let the music move you.”
I do as she says and, feeling her waist, I pull her closer to me, holding her tightly. Elizabeth is pressed up against me and is swaying her hips to the music. This feels so unbelievably right. Her body molds to mine perfectly, and I can’t help but feel like this is exactly where I belong. Thank the stars for bringing us together again. The warmth of her body against mine feels like something I have been missing my whole life. She has her hands on my shoulders and lightly runs her hands through the back of my hair. It’s the best sensation I’ve ever felt. I want her hands to stay there. I gently rub my hands up and down her hips, and they are delicious. I get lost in her warmth and touch. I lean down and whisper in her ear breathlessly, “You’re good at this.” Goosebumps break out over her skin as she looks up at me. Those intoxicating eyes penetrate my soul, and again, I am mesmerized at this stunning woman that I’m holding.
I’m not sure how long we stay like this, but then she asks, “Do you want to go get a drink, and then find somewhere to sit?” I nod and she leads me from the dance floor to the bar area. I instantly miss the warmth of her body pressed against mine, but I hold onto her hand tightly. I’m not letting her go. Not now or ever. When we come to the bar, I see Sebastianis standing there with a tall blonde. That’s his usual type. We walk up to where they are, and I give him a pat on the back. “Lizzie, this is my brother, Sebastian,” I say to introduce the two of them. I see the smile in his eyes as he looks her over, and a sense of possessiveness comes over me. I don’t want anyone to look at her like that.Why am I acting like a caveman? It’s not like she is mine. Yet.Well in my mind she is, I’ll just have to get her on board as soon as possible.Sebastian reaches out to take her hand, and then leans in to put a chaste kiss on her cheek. I slide my hand around Elizabeth’s waist and pull her closer to me. I know it’s barbaric, but my need to claim her is strong. Sebastian gestures toward the woman he was speaking with and says, “This is Tiffany. Tiffany, this is my brother Miles.”
Her eyes light up in recognition, and I immediately regret approaching my brother. Before she can say anything, I reply, “Nice to meet you. We were just going to grab a drink. I will see you later, Seb.” As we walk off, he gives me a smirk and a wink. I roll my eyes and lead Elizabeth to the other side of the bar where there is an opening. “What would you like?” I ask Elizabeth.
“Vodka cranberry martini, please,” she replies. I order our drinks, and then I look back at Elizabeth to see that she had been watching me. I try to hide my grin, but I’m sure she can see. The drinks come quickly; I thank the bartender and put down more than enough money for the two drinks. We take our glasses and I lead Elizabeth to an empty booth in the back. As we walk, I place my hand on the small of her back, and the heat of her body travels up my arm and straight to my heart. We get to the table and take our seats. Silence falls over us as we both take a sip of our drinks.
“So, what do you do, Miles?” she asks.
I knew this question was coming, and I should have prepared for it. I don’t want to lie to her. I want her to be able to trust me because I really think we have a connection. Thisis a bond that I have never felt before and because of that, I’m scared to tell her who I really am. I know that I will tell her eventually, but I don’t want it to be tonight. I just want to be Miles tonight, not Benjamin Miles Knight Jr. I think for a minute and say, “I’m in marketing. I got my doctorate from Princeton, so I enjoy all aspects of business.” That’s not a lie. I did get my doctorate at Princeton, and I am involved in marketing at KPC. I just didn’t tell her that I also happen to be the CEO. “What about you?” I ask her before she can ask any questions.
“Currently, I work at a secondhand bookstore, Much Ado About Books, and I am also a waiter at the Ziti Dish. But that is all temporary until I can get my book published. It has been difficult to write the past few months.” She looks a little embarrassed of her job positions, but that’s not what caught me off guard.She is a writer? How can she, of all people, not know who I am? Is she pretending, so she can get close to me?My body instantly begins to tense at the thought. No, she isn’t like that. She can’t be. She didn’t seem to know who I was at the coffee shop. I would have been able to see it in her eyes if she knew who I was. Also, she probably would have shoved her manuscript in my face and begged me to read it. I get that all the time. No, Elizabeth is different. I can feel it. She’s real and down to earth and the most alluring woman I have ever seen.
