had for Josh, and moved forward, and I wanted to do that with Clint.
I walked over to where Clint was standing and took his hand. “So explain to me again how this charity event works?” I asked as I began to trace little circles in Clint’s palm.
He closed his eyes as he enjoyed my touch but then opened them to answer. “Well, it’s a silent auction and the money we raise goes to the Errol Environmental Society. We bid on our favorite flower and then whoever has the highest bid, gets to enjoy the flower for the night.”
Flowers? I was confused. “So will they hand out bunches of flowers at this gala?”
“Oh no, not really. The ladies wear the flowers,” Clint explained.
I raised my eyebrows. “I’m sorry?”
Clint patted my hand and said, “Wait just a moment.” He took off to the kitchen and returned with a clear plastic box. I watched as he opened the box and pulled out a beautiful white orchid corsage and placed it on my wrist.
“We bid on the ladies assigned to each flower. I’ve assigned you as the white orchid. Don’t worry Norah. I’ll make sure I will have the highest bid for the white orchid this evening. I hope you don’t mind that I chose your flower for you.”
The wrist corsage was gorgeous. The actual bracelet part was made out of lines and lines of white pearls which connected to a pretty white orchid. “How will you make sure no one else bids on me?” I queried, still admiring the beauty of the corsage.
“I will be watching the orchid bidding box very closely,” Clint stated, making it clear that no-one else stood a chance. “Also,” Clint began, “it’s tradition to kiss the winner once the highest bid is announced and I’ll be making sure no one’s lips will touch yours except mine.”
“You better hope so,” I said being playful.
Clint bent down. “Do you really think I’d let anyone have you for the night? In this dress?” Clint’s hand began to travel up my leg to where the dress split at the thigh. I pushed it away, laughing as I did.
“Hey Mr. Weston, you have to win me first. Then I will be yours to do with as you please.” I winked at Clint. He grinned at the many possibilities.
“You drive a hard bargain Miss Rossi.” Clint pulled me up and against his body so I could feel how hard he really was.
When we arrived at the Waldorf function room, the first thing I noticed were how many ladies were wearing wrist corsages of all different kinds of flowers. The next thing I noticed was an extremely long table with small boxes lined up on it, each with a flower crafted on top, and each with pen and paper attached to every box.
The function room was magnificent, with rows of tables filled with vases of different kinds of flowers, and next to the vases were information note cards about the Errol Environmental Society and how the organization contributes to various charities to help stop pollution and carbon emissions. I had to admit, the Lappell certainly knew how to maintain appearances by throwing one hell of a fancy shin-dig.
I saw Josh standing by the bar near some older gentlemen and made my way over to him, leaving Clint talking to some people he worked with at his firm.
Josh’s eyes brightened when he saw me walk up to him. He was wearing a very nice suit, with a silver tie, his hair tousled but combed back, a slight shade of stubble on his face. He looked hot! I pulled him towards me and gave him a quick peck on the cheek to say hello. “Hey there handsome.”
I jerked myself away after I realized what I had said. Josh noticed my swift retreat.
“Norah. You look unbelievable as usual,” Josh complimented as his eyes swept over my dress and then stopped at my wrist. He moved closer to me. “The white orchid, how very fitting.” He picked up my wrist to examine the corsage. I watched Josh as he looked at the details of the corsage, holding my hand in his. “Did you know the white orchid is a symbol of purity, innocence and sweetness?” He squeezed my hand tighter.
If that is what they mean, then it was probably the wrong choice of flower for me because I was far from sweet and innocent, but the way Josh was looking at me right now, being the white orchid felt