her apartment door was slightly ajar, and I knocked before stepping in.
“Annie?”
“In the bathroom!” she called out. “There’s some bubbly on the table – go ahead and open it!”
I shut the door behind me and spotted the bottle she was referring to. After taking that in hand, I started opening it.
Then she stepped out.
I opened the wine bottle, the cork shooting off with a pop and the foam pouring all over my hand around the neck.
She was stunning.
Annie was dressed in a tight, powder blue gown that looked poured over her curves. The neckline was low, but tasteful. Her blonde hair fell in loose waves, draped over her shoulders. Her shoes were off-white heels, a perfect complement to the dress.
I was rock-hard on the spot.
“Screw the bubbly,” I said, setting down the bottle. “I know what I want.”
I cut the distance between us, stepping over to her and putting my hands on her hips, pulling her against my body closely enough that she could feel my hard-on through my slacks.
“I’d ask if you like the dress, but I think I know the answer.” She gazed up at me with those gorgeous green eyes, a smile on her lips.
And I kissed her hard. Our tongues were knotted together, her taste filling my mouth. I squeezed her hips, noting the absence of panties through her dress. Then I moved up to her breasts, grabbing them firmly.
Annie sighed, falling into the kiss. But the moment I put my hand on her leg, ready to move up her thigh, she moved it away.
“Now,” she chided playfully, wiggling a finger at her. “I didn’t get all dressed up just to get naked before I had a chance to show off this lovely gown you bought me.”
“Good point,” I said, giving her hips one more squeeze before backing off.
“But,” she continued, “that doesn’t mean you won’t get the chance to take it off later. If you play your cards right.”
“And what’s step one in playing my cards right?” I asked, up for the challenge.
“First step is pouring me a glass of that champagne.”
“You got it.” I returned to the table and poured us each a glass, bringing Annie’s to her. “You know,” I said, looking her up and down. “Maybe I messed up, letting you pick out a dress. This might be far too distracting.”
“Then you’re going to have to learn to focus. Aren’t doctors good at that?”
I nodded. “We are. But it’s not like I have to perform surgery with stunningly beautiful women in the room.”
She laughed, raising her glass. “To an incredible night.”
“I’ll drink to that.” We tapped rims and sipped before I checked my watch. “Shit. We’d better get moving. Lots of people I want you to meet tonight.”
“Got it.” She opened her closet and took out her fake-fur-lined coat.
“We’ll have to do something about that, too,” I said, running my fingers over the fur.
“I didn’t want to go too nuts with your account – figured the dress and shoes were enough.”
“You’re more than welcome to go nuts with me anytime,” I smirked, sending a double-message.
We took a few sips of the wine and headed out. The town looked beautiful in the gently falling snow, the flakes drifting down and flicking with light from the streetlamps. Our shoes crunched softly on the white dusting already on the sidewalk.
“Nice ride,” she commented, taking in the sight of the dark red BMW M3.
“Thanks. I don’t get much of a chance to take it out. Figured this definitely counted as a special occasion.”
“Happy to be one,” she said with a smile.
I opened the door and let her in, and we were soon on our way.
“So,” she said. “What’s the plan?”
“The plan is we head to the party,” I told her, smiling when I added, “It’s at the Four Seasons, and I went ahead and got a room for us so when we’re ready to go, we can get the hell out of there.”
“You got a room?” she asked with a wink. “Someone’s presumptuous.”
I chuckled. “I’ll take the couch if you want the king-size all to yourself.” I matched her wink with one of my own.
She took my hand on the shifter, letting me know her true thoughts on the matter.
We drove on, reaching Denver and heading downtown. The Four Season was abuzz with activity, a long line of limos in front letting well-dressed men and women out onto a massive red carpet that led to the illuminated, ornate front of the building.
And, of course, the paparazzi