Glow (4 page)

“Hey,” he says as he grabs a chair and scoots it close to me.

 

“Well, hello there,” I say playfully.

 

“There is noway that someone like yourself is sitting here alone,” he looked
into my eyes. His eyes were gray and glistening with lust and curiosity.

I smiled. “No, my friend Ben is over there,” I pointed toward the bar at Ben
who was now closer to the woman, touching her face and making her blush. I
knew it! Just like the others. I sighed.

“Ah, I see,” he laughed. “What's your name?”

 

I stared into his gray eyes. “My name is Vanessa,” I smiled.

He held his hand out. “I'm Jordan,”
I shook his hand. His shake wasn't strong, it was a softer shake. He is
sensitive to woman. I know this is true because my dad always told me that
when a guy shakes your hand and it's a strong shake, that they want to be in
control of the relationship which could lead to all sorts of relationship issues.
Verses a guy who lightly shakes a woman's hand, he has respect for her, he
has a compassion for woman and isn't so worried about being a control freak.
I then realized that I was too nervous to pay attention to my hand shake with
Ben. Was it strong? Or soft? I blinked quickly erasing my thoughts to see
Jordan smiling at me, I relaxed more.

“Nice to meet you, Jordan,”

 

“Likewise,” he smirked.

 

~

A few hours, a few drinks, and a lot of conversation with Jordan later, I am
three sheets to the wind. Ben stayed with his...thing- dancing and talking to
her. Every once in awhile when I would glance at him, he was already
looking at me. He was watching out for me which also made me feel a bit
more relaxed.

It was nice getting to know Jordan as I discovered that he is interning at his
fathers architect business. He is successful, which is something I look for in a
guy. In my book, there is no excuse for laziness.

“What is it you do?” he asked then grabbed my hand and held it. I felt my
stomach go crazy with all sorts of butterflies.

 

“I am senior editor at the magazine Glow,” I smiled.

“No kidding?” he asked shockingly. “So you are the famous Vanessa
Montello,” he smiled. “I was thinking that you looked familiar but I couldn't
figure out why,”

I nodded a little unsure about his reaction to knowing who I am. It could be a
good thing, or a bad thing.

 

“Remember, my dad's an architect, he designed the water wall in your lobby.
I was there with him often.” he pressed.

I thought about it for a moment and remembered a handsome blonde guy
with the architect. I would catch him staring at me as I walked into the
building. I thought he was cute, but you know me, work comes first.

“Oh,” I laughed. “That's right!”

 

“I think your writing is great, by the way,” I could tell that he was slightly
nervous.

“I more over see the articles now verses actually writing them anymore. But
which one did you like the most?” I asked curiously, wondering if he actually
has read something I have written or if it was to try and get to me.

“It's seriously kind of embarrassing, really.” he swirled his straw in his glass
of whiskey and coke.

 

“Aw, no, it's okay,” I rubbed his arm for reassurance.

 

“Well, my mom told me to read an article about how 'Nice Guys Finish Last'
and I did, it was great... and very true,” he laughed.

“You read that?” I asked in awe. I could see why, he truly was a sweet guy.
“Yes,” he nodded. “Do you want to dance?” he stood up and offered me his
hand.

“Of course,” I smiled and took his hand. He led me to the dance floor where
everyone was out there slow dancing.

I wrapped my arms around his neck and started to move my body against his.
His hands tightened around my waist-line, gripping my dress. I closed my
eyes and felt my body melting into his, my hips moving more to the rhythm
of the music. He pressed his lips against my neck, trailing soft kisses from
below my ear to the nape of my neck.

I felt like I was in heaven that I had this incredibly sexy mans hands, and lips
on me right at this very moment. It has been so long since I have been
touched at all... I felt like I was going to explode. I let a soft moan escape my
lips.

“Vanessa,” the kissing stopped.

 

“Yeah,” I looked into Jordan's gray eyes.

 

“I think your friend is ready to leave,” he nodded.

I turned to see that Ben was standing there smiling at me, “Let's go...” he
mouthed. So nice of him to do
his
thing, but the second I get into someone he
is ready to leave.

“Hey, I'll call you later, alright?” I said. “You put your number in my phone
didn't you?”

 

“I did,” he smirked before placing a soft kiss on the back of my hand. “Until
next time, Miss Montello,”

 

“Bye, Jordan,” I walked away to get my clutch and go.
“Wow,” Ben said as we were walking to the car.

 

“What?” I asked. I stumbled a little getting my keys out of my clutch. I
tossed them to him.

“Other than the number freak out, you did amazingly well,” he said proudly.
“You kept your body language perfect, you didn't seem too desperate,
and
you got a phone number,”

“Well, thank you,” I opened my car door and got in. “It's nice to know I
didn't seem desperate,” I laughed. “Oh, and I got two numbers,” I waved my
cell in the air.

“Nice,” he waggled his brows as he messed with the stereo. “I liked the part
where you told steroid-junkie to get lost,”

 

“Oh, God, he was so gross,” I said in disgust. “You seemed to like that
auburn-haired girl though,” I smiled at him.

“Karen was alright. I was mostly letting you do your thing so I could watch,
decide what we need to work on,” his eyes concentrated on the road. “But,
you did well, I was impressed.” I watched the thoughtful look on his face fall
into a frown. It made my heart break a little.

Still a little hot from the whole dancing thing with Jordan, I kept my eyes on
Ben. I watched his blue eyes light up when he smiled. He truly was God's gift
to woman. Just because I hate him, does not mean that I don't find him
attractive. Extremely attractive.

“What?” he looked at me.

 

I lightly shook my head. “Nothing,”

 

“Are you hungry?” he asked. “I could use something to eat,”

“Yes, let's go eat,” I said as I gave my face a once over in the visor mirror.
We stopped at this little diner I normally would have nothing to do with as I
am used to the five-star restaurants I take clients to. When I walked in, the
walls along the restaurant were lined with booths. The gray haired waitress
with a permanent frown and crows feet sat us down in one closest to the door.
I looked at the dirty hand prints along the tacky-floral wallpaper and
shuttered with disgust.

“Thank you,” Ben said politely as he gestured for me to scoot over.

 

“What? Aren't you going to sit on your own side?” I asked him as he plopped
down next to me.

 

“Nope,” he smiled and picked up the menu.

 

“Do we really have to eat here?” I asked rubbing my arms hoping to keep the
germs away.

 

He laughed huskily. “Why, you don't like it?”

 

“It's just...” I looked closer at the wall. “Oh my God, is that what I think it
is?”

 

Ben leaned closer, his golden exposed neck only inches from my lips. “A
booger, yes, just don't touch it,” he shrugged.

 

“
A what?!
” I shrieked then leaned into him.

 

“Kidding, just kidding...” he laughed again and continued to stare at the
menu. “It looks like gravy, calm down,”

 

I closed my eyes as I held my hand to my chest then took a deep breath. “I
was going to leave,” He just ignored me.

I could feel my skin light on fire with every skim of his arm on mine, with
every gentle touch of his leg bumping mine. I cleared my throat trying
incredibly hard to avoid this feeling. I have no clue what is happening to me
right at this very moment.

“What are you going to order?” I asked him.

He looked at me as my voice sounded well, different. He just smirked at me,
his blue eyes filled with some kind of emotion that I can't read. Whatever that
smile was for, I have no clue. All I know is that I feel different, and I don't
understand it.

“Oh, I don't know,” he reached over then placed his arm around my shoulder,
pressing me into his side. He leaned over, pressed his lips onto my ear. He
whispered, “The burgers here are to go crazy over, they just make you want
to-”

“What can I get you both to drink?” Our waitress asked. I sat there clenching
my aching thighs together, biting my lip.

“A, uh... just a Diet Coke, please,” I struggled to say, feeling my leg muscles
burn as they are still tense. I looked up at Ben who was grinning from ear to
ear, just staring at the list of drinks they serve.

“A Coke is fine,” he said then continued to look over the menu.

To be honest, even though I hate him dearly, it was a good thing that we were
in a public place. I watched his eyebrows crease as he studied the appetizing
food. I sucked in my bottom lip, my teeth grazing it gently upon it's release.

“Do you always stare at people when you think they don't notice, Vanessa?”
he asked not taking his eyes off of the menu.

“Oh-uh, no... I was actually looking at the food on yours. It was a clean view,
sorry,” I said as I picked my menu up and gazed at all of the burgers, fries,
and steaks this establishment had to offer.
The waitress came back to our table with our drinks. “Are you guys ready to
order?”

“Yes, I'll have the mushroom burger and fries, please,” Ben said politely.

 

“I'll have the steak and side salad,” I smiled at the waitress.

 

“Great, it will be a few minutes,” she huffed as we both handed her the
menus.

 

Ben watched her as she walked away. “You really like that Jordan guy, don't
you?”

“He is seriously nice, and really, I have met him already,” I smirked. “He has
a great job with his dad's architect business, which they had worked at my
building, building a water wall in the lobby,” I tilted my head to the side as I
thought of Josh- our waiter at Estrada's. “You know, I kind of like that waiter
guy, too, he was cute,”

“Vanessa?” he asked not even paying attention to anything I just said. “Have
you ever seen When Harry Met Sally?”

 

Freaking rude!
“Um, Ben, I was just-”

 

“You know, the restaurant scene?” his blue orbs burning into me.

“No, I have never seen that movie,” I said quietly, his face mere inches from
mine. I felt my stomach go crazy with warmth which traveled below my belly
button. “Why?” my voice shook as I could feel his warm-soft hand upon my
thigh. I stiffened at his touch, it caught me off guard but felt oh-so-good.

He leaned into my ear. “It was rather sexy,” he whispered then traced his
fingers along my dress-line. It doesn't help that my dress is a few inches too
short.
I felt my breath hitch in my throat as I turned my face toward his. I could feel
his hot breath on my face as again his lips were barely a centimeter away. His
hand traced higher up my thigh. I let a soft moan escape my lips, letting my
legs relax. My eyes traced the dimensions of his perfect face while the
fingertips of his right hand traced the lining of my panties in the crease of my
thigh. As I didn't realize I had leaned closer to Ben, giving him a full
invitation to ravish me in any way that he pleases... he laughed.
He was
laughing!
Ben took his hand off of my thigh, he laughed harder then scooted
out of the booth and slid into the other seat across from me.

I was furious, embarrassed, and I hated Ben McGurthy with everything that I
had. “Are you seriously laughing at me?” I asked appalled as I felt my face
burning red with embarrassment.

Ben was
still
laughing, “It works every time, and you totally fell for it.”

 

“Excuse me?” I was two seconds away from socking him in his sexy face.

 

He sat up straight gaining composure. “I told you that I watched to see if
there was anything you needed improvement on,” he shrugged casually.

 

I grabbed my clutch and leaned forward. “Really, and what might that be,
Ben?”

 

“Desire...” he smirked. “You need to be desirable, irresistible,”

“Wait... so I need to throw myself on men sexually?” I asked angrily and
disgustedly dipping my fingers in my diet soda then flicked the liquid in his
face. “You are something else, Ben. Your aunt needs someone else to do this,
because I am done. This is not me,” I stood up but stumbled back onto my
butt in the booth as he grabbed my arm, pulling me back down.

Ben picked up his napkin, then dabbed at the soda on his face. He chuckled,
“Look, Vanessa, I clearly see that you are nothing like that. I didn't mean
throw yourself at men sexually, just be sexy... you know? That's all I am
trying to say. Instead of opening yourself up the way you just did for me,
make them do that for you. Make them think about you all night long after
you leave, make them want you... make them want to do anything to get you.
Be available, but never be available if you get what I am trying to say,” he
leaned forward trying to make eye contact with me. “Irresistible... if you
will,”

I sigh as I was still incredibly angry and embarrassed. What he just said
doesn't change the fact that I was ready to throw myself at him right here in
the restaurant to have him laugh in my face no less.

“Fine,” I threw my hands up in defeat. I can't risk my job because I hate this
immature idiot sitting in front of me. I worked too hard to get to where I am
at. I just have to try harder. I let my shoulders relax and released a slow
breath.

“Here you go, enjoy,” the waitress said as she sat our plates in front of us.

I didn't even bother to say thank you as all I did was sit there and glare at Ben
as I started to eat. I had nothing else to say to him. Halfway through my steak
I realized something, this is one of the best steaks I have ever eaten. I smiled.