PARANORMAL ROMANCE: Bear Naked Satisfaction (Fantasy Shapeshifter Alpha Male Romance Book 3) (Contemporary New Adult Billionaire Steamy Romance Short Stories) (32 page)

Chapter 4

              Fortunately, my apartment is just a few blocks from the mall. As uncomfortable as the scenario was, I managed to find something I actually liked relatively quickly. I don’t have to be at the Parramore Neighborhood Center for another hour, and even though Congressman Orange is meeting me at eight, I’d still like to get there at least an hour early to assess the environment: see who’s there, if there’s any press, get a feel for how long we’ll really need to stay once he’s shown his face. Tickets for the event were sold in advance, so Bryn should have already collected the contribution. All the congressman literally has to do is show up, demonstrate how honored he is to receive their financial support, eat, then leave.

              I hang my dress up, wondering what on Earth I can do with my hair. I love wearing my kinky twists down, but I’m thinking with an off-the-shoulder dress, an up-do will be just the right finishing touch.

              On my way to the car, I remember a pink rose flower pin I picked up at a thrift store. Rummaging through my tote, I fish the accessory from my purse and attach it to the base of my twisty bun.

****

              “Lord have mercy, Chantelle. Look at you!” Chairwoman Harris makes a beeline over to me. “All grown up and stuff. Girl, come here. I’m just so
proud
of you!” She snatches me into a huge bear hug.

              “Thank you, Mrs. Harris,” I say, gathering myself. “What’s it been, almost five, six years?” She fills me in on people in the neighborhood. Most of them have either moved away, passed, or gotten locked up. I fill her in on some details with me, a Cliff’s Notes version of my gig at Orange Investments, the handful of people I’ve run into, told her how my parents are enjoying retired life in Sarasota.

              She tells me not to be a stranger, not to forget where I came from. The statement jolts me for a second, in it’s simplicity, and it’s reminded me of just how different my world is from before.

              Miss Harris’s eyes widen with sincere delight. I’m happy she’s happy to see me, but she looks as if I’ve just performed a small miracle.

              “Chairwoman Harris?”

              “You look beautiful, tonight,” I hear a deep familiar voice say closely behind me. I whip around, and nearly faint at the unfamiliar sight of him looking… dapper? Maybe it’s the dim lighting, or how tired I am from this long ass day. Whatever it is, he looks very different, and he has literally rendered me speechless.

              “Chairwoman Harris, a pleasure as always.” He places one hand on my shoulder, reaches around with the other to shake her hand. Is he wearing cologne?

              “Are you wearing cologne?” I ask him after Miss Harris leaves us to go prepare for the council’s presentation.

              “I am,” he confirms.

              “I think we’re a little overdressed.”

              He chuckles, “A little?”

              We scan the room. It’s apparent that semi-formal ranges everywhere from jeans with a polo shirt, to couples in their Sunday’s best, to one woman (bless her heart) in an all out, ready-for-the-red-carpet evening gown.

              “Where are we supposed to go?” he says, smiling politely at a cluster of seniors waving from their table.

              “I think we go over to the donation table?”

              “After you,” he says.

              “By the way, there’s no press here.”

              “Good. I’m not in the mood.” I jump out of my skin when he places his hand on my lower back. A polite gesture, I’m sure, but completely unexpected.

Chapter 5

              Earth, Wind and Fire’s “Reasons” comes on. People rush a small area in front of the platform riser to take advantage in the slower pace the DJ spins.

              “Would you like to dance?” he says, placing his napkin down on the empty table we found. It’s more unorganized than expected, but we’re just going with it.

              “Sure.”

              I’m surprised to see him offer his hand, a little shy about taking it at first. Seems like such a personal move. He’s treating me like a
person
, not an employee. Plus, chivalry makes me blush,  especially when a man is attractive and extending the gratitude toward me. I get nervous and fidgety. I mean, even if it’s gratuitous, it still makes me feel wanted. I might also add that this is one of the most romantic songs I’ve ever heard. I can’t keep my thoughts professional when I’ve already reserved this song for the all-nighters I’ll be having in bed with George Clooney when he realizes I’m the woman of his dreams.

              “I hope you don’t plan to leave me hanging. I love this song.”

              I take his hand, “What do you know about Earth, Wind, and Fire?”

              I loop my arm into his elbow as we head to the dance floor. This feels brave. We both know damn well what people may be thinking. He smiles at me when we turn to face each other, a gentler version of himself that I’ve never really seen before.

              He places my arms around his neck, holds my hands there.

              Something’s going on with him right now; this totally feels like a moment. He’s peculiarly focused on me. If I wasn’t partially clouded by my confusion, I’d say he might be feeling a little romantic?

              “You really look gorgeous tonight, Chantelle.” His voice is low, rumbling.

              Holy crap, what’s happening?

              “Thank you?”

              “You’re very welcome.”

              He brings his hands down to my lower back.

              “Have you been drinking tonight, sir?”
              “I don’t drink, you know that.”

              This is true.

              “I have to say, I’m glad I listened to you this morning. You changed my mind, and I happen to be having a really great time.”

              “You can stop pretending you want to be here. It’s just me, and you already know you have my vote,” I say sarcastically.

              “I’m not pretending.”

              The music ends. I go to turn to clap with the crowd, when he pulls me in.

              “Hold on.”

              “But sir-“

              “I need a second.”

              “Huh?” We’re still standing in the middle of the dance floor at ballroom dancing’s version of ten-and-two.

              I realize he’s trying to tell me something. He draws my eyes down with his.

              The bulge in his pants is undeniable.

              “Now do you believe me?”

              I want to crack up, but can’t, not right now. Not while the room is silently waiting for the council’s presentation.

              “I can fix a lot of situations for you,” I whisper, “but I can’t fix this one.”

              His eyes tighten on me, “There are ways.”

              I smack him on the arm, blushing, “Stop that!”

              What the hell, is he serious? I’ve never seen this side of him.              

****

              “Without further ado, I’d like to officially welcome our guest of honor, Congressman Dave E. Orange!”

              “I hope they don’t expect me to go on stage.”

              “I told them that you wouldn’t be giving any speeches.”

              “Come on up and say a few words!”

              Christ.

              The room begins a low looping chant of the word “Speech!”

              “Are you kidding?” he says under his breath, through his teeth like a ventriloquist.

              “Want me to go up there with you?”

              “Yes.”

              I turn, stretching both of my hands behind me. I wait for him to take them and walk in front of him to the stage.

****

              “Congressman Orange, we also have one more thing we wanted to share with you.”

              We ended up standing on stage for what seemed like an hour. I swear every single council member—all thirteen of them—was given the opportunity take as much time as humanly allotted to give regards to everyone on the planet for “making this night possible.”

              I mentally jump for joy when Chairwoman Harris says, “And for our final presentation of the evening…”

              I look at my watch. To my surprise (and delight) we’ve actually only been here for one hour and fifteen minutes.

              A woman I recognize as being Ida May Jackson, Parramore’s oldest living resident, is wheeled out onto center stage by Chairwoman Harris. A volunteer hands her a microphone.

              “On behalf of the Parramore Residents’ Preservation Council, and because of all the tireless work Congressman Orange did to make sure this neighborhood is never forgotten, I am humbled to inform you that this center, now and henceforth, shall be named the Dave. E. Orange Parramore Community Outreach Center.”

              The crowd erupts. Even I have to fight back a tear or two. I look up at him, never seen him so moved. This is a huge surprise, and even bigger news for his campaign.

              He cannot speak. He’s filled with emotion as he approaches the mic. He gives Ms. Jackson a hug, goes on to explain that this is the stuff that people don’t see. That communities like Parramore thrive when given the opportunity to survive.

              “When people come together, they can do remarkable things by passing on opportunity to their fellow man.”

              As he speaks, I fall in love all over again with politics. The man who inspired me to seek out public service, unwittingly reaffirms my belief of goodness in all people.

              “I would also like to point out that none of this would have been possible if it weren’t for the most beautiful, loving, kind-hearted human being I know, Chantelle Williams.”

              He holds his hand out for me to go over, gives me a huge hug. As I start to pull away, he holds me close, and whispers into my ear that he hopes I’m free after this.

              I say, “Of course.”

              He kisses me on the temple and releases me as he wraps up the evening, giving thanks and working the room in the same he would a meet and greet.

****

              “I’m happy you convinced me to attend.”

              We walk out of the center. The parking lot was empty, save my car and his. He slides his left hand to the small of my back.

              “You were hilarious in line earlier with your paper plate, waiting for your scoops of collard greens, macaroni and cheese, and fried catfish. You looked sooo out of place.”

              “What can I say? This has all been a very
organic
experience.”

              “I’m happy you insisted I be here, too.”

              The parking lot is really dark. He holds me close, kisses me on the temple again and suggests I wait for him by my car.

              “Are you riding with me?”

              “Yes,” he says sternly. “Remind me to check with city on getting this place lit.”

              “Will do,” I say as I he waits for me to climb into my car.

              “Lock your doors.”

              “Sir, I grew up in this neighborhood. This block is Beverly Hills compared to others.”

              All that has unfolded tonight intrigues me: Neiman’s, his insistence on me attending this event with him, the handholding, temple kissing, and the overall feeling of closeness. It’s all very out of the ordinary.

              He waves to his driver and heads back over to me. I’m a little embarrassed about the condition of my car, just now realizing I still have empty Starbuck’s cups in both cup holders and loose change in various compartments. He knows I’m a coffee fiend, so there’s no real surprise there.

              “It’s been a long day, hasn’t it?” He climbs into my car like this is normal for us or something.

              “To say the least,” I say, moving the empty cups to the floor behind the passenger’s seat. I’m not sure what to say, or do next—and as it appears, neither is he. The only thing that seems logical here is to start the ignition, drive somewhere, or…

              He reaches over, slides his large hand up the side of me, around my waist, pulling me into a kiss. The other hand molds to my neck.

              I feel myself lean into him, and rest my left hand on his knee.

              He’s an amazing kisser. He growls as he takes my bottom lip between his teeth and nibbles.

              “Sir,” I push through my heavy breath. He moans in reply. Closing my eyes, I’m captivated by the heavy, unexpected desire we both seem to feel. He delicately slips his tongue between my parted lips. He relaxes his leg, giving me the green light to continue sliding my left hand up his thigh. I go higher… Find my way to the bulge between his legs; well on it’s way to hard. I press and begin to massage him.

              “I hope you know what you’re doing.”

              “Of course I do,” I hear myself say, “I’m getting you nice and hard.”

              I can’t believe I said it, but I can’t help it. The way he kisses me, pumping his hips, his strange behavior all night? Now it all makes sense.

              I breathe against the back of his perfectly trimmed hair. Trying, but failing to hold back a moan. “What do you plan on doing once you get me nice and hard?” He smells fucking delicious. It’s something woodsy and citrusy.

              “Chantelle.”

              “Yes?” I leak at the low rumble of his voice.

              “I asked you a question. What are you going to do with it?”

              “What.”

              “My hard cock.”

              “I’m gonna, I’m gonna…”

              “Put it inside you and let me fuck you with it?”

              Oh my god, is this happening?

              “Yes…” I croon.

              “What else?” I’ve never talked dirty, but I could listen to and answer these questions all night. He finds a place on my neck and lingers there with his lips. His breath warms as he presses his mouth to the most exposed parts of my highly sensitized skin.

              “Do it,” I hear myself say.

              “Do what,” he prompts, “Let me hear you say it.”

              He gently tastes me, caresses the confession right out of me.

              “Put your dick inside me, and fuck me.”

              I have no idea what’s come over me. Well, yes I do:
him.
I suppose it’s not difficult to find the words when you’re unbelievably turned on and know exactly what it is that you want to feel.