The ride to Woods Finance Inc was really awkward, especially having to sit between both Xavier and Nate. Nate was being his true self, joking here and there and being the charmer that he is. Xavier on the other hand was pressed up right against my side and sat in silence while Macy and Brian sat opposite us in their own little world. We drank champagne and chatted amongst ourselves when we pulled up to the venue. It truly felt like we were at a red carpet event with the amount of press outside snapping photos and a red carpet had already been rolled out. It made me feel so proud of my team for having the red carpet rolled out and metal partitioners up to keep the press out of the guests way. The driver came around to Xavier's side and as soon as the door opened the press went crazy calling out Xavier's name and snapping photos of him. I sat stock still not knowing how to react with all these people snapping photos.
"Don't worry Harp, this will only take about a minute or two but with you looking all sexy in that dress it might take twice as long," Nate said as he wiggled his eyebrows making me laugh. "Besides, if they become too much I'll just kick their asses." I couldn't help but laugh even louder.
I took a deep breath and set one foot out on the pavement when a hand reached out and grasped mine pulling me out from the vehicle. The lights that went off were blinding and thinking that it was the driver who helped me out of the car I turned to say thank you when it turned out to be Xavier. He looked down at me like he was pleading with me, but I didn't know what the look meant. His hand then wrapped around my waist and he had the biggest smile on his face which wiped out immediately when Nate got of the limo and pulled me to his side. I looked back at Xavier who's eyes were trained on the ground and the press went crazy asking him questions about taking over his family company and the many clients he's amassed in such a short time since he's taken over.
I turned back to Nate who smirked at me before we stopped and posed for a few photos and made our way inside. The venue looked breathtaking and I couldn't be more happier with how well Kelly and my team set everything up. I saw several guests who upon entry gawked at how stunning the place looked, and I couldn't blame them because this was magnificent. We were led to a table at the front of the stage and were served drinks before dinner was announced. As the night progressed we ate, drank champagne, and chatted to various guests. The dance floor was then cleared and couples all took to dancing.
"It's time to show you off Harp," Nate whispered in my ear before he dragged me off to the dance floor. We danced song after song just jumping around the dance floor crazily when we amassed a circle of people who all danced together. I was laughing so hard at how awkward Nate looked while trying to dance that I literally ran out of breath. I could also see a group of women who were eying out Nate, so I thought I'd let them have a go with him.
"I'm going to have a little rest and grab some water. You really tired me out," I said winking at Nate who only smirked. "You also have a group of admirers vying for your attention," I said pointing out a few women.
"There's only one girl I've got my eye on tonight and she's in the red dress," he said in his deep baritone voice, giving me a hooded look.
I couldn't help but laugh and smack him on the arm, "Oh my god Nathaniel, is that how you pick up these women, because that was just terrible." We both ended up laughing as Nate walked me over to our table, which was only occupied by Xavier.
"I might have to up my game, if that's the reaction I'm going to get," he tried to say in a serious tone, but ruined it with the tiny smile he was trying to hold back.
"Don't worry, I'm sure there are plenty of girls who'd fall over you and that handsome face of yours."
"Ha ha, sit down and get some rest. What would you like to drink, some water or champagne?" He asked as I took a seat next to Xavier who sat quietly, pretending to look at his phone but it was clearly obvious that he was listening in on mine and Nate's conversation.
"Water thanks," I replied and off he went. I took off my heels and sat back in my seat taking a deep breath because damn that was tiring.
"You look like you were having fun out there. Nice dance moves," Xavier said breaking the awkward silence between us.
"Thank you. You should really get out there and have some fun too," I answered not really knowing what else to say.
"I'll dance if you dance."
I didn't know how to respond to that because I can list a number of times where Xavier and I were paired together to dance and he absolutely refused to get anywhere near me.
"Okay. Once I feel like I can breathe again we can go give the dance floor a whirl."
This seemed to please him because the smile that he gave was heartwarming. Nate arrived with my water a second later before making his way to the dance floor before he was flocked by a bunch of women. I took huge gulps of water and watched people dancing and admired how genuinely happy everyone looked.
"Are you okay with Nate flirting with those other girls?"
"Of course, why wouldn't I be?" I answered honestly.
"He's your date Harper, he shouldn't ask you out and then go flirt with other women."
"There's nothing going on between Nate and I. I've really enjoyed my time with him tonight, now it's his turn to have fun. If that's with someone else who isn't me, that's fine. If he hadn't had asked me, I'd be in the kitchen right now with my team fussing over the food and drinks. I'm glad that I'm here tonight as a guest, where I get to relax, have some fun and be proud of the event that my team have organised," I finished coming to Nate's defence. I don't know what game Xavier's trying to play but it really is ok that he's enjoying himself.
"Sorry, it's just if you were my...Sorry. You and your team did a bloody great job tonight Harper. I've had many clients and their wives come up to me and rave about the decorations and food as well as the dj. I think I've handed out almost fifty of your work cards so be prepared to have more customers calling in for your services." I was beyond happy when he said that and extremely grateful.
"Thank you so much, Xavier. Kelly and the team will be so pleased to hear that. You ready to hit the dance floor?" I asked him. He just about jumped out of his seat, grabbing my hand and dragging me back on the dance floor.
"Hey, I need to go back and grab my shoes!" I yelled laughing at Xavier and his eagerness.
He turned around saying, "You won't need them and they'll only make your feet hurt more."
"Okay, but if anyone steps on my toes, I'm going to send you the bill and owe me a massage," I said seriously.
"Fine with me, I'll give you one after this and make sure that you and your delicate feet are out of harms way," he said sarcastically.
Xavier dragged me to the middle of dance floor where he turned my back to his front and wrapped his arms around me and swayed the both of us to the sound of the music. I was fine with it because I was about a half inch away from him but as the tempo picked up and the dance floor started to fill up Xavier had me flat against his chest. It was actually more fun dancing this way because it didn't leave me breathless as it did when I was jumping around crazily with Nate and I just let myself relax into Xavier's embrace.
We danced for what felt like hours before the music started to slow down. The dj announced that he would be playing songs for all the lovers on the dance floor and I took that as my queue to head back to my seat.
"Where are you going?" Xavier called out when I pulled myself from his embrace.
"I thought we'd go sit down and let all the couples enjoy themselves."
"I heard what he said and I'm not ready to stop enjoying your company, so get back over here," Xavier said pulling me flush against him, this time with me facing him. He grabbed my hands and put them around his neck and shoulders and placed his arms around the back of my waist. "That's better," he said looking down at me and smiling.
I felt a little awkward because our position seemed too intimate and Xavier was almost a foot taller than me and it didn't help that I could barely wrap my hands around his neck. So I just settled with leaving them flat against his chest, where I could feel his heart beating furiously. Again we swayed to the sound of the music but at a much slower pace and it made me feel like we were the only two people in the room.
"You don't know how happy I am right now Harper," Xavier said in a low voice causing me to look up at him. His face seemed so close that I looked down, scared of the sincerity and longing that I could see reflected in his eyes. It made me think that maybe he was telling the truth about what he said earlier but I couldn't be so sure.
"Thank you," I said, wrapping my hands around his waist since they were starting to ache. Xavier pulled me close and rested his chin on top of my head as we glided across the dance floor in our own little world. Before I knew it the dj was announcing the last song for the night, and I hadn't realised I had my eyes closed until I opened them and looked around to see that there were only a handful of couples on the dance floor including Macy and Brian and surprisingly Nate and Kelly. I wonder how that happened, and I'd get it out of Kelly once I get her alone.
The final song came to an end and everyone started to clear out but Xavier wouldn't let me go. I looked up at him about to ask him what was going on, when I felt his lips come crashing down onto mine. They felt so soft and I closed my eyes relishing in the feeling of his kiss. I opened my mouth to get some air when I felt him slip his tongue in and deepen the kiss. It wasn't until I heard people clapping and whistling that my eyes snapped open and I flung myself out of Xavier's arms finally opening my eyes. Macy and Brian stood in each others embrace smiling in our direction and so were Mark and Suzanne. I turned back to look at Xavier who reached for me and guided me back into his embrace and place a chaste kiss on my forehead.
"Alright everyone shows over. Thank you all for coming tonight and taxis are outside waiting for those of you who may be too intoxicated to drive," Xavier announced aloud to everyone. A few people came over to shake his hand before exiting. Macy and Brian left and I watched as Nate followed Kelly around like a lost puppy as she started clearing tables. I laughed because it looked like she was annoyed at him.
"What are you smiling about sweetheart?" I heard Xavier ask.
"Nothing. It looks like Nate's got a thing for Kelly and she can't seem to stand the attention he's giving her."
"Good luck to him. She looks like a tough nut to crack."
"She sure is. Thank you for tonight Xavier. I better go get my shoes and grab one of those taxis you were talking about because it seems like Nate's really got his hands full."
I made my way back to our table and bent over to grab my shoes and proceeded to put them on. I turned around to walk to the exit when I smacked into a hard body. Rubbing my face I was shocked to find Xavier.
"Sorry, I didn't see you there," I said looking up at him.
"You don't need to grab a taxi Harper. My limos here and the driver will be taking us home tonight," Xavier said looking down at me almost pleading.
"Are you sure? I live in the opposite direction of you. It's already late and I know you must be exhausted," I answered trying to avoid any awkwardness between the two of us after that kiss.
"It's nothing Harper, trust me. I'm actually feeling a little hungry again after all that dancing. Do you mind stopping for a little snack after this?"
Xavier looked like he was in such a good mood and I was feeling a little famished. I hadn't realised that it had been four hours since we'd eaten and I probably worked off all that food with all the dancing.
"Sure, why not," I answered which seemed to please Xavier greatly who intertwined our hands as we walked out. As soon as the doors opened, the press were still outside and started snapping photos of Xavier and I. I buried my face into Xavier's chest as they asked questions about who I was and why I was leaving with Xavier when I turned up with Nate.
Thank god Xavier took the initiative to answer all their questions as he led the both of us to what I assumed was his limo.
"Hey guys, thanks for coming out tonight but can my girl and I get some space. We're both tired and a little hungry, so just let us leave in peace."
One of the photographers yelled out, "Just tell us her name!" But Xavier just ignored them and led us to the limo where I saw the driver standing with the door already open. As soon as I got in Xavier followed and I let out an embarrassing squeal when the door shut and Xavier pulled me into his lap with me straddling his waist facing him.
"Sorry about that sweetheart. Let's go get us something to eat," he said smiling at me and looking like he'd just won the lottery.