Just One Night. Part 1 by Elle Casey

that part of our evening. He’s way more than I bargained for on just about every level. What are the chances he’ll be more than I dreamed of in the sex department too?
    Ugh. I can’t even think about that right now, or I’ll never make it out of the car. Focus, Jennifer. Look at the beautiful flowers. Think about the trifle or whatever it was called. Instead of listening to myself, I watch him walk around the car with long, confident strides. Jesus Almighty, he has broad shoulders. I’ve never seen a man look better in a tux ever. Like ever , ever, not even in Hollywood.
    He comes around to my side of the car, giving the parking attendant his keys before he opens my door. His hand is there, waiting for me to take it, and he leans down, answering the question I forgot I even asked. “It means you should plan to have some fun. I hope you enjoy dancing.”
    Accepting his hand and using it to leverage myself out of the low-slung car, I smile. “I do like to dance, but I don’t remember ever dancing in a dress like this. I’m not sure I can.”
    “All you have to do is hang on, and I’ll do the rest.” He leads me through the door held open by a man in uniform and into the lobby of the hotel. People stare at us and smile as we walk by. I feel like a real, live princess.
    The venue has gone all-out for the ball. I’ve never seen so many pink flowers in one place, not even at a wedding, and I’ve been to some doozies in my lifetime. I’m the last one of my friends to still be single.
    “Stratford!” A booming voice hits us before we’re even ten steps into the lobby. A man large enough to fit the voice approaches and holds out his hand. I think I see a Superbowl ring on it.
    “Mr. Thompson, good to see you,” William says, his face a mask of civility. The joking soon-to-be lover is gone in an instant, replaced by someone I could easily see being a slave-driver in the office. The transformation is nothing short of astounding. I cannot stop staring at him. For some reason, he becomes twice as sexy to me like this. Is that wrong? I don’t know, but I’m going with it. I cannot wait to see him naked now.
    “I told you, William,” the big man says, smiling good-naturedly,“call me Jimmy.”
    William bows his head briefly. “As you wish.” He pauses and then turns slightly towards me while looking at his client. “Jimmy, this is Jennifer. Jennifer, Jimmy.”
    “Nice to meet you,” he says, taking my hand and giving me a big grin. My fingers are swallowed up by what looks like a giant bear paw.
    “Yes, nice to meet you too.” Thank goodness he’s not one of those men who feel the need to arm wrestle when they meet someone new.
    Jimmy releases my hand and rubs his palms together, all his attention back on William. “So … how’s the Grandston project going?”
    “We’re on track for a closing in September. Do you know whether you’re going to keep your unit or sell yet?”
    “I don’t know. I gotta wait for the wife to weigh in.” He looks over his shoulder and then leans in towards William, lowering his voice. “Don’t tell her I said so, but she’s the boss.”
    He jumps straight up in the air and then hunches over in fear when a loud, angry voice comes from behind him. “Don’t tell her you said what? Who’s the her ? Is it me or someone else I should know about?”
    “Oh, heeeeyyy, baby!” Jimmy goes from deer in the headlights to fawning husband in an instant. “I didn’t see you there. My oh, my oh, my, don’t you look beautiful tonight. Mmm-mmm-mmmmmm…”
    The small woman’s hand goes up to block her husband’s approach. “Save it, Jimmy.” Her deep frown turns into a glowing smile as she notices who Jimmy’s talking to. “William,” she purrs, moving closer and holding out her hand in a graceful gesture. “I didn’t know you were going to be here.” She has dimples that sink deep into her cheeks and the prettiest teeth I’ve ever seen. I stare, wondering if they’re