Her silver lining

I took another shaky look in the mirror, tucking an imaginary hair behind my ear. I clasped my hands together and looked at myself, my black hair in a tight bun and my brown eyes outlined with eyeliner to make them stand out. I was eighteen today and I could finally wear a dress that would show off a bit more skin than usual. The blush pink cocktail dress dipped in front, teasing slightly to anyone who looked. My father, who owned an IT company, had reservations at a luxurious restaurant for myself and my parents to celebrate my coming of age. I checked the time and realised it was time to go. My parents were waiting for me as I walked down the grand staircase towards the door. "Ah, there's our girl. All grown up." My father's smile was contagious as he hugged me and his expensive cologne enveloped me. My mother, whose looks I'd inherited, touched my shoulder before kissing my cheek. "You really have bloomed into a beautiful young lady." She squeezed my hand and gave me a smile. Jeremy, our butler greeted me, before slipping my coat over my shoulders. "Have a wonderful evening miss." "Thank you Jeremy." We stepped out into the cool night and the chauffeur opened the door to the limousine allowing us to slide in. I forced a smile as we drove in comfortable silence, my insides trembling with nervousness. Not only was today my birthday, but it was the day I was finally going approach the man I'd had the hots for for years. I'd waited this long because he was a good stretch older than me and I knew that all the years before he only saw me as a child but tonight, wearing a dress that reflected maturity and a tiny bit of seduction, I hoped he would see me as the woman I've become. I looked away from the passing lights and down to my silver, scrappy heels, silently thanking god that I'd gotten a fresh pedicure earlier in the day. As a family that wasn't that talkative, the car drove was silent beside the hum of the engine, leaving me to think about the events of the evening. Once we arrived at the restaurant, we were immediately brought to the table that was decorated with back and silver prior to our arrival, I assumed my father was leaving the waiter a fat tip for the effort. I appreciated the fact that they hadn't overdone it, that it was simple and subtle. "Jackson!" We turned at the call of our last name and I found myself short of breath. There he was, good god, looking more delicious than ever. Elliot Montgomery, tall, tan and looking like he just got out of the shower. Like my father, he was just about 6ft tall and well built. For a man just shy of forty, he could well be the hottest man alive. Elliot firmly shook my father's hand as I caught the slightest peek of skin, realising he'd ditched the tie tonight and left the top buttons of his black shirt undone. I realised I was staring (practically drooling) and looked away as he pecked my mom on the cheek. I could already smell the fresh scent of him and by the look of his still damp hair, he had infact just showered. I bit the inside of my cheek as my imagination ran wild with thoughts of him under the hot water of a shower. I couldn't shake them away quick enough before he approached me. "Delilah, god has it really been that long? You've become such remarkable young woman." "Hi Elliot, a pleasure as always." He frowned and my tone before suddenly bringing me in for a hug. "Oh come now, ditch the formalities." I felt myself got stiff as he hugged me, something we'd done for years felt so different now. Like the hot feeling I had between my legs as his scent made its way into my head. He kept it short and sweet like always and before I knew it I was free to breathe my own air again. My cheeks felt hot and we made our way to our seats and I quickly ordered myself a glass of wine. I've had small tastes of wine here and there at special occasions but tonight I could have as many as a respectable girl in a restaurant could. The drinks arrived swiftly and the table delved into conversation. Elliott was a few years younger than my father but they were the best of friends and owned similar businesses. Elliot sat painstakingly in the seat beside me at the four seat square table we were seated at. His voice and laughter echoed in my ear as the night progressed. By the time dessert was brought to the table I'd finished my fifth glass of red wine which for someone who wasn't an excessive drinker, it was a lot of alcohol. I finished the Tiramisu and smiled tightly at my mother who was a few more glasses ahead of me. My father paid the bill and we all rose from our seats. "You're still coming over to go over those sheets with me?" My father asked Elliott who him looked like he'd been sipping on water all night instead of whiskey. "Of course." Their conversation drowned out as we walked towards the entrance and retrieved our coats. On the drive home, my parents sat across from me whispering and giggling with each other. I'd always admired the relationship they had, always smiling and enjoying each others company. I knew they'd always love each other and would grow old together. It was just before midnight when we got back home, my nerves suddenly vanished now with a bit of liquid confidence in my veins. I knew drinking was dangerous with the plans I had for the evening but a little bit wouldn't hurt. I greeted my parents and slipped into my room to wait. Elliott arrived shortly after and he and my father made their way to his office to work. I slipped barefoot into one of the many empty rooms surrounding my father's office and paced, waiting for the right opportunity. I'd been sitting for what felt an hour before the sound of a phone rang. I looked out of the door and watched my father slip out of his office and down the passage before descending back down the stairs as his angry voice rang throught the house. I took this as my opportunity and slipped into the office and silently closed the door. My heart was beating like drums in my ears and my whole body shivered. Elliott sat on the brown leather sofa with his elbows on his knees as he was looking through some papers. He'd ditched the jacket, giving me a view of his arms flexing under his shirt. "Hi Elliot." His eyes lifted from the paper and a devilish smile appeared on his lips. "Delilah, I thought you were in bed already." I shrugged. "I never got to say thank you for having dinner with us tonight. You really made it special." He tossed the paper down on the table and stood. "It's not a problem, you know I enjoy spending time with you." I blushed and looked away from him. "Was there anything else you wanted to say?" His words went throught me and I swallowed in anticipation. "Actually I wanted to speak to you about my gift, it is my eighteenth birthday after all." I saw it, even if it was just a second, I saw the hesitation in his eyes before his smile softened.