Scandal

Chapter 7-3

THE GALA WAS AS EXTRAORDINARY as I expected, but to describe it as lavish would be a huge understatement. It was an occasion fit for royalty, but what else could be expected from the upper class? It was my job that night to be at Sol's beck and call, but there was very little for me to do at the gala as he networked and mingled with the bigwigs. He had given me an incredible lavender ball gown that I would never be able to wear anywhere else, and I was almost positive that he had ordered it in the same color as the dress he had tried to remove from my body at the wedding. He was most definitely a master manipulator.

I headed to the bar to get some champagne. It seemed to be the drink of choice that evening, and though I wouldn’t normally partake, I was in Paris after all. I leaned back against the bar and surveyed the scene around me. The place was packed, and it took me awhile to locate Sol in the crowd. He stood with a group of men, some his age and others much older. I watched him in awe—he was in complete control of the conversation, and he exuded confidence. I wondered if I would ever achieve that level of aplomb. I’d probably turn to mush in a similar situation.

“Now what is the most beautiful woman in the room doing standing alone?”

I turned to find a handsome dark-haired gentleman beside me. He couldn't possibly have been talking to me. I scanned the room and, for the most part, all I saw were supermodels or women who looked like one.

I laughed nervously. “You must have mistaken me for someone else.”

“I certainly did not. Who did you accompany to the festivities?”

“Mr. Jacobs. I'm his assistant.”

“Oh wonderful. We've done business with him in the past. He’s a good man. So you're just waiting on the sidelines until you're needed, are you? Must make for a dull trip.”

“I guess it does sometimes. But I'm in Paris, so I can hardly complain.”

“Well, what say you and I go grab ourselves something to eat elsewhere?”

Surprised, I said, “I apologize, but I can't. I think it would be inappropriate for me to leave when I'm working. And besides, we just met.”

“Then how about we take a quick fifteen-minute break in my hotel room then. That way you can be back in time for your next assignment?”

My mouth dropped involuntarily, and I wondered just how pissed Sol would be if I punched this guy. What kind of man had the nerve to speak to a complete stranger like that?

“Excuse me?” I said in response.

He put his hand on my bare shoulder and started rubbing it. He moved in really close, so close I could smell what he’d had for dinner. “Don't act like you wouldn't like it. You should consider it an honor. A girl in your position won't get many offers from a guy like me.”

“I'm going to ask you to kindly remove your hands from my assistant.”

We both turned to find Sol standing there, looking angry enough to rip some limbs off the guy. He looked me up and down as if checking to be sure I was still as he had left me.

“I meant no disrespect, Mr. Jacobs. I was just offering the lady a tour of the city.” There was a nervous tinge to his voice. He probably hadn't expected Sol to stand up for me.

“I bet you were. And that sightseeing offer requires you to maul her shoulder? I think it's time you left the party, sir, and I would suggest doing it immediately.”

The man glared at Sol but left without another word. He was the kind of scum regularly found at parties such as that, and I was no longer a fan of such occasions.

“Wow, how powerful of a man are you that you can force someone to leave a party?”

“You’d be surprised. Are you okay?”

“Yes, I'm fine. It was nothing I couldn't handle.”

“I'm sorry, Sasha. No one should ever make you feel like they have a right to touch you without your permission.”

I smiled. “I'm okay, really. But if it's all the same with you, I’d like the driver to take me back to the hotel. I think I'm all partied out. Besides, I haven't been of much use tonight, and you don't really need me here. ”

He nodded. “I understand. Let's go together.”

“Sol, I can't ask you to leave. You came here for business, and you should stay with your colleagues.”

“No, I want to go with you. What do you say we take a stroll through the city? It's quite beautiful. You'll love it.”

I grinned. “That sounds marvelous.”

We left right away, not bothering to say goodbye to anyone. The party had suddenly lost its luster.

The stroll was just perfect. I was feeling out of sorts after the man had touched me and made those vile comments. It was good to get outside to clear my head. We would be leaving Paris soon, so seeing the city a little more was exactly what I needed. The night life in Paris was extraordinary—there were so many things to do, and it wasn't at all like the brashness and sass of New York City. I loved browsing all the little shops. Paris had a class and elegance to it that not too many places could match.

We rounded a bend with a famous burlesque club on the corner. Suddenly Sol grinned. Stopping in front of the club, he asked, “Do you want to go in? You may be a bit overdressed, but I think they’ll be okay with it.”

I looked up at the sign and felt my face redden. “No, I think I'm okay. It's not really my scene.”

“Oh come on, I think it would be fun. Besides, it might spice up your love life to see how the other half lives.”

I laughed nervously. “I don't think so.”

“You never know, you might actually like it.” He winked at me, and I was half tempted to go for it.

“No.”

“Okay, this is what I'm going to do for you, Sasha, and one day you might thank me for it. I'm going to give you a dirty dare.”

Laughing again, I asked, “What? What on earth is that—or should I even ask?”

“I'm opening up your horizons a bit, little lady. In the theme of burlesque, I want you to do something sexually that you’ve never done before. It could be dressing up, taking a class, or trying a new move.”

“I will not!”

“Are you chicken?”

Narrowing my eyes at him, I said, “I'm not.”

“Then it looks like a dare. Let me know how it works out for you. And I expect pictures . . . or something as proof that you actually did it.”

We continued walking, my brain abuzz.

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