Are you my Adonis?

A Dance with Bill

I climbed the stairs to the stage again. I took the Index cards Jacob handed me with the final tally of donations on them. I needed to give the man a bonus. I put on my corporate mask again before I crossed the stage to give the closing speech. I was more excited about the performance after the speech, though.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I thank you all here tonight for your generous donations. We have exceeded our funding goal by 20 million for a grand total of 115 million dollars. This funding has met our funding need for the new women’s shelter and the homeless outreach program for this year. In addition, the Inner City Scholarship program will kick-start this year. Your contributions will touch many lives and promote education,” I said into the microphone as a photo montage from our charity organizations lit up the screen. “As a special surprise treat, the Moody Bullets will play their brand new single ‘Silenced Love’.”

The screen lifted to reveal the band in the middle of the stage. I crossed over and stood behind the second mic next to the lead singer, Harris Smooth. I tapped my foot with the countdown before the intro played. I saw the look on the elder guests as the guitars shredded through the speakers. I was sure to them this was just random loud noise, but to me heavy metal was the music of my soul.

Can’t speak, my mouth taped shut,

With your indifference,

My heart chained with,

Conflicting guilt!

I sang the first verse and death growled the last line. I looked out into the crowd. My parents looked like they wanted to melt into their seats. They never understood my taste in music. The younger people rushed to the stage and put their hands up, hoping the band members would touch their hands. The energy they gave off outshone any negativity from those who did not understand the awesome power of the Moody Bullets.

I looked over to Bill and Sally. Sally looked at her phone and pumped up a thumbs-up. It either meant the live feed numbers were going up or the donations tally was. I hoped it was both. I scanned the crowd until I saw James Winthrop. He had a cocky, amused smile as he head-banged with the music. In the back, I saw Devin wearing the widest smile I have ever seen. Was he so smitten that this didn’t take him by surprise?

Forever, Forever,

In the quiet,

In the darkness,

No rescue,

No relief,

Always searching,

Always alone.

Harris and I death growled the outro, ending the song. The crowd in front of the stage screamed and cheered. We bowed, and the Moody Bullets walked off stage. The brass band from before took over and started playing slow music. I saw James making his way to me and shot Bill and Sally a ‘Help me’ look. Sally nodded to Bill, who reached me before James did.

My heart pounded as I took his arm to the dance floor. That familiar ache in my chest bloomed as he wrapped an arm around my waist and took my hand with the other. I kept reminding myself that he was my best friend’s husband. Bill, in his clueless way, smiled his toothy smile, and his eyes sparkled the way they did when he wanted to tease me.

“Are you gonna get a lecture from Mom and Pops Fowler?” he teased effortlessly as he led me on the dance floor. Our movements weren’t as smooth as when James danced with me, but I knew I’d enjoy the company more.

“Probably, but they can’t ground me this time. I have to go to Austin in two days,” I joked back. Bill tilted his back to laugh that hearty laugh that made me instantly smile. I warmed my heart that I could get him to laugh like that.

“I can understand why James Winthrop is pouting, but why is Devin Hastings looking like he wants to break my arm?” Billy whispered, confused. It took everything in me not to shiver with delight as his breath tickled the shell of my ear.

“Um… he’s kinda wooing me… romantically,” I confessed, hoping he saw my blushing as embarrassment about the situation.

“Do you need me to intervene? I can seriously kick some butt if I need to,” he asked earnestly. I arched my eyebrow at him. Knowing the physiques of all the men, I don’t think Bill would be on the winning side of that fight.

“Nah, I have it handled. Besides, it wouldn’t be a good look if you gave one of my collaborators a black eye,” I pumped up his ego. I seriously knew the man never threw a punch in a day of his life. His Dad gave up teaching him boxing after two lessons because he just stood there with the boxing gloves weighing down his arms. Granted, Bill was a scrawny eight-year-old then. Much to my Dad’s horror, I took up the boxing gloves and started getting lessons from Uncle John.

“Hey, gotta protect my sis!” he quipped back—that one hurt. I tried not to flinch when Bill said that. I took a deep breath and reminded myself we are friends and nothing more. He’s Sally’s husband, not mine.

We danced until the final note of the song. We bowed to each other, and he escorted me to the table. I scanned the room, and James was nowhere to be found. I sighed, hoping I wouldn’t have to see him again until the scheduled date. I sipped my champagne to cool my sore throat. All that practice and I still ended up making my throat hurt.

“Amelia,” a deep, cool voice called out behind me. I turned to see Devin approaching with a velvet turquoise blue Veronica’s box in his hands. It must be the sapphire parure he won.

“Devin, congratulations on your winning bid,” I greeted him. I hadn’t had a chance to talk to him all night. “I didn’t know you were coming to the gala. I heard you try to avoid these things and donate directly to charities.”

“I came to see you tonight. You look lovely tonight. You did a wonderful job being the MC,” he said without any deception. He even dropped his usual impassive mask. Strange, we’re in front of people, but he was showing the puppy dog version of himself.

“Why, thank you,” I said politely. “I think Sally did a better job in her fifteen minutes up there. I think next year she’ll have to MC it.” Sally pshawed and waved her hand dismissively. I gave her a ‘You’re so doing it’ look that made her laugh.

Devin opened the velvet box and pulled out the necklace. I gasped, looking at how the stones caught the light and how the platinum gave a soft glow around them. For a moment, I was jealous of the woman who would receive that from Devin. His mother perhaps?

“I got this for you. May I?” Devin said like it was no big deal that he was about to hang a 25-million-dollar necklace around my neck.

“Are you sure? This is too much!” I exclaimed. Devin didn’t hesitate and gently put the necklace on my neck. His fingers brushed against the back of my neck when he closed the clasp. I shivered, remembering his soft kisses on that spot that night.

“It suits you,” he murmured. His breath glided across the bare skin of my shoulder. In that moment I wanted him to kiss it. I wanted to feel his lips on my skin again. Devin handed the box to Thomas, who appeared next to him. I looked over to Jacob, who I knew was giddy with joy but trying to be professional at this event.

“Will you honor me with a dance?” Devin asked smoothly.

“Yes,” I answered with a shaky voice. I was too overwhelmed by all of it: the necklace, his touch, and his breath. I almost wanted him to scoop me up and take me to my suite right now.

Instead, he led me to the middle of the dance floor. He slid his finger down my spine on the bare skin of my back until his hand landed on my hip. He took my hand in the other. His grip was gentle but firm. His steps made me feel like I was floating in the air. How is it that each man is so different on the dance floor?