Rebound (26 page)

“
You are one mysterious man, Mr. Abbot. If that is your real name,” she said, raising her eyebrow.

He pulled her into his arms and kissed her on the forehead. “Go get ready. I have some work to do before dinner, so I’ll come and get you in about an hour. I know that will be more than enough time. You are one of those rare women who gets ready quickly. One of the many things I admire about you. If you need any help zipping up your dress, please let me know.” 

“Oh don’t worry, if there are any zipping or unzipping issues, you will be the first person I call.” She kissed him softly on the lips and closed the door.

She entered the room and spun slowly, taking in the beautiful white furniture and soft egg shell blue walls. Katrine went into the elegant half bath with her bag in hand. She looked at herself in the mirror and said, “Never in a million years would I have predicted this. Being here, with him.” She glanced up toward the dainty chandelier light fixture and squealed a few times. Once she finished her slight freak out, she washed her face and freshened up the best she could. She decided to pull her hair back smoothly, no curls. She swept her hair into a loose bun at the nape of her neck. Then she put on her make up. Smoky grey on the eyes and a light cheek were finished with red lips. She was going to have to be careful not to leave it all over Xander. Even the non-smudge kind could not fully be trusted. She thought about leaving a red ring on him and she laughed.

Alexander Abbot, captain of industry and human dip stick. 

Nerd… 

She gingerly took out her gown from the confines of the garment bag, taking a moment to admire it for a second time. She didn’t know how he did it, but the dress fell right to her ankle, absolute perfection.

Now for the sparklies!!

She was a little giddy when she attached the stones onto her earlobes. They were a little heavy, but wow, who the hell cared. They were extraordinary. The dress hugged her in all of the right places and thanks to the awesome undergarments she had on, she didn’t have any bumps or lines. She sat on a round velvet-tufted ottoman and slid on her emerald pumps.

 After inspecting the finished product in the mirror, she walked over to the large bay window in the corner of the room. The view of the grounds was beautiful. She could see the ocean just beyond the expanse of bright green. The sun was starting to set and the water was shimmering. A sigh escaped her lips as she enjoyed tingly sensation in her chest. This was more amazing then she could have ever dreamed and the night hadn’t even begun. It was surreal, but there was no need to pinch herself. It was her reality, if only for a little while.  

The knock was soft, but it startled her all the same. She pulled her shoulders back, took a deep breath and put her slightly sweaty hand on the brushed nickel handle.

Here goes nothing. Drum roll please, brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr...

She slowly opened the door. However good she thought she looked was eclipsed by the expression on the face of the man at her door. 

He was speechless, she looked more beautiful than he could have ever imagined. There are moments in life that become burned into your memory. A perfect moment when time stands still and you are reminded that time, that life is fleeting. Seeing her there, knowing she was only his for a little while longer, made his chest burn. He wanted this moment to last. But a moment by definition, is fleeting.

“I will take your inability to speak as a sign of my overwhelming beauty,” she teased. 

“Hey sweetie, what’s wrong? Do you not like the dress after all?” she asked concerned. He looked off.

“Oh god no, I am just a little taken aback. I knew you would look sensational, but again I didn’t give you the credit you deserved. Sensational is insufficient. You…are breathtaking.”

She looked down. Her cheeks burned slightly and a bashful smile spread across her face. 

“Xander thank you. And thank you for this, and these. I’m not sure I can keep them, but I will wear them gratefully tonight.” She kissed him on the cheek.

“By the way, speaking of breathtaking...You look so handsome I almost can’t stand to look at you.” He was wearing a dark black suit with a matching vest under his jacket. The tie was a thick black ascot with thin, white diagonal stripes. The slight shimmer of the black material made his eyes sparkle.

“And I thought that these earrings were the most spectacular green I had ever seen, but compared to your eyes, they barely twinkle.” she said as she took his arm. After she said that he stopped and  turned to her, gently cupping her face in his hands. 

“Katrine, I just want you to know that you make me want to, I don’t know…be more. I like who I am when I’m with you. I see the man I could become, the man I want to become... I just thought you should know.” he said finished shyly, dropping his hands to his sides.

WHOA! And the award for the most romantic thing ever said goes to…

“Xander, you are good all on your own, don’t ever forget that, but thank you for saying so.” She lightly touched his cheek. “Now where are we going?”

He brought himself back to earth and said, “That my girl, is a special surprise. And you will keep those earrings. They are a gift to remember me by.”

“As if I needed earrings to do that.” 

He smiled and placed his hand on her lower back as they walked to the exit toward the back of the house. She stole a glance into the large updated kitchen as they made their way into the warm evening. The weather was perfect. The air was mild and the breeze was slight and cool. It was such a nice change from the stifling heat they had been victim to in Texas. She loved the feel of his hand on her bare back and now she was really appreciating the dress’ design. The chills forming on her body could be from the cool breeze, but she knew they were most likely caused by the warm hand sliding up and down the skin of her bare back. They continued to walk down a lightly pebbled path that lead towards the water. Every crunch of her high heels had her praying she wouldn’t take a nose dive. 

Don’t fall, don’t fall, don’t fall. 

Look graceful. You walk on pebbles in high heels all of the time…

As they made their way around the last bend, there was a feature that did not belong with the rest of the property and the sight of it made Katrine grin. There was an unusually bright green roof jutting out above the tree line. This roof topped a chinese style pagoda. And as they got closer she could see that the front door was bright green as well and that all the posts were a vivid red. It was a refreshing anomaly compared to the over- the-top luxury of the main house.

“Oh, Xander, I love it! What is this place?”

“This is a called the Chinese Teahouse. The lady of the manor had it built and it was primarily used to hold her woman’s suffrage meetings. I thought you would get a kick out of that. And this is where we are having our dinner.”

“Really?  I’m sure they don’t let just anyone have dinner  here.”

“No, they don’t. I had to ask really nicely.”

“This is perfect. I couldn’t think of anywhere else I would rather eat then here in this place, by the water. I would say I am speechless, but I just keep babbling.”

He gave her a full smile and a soft kiss on the cheek. They climbed the steps toward the tea house and when they entered she saw a table set for two in the middle of the room. There was no other furnishings. The room was dimly lit by the setting sun and the small candles in the center of the table. He held out her chair. “What are we eating? You’ve neglected to feed me all afternoon. I am quite ravenous.”

“Oh don’t you worry, you will be wishing you had your yoga pants on by the end of this meal.”

Just then two waiters materialized at the door, as if summoned by their very conversation. The first carried a silver ice bucket with a bottle of wine and the other gentleman followed him with a tray of  covered dishes. The first opened the bottle and poured a little in Xander’s glass. He took a small taste. He nodded his head in affirmation and the glasses were filled. The Riesling was deep yellow in color and was extremely aromatic.

“I asked the chef to prepare us an Asian feast. I though it fitting considering.”

“You know how I love any food from that continent, Chinese or otherwise. I can not wait.”

The dishes were placed in front of them and each waiter stood beside them, grabbed a lid, and lifted simultaneously, revealing a plate of dumplings.

The dumplings were positively succulent. The plump doughy pockets hid different fillings, each to be bathed in a unique sauce. The wine was fruity with a delicate floral note that complemented the rich centers. 

The second wave brought in a bowl of thin broth. Bok choy and green onions floated in the subtly salty liquid. Katrine rolled her eyes in ecstasy with the first swallow. 

“Are you enjoying your meal so far?” Xander asked in a knowing tone. He could always tell by her silence that she was enjoying the food, too focused on her meal to speak.

Don’t mind me, just having one of my foodgasms…

“Sorry. Once I am done with this I’ll start holding up my end of the conversation, promise.”

“Don’t worry about me. I am always entertained when I watch you eat.”

 A savory shrimp noodle dish was followed by the main course which was spicy beef with mushrooms, crisp snow peas, and a hint of ginger. The beef and noodle dishes were paired with a bold Petite Sirah. Xander was right about one thing, she could have used her Thanksgiving pants at that moment.

 Need an elastic waist band and a couch…

Finally they were brought a small dish of sorbets, one plum, one coconut, and the other mint. It was the perfect ending to a perfect meal.

“Wow, Xander. You really know how to feed a girl. This will go down as the most memorable meal of my life. I can’t thank you enough for bringing me.”

“You’re welcome. There isn’t anyone I would rather be with.”

Chapter 31

The ballroom was bursting with guests in formal attire. Katrine was trying her best to focus on the person in front of her, which was changing rapidly as they worked the room. Each person had a random connection with Xander. “We are members at the same club… I went to school with their son…They are old friends of the family…He is my second cousin’s, butler’s lawyer.” That kind of thing. It seemed like one big incestuous melting pot of  the wealthy and connected. She had a lot of experience at these type of events, but none with blood so blue, or in a place so grand. After an hour of this, she was finding it hard to focus. The room itself was intoxicating and Xander was so gorgeous, she felt as though she were having an out of body experience. 

Maybe it was all of the wine at dinner, or maybe I just want to take Xander behind one of those columns and… focus, focus, focus. 

Not the ‘f’ word I had in mind, but ok, focus it is…

She continued the chant, but it didn’t work except for the few times they found themselves alone. 

“Can we dance, please?” She pleaded with hers hands pressed into his chest.

“I’m not really into dancing Katrine, especially at these events.” She couldn’t help but frown at his response.

“Please don’t look at me that way, it kills me!”

“Well then dance with me, Mr. Abbot. Then all you will see are my smiles.” 

“Alexander. I was hoping you would be here. It has been simply ages.”

Katrine turned to see that a beautiful and impeccably dressed woman had approached them. Her golden blond hair was pulled back into a tight bun, showcasing flawless skin and bright blue eyes. She stood very close to Xander and was touching his arm with familiarity. Katrine could feel Xander tense up beside her, then a cordial mask immediately fell into place. 

“Whitney it is a pleasure to see you.” The tone of his voice did not completely back that statement.

“Katrine this is Whitney Ann Wilhelm, she is an old family friend and we attended Yale together.”

Katrine internally rolled her eyes.

Why do these chics always have two names? 

“It is always a pleasure meeting one of Alexander’s many…
friends
.” Whitney tilted her head and gave a pitying look. Her voice could not have been more condescending if she tried. But then again Katrine was pretty sure this woman had many levels of condescension.

This snob should change one of her names to Titanic because she has an iceberg up her ass…
 

Xander pulled his arm out from under Whitney’s unwelcome stroking. “This gorgeous woman beside me has nothing in common with any of those
friends
you alluded to, or you for that matter. And I could not be more grateful for that fact. Now if you will excuse us. I owe this lady a dance.” 

He took Katrine’s hand and didn’t give icicle britches a chance to respond. He twirled her onto the dance floor and then pulled her tight into the curve of his body.

“You ok? I’m so sorry about that. She has always wanted more than friendship from me and always goes out of her way to make that fact blatantly obvious.”

“I’m fine. Thank you for coming to my defense. You are truly my knight in shining armor…Albeit an apparently promiscuous knight, but a knight all the same…I thought you didn’t dance?” 

He just smiled his half, one dimple smile. “Are you having your princess fantasy moment?”

“You bet your slutty ass I am.”

They laughed and made their way around the ballroom. The mass of bodies circled the floor as one, but each twirling on their own axis. It reminded her of the cogs inside of a clock. Katrine was not surprised that Xander was a good dancer. He seemed to be good at everything, not to mention he probably started ballroom dancing when he learned to walk. He held her close and pressed his fingers into the small of her back. His touch never ceased to drum up butterflies in her stomach. Her feet floated gently on their own accord. It was as if she danced this way her whole life. She felt light and carefree. 

When the fourth song came to an end, the movement stopped.