Watching You: KJ Elite Inc. (5 page)

Hoping nothing happened with the limo or dress, I walked into the kitchen in a little teal silk robe to get a glass of water when there was a knock on the door. I kept myself from jumping out of my skin and tiptoed to the door to look through the peep hole. No one. Had I imagined it? Opening the heavy red door, I look up and down to discover the hall was empty with no person to be seen and no sounds either. It was eerily silent when suddenly my phone rang on loud making me jump and swear. That had to stop soon.

“Hello?”

“Hey, I’m sorry about the silence, my phone died and the limo got a flat on the way over. I will be there in twenty minutes, okay?”

I sighed in relief, of what, I wasn’t quite sure. “Okay. You have a dress right? One that won’t make my mama blush?”

“Oh, I have a dress.” He laughed maniacally and hung up, leaving me to stew in that. I gave one last look up and down the hall then closed the door and padded to my room barefoot, tripping at least twice. No one ever gave me an award for grace so I was happy I was likely getting it out of my system for the day, here in the privacy of my apartment rather than on a red carpet before hundreds of paparazzi and essentially half the world.

I grabbed my black handbag that went with everything and slipped my ID, small clip with cash, lip gloss, breath mints and .22 in it. Every woman’s essentials. Twenty minutes later, on the dot, my buzzer rang out and I heard Matt call out to me, closing the door behind him rather loudly to alert me of his arrival.

"Back here.”

When he entered my room he looked around and asked where Jamie was.

“She is meeting us there. That was all she said when she text me an hour ago.”

Matt immediately shifted subjects and cleared his throat in way of a drumroll.

“You better be ready for this dress, because it is going to steal the night.”

I groaned and turned from my bed to face him when my jaw dropped to the floor. The most beautiful cream colored sleeveless dress that was going to require at least 4 inch heels for my little legs and a massive push up bra. It had clear sequins to give the impression of glitter and glam, but not too much. All of my best
ass
ets were going to be accentuated tonight and in front of more people than I’d ever imagined meeting in ten lifetimes. Then he flipped it over and the back half of the dress was black with a back so low that if I bent over, I was going to be showing the world my best plumber impersonation. It was day and night, the dress and I was next to speechless.

“Wow, Matty. Just... wow.”

“I told you I had the most perfect dress in mind. I saw it when we were out a few weeks ago. Jamie made a comment about how you would be stunning in this.” He held up his hand trying his best to showcase it like Vanna White.

“Drop the robe and get that special bra and matching thong, just in case,” he winked “and lotion those puppies up for these.” His eyebrows raised tauntingly and he pulled a pair of five and a half inch matching cream stilettos from behind the dress bag. Peep toe with a strap behind the Achilles and lets call them what they are, death on sticks practically. But good lord they were gorgeous. “I had a little help finding these too.” My eyes nearly popped out of my head and all I could think to say was, “I see we’ve graduated from four inches. Prepare for me to be attached to you at all times.”

“You’ve got to curb the death wish clumsiness tonight because you deserve to be awed, not laughed at.”

“Thanks, you’re so supportive.”

“Always sweetheart. Okay TJ let’s get you ready!”

At the sound of hearing TJ, panic, lust, greed, joy and utter fear fought for the front runner of my emotions and all coursed through me in an instant. I looked around quickly and my heart stopped. “Did you just say TJ?”

“Yeah, why? Is that okay?” He asked already facing away as he walked to hang the dress up, not realizing how ashen I had become.

“Why did you say that?” I needed to sit down before he saw my knees knocking. Matt knew
me
but he knew nothing of my life back home in Tennessee, not the part I was still running from. He had met my mama and daddy and knew I had brothers but that was the beginning and end of what he knew back in Devine, Tennessee.

“T, it’s a dead giveaway, Taylor and J, because you told me your maiden name was Jameson.” He turned back to me, shrugged and looked confused. “Is that a problem?”

“Um, no, I just... It’s a nickname of someone I haven’t seen in a long time. Just caught me off guard.”

“Tay it is.” The sparkling in his eyes, knowing yet silent, and walked to me, body humming with excitement. “Or Barbie!” And just like that my worry shifted almost instantly from my past to my present male situation.

“Yikes!”

Sitting in the limousine, waiting in queue, I twisted my hands nervously and prayed I wasn’t sweating in any obvious places.

“Relax, you’re going to be great! God knows you’re already beautiful as all get out, the dress is just a frosting, if you will.” Matt had been comforting me since the instant he saw me as the total package, oohing and awing after having picked his jaw up off the ground floor. I don't think I've ever seen him truly and utterly speechless. If that didn't make a girl feel drop dead gorgeous, I don't know what would.

“The glass of cristal was not nearly as helpful as I had hoped it would be.”

“There are a few people I want you to meet when we get in there. I talked to a few people and got us seated with some new friends for you.”

“Oh, Matty.” I looked at him prepared to ask him if he was a mama droppin' his baby off at school for the first day, but changed my mind. “Will Jamie be sitting with us?”

“Yes.”

“Thank you for everything. I love you!” He does so much for me, he deserves a night of spoils as well and I would do what I could to give him this at the very least.

“Oh sweetheart, don’t go soft on me now. I love you too, you know that.”

Our limo was put into park and someone walked to the door facing the red carpet.

“Here we go. Put your shine on.”

“Right behind you.”

“Oh no, this time it’s your turn to lead the way.” He shoved me forward like a sacrificial lamb and my hand was caught by the chauffeur as I tilted to the side. I swallowed and slid my legs around to step out.
Breathe.
Waiting for Matty to step out, I smiled at no one in particular but everyone at the same time and the flashes began. Matt took my hand and gave a substantial squeeze letting me know he had me and guided me down the carpet through the millions of photos that would inevitably be taken.
Smile, don’t look stupid, don’t look confused, don’t sneeze, don’t trip...
The mantra I kept running through for things I was not supposed to do to save face and followed Matt, allowing him to do all the talking. I hated attention and this was the worst sort. I didn't want to make my books movies in part because I didn't want the publicity and notoriety; didn't want to be in the public eye so
he
would not see me. What was I thinking? Free expensive liquor and food without a guy coming on to me and annoying me all night, that’s what I was thinking! The constant flashing from the bulbs of the cameras was so blinding it took a pro to work these cameras and not look like a complete weirdo. There was a moment of silence and I looked around, spotting what looked like an insanely familiar face – but I could not place it for the life of me. That’s about when the flashing started again and Matt led me away. We finally reached the inside and located our table after what seemed like a damn lifetime of hellos and introductions. Surprised that my feet didn’t hurt, I was not into provoking the devil, so I stayed seated and waited for one of the caterers waitresses to come around so I could order something strong enough to fend off the inevitable pain and keep me relaxed enough not to say or do something stupid.  Ha! I know, who was I kidding?

As the waitress walked by she seemed distracted by something so I waved to get her attention and almost sent her straight into what I assumed was some celebrity, and a damn fine one at that. “Oh hi hun, so sorry," I said indicating the guy, "can I please get 3 fingers of Jim Beam, 2 ice cubes?”

“Yes ma’am.” The waitress, bless her heart. I imagined she had to wear just as fake a smile as everyone else tonight and did it with respect and elegance. Possibly more than some of the incredibly mean hearted celebrities present.

“A woman after my own heart.” A man’s silky voice claimed from beside me. I turned to see a stunning man with sandy blonde hair and eyes as blue as the sky, sharp jaw, perfect set of teeth and flawless skin. Men could look pretty good in ordinary clothes, but you put any man in a suit and bow tie - chances are, you’ll be beating women off with a stick.

“Hi, I’m sorry.” He held out his hand that enveloped mine easily. “My name is Jason. I’m a friend of Matt’s. He told me who you were and that we would be sitting next to each other. What he didn’t tell me is that you were the most gorgeous woman here tonight.”

Blushing, I found my voice, “Taylor. So, you enjoy whiskey?”

He released my hand after lingering a minute, “Oh, I do. Though I tend to stay away from it, making an exception at these painfully boring parties and events.” He smiled a smile that took no effort to reach his eyes. “Tell me, how a woman such as yourself came to drinking such a ....” he paused waving his hand in almost royal manner to think of a proper enough word.

“Man’s drink?” I offered, raising a brow.

He laughed a little and nodded his head in shame. “I suppose that is where my mind was at. But I promise I’m not an abusive, condescending, sexist bastard.” He put his hand over his heart and made the Boy Scout promise.

I returned his laugh and said, “It is quite alright. I’m from the south where mamas wanna raise ladies and daddies wanna raise their little girls to be ladies who don’t take shit from anyone. Daddy won.”

He smiled again, “I like that. I like that a lot.” The lights dimmed and a notice was given that the ceremony would be starting in just a moment.

Throughout the night, I could feel Jason's eyes on me and would look to catch him smiling or accidentally rubbing a thigh or arm against me. Oh, little did he know, I was not one of those women. I glanced down at my hand and realized my ring was missing.
Crap, crap, crap!
I'd have to figure it out later but that could be why he is so flirty. Damn Matt. I finally caught Matty's attention and threw daggers at him with my glare. Matt chuckled quietly and flashed me his, what we call it in the south, shit eatin' grin. At that moment, Jamie decided to make her appearance but it was too late to speak because the announcer jumped on stage and began the show.

“The show was wonderful but I am so exhausted.” I laid my head on Matt’s shoulder as we waited for the crowd to disperse before we left the table for our ride.

“I’m glad you had fun. I see you met Jason?” Jamie chuckled knowingly but stayed quiet.

“Slick entry.” I whispered and narrowed my eyes at him even though he couldn’t see my face.

"That's what she said." He spit out and before I could think we all jumped in a bucket of laughs together, nearly crying. Before I could stop laughing and wipe my eyes to respond, Jason had returned to the table and walked over to my side. I lifted my head and smiled kindly at him, mama did raise me to be kind after all. With the gentlest touch he caught me off guard. He swiped a few tears off my cheek with the pad of his thumb, quite intimately, looking down upon me as if I were a feast.

“Hi again. I’m sorry if this seems forward, but would you mind if I asked you to join me for dinner?” He cocked his head to the side and smiled infectiously at me. Knowing Matt wouldn’t help, I looked to Jamie feeling backed into a corner, looking for rescue or even a clue. She shrugged and threw her arms up. Great, no help from either of my best friends. I’ll remember that. I narrowed my eyes at her and then turned back to Jason.

“Oh, I’m so sorry Jason. It was such a lovely pleasure meeting you tonight, truly, but I am just not really looking for anything right now and even if I was, I am beyond exhausted.”

“I understand completely. Thanks again for the company tonight and I hope you get that rest. Take care.” Jason looked from me to Matt, extended his hand to him, shook and turned to kiss Jamie on the cheek before walking away. He walked off not giving off any indication of his feelings and looked back only once, still beaming at me.

“Please tell me why you just let one of the most sought after men alive, walk away from you without so much as a coffee break or I don’t know, a limo quickie?” Matt questioned me with total shock. Jamie seemed to share the sentiment because I heard an “mmhmm” to my left.

“Like I told him, I’m not looking. You know that.” I brushed him off not wanting to discuss further, hoping they would get the hint.

“Okay. Let’s go, the rush is over and we gotta get you home so you can get some sleep.”

“You let that go far too easily. Very suspicious Mr. Carver.” I look at him with one brow cocked and my lips scrunched for a look of suspicion.

“I listen to you when you express how you feel.”

“The hell you do, you’re a man!”

“Do you have everything?”

He was brushing me off now.