Chapter 2

Ophelia

I walked through the foyer and out the front door as Damian was parking my Mercedes G550. I loved my truck; dad bought it as an early birthday gift a few weeks ago. I could not get enough of it, even though I seldomly drive it. I hopped in the front seat on the passenger side and off we went to Montreal.

"So where are we going first?" 

"First, we're going to meet Sam, Chase, and Tyler at the mall. There are several stores we want to go to. Afterwards, I figured we could go to Prime Steakhouse for dinner then come home."

“Sounds easy enough."

I pulled out my phone and checked my social media. Every so often, I would glance from the corner of my eye and see Damian looking at me. I bit down on my bottom lip, trying not to blush. 

"Are you excited for your party Saturday?”

"Yes, I can't wait. Sam keeps teasing me though. She told me that we're going on a girl’s trip next week, but she won't tell me where she's taking me."

"Yeah, she mentioned something to me about it." 

"Wait, so you know where we're going?"

His eyes widened as if he forgot that it was supposed to be a secret, he chuckled, “I do, but I have been sworn to secrecy."

"Uh, no. Not how that works, you have to tell me." 

He raised an eyebrow, and a smirk came across his face. "Oh really? Is that an order?" 

“Well, it’s not an order, but pretty please.”

“No.” 

“Please,” I begged. 

He looked at me and laughed, “No.” 

I huffed and decided to try something a little more convincing. Using my cutest smile, I tilted my head back, batted my eyes and brushed my fingers across his forearm, “Pretty please.” 

There were goose bumps forming on his skin under my fingers, and I knew I was getting to him. He glanced down at my hand and looked at me as if he were about to devour me, “Don’t do that.”  

My cheeks became warm and I grinned, biting my bottom lip, "Why not?"

He took a deep breath and adjusted in his seat. I could see his other hand grip the wheel harder as I continued to tease him.

He moved his hand and brushed his finger across the back of my hand. I could feel my entire body start to tense as the spot where he touched tingled. He turned my hand palm up and placed his hand on mine and our fingers locked together. I bit my lip and blushed as he looked at me giving me an adorable, crooked grin. He picked my hand up and brought it to his mouth, placing a soft kiss on the back of my hand. Butterflies filled my stomach, and I could feel my heart beating in my throat. I thought it was going to jump out of my chest.

When we pulled up at the mall, I could see Sam, Chase, and Tyler were already here sitting at the café out front. Damian parked the truck, and as I was about to get out of the truck, he leaned over and locked my door. He grabbed me by the throat; I gasped as I was not expecting to enjoy it as much as I did. My heartbeat quickened as he looked at me, as if he were looking into my soul. When his lips hit mine, I felt a surge of euphoria rush through my body. I’ve never felt anything like this before. His kiss was hard, as though he was trying to steal the oxygen from my lungs. He bit my bottom lip, and I opened my mouth allowing his tongue to enter. He instantly dominated the kiss, igniting a desire I’ve had for a long time. Our lips moved perfectly together, and I never wanted it to stop. A small groan escaped his lips as I tugged at his hair, pulling him closer. 

  He pulled back from me; our breathing was heavy as we fought for the oxygen between us. My heart was pounding so hard and my cheeks were flushed. I was both aroused and shocked by the moment. He took a deep breath and placed another kiss on my lips. He leaned over, unlocked the doors, and got out of the truck. What the fuck was that? I sat in the truck for a moment trying to slow my heart and catch my breath. He walked around to the passenger side of the truck and opened my door.

"Thank you," I whispered.

He nodded and I walked to the back of the truck to wait for him. He locked the truck and slipped the keys in his pocket, gestured for me to walk first and he followed close behind. As I got closer to the café, Sam jumped up from where she was sitting and ran over to me, pulling me in for a hug, "Oh my God! I'm so excited to see you, it feels like it has been forever!”

"I know, but you and I need to have a talk."

She rolled her eyes at me and laughed, "Oh God. What did I do?" 

Folding my arms, I tried to be convincingly mad, "What is this I hear about you swearing my bodyguard to secrecy?" 

Sam shook her head, and a surprised look came across her face before she busted out in laughter, "What are you talking about? I did no such thing.”

I raised an eyebrow and pursed my lips, "Yeah, let's act like I believe that one."

She giggled and patted me on the shoulder, "You will be fine. You can thank me later when I am whisking you off next week for our girl’s trip." 

Before I could say anything, else Chase and Tyler walked over, "Hey honey," they said, as they each gave me a hug and kiss.

"You ready to find your party dress?" Tyler asked.

"Yes! I can't wait. I am so glad you all are here to help me find my dress."

Sam and I locked arms and walked into the mall, with Chase, and Tyler on each side of us. Damian followed close behind.

Sam whispered in my ear, "You know, I am so glad I’m not you, like I would seriously go insane." 

"What do you mean?"

"You have him, for a bodyguard. How have you not lost your freaking mind? Seriously, the man is fine as hell." She said, biting her bottom lip.

I looked back at Damian then looked at Sam. "It's not so bad," I whispered.

We spent the whole day shopping at Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Kenneth Cole, and about a dozen other stores, each of us picking up a little something from each store. We finally made our way to Bergdorf Goodman. Chase and Tyler each wanted to find an Armani suit to wear to my party, so we went over to the men's section and browsed. Chase found a burgundy tuxedo pant suit and a black dress shirt. Tyler picked out a navy-blue tuxedo pant suit and a white dress shirt. When we walked over to the women’s section, I saw the perfect dress. It was a sexy sleeveless scarlet red, lace slim fit mermaid long vintage dress with a scalloped plunging V-neckline, a thigh high slit and a deep V-back. 

I picked up the dress, admiring it, "Oh my God! I love this dress.”

Sam couldn’t control her excitement, "O that is beautiful! You have got to try it on.” 

"Shhh. Not so loud, damn." She knew I hated to have attention drawn to me, but with as loud as she was, other people in the store were already staring. 

Sam rolled her eyes at me, “Sorry.” 

I whispered to Sam, “I’m going to try this on,” as I walked to the dressing room. 

 The dress hugged my curves in all the right places and accentuated my breasts. The lace material felt so amazing and the color was perfect for my tanned skin. It made me feel so sexy. I stepped out of the dressing room and walked over to the platform by the seating area where Sam, Chase and Tyler were waiting.

Sam’s eyes widened when she saw me, "Oh my God! That dress!” 

"I know, it's perfect! I love it!" 

Tyler stepped onto the platform to examined the dress closer, and he motioned for me to spin, "O, you look amazing!" 

When the store clerk saw me in the dress, she walked over with a pair of red criss cross transparent strap bow sandals with a thin 4.5-inch stiletto heel, “I always thought these shoes would go perfect with that dress.” She smiled as she handed me the heels. 

I sat down and tried on the heels; they were beautiful. The criss cross ribbon formed a beautiful bow on the ankle. Standing up, I walked back in front of the mirror. Damn I looked hot.

Damian leaned back in the chair next to the platform, his eyes were glued on me. The look on his face was the same look he gave me before he kissed me in the truck. I think my face turned the same color as the dress as I watched his eyes go up and down my body. I put my head down to hide my blush. How does he do that? I swear, the way he looks at me makes me turn fifty shades of red.

After paying for the dress and the shoes, we left the store and started making our way back to the front where our vehicles were parked. Damian opened the back of the Mercedes and I put my bags in the back. Sam, Chase, and Tyler put their bags in the back of Sam's car, and walked over to me. "So, what do you want to do now?" Tyler asked.

"Let's go grab some dinner at Prime Steakhouse." I suggested.

"I love that place," Sam said excitedly.

Damian and I got into my truck while Sam, Chase and Tyler got into Sam's truck and they followed us to the restaurant.

Damian looked over at me, “O that dress looked amazing on you.”

My cheeks warmed and a smile spread across my face, “Thank you,” I said softly.

When we pulled up to the front of Prime, the valet walked over to the truck and opened my door. 

"Thank you." 

Damian handed the keys to the valet, placed his hand on my lower back and guided me to the front door. 

        "Hello. Welcome to Prime Steakhouse." the hostess said.

I smiled at the hostess, "Hi, table for five, under Mitch Geno." 

"Yes ma'am, Miss Geno right this way." She grabbed five menus and escorted us to our table.

Dad always keeps a booth on reserve for anytime he is in town or if one of us wants to grab dinner without having to wait. We walked over to the half round booth in the back corner of the restaurant. Sam slid in and sat in the middle, Chase and Tyler slid next to her. I sat on the other side of Sam and Damian sat next to me at the end. A waitress walked over and filled our glasses with water, "Hello, my name is Tiffany, I will be your waitress today. What can I start you off with?"

I looked up from my wine menu, "Yes, I would like a bottle of your Chateau Petrus Pomerol, please.” 

"Not a problem, would you like to order an appetizer, or do you all need more time?" she asked.

"Yes, could you bring us two of your chilled seafood towers please?" I asked.

"Certainly. I will put in your order and be right back with your bottle of wine."

As the waitress walked away, we all looked over our menus trying to decide what we wanted to eat. A few moments later the manager of the restaurant walked over with our bottle of wine and poured us each a glass.

"Good afternoon Miss Geno, I am pleased you have joined us again for dinner."

"Hi Tony, thank you so much. You know there is no other place I would rather go when I'm in town."

"Wonderful, I'm happy to hear that. If you need anything, please do not hesitate to ask. It's good to see you again." Tony said, as he set the bottle on the table.

I gave Tony a nod, "Thank you, will do."

As Tony walked off the waitress walked over with our chilled seafood tower and set it in the middle of the table. "Can I get you anything else?"

"I think we are ready to order our main course." I said.

"Great. What can I get you?" she asked.

 I ordered a filet and shrimp dinner with a side salad. Sam ordered a Chilean sea bass with a side salad. Chase and Tyler each ordered the lamp chops with grilled asparagus and Damian ordered a rib-eye with creamed potatoes. When the waitress walked off, we each pulled out our phones. Sam and I took a selfie to post online. We made a little small talk to pass the time until our meals came out. Sam once again teased me about the girl’s trip next week but wouldn't tell me where we were going. A while later, the waitress came out with our meals and set our plates down. 

Everything was delicious, the filet and shrimp were cooked to perfection. Sam's sea bass was perfectly done. Chase and Tyler's lamb chops looked phenomenal, and Damian's rib-eye smelled amazing, even though it was too rare for me. It was a fantastic meal with fantastic friends. When we finished, we all sat back in the booth feeling too full to even think about dessert. I called the waitress over, asked for the check and paid for our meal.

While I waited for the receipt, I rested my head on Damian's shoulder and looked up at him with sleepy eyes, "I am so ready to go home and soak in my tub."

He looked down at his watch, "Yeah, it's time to get you home." he said, placing a soft kiss on my forehead.

The waitress came back over with the receipt and Damian got up out of the booth helping me up. Sam, Chase, and Tyler each got up and we walked outside to our vehicles.

"Thank you for today, it was so awesome. Maybe next time we can take the jet to New York City and do some shopping." I gave each of my friends a hug.

"That sounds good to me. I love shopping in New York City," Sam said delighted. 

I gave Chase and Tyler a hug, we said our goodbyes, got into the truck, and drove off back to New York.