One Night Only

Part 31

The last thing Stevie expected getting into George Lynwood's car was to be brought to a an expensive restaurant, by the looks of it. She had never been there before, so there was hardly a chance she'd run into someone she knew. It was not the kind of place she and her friends went to for dinner. She had no idea, what might follow next, but she could get through a meal with this man. That is if he hadn't planned on taking her to a hotel afterwards. She couldn't understand, how George was acting so natural, like she wanted to be there with him. 

"Food's getting cold." He said, when Stevie hadn't touched it for some time.

"I've lost my appetite." She replied through gritted teeth. 

"You have to take care of yourself, you know." Mr. Lynwood gave her a look, cutting into his steak. "You have to take care of that baby."

"I think, you keep forgetting that I'm here against my will. That doesn't make me very hungry." Stevie pursed her lips and looked around the restaurant, when she felt his hand cover hers. 

"You're being rude. I'm being nice to you." He pulled his hand away and reached for his glass of red wine. 

Unwillingly, Stevie picked up her cutlery. Maybe if she did as asked, the whole thing would be over sooner rather than later. George smiled as she bit into the piece of meat she'd cut off. 

"Tell me something about you." 

Stevie scoffed, fighting back an eyeroll. "This is unnatural. I can't just... have a conversation with you."

"Why not?" He shrugged. "Why are you making things more difficult for yourself than they have to be?"

"How is Lauren?" Stevie asked to which George shook his head. "I'm making conversation." 

"I want to talk about you." 

Taking a deep breath, Stevie told herself to calm down. She wasn't getting out if it on her own. "What do you want to know?"

"Have you seen any good movie lately? Read an interesting book?" 

"No."

He looked at her pointedly and grasped her hand again. "It's not going to work if you insist on acting this way." His face softened. "Do you like the classics or are you more into cheesy romance novels?"

Pinching the bridge of her nose, Stevie sighed heavily. "Poetry. I enjoy reading poetry."

"Oh, that's lovely." George smiled. "I own some rarities. You could come around and take a look some time."

 She bit into her bottom lip, trying to keep herself from telling him to go to hell. "Are you a collector?" She asked instead. 

"I guess, you could say that. I collect all sorts of beautiful things." He said and his eyes settled on her. "Well, this isn't so hard, is it?"

Stevie managed to suffer through another painful half an hour of forced conversation. She hoped, she might be able to avoid desert, but no such look. She took a few bites of tiramisu and pushed her plate away, wondering if George was going to say something about it, but he didn't.

"You've been a good girl." He said, which made her shudder. "I've got something for you."

"I don't need anything from you." Stevie shook her head, but he didn't listen.

George took out a gift box from the inside pocket of his blazer and presented it to her. Fully expecting her to open it, he waited patiently. Stevie revealed another piece of jewelry. She thanked him and was about to put it in her purse, but he stopped her.

"I'd like to put it on you."

"I- I can't wear this right now." Stevie gulped, watching as he stood up and went to stand behind her. 

He took his time, pushing her hair aside, exposing her neck. He opened the box again and took out the necklace. He hooked it around her neck and then placed his hands on her shoulders as he bent down slightly to whisper in her ear. 

"You're welcome."

George paid the bill and held his hand out for Stevie. She feared of what might happen next, when he walked her back to his car. He didn't say a word, so neither did she. The surroundings were soon becoming familiar to her and Stevie realized that he was taking her home. Afraid to make the wrong move, she sat in the passenger's seat as if waiting for him to let her go.

"This stays between us." George warned her, clearly referring that Lindsey was not supposed to find out.

Stevie didn't reply, she couldn't get out fast enough. However, he stopped her as he leaned over and kiss her on the cheek. Once she got out of the car, Stevie rushed inside the apartment building, eyes brimming with tears. She rubbed her cheek as if trying to get the feeling of him off her. She unhooked the necklace from around her neck, too. 

"Hey, where you've been?" Lindsey greeted Stevie as she stepped through the door. "I'm losing my mind with boredom."

"I'm sorry. I, uh... I ran into a friend." She lied, trying to walk past him. 

"Where's the fire?" Lindsey joked, his hands gently gripping her sides.

"I just... I want to get out of these clothes and take a shower. I feel dirty." Stevie said and freed herself from his arms.