The road to love (editing!!)

Chapter 11 - Champagne and sunsets (edited)

Jessie

I nervously took another look in the mirror. I still could not believe that I agreed to accompany Dean to the wine auction today. I felt so out of my league! I didn't belong with the rich and famous; I should be sitting downstairs on the soft couch, drinking tea and reading one of my red-hot romance novels. "But instead you are dressed-up in an elegant dress with heels to match and a hat to hide your face," I told my reflection as I toyed with the loose curls falling over my shoulder. I had done my research for the event, looking up proper etiquette and dress codes, so that I would not make Dean look bad. I was lucky Sharon had such an upper class outfit for me to borrow, or else I would surely have looked like a pauper in the stuff I had in my cupboard.

The dress was white with beautiful soft pink flowers and had a halter neck, which pushed my cleavage up a little more than I would have liked, but was long and flowing and made my silhoeëtte look good. Sharon brought it over a few days ago, along with practically her whole wardrobe, when she heard about my accompanying Dean to the event. She wanted me to blow him away. The white hat was hers as well, but the soft pink, strappy, high heel sandals were my own. Finishing the ensemble wase a pink glass beads pendant with a feathered tip, hanging between my a-little-too-in-your-face breasts, and a pair of pink glass studs glimmering in my ears, as well as a few white and pink bracelets I got from my best friend when she was trying to help me find the perfect outfit.

"He's blind if he doesn't notice how gorgeous you are in this dress," she said as she zipped me up and adjusted the dress to fit me perfectly. "Stop hiding the goods, Jes," she chastised me when I, once again, tried to pull the dress up a bit to show less of my cleavage. "You need to take them out for a drive every now and then, girl!" We both started giggling at her comment and sat down on the bed.

"Thanks Shar, I needed that," I smiled at my best friend.

"Pleasure, babe. Just enjoy the function, ok? It's not every day that one of us normal girls get to go to a society shindig with a Parker! I want lots of feedback and try to at least get your face in on of the photo's they take there for the society pages."

"Yes, mother," I smiled at her before I moved to help her pack up the unused clothes.

So here I was, waiting for Dean, feeling like I could toss my breakfast at any minute due to nerves, when the doorbell rang. My mom went to her sister's place for the weekend, so it was just me at home. Probably better this way, I thought. I wouldn't even know how to begin to answer all the questions she would have had if she saw Dean at the door. She was already acting funny about the Parkers anytime I told her anything about the marketing campaign. I rushed to grab my things and opened the door, only to find a drop-dead gorgeous Dean standing there.

He was wearing light brown colored Chinos, paired with a white shirt and a smart brown blazer, which accentuated his broad shoulders. His hair was still wet and my fingers suddenly itched to run through it. I shook my hands to get rid of the feeling as I smiled a hallo. He looked me up and down, before grinning and stating: "I think I'm going to have my hands full keeping the men away from you today, Jessie. You look beautiful. "

"Thanks, you too Dean... handsome, I mean," I stuttered stupidly, feeling my cheeks warm up slightly. He slowly took my keys from my hands, lingering in the action while looking in my eyes and sending goose bumps up and down my arm, before moving to lock my house door behind us. "Your chariot awaits, my lady," he smiled at me before leading me to his car, my dream car.

To my surprise, the trip to the wine farm was filled with easy conversation and wonderful views and I enjoyed both thoroughly as I felt myself relax. When we got to the gates of Mijn Rust (meaning My Rest) wine farm, I felt my nerves flip again in my stomach and I clenched my hands nervously. Dean noticed my anxiety and placed his hand on mine, as if reading the reason for my anxiousness on my face.

"It's nothing to be stressed about, Jessie. Promise. Just stick with me and we'll have some fun." He got out of the car to open my door and help me out, surprising me by lacing his hand through mine before we walked to the front door of the venue.

I felt safe while holding Dean's hand and tried my best to take his advice and relax. The fact that Bianca was over the moon to see me as Dean's date boosted my confidence somewhat. Knowing that I had her and Dean, and later Joe as well, here by my side, did a lot to ease my tension.

Bianca had a marquee tent set up on the huge lawn area, which had been elegantly decorated and was already milling with people. Dean introduced me as we went along, keeping his hand on the small of my back and rubbing small circles with this thumb there while sharing his charm around the venue. After my second glass of champagne, which just magically appeared by my side ever so often, I found it not so difficult to hold a conversation and even relaxed enough to enjoy the feel of him so close to me without blushing every 10 seconds.

Bianca joined us at our table once the bidding started, since her father was the master of ceremonies and handled this part of the day with ease. Joe decided to show up, late as usual but funnily enough without a date, a minute or two after the bidding commenced.

"So, where's the date?", Bianca teased Joe once he dropped down next to her.

"Who wants to bring a date when I can sit next to a babe like you?", he wiggled his eyebrows at her and smiled his cocky grin.

"Ew, Joe! You're like my little brother!" Bianca slapped his arm playfully.

"Just joking, Bianca. I'm too scared of Duncan breaking my arm if I touched you, anyway. Nah, thought I'd scope out the field today...", he trailed off, already looking about the area at the available young ladies. These type of events always had a few of them around, looking for a good time. They were rich, young and care-free and just Joe's type.

Two hours, some lunch and a lot of flirting and laughter later, the wine auction was done and things were winding down. Dean had taken my hand after lunch, putting it on his thigh and covering it with his own, effectively trapping mine in place. Not that I minded, of course, though it was difficult not to be reminded of his closeness with every move he or I made. He was being a total charmer and a gentleman, making me feel like the most desirable girl in the universe and I found myself never wanting my time with him to end today. Monday it would be back to business, leaving us as marketer and client, but for today we were two friends having a great day together.

Joe disappeared after a brunet with a sway in her walk and Bianca left to check on the final details of the auction's transactions. Dean excused himself to go to the men's room, leaving me alone with a skin sizzling kiss to my hand and a promise in his smile. I looked down at my hand, smiling.

"Hope it's the thought of me putting that smile on your beautiful face?" I froze, feeling the colour dim from my rainbow bubble of happiness at being with Dean, when hearing Jake's voice next to my ear. He casually sat down in Dean's seat, grinning at me. "You know, I would never have expected to see you here today, Jes. You look... amazing," he commented while practically undressing me with his eyes.

Somehow his compliment just lacked the sincerity that Dean's had had earlier and I shivered involuntarily. "Um, thanks. What are you doing here, Jake? Stalking me now?"

"What? No! I am here with... a friend." Yeah sure, I tought. Knowing the truth about Jake now, he was probably here with one of his many flings.

"You know this type of thing is not my scene, really Jessie, so how about you and I slip away from these stuck up people and go do something fun."

"No thanks, Jake. I'm here with someone."

"Aw, come on babe." I cringed slightly at that nickname before he went on trying to persuade me. "You know you want to! We used to have so much fun together," he smiled as his finger slowly started a path up my arm in what I guess he thought was a seductive way, but which now only left me feeling irritated, so I pulled my arm away. Jake's touch is nothing like the sizzle I felt whenever Dean touched me, even in the most innocent of ways. I sighed at the thought and saw Jake's face perk up, thinking that I was about to agree to his suggestion.

I almost gagged at the thought. Hurry up Dean!