Shelby LOVERS

Chapter 19 A Dance to Remember

It's been a week since Brianna opening night and I can't seem to get Collin out my head, every dream I have revolves around him. I haven't heard a peep from him either. He hasn't tried to contact me or anything, if other people didn't see him I would think I made him up. Brianna trying to find him for me too she even checked her guess list,Collin McFarland was on it but she can't seem to get in contact with him and even if she could I wouldn't know what to say to him. Now that Drew and Tiffany moved back he's been blowing up my phone none stop but I haven't answered, I have no idea what to say to this married man.

Present day:
It's Saturday morning and I have absolutely no plans, Brianna and Johan put their wedding on hold because of how stressful she felt about her opening. They're still very much in love with one another, I fear one day I'll wake up and she's already married to him. My phone rings and interrupts my thoughts I don't recognize the number. I pick up the phone and I immediately have a smile on my face, I hear that beautiful Irish accent. His accent isn't so strong where I can't understand him but it's noticeable. "How did you get my number Collin,and who are you" trying to contain my excitement I run to Brianna room, mouthing the words that I'm on the phone with Collin. She's super excited for me so much that she tells me to put the phone on speaker. "I got your number the night of Brianna's opening, I asked her to give it to me before I left" I pinch Brianna I don't know why she didn't tell me she gave him my number. "Oh, why didn't you ask me yourself before you left me standing there like an idiot, stuck on the dance floor", I don't know where I got the balls to be so sarcastic to him I have no idea what he's capable of. "Who was that man grabbing your arm? Did he bruise your arm? I saw you come in with Brianna looking gorgeous as ever, I watched as that man called you over. When I saw him grab your arm something made me go up and talk to him." As he finished talking, I don't know rather to be scared or grateful that he would come to my defense without knowing me. Brianna gives me that worry but interested face, like she's wants me to get to know him but also worry for my safety. I can't blame her it's type creepy. "Umm, well I don't know what to say but thank you for coming to the rescue. That was my father and no he didn't bruise me I'm fine. Also I want to thank you for the dance it made my night." Me and Brianna aren't making a peep waiting for Collins response, "your welcome Shelby, I would like to take you out sometime get to know you, if that's okay with you. Can you tell Brianna again thank you for the art I purchased. I have to go handle some business but I'll be in touch soon, have a good day Ms.Jones." Just like that he hangs up, leaving me wanting to know so much more about him. He has such a mysterious and dominant way to him it intrigues me. Brianna gives me the be careful face "I'm happy that he stepped up to George but he's to protective over someone he doesn't know. He asked me for your number before he left and he purchased a crazy about of expensive art. I gave him your number because I saw how y'all was looking at each other on the dance floor. You haven't looked at anyone like that since Chris and Drew. I want you to be happy but be careful, he gives me the sense of danger and secrets I don't want him to hurt you." Even though I didn't want to acknowledge it but Collin gave me the same feeling. It's something about him that screams BEWARE, TURN BACK DANGER AHEAD, even with the loud warning signs I have to know who he is. I leave Brianna's room in a daze from Collins words, I lay on my bed and take a nap.

That evening:
I wake up to so many missed calls and texts, from Chris and Drew. I haven't got a chance to talk to both of them about their new lives. I rather get this shit over with I know both of them are wondering why I'm not more concerned. I decide to send a group text to Chris and his fiancée, Drew and his wife and Brianna and Joan basically telling them to meet me for dinner at this up scale restaurant. The fact that I'm doing a dinner with my ex boyfriend and ex fiancé/baby daddy is hilarious. Brianna and Johan went out with Montana, I have no idea where they went sometimes they just pick up and leave me behind. I hurry and get in the shower especially since I've made the dinner plans which are for 9:00pm sharp. As I'm in the shower I can't stop thinking about Collins red hair and ice blue eyes, I want nothing more than that mans hands on my body and head between my legs. I snap out of it quickly when I hear the door slam, "Shelby we're home, me and Johan are going to hop in the shower and get ready for dinner." I turn off the water put my bathrobe on, Montana waiting patiently for her hugs and kisses. I ask her about her day with her second parents, she barks and licks my face. It's 8:15pm and it's time to get dress, Drew and Chris tells me they're about to head out so we should all meet up at the same time.
Looking through my closet, I don't know why I feel a need to look my best. I find this hot red dress that still has the tags on it, I remember I brought it for me and Drews official first date that never happened. The dress is hot red thin spaghetti straps with a slit coming up my leg in the front, the slit stops right before my upper thigh is shown. I can honestly say this is a sexy ass dress. I give myself a smokey eye and light red lipstick, I have my hair in the same style for Brianna opening night. I wear my red heels, I feel like the devil with all this red on. I walk out and Brianna mouth is wide open, "damn bitch I know it's a fancy restaurant but damn I didn't know it was this fancy. Are you trying to cause someone to sign divorced papers tomorrow? Either why you look stunning." I laugh at her she's so stupid, but I need to look great they have fiancées and babies all I have is my body. It's 9:00pm and we're late, we all head downstairs I decided to take my own car I need to feel the wind in my hair and music blasting before I go into the lions den. Brianna and me arrive at the same time, I check my look and head into the restaurant. The waitress told me everyone is already here, my eyes immediately lands on Drew and his on me. I can't help but stare he looks amazingly delicious tonight, actually everyone looks beautiful. We all sit down and I introduced everyone to Alex since she's the new member of this dysfunctional shit. You can tell she's shy I really want to know how the hell she got Chris attention. She's a pretty pregnant, even though she's having twins you can't tell. She tells us she's from South Carolina and moved up here 4 years ago, she works for the same law firm as Chris. Which got me wondering if her and Chris ever fucked before since that's around the same time Sapphire pasted. I really want to give her the 3rd degree but I look at her stomach and decided to be nice for the sake of Chris twins. The food comes and everyone starts to eat, there's small conversation here and there but nothing to much. I notice we don't have any salt at the table so I tap the person closest to us to see if I can borrow some. I turn around and Collin is sitting down having dinner with an older gentleman, In shock I still ask "umm excuse me can you pass the salt our table doesn't have any." Not breaking an intense eye lock Collin hands me the salt "I'll give you whatever you want Shelby" those words puts chills down my spine. I turn around and everyone is staring at me looking for answers that I can't give me them. The stares are to much and I ask Brianna to come with me to the bathroom, we both excuse ourselves "me and Shelby will be right back." We get to the bathroom and I'm freaking out, "what the fuck is he doing here Brianna, do you think he's following me? Do you think he's a stalker? Should I file a restraining order against him? He's so intense and his words are as chilling as his eyes." Brianna grabs my hands "Shelby calm down. No I don't think he's following you we got here after him. I don't think you need a restraining order. Yes he's a bit intense and mysterious but let's be real that's what makes you want him. Take it slow and don't allow him to pressure you in anyway, you don't owe him anything. Plus if anything happens you have 3 men out there that will go to bat for you in an instant." I begin to calm down, I was never this nervous dealing with any man why is it so different with Collin. I get my shit together and me and Bri go back out there. Immediately my eyes hit Collins table but he's not there anymore, what is up with his disappearing acts? Why do I feel like I missed my chance to see him again. I sit down and continue eating bam here comes the questions "this is the second time I'm seeing him Shelby who is this man? I'm not asking you to tell me I'm demanding you tell me NOW!" Tiffany looks at Drew as he continue to raise his voice "why are you getting so defensive Drew Shelby can date or fuck whomever she pleases, it's no longer your concern. Stop acting like a jealous boyfriend but what you can do is start acting like newlywed husband." Everyone at the table shockingly looks at Tiffany as she chewing Drew to pieces. I know why Drew is acting like this I still feel the connection between us and it's stronger than ever. "Shelby are you going to answer Drew questions? We saw him at Brianna opening night and now here? What's the deal with you two? Are y'all dating" great now Chris is on the bandwagon of wanting to know questions but I have no answers. As I'm about to tell them Collin walks up to our table "Hello Shelby, hello everyone." As much as I want to break the eye contact I can't, I feel like his blue eyes are looking right into my soul. "Is there anymore room I will like to join Shelby and her friends for dinner" I look nervously at everyone, am I the only one who's uncomfortable here. "Actually Collin there's no more room here sorry. I do hope you enjoy your night" still not breaking contact I say to him. He's standing at the head of the table, he waves over a waitress and tells her to give him a chair so he can sit. Even when he talks he has such a strong stance about him, the waitress comes over quickly with another chair. "This really isn't necessary Collin, it's actually a private dinner between friends" me telling Collin he's not welcome just gives him even more reason to stay. He puts the chair right by my side and asking everyone hows the food. Every word that Collin say Alex and Tiffany are hanging on to. I can't help but stare at Drew and Chris their faces are in disgust. Brianna and Johan left a little after Collin joined the table, they both have early mornings. "Does anyone want dessert?" everyone looks at Collin like why is he offering us anything, Alex and Tiffany orders apple pie with vanilla ice cream,the boys didn't order anything. Collin asks do I mind him ordering for me, of course I said no. Three dessert comes to the table and I see this delicious warm chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream on top. It's so warm that the vanilla ice cream starts to melt down the cake, "where's yours? You didn't want dessert?" I whisper to Collin. "I ordered us that chocolate cake your eyeing." I take a sip of my water my throat feels so dry all of a sudden. I look at Chris and Drew I can see they're getting irritated by the situation. To be honest it's making me uncomfortable too. Collin is a dominant man that takes the lead which annoys me but turns me on at the same time. Alex and Tiffany continue eating their Apple pies like its heaven on earth. Collin slices the chocolate cake dips it in ice cream and puts the spoon in his mouth, staring like an idiot as he licks the spoon clean. He takes my spoon and puts the chocolate cake and vanilla on it, "open your mouth" those words have so much more meaning to it than just dessert. I open my mouth like he's said, he puts the cake and ice cream in my mouth and it melts right away. "Do you like the way it melts in your mouth Shelby, I must say that has to be my favorite part about this cake." I look at him side eye, do he really have to make everything sound sexual. "The cake was delicious Collin, I wish I had the recipe" I feel like we're on a date and no one else is around. Chris quickly interrupts us and says he and Alex will be leaving can they get the check. Drew nodes in agreement, they both are over this night. "Don't worry about the check I've got it" Collin says, I can tell Chris and Drew isn't in agreement with Collin paying for the bill. "It's okay, I've got it I can pay for our meal" Drew chimes in with Chris statement "yes thank you but we can pay for the meal." This is going to become a pissing contest, "listen guys take y'all ladies home I got the bill tonight y'all can repay me later. Thank y'all for coming out. It's nice seeing you again Alex and Tiffany. Get home safe." Before I know it Collin calls over a waitress and asks her to get the manager, I'm wondering what the hell is this about. Before everyone goes their separate ways the manager comes over to our table "yes Mr. McFarland how may I help you? Is everything okay with you and your guess?" We all looking at Collin wondering what's going on "hello Mr. Thomas everything is great and my guess are pleased. But I called you over here to tell you do not charge them this meal is on the house." I'm looking at Collin in confusion, what the fuck is going on? Before I speak to Collin about this I say my goodbyes to everyone. Everyones gone and Collin walks me to my car "what the hell was that about Collin? Inviting yourself to my private dinner. Then paying for the entire dinner or whatever you did! Why are you doing all this, you know nothing about me and you only like what you see. You have no idea who I am inside. Thank you for the dinner but leave me alone." Before I put my key in the car door Collin asks me to wait a minute "your right Shelby I don't know you and I shouldn't have imposed on your dinner. But I couldn't help myself I want to get to know you inside and out. I'm sorry if the things I said tonight was disrespectful. I own this restaurant that's why I said it's on the house. I have a need to want to protect you and give you the world, I don't know why. But if you want me to leave you alone I will. Here's something you asked for." I look at him not knowing what to say but I leave him standing there get in my car and drive off. I hit a red light and I open the paper that he gave me, it's the recipe to the chocolate cake I had for dessert. I couldn't help but smile. I make a U turn and head back to the restaurant, I ask the waitress have she seen Collin. She told me hold on and she'll come get him for me. Collin comes walking straight towards me neither of us breaking eye contact. He's right in front my face "thank you for the recipe" he looks at me and say "your welcome Shelby I hope you enjoy it." I turn around to head outside, that conversation didn't go as planned. I have no idea if he wants to see me again or is this a goodbye. I walk to my car feeling stupid, knowing that I want to get to know him I don't know why I told him leave me alone. Before I can sit in my car I hear Collin calling my name "Shelby, Shelby wait you forgot something." I turn around wondering what I forgot, now we're face to face and Collin puts his hands on my cheek and gives me a kiss. It was so fast and so sudden I couldn't really get into the rhythm of it "you know you could warn a girl before you kiss her." He laughs "can we start again?" I plunge into him and we kiss, it's the most passionate, sensual, delicate kiss. As our tongues intertwine with one another and his hands on my cheeks, I don't want this moment to end. Eyes close but I can feel the stares coming from people passing by. We finally stop kissing "I would love nothing more than to see you again Ms. Jones" as he puts me in my car, I nod my head and drive off.