Cask & Cream (SAMPLE/PUBLISHED WORKS)

Prologue

Prologue
Vette couldn't believe her eyes or her luck as she clearly picked out the tall fellow across the room. There was no denying or mistaken the identity of the huge intimidating figure. Having spent so much intimate time with the man, she should know his body inside and out of clothes at any day of the week. Hell, the smell of him alone would have alerted her of his presence if she tapped into her animal instincts.

The leggy brunette on his arm was constantly rubbing her fake balloons against his side so there was no wonder why he hadn't sought her out in the room. It was an ongoing occurrence when they would appear at the same event, by pure chemistry one could draw out the other. Then again, maybe he could careless whether she was in room or not. It is not like he would know for sure she would be there, the guest list wasn't made public after all. Also being another man's date, would not necessarily make any of that possible anyway.

Although this was a masquerade ball, some things were just too obvious to be hidden by a mask. On cue, the man that caught her attention stared right at her. The heated gaze was clear as daylight even from several meters away. There was a silent ghostly tension that filled the air between Vette and the gentleman. As if she had extra keen vision, she could see his jaw tense, and then tick because he was somehow perturbed.

To further grate on his nerves, Vette brandished a cocky grin that was known as her defense mechanism as well as her sarcastic charm. With a tip of her head, a lift of her glass, she saluted him as recognition and continued as if she did not see him. Why wait to see what his reaction would be? Although curious, she was determined to continue with the night laid before her. She was here to network, nothing more – nothing less.

So what that it had been a year since they last saw each other? Some things never die, like a mutual attraction that was so electric, the fuses would blow from their encounter. That was more than likely the cause for her current drought situation. No one possessed the power that made her swoon, bring out the pure vixen, or even make her forget her name like he had. It's sad to think about but it's quite possible that no one ever will.

~

"We must stop meeting like this," a dark baritone voice stated behind her. Vette had disappeared off the balcony to get some air. She was literally suffocating inside the ballroom. It was too much going on in there.

"Well it has been a year, how long did you think we could avoid each other."

"You counted and you're admitting to avoiding me, I don't know what to say."

"Don't flatter yourself; I know the time because I had the scare of my life around that time. And I could care less about avoiding you, fate just made sure we missed one another. Wouldn't that be counted as a blessing?"

"If you count it as a blessing then I guess that is what it will be. Furthermore, what scare would that be?"

"It's not important; shouldn't you be inside playing with your blow up doll Barbie?"

"Same old sharp tongue I see, not much has changed."

"What are you doing out here?"

"The same as you, getting some air, is that alright? I could find another place to breathe if I am bothering you."

"It's a free country, breathe wherever you want."

"There you are, I was looking everywhere for you." The peace was interrupted with a ghastly sweet as honey voice. "Oh hello, I'm Sybil and you are?"

"Yvette," she introduced just as sweet. From the looks of things, she had no ill feelings towards the woman. After all, it wasn't her fault that the two had a past.

"Oh my, it's a bit chilly out tonight. We should probably head back in, wouldn't want to get sick." Sybil said cozying really close to her date.

"Sybil, be a dear and go back inside. I need to speak with Yvette privately."

"That's not necessary Sybil, there is nothing more to discuss Grant. If it is business related, please call my office and make an appointment." Vette stated in her most professional voice before continuing. "You folks have a nice evening." With that being said, she made her way back into the ballroom. Out of sight – out of mind is her motto when it came to thinking about Grant. They were toxic together and nothing would make her revisit such a vulnerable place.