SEVENTEEN

It would be an understatement to say I'm on cloud nine. I'm feeling so good that I cancel all of my meetings for the day, opting instead to take some time for myself. With Aliyah on my mind, it's impossible for me to concentrate at work.

I decide to take advantage of the emotional rollercoaster I'm experiencing and drive myself around for the day in my convertible. I stop by my favorite tailor and get fitted for a few new suits before eating at my favorite Mexican restaurant and cruising around the city some more. Long drives always help me clear my mind, not that I want to clear my mind because my memories of Aliyah are worth the clutter.

Last night was incredible. Aliyah is incredible in every way. Last night was picture-perfect in every way. I'm not sure what to make of the new feelings she's instilling in me, but I'm having a lot of firsts. During dinner, I sensed something deep, passionate, and intimate between us. Aliyah has an air of innocence and purity about her. It makes me care even more about her, wanting to shield her from anything that will cause her harm or unhappiness.

I've never cared so much about another person's feelings, and I've never truly cared about another person's pleasure more than my own. Simply put, I believe I have feelings for Aliyah. In fact, I'm pretty sure I do. Her thoughts, feelings, pleasure, and well-being are all important to me. Throughout the day, I long to hear her voice as she updates me on whatever is going on in her life. She's the first woman who has made me forget about work and become completely immersed in the present.

I look at the time and sigh. I regretted telling Joe and the other guys I'd meet them later at Club Zero, but since I'd been ducking and dodging this "good time" they'd promised, I knew it would catch up with me sooner or later. If Aliyah wasn't available tonight, I'd cancel on the guys in a heartbeat.

This woman has me completely enchanted.

I turn around and drive back home to prepare for tonight, hoping to catch a glimpse of Aliyah before I leave. In less than two hours, I shower, dress, and leave the house. I call Aliyah and ask her to take a quick break to meet me outside, but she doesn't answer.

As I slide into the backseat of my car, I sigh and shove the phone into my pocket. Rather than dealing with the downtown traffic and parking nightmare, I hire Eric to drive me. As soon as I step out of the Rolls, the bouncer moves the velvet rope to the side and waves me through. I used to be a regular fixture in the upscale club scene. I used to come in after work and stay until it was time to go back to the office, but those were my younger days. I walk in and greet a few familiar faces before making my way to our reserved area in the back, which has its own private bar. I first notice Joe, who is nursing a beer and nuzzling the neck of a young woman who is giggling a little too loudly.

Nothing Joe says is particularly amusing.

He waves me over as he raises his glass bottle. "Damn glad to see you, I thought you'd passed me up for the nanny."

"Aliyah," I say, giving him a stern look. "Her name is Aliyah, not 'the nanny.'"

Joe laughs and defensively raises his hand. "Calm down, cowboy, it was just a joke." I know she's playing on your emotions. Believe me, I understand how you feel. They pull on your heart first, then your dick, and their favorite thing to pull on is your wallet. Go ahead and get a drink, then come on over here and take a seat with us. Dahlia, this little beauty, has a few friends who keep us company."

I look over in the direction Joe is pointing and see a swarm of young girls who appear to be closer to eighteen than twenty-five years old. I have serious doubts that Dahlia should be holding that drink in her hand.

I'm going to need a drink or five to get through the rest of the night.

I walk over to the bar and order a rum and Coke. Two young ladies immediately encircle me.

"Hello, my name is Honey," one of them says.

"And I'm Sugar," the other adds.

I give them both a quick once-over before returning my attention to my drink. They aren't twins, but they look similar and most likely went out of their way to find matching outfits for tonight.

"Is that supposed to be a joke?" " I inquire.

"No," says the person who introduced herself as Honey. "Those are our given names."

"Our industry names," Sugar says. "You know... it's what we're known for."

"And to which industry are you referring?"

I inquire.

Sugar gets a nudge from Honey, who laughs. "He's really funny, isn't he?" We're all dancers."

I nod and slam the rest of my drink down in one swallow. I should have ordered a double, damn it.

“Woo-hoo!" screams Sugar. "You threw that back in one gulp, that's the spirit." Someone is getting ready to party! ”

I look around the room and notice that each of my colleagues is surrounded by one or more women, all of whom are stunning, but my thoughts are on Aliyah, not Honey and Sugar.

"Excuse me, ladies," I say as I rush to the bar for another drink before looking for a quiet spot to make a phone call.

If she doesn't answer this time, I'll leave a message. Fortunately, she responds, and my heart skips two beats.

"Hello handsome, I apologize for missing your call earlier," she says. "I was with Andrew at the doctor's office."

I take a seat in the far corner of the small room I've discovered and set my drink on the table. "Is everything all right?"

"He's all right," she says. "He has a minor ear infection, but he will recover." He's resting now after the doctor gave him some drops. What's that ruckus in the background? Are you available right now? ”

I sigh deeply and take a sip of my beverage. "Yeah, the guys talked me into coming out, but I had to sneak away to call you." Nothing captures my attention like you."

"Aww," she exclaims. "You're such a sweetheart."

"Talking about sweet," I say. "I wish I could taste more of you." Every time I close my eyes, I see your expression when you arrived, and I can hear you moaning just as clearly as the night it happened."

She laughs and speaks softly. "You're attempting to get into trouble with me."

"I'm sure as hell am," I declare. "When is the next time you'll be able to come out with me and get into a little mischief?" ”

"Um," she says, pausing.

I hear paper shuffling in the background and wait for her response with bated breath.

"I'm not sure, especially since Andrew is sick, but I'll let you know as soon as I find out."

"It's a deal," I say.

"How do you feel about me planning the date the next time?"

" she inquires.

“Hmm. What exactly do you have in mind? ”

She takes a breather before responding. "I'm not sure yet, but I'm sure you'll enjoy it."

"That's fine," I say. "Just to be clear, you can plan the date, but I'll pay and Eric will drive."

She chuckles and shuffles more papers in the background. "I know you don't have to pay for every date, but I see chivalry is still alive and well with you."

“Absolutely. "I wouldn't think of charging you for anything when you're with me," I say, taking a large gulp of my drink. "I'd give anything to be with you."

There's a brief pause on the line after a small gasp, as if she's processing what I just said. I hope it wasn't too direct, because it's true.

"I'm going to hold you accountable for that, Mr. Delgado." Be a good boy tonight, and I'm sure I'll have something nice for you the next time we get together. "I'm hoping to see you sooner than later," she says. "But, at the very least, we now have something to look forward to." Mr. Delgado, are you sure? ”

There's also "Mr. Delgado" once more.

"You're doing it on purpose," I say.

She laughs into her phone. "I certainly am, but as I previously stated, don't worry, we'll see each other very soon."

I force the erection, which threatens to hold me hostage.

"We certainly will, beautiful," I say, "even if I have to set up my telescopes to make it happen."

We share a laugh before hanging up the phone. I put my phone back in my pocket and enter the private room with renewed vigor. The guys have become even more relaxed. Some of them are dancing with various women, and Joe has two ladies on his lap.

He gives me a thumbs up from between their breasts, which are positioned on either side of his face.

This is their way of life. Numerous women, money, and attention. But Aliyah, my blue-eyed beauty, is enough for me. She's a welcome diversion from my hectic life.

I get another drink and take a seat off to the side, away from the crowd. Ed drove here instead of me, and I'm grateful. I wouldn't have been able to drive home with the number of drinks I'm consuming and the high of knowing I'll be seeing Aliyah soon.

As the countdown to our upcoming date begins, I nurse my drink while watching my friends have a good time, all the while daydreaming about my last evening with Aliyah.