"Congratulations. I was actually attending the same ball. Do you have a date?"

"Actually no. Why are you asking?" I said taking a bite if my chicken.

"You and I should go together."

"Are you kidding me? Me and you at a function together? Ha!"

"Wow I really do make you nervous."

"Stop it, you do not!"

"Yes I do."

"NO YOU DON’T!"

"Then prove it. Be my date and I promise you will have the time of your life."

"Please, Mr. Moore. All you want is sex."

"If I did, you would be spread eagle in my bed at this moment."

"Why so brash?"

"Why beat around the bush? Look I promise to be on my best behavior. I just ask one thing of you."

"I hadn’t said yes yet.

"You will, because you are intrigued. I can see it."

"How?"

"Your skin is flushed. I see the pink creeping up your neck and cheeks. I see a light sheen against your soft creamy skin and your legs are tightly closed. Your nipples are hard as diamonds and you’re gripping the tablecloth. Should I go on?"

What the fuck did he expected? His lips spoke volumes. I released the tablecloth as I saw my nail imprints in the fabric.

"No. So are you a real estate agent or a psychiatrist?"

He laughed. It was really getting hot in the restaurant.

"Actually I’m a real estate entrepreneur. Reading body language helps me in business to spot fakes and it gives me insight on what people are thinking."

"So what am I thinking, Mr. Moore?"

He looked at me and smirked. "Do you really want to know?"

"Yes," I whispered.

"Be my date next Friday and I will tell you."

I didn’t realize I was holding my breath. His eyes penetrated through my flesh and I could tell I was blushing. Damn him! These damn southern gentlemen.

"What’s the one thing you are asking of me, if I say yes?"

"Don’t wear anything revealing."

"Why is that?"

"Because I can be a jealous man. I would not want to have to beat up any wandering eyes at this event."

I laughed. "And if I do?"

"Don’t test me, Ms. Montgomery." He looked down at his watch. "I have a meeting in an hour. I will pick you up from Lilly’s house since it’s just minutes away from the hospital plus I think you would probably feel more comfortable leaving from there. Its neutral ground, per say." He grabbed my hand and brought it up to his lips.

"I will see you next Friday. Until then be good." He winked and walked away putting on his sunshades. Did I just have an orgasm?

My phone rang and it was Evan. I had closed my eyes and visions of me and Jacob Moore in ungodly positions darkened my vision.

"Check please?" I asked as I saw my waiter.

"The gentlemen took care of the bill and tip before he sat at your table." I was confused as the waiter walked off. My phone had gone to voicemail. I looked down and knew I had to make a decision quickly.

~~~~~~~~

"Sissy you look absolutely gorgeous," Ashley said as I put the finishing touches on my makeup.

"Thank you." I grabbed my keys and put on my shoes. I had chosen a long black and gold ball gown. It had one strap with a black bow on the shoulder. The waist was fitted and the bodice sparkled with gold flakes. My hair was pinned to the side and I wore my mother’s pearls.

"What time are you coming home?" Olivia asked.

"Don’t wait up, if that is what you are asking."

"Are you going out with Evan?" Olivia asked.

"What?"

"He has been calling for weeks. Is that your boyfriend?" She asked making goggly eyes.

"No, he is not. He is a friend."

"Well he calls all the time," they both said in unison.

"Stop looking at my calls."

"You FaceTime him too."

"Stay off my I-pad."

"Just buy us one and we won’t go through your stuff. You two talk hours at a time. This must be serious."

I grabbed the pillow and hit both of them.

"Ouch! ouch!" They said.

"Good night," I said as Em walked in the room laughing. My sisters were a trip.

I arrived at Lilly’s house to be greeted by a black limo. The driver stepped to the side as Jacob got out. I parked my car and locked it.

Walking up to him he had a big smile on his face.

"Good evening," he said looking me up and down.

"Good evening Mr. Moore." He helped me into the limo as the driver began our journey. He smiled the whole way there.

"What are you smiling about?"

"You couldn’t help yourself could you?"

I was confused as to what he was saying. "Excuse me?"

"Even in that dress you look absolutely beautiful. Although you aren’t showing a lot of skin, I am still turned on."

"You promised to be good tonight. That you would be on your best behavior."

"I will and I am. You don’t like compliments?"

"Only from certain people."

"Why not me?"

"Because Mr. Moore, they are more than just words coming from you. It’s almost like you have to prove it to me."

"So who is the psychologist now?"

I shook my head. "Maybe this wasn’t a good idea?"

He threw his hands up. "I call a truce."

"Good," I said looking out the window.

He looked at me with an amused expression.

We finally made it to the gala. The hospital had outdone itself. The event hall overlooked the Mississippi River with private boats docked below us. It was a little windy out as the lights created the ambiance as they glowed across the water.

"Mr. Moore it’s good to see you again. We miss your leadership," an older woman said.

"Mrs. Fraiche this is Cadence Montgomery my date," he said smiling.

"Congratulations Ms. Montgomery. Mr. Barrett and several physicians have been singing your praises all night."

"Thank you," I said.

"Cadence, Mrs. Fraiche’s family helped opened this very hospital."

"My family can’t take all the credit. It was your family that gave us the land and built the hospital."

I looked up at Jacob. He had many secrets. His ties in the community went way deeper than I thought.

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