The Kiss after Midnight (The Midnight Trilogy) (2 page)

“Man, you know how to party, Tobias,” Chris said. He sipped some of his Champagne.

“Well, I ain’t getting married any time soon, so why—“ Tobias swallowed, unable to say another word. He noticed a striking young woman in the midst of the throng on the dance floor. She walked outside to the courtyard, seemingly unimpressed with the vast amount of alcohol sitting on the tables.

Her white dress fit tightly against her flawless body—size four, probably. The mystery lady walked past a number of tables, occasionally stopping to gaze into the sky, maybe at the stars. With what seemed like judgmental eyes, she rested her gaze on Tobias, a look that almost hinted at disappointment.

He watched her dark curly hair occasionally brush her face as she shook it in his direction, apparently in disapproval of his lavish behavior. Her gaze seemed to pierce his heart, her full lips coated in bright red lipstick, drawing him closer and closer. She must have been at least six-foot, her stance hinting at confidence and intrigue. But she looked at him with anything but lust or desire.

He leaned forward, meeting her gaze full on, refusing to blink. Who was this strange woman? She stood there like a mannequin, perfect in every way and obviously knowing it, too. He rose to his feet, keeping his eyes on her.

“Tobias. ... Tobias. ... Tobias,” Chris said.

Tobias shook his head and turned to Chris. “What is it?”

Chris held his hands out. “What’s up with you, bro? Your mind was somewhere else just there.”

Tobias softly bit his bottom lip as he turned toward the woman again. He noticed her talking to a woman beside her who was even taller, by at least a couple of inches. Her black dress also fit tightly to her frame. Her short hair brought out the color in her bright blue eyes, which were prominent even from a distance. She was very attractive, too, but the butterflies in his stomach stirred only when he looked at the woman in white.

“Who the fuck is that?” he asked Chris. She smiled in his direction, and he looked behind him to see if she might have been looking at someone else, but no one was there.

“Who?” Chris said.

Tobias laced his hands across the back of his neck. “The one in the white dress,” he said, taking a step forward. “She’s still looking over here,” he whispered, almost to himself. “Who is she?”

Chris squinted. “Oh, that one. I don’t know, actually. I’ve never seen her around.”

Tobias frowned. “Come on, Chris. You know every chick around here, especially hotties like that.”

Chris shook his head. “I swear to you, I’ve never seen her before. She must have just moved here. Either that or she’s never out.”

A wry smile formed on Tobias’ face. “Just the ones I like, fresh and untouched.”

Chris edged beside Tobias. “You’re going to be all over that. She can’t take her eyes off you. Want me to get her over?”

“Nah.” Tobias took a deep breath. “That’s cool. I’ve got this.” He returned to his table and poured himself another drink, wondering what kind of mind games a woman like that was capable of.

Tobias continued exchanging glances with her before gesturing for her to come to his table. She didn’t move an inch. Instead, she spoke into her friend’s ear while still looking at him. As seconds became minutes, Tobias grew frustrated, a scowl forming on his face. Finally, the woman nodded at her friend, and she nodded back.

No more than ten seconds later, both women approached him. He dashed forward and extended his arm.

“Wow, a gentleman,” the mysterious woman spoke into Tobias’ left ear as she and her friend entered the VIP area.

“Hi, I’m Tobias,” he said, unable to shift his focus from her alluring green eyes.

“I’m Penélope,” the woman in white said. “And this is my best friend, Annabel.”

Tobias leaned forward and kissed the women on both cheeks.

“You’re a gentleman, aren’t you?” Annabel said.

Tobias waved his hand as if waving the comment away. He whispered into the ears of three women at his table, and they soon left. “Please, take a seat,” he said to Annabel and Penélope. “Have a drink with me.”

Penélope smiled. “Thank you.” She sat down. Annabel remained standing.

Tobias sat beside Penélope and moved his chair closer to her, his forehead inches from hers. “So tell me about yourself.”

Penélope looked into his eyes. “What do you want to know?”

“Anything! Tell me the craziest thing you’ve ever done.”

Penélope squinted toward the heavens. “I cheated on two of my college exams.”

Tobias half-laughed. “Is that it? I thought you were gonna come up with something better than that.”

“What? In my family, that’s a really big deal.”

“So tell me,” Tobias said after a few minutes of staring into her eyes, “how come I haven’t seen you around Manhattan before? New here?”

“I’ve been around.” She ran her fingers along his jaw as she spoke into his ear. “Maybe you just don’t know everyone in Manhattan.” She looked around the open courtyard. Tobias noticed her stop at the sight of Annabel. Her friend had moved toward the dance floor, moving with the music.

Tobias put his arm around her waist. Penélope turned to find his lips almost touching hers. “Trust me,” Tobias said, “if you’ve been around, I would have seen you. If not me, then one of my friends would have.”

“Well, maybe I prefer classier places. Or maybe I just like to stay away from overly confident men like you, who think that because they’re handsome, everything falls in their lap.”

“Oh, so you do think I’m handsome. I guess all that’s left now is finding out if I’m deep.”

She laughed. “Oh, I’m sure you are. You seem much too charming not to know what makes a woman tick.”

“Ah, handsome and charming. I’m beginning to like this.” He lifted a bottle of Veuve Clicquot, and Penélope nodded. Tobias filled her glass and slid it across the table. “Would your friend like one, too?”

“Why don’t you ask her yourself?”

“Nothing’s easy with you, is it?”

“Well, I’m sure if you wanted easy, you wouldn’t have called me over here.”

Tobias shook his head, smiled and promptly filled another glass with the Champagne before taking it to Annabel at the edge of the dance floor.

She kissed Tobias on both cheeks after accepting the drink. “Thank you,” she said. “I’ve got to say, I love this club. Are you one of the organizers?”

He shook his head. “It’s just one of my favorite spots. Why do you ask?”

“Don’t know. You just seem to have some sort of aura about you in here, almost like everyone is trying to catch your attention.”

Tobias turned his head toward Penélope. Her eyes bore into him. He flashed a narrow smile at her before turning to Annabel again. “I guess I just know how to make a party out of any night.”

“You like her, don’t you?” Annabel said.

A surprised look crept into his eyes. “What makes you say that?”

“I don’t know. The way you look at her, I guess. You’ve hardly taken your eyes off her all night.”

“What’s her deal anyway? Is she always this calm?”

“She’s just a very cautious person, but she has a good heart.”

Tobias nodded, his mind drifting from fantasy to fantasy of him and Penélope alone in a room. “Listen, I can’t have you standing here by yourself. Let me introduce you to my pal Teddy. I think you’ll like him.”

She blushed. “You don’t have to keep me sweet just so you can talk to my friend. I’ll be okay here by myself. Besides, I’m enjoying the music.”

“Cool. If you need anything, just call the waitresses.” Tobias dashed back to join Penélope at the table. He sat and put his arm around her shoulder. “So, do you live close by?”

Penélope pointed to her right. “I’m just over there,” she said. “East Sixty-sixth Street.”

Tobias nodded. “Nice area. I actually don’t live too far from you, but I’m staying at a friend’s tonight, over on Park Avenue. Sort of a house-sitting gig.” He paused to top up her Champagne. “So, do you and Annabel share a place?”

“No, not quite,” Penélope replied, hesitating slightly.

“What’s the matter?” Tobias asked, the grin leaving his face. “Do you live with a boyfriend or something?”

“No, not at all.” She laughed. “No, I live with my younger brother. It’s quite awkward actually. He just got out of the hospital and I’m kinda looking after him.”

“There’s nothing wrong with that. All men need a bit of looking after.”

“Yeah, you can say that again.” She laughed again.

“So why haven’t you got a boyfriend?” he asked. “Surely the only reason a beautiful woman like you isn’t seen around is because you’re already snapped up.”

“Well, to be honest, I spend all my time looking after my brother these days. I haven’t really had any time to date.”

“Well, I’m glad you’re single.” He caressed her shoulder. “At least I can court you in an honest way.”

“Court me?” She giggled like a schoolgirl. ”This just keeps getting better. I didn’t know guys still did that. It’s always about sex and money these days.”

“Obviously, I’m not one of those guys.”

“Oh, really? You have nearly three grand’s worth of Champagne on your table and you say you’re not about money.”

Tobias rubbed his hands up and down her waist. “I’m not going to lie, Penélope. I really like you.” He looked deep into her bright green eyes.

“I like you, too. I didn’t expect to even talk to anyone tonight, but it’s been nice meeting you.”

***

The clock struck midnight, and the patrons became increasingly intoxicated as the Champagne continued to flow.

Tobias massaged Penélope’s feet as they rested against his legs, his lips drawing closer and closer to hers. Just then, her face tightened. She held on to Tobias’ hands and squeezed them. “Please don’t be another one of those men who would say anything just to get me in bed.”

“Where did that come from?” He pulled her closer to him and held the side of her head against his thick chest for a few seconds.

“I don’t know. I’ve just been really let down by so many men lately, which is probably why I’m like this. But sitting here with you is so nice I actually—”

Tobias interrupted her by planting a gentle kiss on her lips, his hands holding up her long dark hair. He enjoyed the feel of her soft lips on his. Slowly pulling away, he looked deep into her eyes, captivated by her beauty, still oblivious of everyone around them.

“So, do you make a habit of kissing girls you don’t know in nightclubs?” she asked. She delicately wiped the edge of her mouth with her hand.

“I don’t really make a habit of kissing girls I don’t know. I guess—”

Penélope pulled his face forward and kissed him ardently, her tongue massaging his. He felt her abruptly pull away and looked up to see Annabel holding on to her shoulder. He leaned back and wiped his mouth, unable to meet the stares of the prying eyes around them.

“Can I talk to you, hon?” Annabel said. She motioned for her friend to follow her. Penélope rose and spoke into Tobias’ ear. “I’m just going to the restroom, baby. I’ll be right back.”

Tobias nodded. Annabel then led Penélope toward the enclosed section of the club, wriggling slightly to get across the crowded dance floor. He watched them from a distance and frowned when he noticed Annabel wildly raising her hands, as if in protest of something. He didn’t know whether it was an argument or something else, but he felt a slight unease.

The women were gone for almost ten minutes, and Tobias sat in silence, continuously looking at his watch. He was worried about what he saw and hoped the disagreement didn’t concern him. He then lifted the collar of his blazer to his nose, trying to inhale Penélope’s lingering fragrance. He contemplated their kiss, recalling the feel of her lips on his, the gentleness of her tongue as it caressed his.

He truly hadn’t believed it to be possible, feeling such a connection. He poured himself a full glass of Champagne and gulped it down, hoping the fizz would help return his mind to a calmer state. From the corner of his eye, he noticed Annabel gracefully walking toward him, but without her friend. He quickly rose to his feet.

“Where’s Penélope?”

Annabel smiled. “Relax, lover boy. She’s just finishing her makeup. What the hell did you say to her? She really likes you, and for her, that’s shocking.”

Tobias grinned. “She’s great,” he said. “I can’t even lie, I’m totally hooked.”

Annabel squeezed his large biceps and spoke with a firm voice. “You do know you can’t lie to me, right?”

Tobias nodded.

“That girl means the world to me,” Annabel went on. “I hope—”

“Trust me, I’m a good guy. Scout’s honor.”

“Well, I’m going now, but I need you to promise you’ll look after her.”

Tobias held up his right hand in mock salute. “You have my word on that. I’ll take care of her.”

“Well, you’d better.” She smiled. “Or I’ll come and hunt you down.” She broke into a fit of laughter, and Tobias joined in.

“What’re you two giggling about?” Penélope asked. She stood two feet from them, her body arched slightly to the right.

Tobias walked toward her and stretched his arm across her waist. “Oh, nothing really.” He paused to study her flawless makeup. With her eye tint and foundation, she looked as if she had just left a beauty salon. “Annabel was just giving me the friend warning.”

Penélope chuckled. “Oh, she just loves me. I swear sometimes it feels like she’s my second mom.”

Annabel kissed Tobias on both cheeks and did the same with Penélope. “Well, I’ll leave you lovebirds to it now,” she said to her friend. “I badly need my bed. Stay safe, baby. If you need anything, call me.”

“I’ll be fine, Ann,” Penélope said. “Tobias will look after me.”

“If you want to come to my place after, just come. I’ll leave the key under the mat.”

“Thanks, honey, I love you.”

Ten minutes later, Tobias said his farewells and led Penélope outside, where dozens of people desperately tried to hail cabs, many finding it difficult to stay on their feet.

“So, where’re you taking me, mister?” Penélope asked. She staggered momentarily, grabbing on to Tobias’ shoulder.

“It doesn’t really matter to me. I thought we could maybe go to my friend’s place, if you want to.”