Cobb by Maryann Jordan
1
In many ways, the gala was similar to other black-tie events that Cobb had attended over the years. The men were in tuxes, most of them designer labels that had been tailored to a perfect fit. The women were in swirls of elegant evening wear, their gowns complemented to perfection with the jewels they wore about their necks and wrists, hanging from their ears, and adorning their fingers. Most of the attendees were middle-aged or older, but as the wealth distribution in New Mexico had shifted over the years, younger affluent people mingled in the crowd. After all, the invitations had been sent to persons who had the social standing and money to not only attend but also be willing to make large donations to the charities represented.
A string quartet sat on a small balcony, the delicate notes drifting in the background over the gathering, neither drowning the noise of people chatting nor too soft so the musical entertainment couldn’t be enjoyed. A few couples swayed to the music while others smiled with indulgence as they continued to converse.
A long table was against one wall holding silver warming trays as the waitstaff, wearing the requisite white shirt and black pants, stood nearby to assist guests as they placed the hors d’oeuvres and delicacies onto the small crystal plates. Other servers moved unobtrusively among the gathering, balancing trays filled with champagne flutes and more hors d’oeuvres. More staff glided around the room, whisking away the empty plates to ensure the invitees weren’t standing with a half-eaten cheese and salmon puff ruining the effect of their appearance.
His gaze continued about the room, and he stifled the snort ready to erupt. The venue was massive, the main room reaching over forty feet, although there were plenty of shadowed nooks and crannies as pathways meandered throughout. He could honestly say that despite the similarities, he’d never been to a gala quite like this. Unlike most black-tie events, the room was not brilliantly lit. There were no crystal chandeliers dangling from the ceiling. Instead, bones were suspended from wires hanging from the dark, cavernous ceiling. Ancient bones. Prehistoric bones. Bones that had been meticulously connected in an intricate puzzle, creating a whole from the many parts.
Dinosaur bones.
And instead of expensive floral arrangements in glass and silver vases on marble pedestals, the guests wandered through the multiple exhibits filled with dirt, palm trees, large ferns, and more massive dinosaur skeletons.
It seemed a curious place, but in the back corner, tucked under a twenty-foot-tall Tyrannosaurus Rex, was the open bar, making sure the guests were well-lubricated, hopefully encouraging them to open their pockets when it came time to make donations to the local charities.
Cobb remembered the first black-tie event his parents allowed him to attend when he was sixteen years old. Of course, if it had been held here, he would’ve loved it. Instead, that event, like so many of the others his parents attended throughout the years, was held in an expensive ballroom. He’d been excited, feeling like a man, only to have been sorely disappointed when he discovered the gala was filled with adults and the only other young people were the college-aged servers. At least there had been the one dark-haired beauty that caught his eye. While she wouldn’t risk getting fired by openly flirting, he’d followed her subtle invitation and met her down the hall and inside one of the coat closets. That alone made it one of the more memorable galas.
As soon as he’d joined the military, he’d left his parents’ world behind to serve in places that would never know such luxuries and served with men and women who didn’t give a fuck about crystal goblets, brie pastry, and foie gras.
Even though he was an attendee and probably expected to hobnob, he preferred standing to the side, his attentive gaze roaming about the darkened room. It was a habit born of many years of always looking for the unexpected.
Now, he watched the familiar greeting dance that always occurred at events like this. People who were meeting with good friends offered handshakes that included a pat on the shoulder for men and cheek kisses for the women. If someone was chatting with an acquaintance that could not improve their social standing, it involved a shorter handshake, no shoulder pat, and only air kisses for the women. If someone was approaching an acquaintance that they hoped would be beneficial either socially or financially, a hearty smile followed a robust handshake and a cheek kiss for the woman if she leaned forward. If she offered only her hand, then it behooved the greeter to not make an assumption and attempt to kiss the woman. Woe be to those who didn’t follow these intricate greeting rules.
“Jorge, what are you doing over here by yourself?”
He’d been aware of the woman who approached as he was aware of everything around him, but hearing her voice always made him smile. Dropping his chin, he shook his head and tried to hide his grin. Turning, he bent to kiss her cheek.
“Grandmother, it’s good to see you.”
For him, she abandoned the necessary greeting protocol and accepted his hug, patting his back with true affection.
The petite woman staring up at him was as lovely as ever. Her silver hair was pulled back into an elegant chignon. Her long, blue designer gown was highlighted by the diamonds in her ears and around her neck, wrist, and fingers. The jewels were not showy but pieces that his grandfather had gifted her over the years and held emotional significance. “You look as beautiful as always,” he said, his words truthful even if she looked completely out of place standing underneath the skeleton of a Triceratops.
She pursed her lips as she twisted her head and glared at the offending prehistoric creature at her shoulder. He was not surprised to see that she attempted to ignore the ridiculous skeleton and turned her gaze back to him. Drawing herself up, she lifted a brow. “Instead of wasting your compliments on me, why aren’t you out of this dark corner and socializing?”
“I’ve already wished Dad a happy birthday when I got into town yesterday. And he’s surrounded by those that either need to suck up to him, want him for something, or came for the free food and drinks.”
His delicate grandmother barked out a laugh and shook her head as though surprised. “I would fuss at you if you weren’t speaking the truth.” She cast her gaze about the room, slowly shaking her head, finally addressing the elephant—or the dinosaur—in the room. “Your father certainly outdid himself this year. When he told me that he’d decided to have his annual charity birthday event in a museum, I was picturing something a little more… elegant. Perhaps the Art Museum or the Turquoise Museum.”
“Just be glad he didn’t choose the American International Rattlesnake Museum.” He watched her shudder again, and he chuckled. “I confess that just before you came over, I was thinking that this was the most unusual gala I’ve ever attended.”
“I wonder what Selena thinks.”
“You know Mom. She and Dad are having a blast.”
She shifted her gaze back to him. “How long are you staying in town?”
“I’ll still be here tomorrow when we all gather for the family birthday celebration. Then I’ll have to leave the next day. It was just a long weekend for me.”
She lifted her chin as she eyed him carefully. “You look well, Jorge. Although why anyone would want to live in Maine with the cold and snow, I have no idea. But it must agree with you.”
He wouldn’t mention to her that after some of the hellholes he’d served in around the world, the thick woods, ocean coastline, clear skies, and the camaraderie that he found in Maine had no equal. Looking beyond her shoulder, he smiled as his grandfather approached. The two men hugged tightly, affection evident before his grandfather slid his arm around his grandmother.
“Maria, are you behaving yourself amongst the dinosaurs?”
His grandmother rolled her eyes and replied, “There are times that I think our son takes after me, and then he pulls a stunt like this. And at his age! Seeing the venue for this gala, I’m sure he must take after you.”
He laughed as his grandfather pretend-glared at her. Soon, with promises to catch up tomorrow at the family gathering, his dad’s parents walked past one of the many palm trees to greet more friends.
He sighed and looked at his watch. As interesting as it had been to see the event in this tropical venue filled with the bones of the extinct, the truth of the matter was he was bored. He moved along the wall, avoiding small talk with those who only wanted to greet him as an attempt to curry favor with his father. He politely nodded at a few acquaintances but didn’t stop, having no desire to start a conversation.
A flash of silver-blue like the pearlescent scales of a fish leaping from the waters off the coast of Maine caught his eye. Moving to a more advantageous position, he observed a young woman standing alone. Her face was turned in profile, but that gave him an opportunity to admire her dress. The front fell only to her knees, then the material swooped down toward the back where it ended at the top of her stiletto heels. The dress was shimmery, seeming to change from pale blue to silver depending on how the light caught the silky folds. Her reddish-blonde hair was thick and wavy, falling beyond her shoulders in the back, the top held by a clip that glistened with crystals. Small diamond drop earrings hung from her ears, and a diamond bracelet encircled her wrist.
As she turned slowly, a heavy sigh left her lips, her chest heaving slightly with the exertion. Her lips barely curved into a smile that appeared to take all her effort to remain polite. In her hand was a champagne flute, untouched as though she had been offered the drink and holding the crystal gave her something to do with her hand even though she had no desire to partake of the bubbly alcohol. She stepped backward, slipping a bit further into the shadows, and the desire to go over to her rocked through him, not an emotion he normally felt.
Before he had a chance, a hand clapped him on the back, and he startled, surprised that he hadn’t realized someone was coming up behind him. Turning quickly, he smiled as he greeted his parents. His mother was beautiful in a deep burgundy gown, wearing her signature silver and turquoise jewelry. His dad’s silver hair was neatly trimmed but not overly styled, and he appreciated his parents’ ability to present an elegant picture without being affectatious. “Dad, you really outdid yourself for your sixty-fifth birthday. I’ve been standing here looking at all of these people surrounded by dinosaur skeletons, having to pinch myself to see if it’s real.”
His dad threw his head back and laughed, his arm wrapped around his wife. She winked and said, “When your dad told me where he wanted to have his party this year, I couldn’t believe it. But isn’t it wonderful?”
While wonderful might not be the word he’d use to describe the gala, he was glad his parents were happy. “As long as it gives you lots of donations to the charities you’re sponsoring, it’ll be great.”
Another couple approached, and his dad swung his arm out to greet them. “John, Betty, come meet my son, Jorge. This is John and Betty Rector. John is our State Senator.”
He shook hands with the Rectors, making the requisite small talk that he hated but was necessary at these events. He occasionally glanced beyond his father’s shoulder to see the young woman still standing alone. She had now turned in his direction, although her gaze had not rested on him, and her beauty almost made it impossible to focus on what his parents and the Rectors were saying. Glad when he could say goodbye as they all moved away, he began walking toward the woman, hoping to avoid any other interruptions. He approached her from the side, careful to not startle her. She appeared to be lost in thought and nonetheless jumped slightly when he reached her.
When she turned her pale blue eyes up to him, he almost stumbled at her beauty. He was no stranger to attractive women whether in ballrooms or barrooms, but she was an ethereal vision. Her dress continued to shimmer as she moved, the ever-changing silver-blue material accentuating the diamonds at her ears and wrist, causing them to glitter even more. Around her neck was a simple but elegant silver cross necklace.
“May I take this?” He reached up and gently slid the champagne glass from her hand, setting it on a server’s tray.
“What—”
“You’ve been holding that drink for a long time, and I don’t think you really want it.”
Her head tilted to the side as her gaze moved over his face, and he thought she was going to refute his assumption. Instead, she surprised him. “You’ve been paying attention?”
“You are the only person here to hold my attention. Please, come dance with me.”
She opened her mouth as though to refuse his offer, then pressed her lips tightly together. If she’d given resistance, he would’ve stepped back, but after assessing him for a long moment, she placed her hand in his, and they walked around the pillar. Now, partially hidden by the Ankylosaurus skeleton, he pulled her close. With one hand on her waist, still leaving a socially-polite space between them, he took her other hand and held it close to his chest. Moving slowly, they began to dance. The delicate scent of orange blossoms filled his nostrils, and he fought the urge to bury his nose in her hair and inhale.
She was taller than his grandmother, but he knew without her heels she would be staring at his chest instead of his chin. Her dress dipped in the front, giving a hint of perfect cleavage. His hand rested on the material in the back, his fingertips able to slide along the soft skin at her shoulder.
“I should apologize for being so forward, but you looked quite lonely standing by yourself pretending to drink champagne.”
Her clear-eyed gaze never wavered. “You’re right, you should apologize for being so presumptuous, but I notice you didn’t actually say that you’re sorry.”
Her voice was as soft as he imagined but her lips still had not formed a smile.
“Then I do apologize if you were, in truth, drinking the champagne that you’d been holding. Or if you weren’t standing by yourself.”
She tilted her head slightly to the side. “I’m afraid that’s not a good enough apology. I was choosing to stand there with the champagne in my hand.”
“But isn’t it more fun to dance than to stand all alone?”
“And you think a woman standing by herself needs to be rescued? Perhaps I was waiting on someone.”
He gently rubbed his thumb over her fingers and pressed them closer to his chest. “If you were waiting on someone, they should have been there. I assure you that if you were supposed to meet me, I would never have been late to leave someone as beautiful as you to stand alone.”
He hoped her lips would curve slightly or that she would glance up at him through her eyelashes, coyly offering a silent invitation. Instead, she merely lifted an eyebrow. He had the strange sensation that he was back in school having offered a smartass comment that was overheard by a teacher. He’d never had to work so hard to get a woman to smile at his charm.
Clearing his throat, he confessed, “I’m afraid my attempts at being suave have fallen short. Do you think perhaps we can start over?”
“That would probably be best, and may I suggest you begin by taking your foot out of your mouth?”
Unable to keep from laughing, he shook his head. “Good evening, I’m Jorge.”
“Just Jorge?”
Wanting to get to know her without revealing that he was the son of the governor, he smiled. “Yes. And I completely understand about standing off by yourself. I’ve done it many times.”
She shook her head slowly as she continued to hold his gaze. “I have to admit you certainly don’t look like the others here. For one thing, you’re much taller and broader than any other man in the room.” She blinked suddenly and tilted her head as her eyes narrowed. “Are you a bodyguard? Is there someone here you’re keeping an eye on?”
“Yes,” he said smoothly. Since he worked for a security company, his deception didn’t seem so bad.
An adorable crinkle formed along her brow. “I find it quite odd that you’re dancing and flirting with me instead of guarding whatever body you’re supposed to be attending to.”
“There’s no one right now that I have to keep an eye on other than the woman that’s in my arms. Which, by the way, I still don’t know your name.”
“Josie.”
Hating that he’d not been entirely truthful, he continued to move slowly to the sounds of the music, maneuvering them so that they could enjoy the music privately. “So, Josie, what brings you to an event like this?”
“Why is anyone at an event like this unless they have to be here?”
“For many people, it’s to see and be seen,” he offered as a glib reply.
“Perhaps that was my reason.”
He shook his head slowly, drowning in her pale blue eyes. “I doubt it since you’re the most beautiful woman in the room, and yet you were standing off to the side.”
She offered a delicate shrug. “Perhaps there was just no one here I cared to talk to.”
“That I could believe.” Finally, her lips curved ever so slightly. Josie was an enigma, but he knew anyone at this event was wealthy, usually with an agenda. Who was she and why come alone if she was just going to stand in the shadows? She didn’t appear to be there to enjoy a night out but neither did she seem to be making connections. But right now, with her body close to his, he knew exactly the connection he’d like to make. “I don’t suppose you’re ready to make an early exit, are you?”
Her body stiffened slightly. “With you?” she asked, her brow lifting again.
“I thought we could get a drink somewhere… something other than champagne.”
She inclined her head toward the Tyrannosaurus Rex. “There’s a bar over there.”
“Okay then, how about somewhere that doesn’t include prehistoric relics?”
Finally, she laughed. He’d never worked so hard to get a woman to smile, but now that he had, the effort was worth it. If he’d thought she was beautiful all alone with an I-wish-I-was-somewhere-else expression on her face, with her in his arms and laughing, she was exquisite. Pressing his luck, he said, “No expectations. Just drinks… and a chance to get to know each other better.”
As her mirth slowed, she looked to the side before shifting her gaze back to him. He forced himself not to squirm, although her penetrating gaze reminded him of his grandmother when he’d knocked over one of her crystal vases.
“Well, Jorge, I’ve got a long drive home and have to get up early tomorrow for work. As tempting as it is to say yes to drinks and the possibility of knock-my-socks-off sex—if our getting to know each other was going to lead down that path—I don’t think I’m your type… or you mine. Nor is it safe to go off with a man I don’t know, even if he is a bodyguard. So, I’ll politely decline.”
In a few sentences, her explanation caused whiplash. Yes, she was right to be cautious with a stranger. But her description of what she thought sex with him would be like made his already-erect cock twitch painfully. But then her comment about not being his type… he had no idea what she was referring to. Was it because she thought he was a hired bodyguard instead of a wealthy invitee to the gala? Or was it that his multicultural heritage was written all over his face? He’d thought her to be shy, but perhaps she was simply conceited. As though one of the ice buckets chilling the champagne had been dumped over him, he stepped back, dropping her hand. Offering a slight bow, he said, “Thank you for the dance, Josie. I wish you a pleasant evening.” Turning, he weaved his way through the guests and the mocking Triceratops skeleton. Walking out into the cool evening, he jerked his tie off as soon as he exited the building and shoved it into his pocket.
Beautiful, well-spoken, reticent… she was an enigma, a mystery he would have liked to have solved. But on the other hand, perhaps I wouldn’t have cared for what I discovered.
