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Mia had seen a dress a while back in a boutique near the bakery that would be perfect for the fundraiser. Taking a few minutes after she closed the bakery, and before she had to start on tomorrow’s prep work, she rushed over there.
She was thrilled to discover that the dress was still there. As soon as she tried it on and looked at herself in the mirror, she realized that this dress was made for her. The sales clerk found a pair of shoes that matched perfectly with the dress. After checking out, she headed back to the bakery.
Mia’s mom would take care of the bakery for her Saturday so that she could be at the hotel in New Orleans early to make sure everything was arranged correctly. Now that everything seemed to be running smoothly at the bakery, she wasn’t as worried about leaving someone else in charge for a while. Mia couldn’t believe how perfect her life was going. All that she had left was to make sure this fundraiser was a success.
She woke up early Saturday morning. She had to be at the hotel by noon. She gathered her things and left the house. She had a room reserved at the hotel for tonight. She knew that afterwards she wouldn’t feel like driving back here, plus she needed a place to get dressed.
When she arrived at the hotel, the hors d’oeuvres were being delivered. She had worked out an arrangement where several of the local restaurants would offer their services free of charge in exchange for special recognition. The restaurants would offer bite size samples of several items available on their menu. So far Mia had kept her out of pocket expenses low, meaning the charity could raise even more money. The tickets for tonight’s function cost two hundred fifty dollars per person or four hundred dollars per couple. They would have a band and cash bar available. The bar had promised ten percent of the sales would be donated to the society.
When she entered the banquet room, she noticed the hotel staff was arranging the tables and chairs. Mia started decorating. She placed the tablecloths on the tables and slips to cover the chairs. While she was busy with this, the florist arrived with the centerpieces. “Marie, you outdid yourself this year. They are absolutely incredible.”
Looking over the room, she realized it would be breathtaking in here. The hotel staff was busy arranging the silverware and plates now that the tables were ready. At the last minute Mia had collected donations for a small silent auction. She walked over to the auction table to make sure everything was set up there as well. Happy with the way the hotel staff set up the table, she placed the items to be bid on along with a notepad and pen in front of each item. It took longer than she expected to get the silent auction items ready. Guests would arrive in a little over two hours, and the DJ was setting up. She still needed to get dressed so that she was back down here to greet the guests.
Before going back to her room to get dressed, she looked over everything once more. The dance floor and DJ were set up along with the bartender. This had turned out to be one of the biggest fundraisers she had arranged for the local MS Chapter, and she hoped tonight would be a huge success.
After tending to the final details, she rushed up to her room to get ready. As she finished getting dressed, there was a knock at her hotel door. She looked through the peephole and greeted her unexpected guest, “Chad, what a pleasant surprise.”
He was speechless when he saw her. She was wearing an exquisite sapphire blue strapless dress that accentuated her sexy body. It clung to her voluptuous curves, leaving nothing to the imagination. “I wanted to surprise you by showing up tonight, but decided I couldn’t wait any longer. Shelly mentioned that you had left for New Orleans this morning.”
Overjoyed to see him, Mia gave him a big kiss, “This is the best surprise I could ever ask for.”
“You look absolutely breathtaking tonight.”
Mia smiled up at him, “You look very handsome as well. You clean up nicely.”
He waved her off as if he wore a tux every day. She asked, “Do you have a room or are you planning on driving back tonight?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead.”
She looked at him shyly, “You are more than welcome to stay with me tonight. I knew I would be too exhausted to drive back.”
He gave her a wide grin and reached in the hall for his bag. “I didn’t want to impose.”
She laughed. “Are you ready to go downstairs? I want to greet everyone as they enter.”
After locking her hotel door and handing Chad the key, they rode the elevator downstairs to the lobby. Once in the banquet room, Chad stood near the bar and watched as Mia greeted the guests. She was a natural at this. When he saw a lull in people, he approached her. Whispering in her ear, “Why do you send everyone to the bar first?”
She let out a soft laugh, “To help loosen them up. Plus, the charity receives ten percent of the sales made at the bar tonight.”
“You are a shrewd business woman.”
“My momma didn’t raise a fool.”
Chad watched as Mia walked over to the DJ and addressed the group. “I would like to thank everyone for coming tonight. As you know, this fundraiser is for the local Multiple Sclerosis Chapter. They help those suffering from MS, who can not afford their prescriptions, as well as educating the newly diagnosed patients and, of course, help with research to find a cure.
“The silent auction will remain open until nine o’clock. Fifteen minutes beforehand, we ask that all bids be finalized and then the winners will be announced. I would like to thank everyone who donated these wonderful items.
“I would also like to thank the hotel for the use of the banquet room as well as the local restaurants for the excellent food. We truly appreciate it and without your generous donations, tonight would not be possible.
“Please enjoy yourselves. Even though it is a cash bar, ten percent of tonight’s total will be donated to the MS Society, so please drink up.”
The audience laughed and applauded as she headed to her table. Chad stood up and pulled her chair out, “I’m very impressed with you right now.”
“Thank you. This fundraiser means a lot to me. I want to make sure everything is perfect.”
Chad responded, “I have been meaning to ask you why you chose this charity.”
“My parents weren’t able to make it tonight because dad wasn’t feeling well. When I was twelve years old he started having a few problems, but swept them under the rug. Well, one morning he woke up and couldn’t see. He could no longer keep putting off the ailments that he had been having. Mom took him to the emergency room. And after many subsequent doctor visits and tests, he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. He worked for several more years until his legs gave him problems. My dad went from a man who was never sick to someone who had days where he couldn’t get around the house. I hated to see how the disease ravaged his body over the years. Dad never complained, but as I got older I became more aware of exactly how much pain he was really in. It broke my heart to know that there was nothing I could do for him. By the time I was sixteen, I was participating in the local Walk for MS and a few other fundraisers. By the time I was twenty-one, I was on the fundraiser committee and have been an active supporter ever since.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize your family was affected.”
She smiled at him, “My Dad is a proud man and doesn’t like to tell everyone he has MS. He is afraid they will judge him by the disease and not who he is.”
He picked up her hand and kissed it, “Well, if your dad were here he would thank you for doing such a good job. Everything is perfect. You put together a wonderful event.” Mia smiled at him and kissed him.
Mia looked around to make sure everyone was having a good time. She noticed several people were sitting at their table and sampling the food. Several other people were on the dance floor dancing and talking.
Chad whispered to her, “Would you care to dance?”
“I would love to.” Without another word, they were whirling on the dance floor, his breath hot against her neck. He completely seduced her on the dance floor, and she couldn’t wait to get him back up to the room.
The night passed in a haze of passionate dancing and before Mia knew it the DJ was announcing a final call for the silent auction. She was dizzy with desire and tried to compose herself. She headed over to the silent auction tables to retrieve the notepads to announce the winners. She read the winning bids and waited as the winners came to claim their items.
She addressed the crowd once more, “I would like to thank everyone one more time for coming out tonight and for all of your generous donations. This has been our best year yet, and we could not have done any of this without your help.”
By the time they made it up to her room, they couldn’t keep their hands off one another. Chad kissed her passionately as soon as he closed the door. Her knees grew weak with need as desire exploded through her body. Her whole body shook in anticipation.
Chad whispered in her ear the erotic, wicked things he was going to do to her. Tantalizing things she had never dreamed of. Passionate things that were sure to take her breath away.
As he kissed her, tidal waves of pleasure consumed her body as his lips teased hers. As he swept his tongue inside her mouth, she became lost in a dizzy whirlwind of need.
He carried her off to the bed and yanked off her clothes, not giving her a chance to undress herself, “I need to see you naked.”
He quickly stepped out of his clothes. Once he was naked, she took in his body. Muscular athletic legs covered with curly black hair, a washboard abdomen, and a broad chest.
Excitement zinged through her as his gaze devoured her body. He pushed her onto the bed, touching her all over. He trailed a path of hot kisses down her throat, making his way to her breast. He nuzzled her breast and took the tip into his mouth. She moaned in delight as her nipple hardened against his hot tongue. He moved to the next breast, suckling it before gently nipping it with his teeth. She writhed in anticipation. A shiver coursed down her spine, straight to her core at the blatant hunger she saw in his eyes. It was a primitive, carnal lust.
She pulled him close to her and kissed him passionately, “Ah cher, you melt my insides with your kisses.”
She blazed a trail of kisses down his body. While she kissed his body, his hands fondled her breasts. His long, strong fingers enveloped them, teasing and plucking at the buds. As she took one of his nipples in her mouth, she could hear his heartbeat racing faster with each kiss.
She brushed her breasts across his stomach as she moved lower down his body. Her body was on fire with need. She was eager to taste all of him before he took her. She took him in her mouth and teased the tip of his erection before gliding him into her mouth. She marveled at the feel of him. She heard him let out a guttural moan.
“It’s my turn now cher.” He slowly and thoroughly kissed every inch of her. It was as if he was trying to commit her whole body to his memory. As if he wanted to know it as well as he knew his own. She reveled in the feel of him, the masculine scent and taste of him. She let out a needy whimper as her limbs trembled with desire underneath him.
An intense need pulsed through her, primal and basic. “Chad, please I can’t take much more,” she pleaded with him.
He rolled her over to where she was facing the bed and holding her hips, he thrust deep inside of her. Her body convulsed in pleasure. She closed her eyes and surrendered to the sensations his body brought to hers.
The blend of the physical and emotional feelings was incredible. It was an explosive, provocative combination that brought her to the brink of ecstasy. They found their release at the same time.
Chad sprawled out next to Mia gasping for breath. She turned over and kissed him on the lips. Her warm body curled into him, feeling like silk against his skin. “Ma douce amie. My sweet love, I love holding you close. Si belle, so fine.”
Mia woke up gradually, moving one body part at a time. She felt too comfortable to get out of bed. Last night was a dream come true. She breathed in deeply, surrounded by the very scent of Chad. She was completely content. She pressed closer into his hard, muscular body. She fit into him perfectly.
One of his powerful arms was draped across her breasts; the other held her close to him at her hip. This setting was so intimate; too perfect to break the moment by leaving the bed.
None of the other men she had had brief affairs with had ever come close to competing with Chad.