Chapter 3 - The Palomino

Well into the evening, the Palomino filled with members of the “in” crowd. There were local news reporters, lawyers, athletes and just about everyone who was anyone in town. It was decorated elegantly with blue and silver balloons, small tables filled with finger food and bartenders serving up every kind of drink imaginable. Danielle made her way through the door, dressed in her navy blue, fitted matte jersey dress and matching heels. Her hair was styled in loose curls that framed her face and shined beneath the dim lights. She came in the door just in time to meet up with Yolanda who met her in the foyer sipping a martini.

“Hey, girl!” Yolanda said cheerfully. “Don’t you look nice?”

“Thank you,” Danielle said modestly.

“Barron is gonna get an eyeful tonight,” Yolanda said with a smirk.

“Yo, I appreciate what you’re trying to do. But please don’t mention his name again.”

Yolanda smiled and whispered, “You know good and hell well you wore that tight ass dress to make that man drool. So don’t try to act all stuck up now.”

“Whatever,” Danielle said, looking around. “Where is everybody?”

“Well,” Yolanda began, “Keith is on his way. Mr. Roberts is talking to Shari Tate, you know that bitch of a news anchor. And the guest of honor is…”

“Making his rounds,” Danielle said, as she spotted Barron walking through the crowd. He looked super sharp in a navy blue suit, a steel gray shirt, and matching tie. There was one thing the man could do well—dress. Damn, she thought. He is fine.

Yolanda licked her tongue across her lips. “Umm…Damn, Danielle. That’s a fine ass man.”

Danielle sighed, “And he knows it too.” She watched him cross the room. “Charming bastard. Look at him,” she said, examining Barron’s square, handsome face. He looked like a finer version of Idris Elba, ruggedly handsome and dangerously smooth. And as always, he was wearing his million-dollar smile.

“Look, you guys match,” Yolanda teased. “How cute.”

“Yeah, how cute,” Danielle said, rolling her eyes. “I need a drink quick if I’m gonna get through this night.” She was still looking at Barron, waiting to catch his eye.

Yolanda caught her staring. “Damn, girl. For someone who claims she doesn’t like the brother that much, you sure haven’t stopped staring.” She sucked her teeth and added, “I know you want a little more of that.”

“Yo, you promised not to bring that up!”

“I did? I lied. No girl, I’m kidding, seriously. I won’t talk about that fine, sexy mofo again…unless you want to.”

Danielle rolled her eyes. “He’s alright. But he does look good in a suit.” Who was she kidding? Barron belonged in a fashion layout of GQ magazine.

Yolanda stared too. “You sure you don’t want to reconsider spending some time with him? He might do you some good, Miss I’m-trying-to-focus-on-my career. All you do is work.”

Danielle couldn’t help but grin. “I told you I can’t stand him. Why do you keep trying to throw me in his arms?”

“Because I know that’s where you want to be,” Yolanda said, cocking her head to the side. “And I’m trying to get you out of my hair. You’re not gonna be my last single girlfriend, you hear me?”

“I hope not. But I’m not desperate.”

“You might not be desperate, but you’re definitely a little horny!”

They laughed. Danielle smacked her lips as she looked at Barron again. Remembering how rude he’d been to her in Miami made her mad all over again. She just couldn’t get over that.

“Don’t let those good looks fool you. Beneath all those expensive, tailored custom clothes or whatever is a conniving, vindictive, man.”

Yolanda nudged her. “Uh, Miss Thing, you better get him quick because he’s your type exactly.”

“He’s not my type. Look at him.” Danielle nodded in Barron’s direction. “Have you ever seen a man so…”

“Fine?” Yolanda added. “Well maybe once.”

“Oh look, there’s Keith,” Danielle said, relieved.

“Hey, ladies,” he said, approaching them. “How are we doing this evening?”

“Hey Keith, you look nice,” Yolanda said.

“Thank you, thank you. And so do you—the both of you. Miss Reed, Miss Mitchell, have you greeted the guest of honor?”

Danielle rolled her eyes for the second time tonight. “No.”

“Why not? Ladies, we have to be cordial. It’s always good to see what the competition is up to.”

Just then, Barron came over. For a moment time seemed to stand still as his eyes floated over Danielle’s body from head to toe. He held her gaze, cracked a gentle smile and looked as if he were seconds away from pulling her into his arms and taking her off in a corner somewhere. His intense eyes made Danielle nervous and she did everything she could to keep a straight face.

“Keith Bates. Long time no see, man,” Barron said, greeting him. “How’ve you been?” They shook hands and gave each other a quick pat on the back.

“I’m good man, can’t complain,” Keith replied. “How about you?”

“Oh I’m good. I see you’re still the man in town,” Barron said, smiling. “Your name keeps popping up everywhere I go.”

Keith laughed. “You know it. I’m a tough act to follow, I run this city. And I’m always ready to make another million.”

“I hear that,” Barron said, glancing in Danielle’s direction.

“Well, man, it’s good to see you again,” Keith said. “I’m gonna go say hello to your boss. We play golf together sometimes. Barron, this is Yolanda Reed, one of our graphic designers. And you already know Danielle Mitchell.”

“Nice to meet you Yolanda.”

“Pleased to meet you Mr. Weston,” Yolanda said.

He shook her hand, “Please, call me Barron. All my friends do.” He then turned his attention to Danielle.

“I certainly will.”

Barron’s gaze quickly resumed its focus on Danielle. “Hello Danielle.”

“Barron,” Keith said. “Yolanda and I are gonna leave you two alone. I’m sure you and Danielle have some catching up to do.”

“We do...I’ll check you in a minute, Keith.” Barron inched closer to Danielle. “I’ve been waiting all night to see you.”

“What for?”

“I missed you.”

Danielle sucked her teeth and laughed. “Yeah, right.”

“Are you still mad at me?”

Danielle looked into his eyes. “Why would I be mad at you, Mr. Weston?”

“Are we being formal now?”

“Yes, I wouldn’t want to confuse you. People might think we’re friends if I start calling you Barron.”

He laughed. “I see you haven’t lost that sense of humor.”

“I’ve lost many things in my life, but my sense of humor isn’t one of them.”

He read the hidden meaning in her eyes but could not find the words to respond. Instead, he tried to soothe the tense moment. “Well you look lovely tonight. You always did have class.”

“Pouring it on a little thick, aren’t you?” she said, unmoved.

“My compliments to you are always sincere.”

Her eyes dazzled as she looked at him. “Well, thank you. You don’t look too bad either,” she said, stepping aside.

“I try. You know what they say, ‘dress for success.’ Those are words to live by.”

“Yes, they are,” Danielle said, looking around the room.

“So how are you?” he asked, moving so that he was standing beside her.

“I’m fine, thank you for asking.”

He lowered his gaze with smoldering brown eyes. “You look fine,” he said softly. “But how are you?”

“If you’re trying to imply something, don’t. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, I’m sure.”

“Okay, if you say you’re fine, I believe you. Now, do you have a moment to step outside so we talk?”

She nodded as if she were programmed, and they walked to the terrace that offered a view of the street. Danielle leaned against the rail and looked out into the night. They were finally alone again.

Barron reached for her hand. “Do you know how long I’ve been waiting to be this close to you again?”

“No,” she said, pulling her hand away. “How long?”

“Every night since that night we were together in Miami,” he said, gazing into her eyes.

“You left me on a beach, Barron. So you’re going to have to try a little harder if you expect me to believe you’ve been thinking about me all these years.”

“I have, Danielle. That night has never left my mind. I’ve been in relationships since then and I always found myself comparing other women to you. I don’t know what I was thinking letting you slip away. I haven’t felt the way I feel about you for anyone else.”

“That’s a lie. A good one—but still a lie.”

“I’ve never lied to you Danielle.”

“You had a girlfriend when we met. Then you used me!” she said, pointing at him. “So don’t you dare come here and try to play me negro.”

“I’m not. It was complicated.”

“I don’t give a damn about your complications Barron! You took my virginity and treated me like trash. And then you have the nerve to stand here and tell me I meant something to you? Please, cut it out!”

“It wasn’t even like that. I fell in love with you. Me and my ex were over, it just wasn’t official.”

“What the hell does that mean?”

“It means I knew when we met that I wanted to be with you, I just didn't know how.” She didn’t buy the look in his eyes. “I’ve never wanted anyone the way I wanted you. You’ve been on my mind for the past twelve years girl!”

She walked away from him. He was having the same effect on her that he had the night they spent together. He walked up behind her.

“I think we’d get along better if we could put the past behind us.” He turned her to face him.

Her heart raced as he stood face to face with her. “Why?” Her lips were trembling.

“I need another chance to make this right.” He took her hand and put it to his chest.

“For what?” she asked, staring into chocolate eyes. "It doesn't even matter anymore."

“I want to be with you, it’s that simple. And I’ll do everything I can to make it happen.”

The cool evening air breezed past Danielle’s face blanketing her skin. She could think of a hundred reasons for wanting to run away from Barron. But she could also think of a hundred more that would make her stay.

Barron broke the silence between them. “I need you.”

“No, you want me,” she whispered.

“Yes, I do. And I know I didn’t leave the best impression on you the last time we were together. But I’m a better man now. I’ve grown up.”

“If I gave a damn Barron, I might let you prove it. But since I don’t, let’s just keep things the way they are.”

“And what way is that?”

“Non-existent.”

He looks at her shaking his head. She is nothing like the woman he met years and years ago.

“We don’t need to go any further than this,” Danielle told him.

He backed her into the rail. “Any further than what?” He took one of her silky strands and wrapped it around his finger.

“Any further than working in the same town. I don’t want a relationship right now, and I certainly don’t want one with you.”

He stared at her with rounded eyes and bent to whisper, “I can change your mind if you let me.”

“I doubt it,” she said, knowing he could change her mind if she let him.

“I know how to tear down those walls…All of them,” he said, quietly.

Danielle tried to keep her heart cold and still but Barron was too much of a match for her. His charm was more than enough to sway her mind and her body was soon to follow. He was a master at the art of seduction and his game was definitely on. No other man had been able to get under her skin the way Barron had. He had a gift.

“I should kiss you right now.”

“But you won’t.”

He was silent for a moment as he evaluated her. “I’ll accept that you say you don't want me, even though I know it’s a lie. But know that if you fight me on this, it will only make me want you more. And if I chase you, eventually you’ll have to submit.”

Danielle noticed a man approaching before she could reply. Thank god.

“Barron Weston.” An elder gentleman approached them extending his hand. “Harvey Peters of Peters & Peters law firm. We talked spoke on the phone this morning.”

Barron smiled, and shook his hand. “Yes, Mr. Peters. It’s nice to finally meet you. Thanks for coming.”

“Sorry to interrupt. I’ve got to get to another event. Keith Bates said you were out here. I just wanted to welcome you to Dallas.”

“Thank you, Mr. Peters. I’m glad to be here.”

“Call me Harv, everybody does. Good to see you’re settling in okay.” He looked over at Danielle. “And you must be Mrs. Weston,” he extended his hand. “I see Barron’s good taste doesn’t stop with his work.”

Barron lowered his head and chuckled but Danielle wasn’t so amused. “I’m not his—’’

Before she could finish, Barron corrected Mr. Peters. “Unfortunately, Miss Mitchell isn’t my wife,” he said, looking at her. “At least not yet. She’s a good friend and colleague.” He put a firm hand around her waist.

“Danielle Mitchell,” she said, extending her hand. “I’m creative director at FAT Ads.”

“Well, I apologize Miss Mitchell. It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you as well. But this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of taking in your beauty.”

She smiled. “Thank you for the compliment, Mr. Peters,” she said, trying to pull away from Barron, but he held her close.

“You are very welcome. You two look like you belong together. It was nice meeting you both. I’ve gotta run.”

“Have a good evening, Harv, and thanks again for coming. We’ll do lunch soon.”

“I’ll hold you to it, Barron. Have a good evening. Miss Mitchell. Le plaisir était toute mine. ”

“Merci, M. Peters. Vous voir bientôt.”

Barron stared at Danielle in awe. “That tongue speaks French too?”

She rolled her eyes and pushed past him. “Screw you Barron, I have to go. This is all too much for me.”

“What? Being mistaken for my wife?”

She paused and looked over her shoulder. “Yes. Everywhere you go, you stir up trouble. I don’t need it in my life right now.”

“Is there something wrong with being mistaken...for my wife?” He reached for her arm and pulled it gently.

“Yes, everything is wrong with that. Because it’s not going to happen--ever. I’ve been out here long enough. I’ve have to get back inside. Do me a favor and stay away? Please.”

“I would if I could, Danielle. But you know I can’t.”

“I don’t want you,” she said, backing away.

“Not yet,” he said, confidently. “But I’m going to change your mind. And don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

He watched her go back inside. It was on now. Barron was going to have Danielle Mitchell as his wife, even if he had fight her all along the way.