The limo arrived at exactly 6:00 p.m. Henderson, the driver, quickly opened the door for me and assisted me by holding my hand while I sat.
“You look lovely tonight Miss Knox,” he spoke in his deep, yet warm tone.
“Thank you, Henderson. You look well yourself.” He smiled warmly, and then closed the door. I looked beside me to see Lindsey gaping with her mouth open. “You ok?” I asked.
“Uh, you look hot, Dallas. Like, really hot,” she said with real appreciation in her tone.
“Thank you. You look beautiful yourself.” And she did. Her hair was swept up on top of her head and her black, strapless gown was stunning. She smiled and leaned up, grabbing a couple glasses and a chilled bottle of champagne. We toasted to the night, the business and friendship- then to Henderson, leather seats and the rapper 50 Cent. Before we pulled into the Convention center the bottle was empty and we were both light headed and tipsy.
This was no Hollywood movie premier, but for Hattiesburg, it was the main event. The time people went all out to make an impression on the ever important, Mayor Paul Kirkley. Mayor Kirkley had been in office several years now, and had drastically improved the city. Some considered him a celebrity. He even had an article written about him that was published in Time magazine. His one and only child, Nathalie, was marrying her high school sweat-heart, Mason, the son of State Representative John Blunt. Everyone who was anyone would be present tonight and I could not help but enjoy the attention that I drew once I walked through the door. Grabbing a glass of champagne from the waiter, I made my way around the room smiling and making small talk with those I encountered. Seated at my table for dinner, were two very important potential clients and their wives.
By the time dinner was over, I had successfully landed three new properties, gained two new clients, and made a generous donation to a charity that both clients’ wives were on the board of. It felt good to be in control again. It was amazing what you could accomplish with a smile, a low cut dress, and a check book. Mayor Kirkley had been busy all night, but once his eyes landed on my dress, I saw my opportunity and took full advantage of it.
“Mayor Kirkley, what a magnificent party.” I said cheerfully, kissing him on both cheeks.
“Miss Knox, I’m so glad you could make it. Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, not being able to keep his eyes from my cleavage.
“Oh, yes. Dinner was delightful and very rewarding. Thank you for arranging the seating for me,” I said with a wink.
“My pleasure. Will you save a dance for me later?” he asked, eyeing me seductively.
“I’m looking forward to it.” I turned and walked away, giving him a clear view of the back of my dress, then joined Lindsey for a drink-something a little stronger.
I gladly danced with everyone who asked. You never knew when that person could be of assistance to you. I danced with aldermen, firemen, county workers, and young bachelors, and not once did I think of Luke. I had locked him in a box in the back of my sub- concious and was determined to keep him there until the night was over.
Mayor Kirkley had finally made his way around to me and I was anxious to get it over with, so that I could leave. I had approximately three minutes to convince him to sell his land to me, and Mayor Kirkley was known for being a shrewd negotiator. “Ahh, finally I get to dance with the most beautiful woman in the room,” he said to me, sweeping me into his arms. He was a very good looking man. His tall strong body was flawless. He was once a bodybuilder, and when I placed my hand on his shoulder, I could feel his taunt muscles through his tuxedo.
“Well, I have to disagree with you Mayor. It seems that Nathalie is by far the most beautiful woman in the room.”
“She is nothing more than a child, but you are all woman. Do tell me Miss Knox, why did you really come here tonight? To try and acquire some land I have, I presume,” he said arrogantly.
“Why, Mayor Kirkley. I am shocked that you would think such a thing.” I responded, appearing wounded.
“Oh cut the shit, Dallas. What do you want with that land anyway?” he asked his strictly-business tone now in effect.
“I’m thinking of combining all of my offices into one building,” I lied smoothly.
“Some of that land, I could sell by the square inch. It is in high demand right now.”
“And I plan to pay you top dollar. It will be at least five years before the property has enough commercial business surrounding it to even be worth anything. That is why I want to put my office out there. It will be the only real estate company on Ninety-Eight. Everyone else is downtown.” I could tell that he was intrigued by my proposal. He was going to have to sell the property soon anyway and everyone knew that if anyone could afford it, Dallas Knox could.