CLARISSA COULDN'T move away from Nicholas even if someone threw a bomb at her feet. She felt his tongue lick away the droplet of whiskey on her lip and thought it was something out of an erotic novel. Normal people never went around licking things off other people's lips. This mysterious, brooding French man was doing exactly that. The French kissed when they greeted each other. Maybe the feeling of someone's lips or tongue on their's wasn't something to freak out about. Maybe...maybe...oh who was she kidding? This was wrong in so many levels!

So, he licked away a droplet—should she make at big deal out of it? Hell yeah!

"Mr. Renoir," she cleared her throat and looked a him steadily even though her body was hot-wired and was fizzling with excitement. "Is it your thing to go around licking strange women's lips?" a fetish perhaps. She wanted to add but quickly stepped the brakes on her tongue.

Nicholas frowned as if he too wondered the same thing. He was a very strange, hot, handsome as hell and arrogant man and all Clarissa wanted was to have him as far away from her as possible. He affected her in a very unique kind of way. Not even Julian, the man she loved for four years, affected her this way. Clarissa was very sure that Nicholas was all kinds of danger and don't-go-there. He was the kind of man who always got what he wanted. No one dared to talk down on him, say no or question his authority. She found his cool closed demeanor very obnoxious and yet it gave her freedom to be herself in front of him. He liked her loose tongue. He told her himself and that made her a little more relaxed around him...maybe a little too relaxed to the point he found himself comfortable enough to do what he did.

"Try and get up." he ignored her question as he helped her to her shaking feet.

Clarissa steadied herself, trying her best to stay as far away from him as possible. She didn't want his tongue touching any other place of her body. After all, he had that beautiful black haired woman waiting for him back at the restaurant. She looked up at him and her mouth ran dry. What could she possibly say to this forbidden fruit that would make everything alright? Don't let me go? Stay away from me?

Why did she have to knock on the window of his car that faithful evening and have him haunt her every single time? She needed to get away.

Like before, Clarissa extended out her hand like they had just finished negotiating a business deal. "Thank you, Mr. Renoir. I owe you." did I just say that? She blinked.

Nicholas' eyebrows arched up slowly as if he was relishing at the possibilities of what those last words could mean. "I always collect what is owed, Miss Langston."

Clarissa gulped down visibly as a warm hand clasped hers. "You seem like the type. Have a good night, Mr. Renoir. You don't want to keep your date waiting any longer."

A small smile touched his lips and he didn't let her hand go. "You are right...and allow me to let you on a little secret." he moved forward until his mouth was inches from hers. "I'm glad that that man is not your boyfriend. He's not your type."

Clarissa's felt a retort itching to come out of her throat. Why did he have to ruin a good moment with his arrogance? Clarissa mentally plucked at the edges of the gold star she just gave him for his first aid skills. Oh, she was tempted to pull it out. "Oh, now you think you know my type? You hardly know me, Mr. Renoir. I don't think I would want to see you again because every time I'm around you..." I can't think straight, my heart does one hundred beats per second and I get very hot and needy. "...I get very upset."

A frown appeared on his face. "Oh."

Crap!

Clarissa's fingers itched to smooth the lines on his forehead but why would she want to do that? He is not your man. She curled her hands into tight fists and brushed past him. "Good night, Mr. Renoir."

She didn't turn around and walked out only to find the grizzly bunch pacing around nervously outside the ladies' room. Her face flushed as she tried to smile at them.

"No need to worry. I'll be alright." She saw the overwhelming relief that appeared on the manager's face.

"Are you okay? Do you want to go home?" Pam touched Clarissa's hand.

Clarissa looked up at Anthony and Martin. She felt really bad that she ruined a good dinner date. "I'm sorry for the turn out of events."

Anthony shook his head. "It's not a big deal. Next week we are having a Sunday cookout. We could do a take two."

Clarissa managed a smile just as Nicholas stepped out of the bathroom and gave the grizzly bunch a nod before he made his way to his table. Clarissa's eyes followed him and watched as the concerned woman touched his hand and murmured something. Nicholas, patted her hand and murmured something that assured her.

"I feel a little tired." Clarissa's suddenly felt the events of the evening weighing on her shoulders. "I should get going."

Pam sighed and turned to Anthony. "I should go too. I need to watch over her, make sure she's fine--"

"Nonsense!" Clarissa objected. "It's still a young night. You guys should go drinking and clubbing or something. I'll be fine."

"Clarie!" Pam turned to her and frowned.

Clarissa clamped down her lips.

"I'll call you later." Pam kissed Anthony on his lips and turned to Clarissa.

"I'll see you next weekend, Clarie." Martin smiled warmly at her.

Clarissa couldn't help but smile and nod. "See you then, Martin."

The two women went on their way.

That night, Pam slept over a Clarissa's place just make sure she was alright.

"TODAY'S THE big day!" Pam wiggled her eyebrows at Clarissa excitedly as they ate breakfast right after a long run to the park a back. Clarissa's legs were singing soprano by the time they went back home. She doubted she was going to be able to stand in front of all those rich boys and dazzle her way into their wallets with cramped up thighs.

She rolled her eyes at Pam and sighed. "I still can't believe I let you talk me into this."

"It's for a good cause." Pam scowled then grinned mischievously and said. "I'm almost done with you. By the time you are standing up there, tonight, no man will be able to take his eyes off you."

"Shoot me now." Clarissa muttered as she drank her water recalling her thoughts of the balding man collecting stamps and the serial killer with hair locks in his tool shed.

Pam giggled softly and continued as if she didn't hear Clarissa. "So, we have an appointment at my cousin's spa at ten and after that we need to get you a nice dress and get you all blinged out. I'm the MC so I also need to look the part. I know a nice store around the corner from Hazel Street. We will go there later on."

"I thought we are done with the pedicures and manicures." Clarissa whined.

Pam gave her the are-you-serious look. "We haven't even started. Baby girl, no offense but you are as hairy as a mammoth."

Clarissa was caught between bouts of laughter and outrage. "I'm not hairy!"

"Just kidding..." Pam smiled then the smile evaporated as she pulled on her serious face. "But still, we need to get rid of that little hair that you still have—everywhere."

Clarissa gulped. "Everywhere?"

"Everywhere." Pam nodded knowingly. "You might never know if your date would like to take you skin-dipping or something. We don't want him to ask for his money back, do we?"

"No." Clarissa whispered, her eyes still wide with horror.

Clarissa manicured her love garden at every chance she got. She took care of it and made sure it was always neat and tidy but removing it...all of it--was not her thing. "Can I at least leave a landing strip?"

Pam burst out laughing. She laughed so much that her eyes teared. Clarissa recalled her words and also started laughing. It was ridiculous talking about these things with Pam but Pam knew about this stuff more than her.

"Fine, we will leave a landing strip." Again she started laughing as she made her way to the sink to rinse her plate.

"PAMELA ANNAMARIE Rex!" Clarissa screamed as the lady in charge of the waxing pulled out the stubbles on her legs. By the time she was done, Clarissa knew she would look like a well-done lobster and her huge pores would be open for everyone to ogle. Shit, the lady was mean-looking and she ripped the wax-papers like she wanted to remove her skin as well. Olga, Clarissa dabbed the woman had her dark eyebrows down in a frown as she concentrated on her work. The screaming didn't get as much as an expression on her stone face.

Clarissa wasn't the waxing type. She didn't have to because she had very little hair growing where it was not needed. She shaved her legs and armpits out of habit every morning but it was not as if she really needed it. This was all new to her. Her skin was virgin to wax paper so the ripping was as painful as that first day Julian decided he couldn't wait till the wedding night.

Oh, happy memories....She thought bitterly. He never pushed her into it at first and told her to take all the time she needed until she was ready. She believed it was love talking and thought one day, Julian Meyers was going to be her husband but later he gave her the ultimatum of either sleeping with him or walking out the door. She loved him with all her heart and didn't want to lose him as well as the curiosity of what it might feel like. She thought it was going to be the best night of her life, but boy was she wrong. By the time Julian had managed to finally rip into her, she was sore, uncomfortable and teary. The next morning, her entire body ached as if she had a fever and Julian wasn't even there to take care of her.

Now that she took time to really look at her relationship, she did all the loving and caring while Julian was at the receiving end. She made excuses for him until she finally ran out of them and went on to blaming herself for her lack of competence. Now, she saw the picture as how she should have seen it four years ago. She was the home-girl, the one that was always there to take him back after he went around screwing other women. She took care of him, loved him. She was disgusted with herself. She let him use her only to get married to someone else.

I'm never going to trust another man. Not even Nicholas Renoir. Her eyes widened. Now where did that come--

"Holy Mother Mary, Olga!" Clarissa exclaimed then clamped her mouth and muttered. "Take it easy. This is my skin we talking about, not a wooden board!"

Olga scowled at Clarissa and straightened her shoulders. "Your legs are done. Get comfortable while I get your bikini wax papers ready."

Oh, Pam! Olga will definitely rip out my v-girl! Clarissa closed her eyes in a silent prayer. Why do I always listen to you?

After the long, agonizing session with Olga, Clarissa and Pam went up to the boutique Pam talked about to get some classy dresses for the evening. Clarissa looked through the expensive clothes and looking knowingly at her friend. This was Pam. She always went to classy places and wore classy clothes. She was very classy herself unlike her who was very comfortable in a pair of jeans and a T-shirt.

"Oh crap!" Pam looked down at her watch. "I need to get to the venue. I have some stuff to do. Frank will kill me! I'll see you later, Clarie." She kissed Clarissa's cheek and scowled. "Don't be late. See you later!" She rushed out the door.

Clarissa waved at her muttering. "Don't worry about me. I'll just use up all my savings paying for what you chose for me and walk home." her phone buzzed in her pockets. She frowned at first but grinned when she saw it was Sidney calling her.

"Are you excited about tonight?" Sidney asked, her voice croaky and sex-laden. "I can't wait to see what you'll wear."

Clarissa rolled her eyes. "I didn't tell you about it so that you rub it on my face. I think I'm ready and very well polished for tonight's event." as polished as the queen's silver.

"Mick and I decided to come and give you a hand in the fund raising." Sidney said. "I got Mick's friend Alejandro to come and give the boys a run for their money. He is a hot and crazily rich Latino rancher. You should see him!"

How typically Sidney...Clarissa thought vehemently. Now, everyone around her was pushing men her way. There was Martin and now, Alejandro. Did she look that desperate? "Sid, do me a favor and get rid of that Alejandro dude. I don't want anymore drama in my life."

"Too late. We already got tickets." Clarissa could hear the mischievous smile.

"Sid!" Clarissa groaned.

"I'll see you tonight! Bye!" She hung up.

Clarissa looked down at her phone. This was not going to be such a nice night after all.

"Ma'am, will you be paying in cash or credit?" the lady at the counter asked politely.

Clarissa removed her card and handed it to the woman. Goodbye trip to Hawaii, my own apartment and the rest of my life. She thought as the woman swiped the card on her machine.

NOTE: This is a complete story and it is available in Dreame. Same Username: FaddieManzi and you will get it there. Cheers!