Hand In Glove

Chapter 28

"Come on, sweetness. We're going to be late." Chloe heard Ashton call from outside her door. It had taken her longer than expected to get ready but it was New Year's Eve after all and she wanted to look her best. She chose to wear a little red dress and matching red pumps that she'd bought a while back just for such an occasion. She was just about ready. She wore her hair down, straight and shiny. It fell loosely around her shoulders. Grabbing her clutch purse she hurried out of her room.

"Okay, I'm ready. Let's go."

Ashton stood waiting by the back door. He turned to her, his expression changing from impatience to awe. "Wow, Chloe. I'm speechless."

Feeling much the same, Chloe stood wide-eyed and with her mouth agape. He looked incredible. He was all in white, wearing a pair of devastatingly tight pants, a tailored jacket and a fitted button up shirt underneath. Eyeliner intensified his glorious blue eyes. His flaxen hair hung loose over his face and shoulders.

They stood sizing each other up as if they were seeing each other for the first time. "Ashton, you look amazing! You're going to break some hearts tonight, that's for sure," she said, shaking her head.

"Look who's talking," Ashton retorted, looping his arm through hers as he led her out the door. "I don't think Nick will survive this," he said, opening her car door.

They arrived at the club at six o'clock sharp. The Stick Shift Lips were to go on second at seven. The other guys were already there. They had a table reserved near the stage. It was a pretty classy joint. Nick waved Chloe and Ashton over. "Chloe, don't you look gorgeous!" he exclaimed, much to the dismay of the girl he introduced as his date, Lauren.

Chris and Jamie were there with their dates for the evening, Michelle, and Rebecca, the girls she'd met at the pub back in the fall. Chloe greeted them happily. Nick swiftly pulled out the chair beside him for her, which she accepted gratefully. Ashton made his way around the table and greeted everyone in his usual ingratiating manner. Chloe couldn't help but notice all the looks of admiration he was getting from the girls around the table, not to mention the majority of the room.

Just then she caught sight of Rachel. She zeroed in on Ashton, slinking herself up against him in an obviously desperate attempt to get his attention. Michelle and Rebecca rolled their eyes at Chloe in agreement. Ashton seemed happy enough to see her, giving her a hug and kiss on the cheek. Anyone observing their exchange would have to assume they were a couple. She was beautiful, they both were, Chloe observed. He must be blind not to see how good they looked together.

Chloe was so distracted by the affectionate display, she hardly noticed Nick's hand on her knee under the table. She only flinched when he gave it a squeeze. Shooting him a disapproving glance, Chloe playfully pushed his hand away before anyone else could notice.

"I wouldn't worry about that," he said, looking from her to Ashton and Rachel. "She doesn't stand a chance." He raked his eyes over Chloe in appreciation.

"You're crazy, Nick." Chloe laughed.

"Crazy about you, Chloe Belle." He smiled. "Hey, Ashton, how's it going?" he said as Ashton seated himself on the other side of Chloe. "All set for tonight?"

"Can't wait," Ashton agreed as he placed a glass of red wine in front of her. "Here, Chloe, just a little something to get you started." Ashton couldn't help but notice the looks she was getting not only from Nick but from all the way around the table. He couldn't blame them. She looked drop-dead gorgeous in that tiny little red dress. Her beautiful face all aglow. It had taken all of his willpower to have left the house with her at all when his first instinct was to lock her up in her bedroom, with him in it of course. He kicked himself under the table for that thought.