“Fox, what’s the matter?” Whitney questioned, dancing with Fox still.

“Nothing …” he shook his head in a daze.

“Don’t tell me it’s nothing. I can tell you’re thinking about something … but what?” Whitney cross-examined him thoroughly.

“Even though I know your name—I swear we have met somewhere before …” he kind of glowered in deep concentration.

“Maybe we did … I don’t recall.” Whitney shrugged, knowing from within she has seen him somewhere before, too.

“Well, whatever the case, I am so glad that we have ran into each other tonight. I thought I would never see you again. Nonetheless, I never knew you sing so well. When’s your next performance?” He kept her close to him, locking his eyes on hers intimately.

“Why would you be intrigued when’s my next performance, Fox? Are you implying that you want to see me again?” She queried, smiling subtly.

“Maybe … maybe not. But if you’re going to dismiss me, then I rather not …”

“Fox, I would want you to come. It means a lot to me that you find some interest in what I do. Although, I don’t understand why you would waste your time on me? There are so many beautiful women in this room; you could pick any one of them. Why me?” Whitney inquired meticulously.

“Are you saying that I’m a playboy?” Fox retorted, acting astonished.

“Fox, I am serious. You don’t strike me as the kind of guy who would just settle for one girl. I see how they were looking at you.” Whitney added.

“Whitney, maybe they can’t resist my irresistible features. Hell, I can’t help it that I’m cursed with devastatingly good looks.” He boasted, snickering haughtily.

“Gosh, you’re charming and arrogant. Is there anything else I need to know before we go any further with this ‘friendship’? Please inform me before I make an utter fool of myself.” Whitney grimaced.

“Whitney,” the song has ended and she had torn herself away from Fox urgently, abandoning him once more.

“Whit, what’s the matter?” Simone turned to face her older sister while waiting on Alan to return.

“He’s here, Simone, and I don’t know what to do.” Whitney whispered restlessly.

“He is? Where?” Simone’s eyes widened anxiously.

“He’s over there?” Whitney directed her hand over to where Fox was located.

Simone squinted her eyes at the strikingly handsome fellow who was flirting with some blonde bombshell from afar. “Whitney, why are you here with me? You better get a hold of him before that opportunist does.”

“Simone,” Whitney gasped remarkably.

“What? Don’t look at me like that. She’s an opportunist—I can smell it all over her.” Simone had no problem avowing the truth to her older sister.

“How would you know—you make it sound like the man comes from money.” Whitney uttered bewilderedly.

“Whitney, take a good look.” Simone turned her sister around to see the scenery for herself. “Does it look like that woman is interested for who he is as a person?”

“Simone, I don’t have time to play fill in the blank. He can have her for all I care. Besides, he has too many women hanging all over him.” Whitney folded her arms at Simone who was shaking her head morosely. “Don’t, Simone.”

“It’s your funeral.” Simone mumbled disappointingly.

“Whatever. If he really cared about me—he would be running in my corner. I don’t know why I even bothered chatting with him.” Whitney scowled even more.

“Wait a minute. You two had a conversation?” Simone blinked at her wildly.

“Yes, Simone, we did. What’s it to you?” Whitney snapped.

“Whitney, I think you should give him a chance. Don’t let all those other hoes nab your man.” She advised.

Whitney laughed mirthlessly. “Nice try, Simone, but it’s not going to work. I will not make myself look like a fool for love again.”

“Whitney, I’m worried about you—you haven’t been socializing with any guys ever since your incident with …”

“Stop, right there.” Whitney halted her sister from saying the rest.

“I know, Whit, but you must give trust a try.” Simone urged.

“Simone, if I don’t want to have a relationship with the man, it’s my business—not yours! Now if you’ll excuse me.” Whitney dismissed herself to go to the ladies restroom.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%%*%*%

“Fox, I had no idea you were going to be here tonight. So, what are you up to?” The fair young woman with platinum blonde hair flirted with him.

“Hey, Velvet, I decided to listen to music … just needed to get away.” He answered distractedly, watching Whitney walking away from the other female.

“Do you want me to keep you company tonight?” She pleaded, stroking his face in carnal lust.

“Uh, can I take a rain check?” Fox looked into her blue-greenish orbs seductively.

“But, Mr. Crane, you promised the next time we run into each other we get to continue our forty-fifth episode.” She purred dolefully.

”I know, but there’s an important errand I must attend to. I’ll give you a call sometime later this week, okay?” he gave her six Benjamin Franklins.

Velvet’s eyes broadened excitedly and gladly accepted Fox’s offer. “All right, see you then, baby.” She kissed him uncontrollably.

Fox only smiled and fled from her the minute he wanted to chat with the other girl who was speaking with Whitney. “Excuse me,” he tapped on her shoulder lightly.

“Yes?” Simone turned around to get a good look at him. Whitney has outdone herself this time; I don’t see why she shouldn’t go for him. It must be a sin for him to look this damn good.

“Why was that woman running away from you? Is everything all right with her?” He thrust his hands in his pockets.

Simone adored how a sign of concern was taunting in his voice, and her conscience was telling her that he’s really into her. A sneaky grin had risen on her lips and she said, “Why would you want to know?”

Fox exclusively amused himself with her and remarked, “Because I hate to see a beautiful lady cry. Is it a crime for me to be concerned?” He pumped sardonically.

“Not at all. She will be out in a few minutes.”

“How would you know? Are you saying this to brush me off?” He brought himself closer to her as he could sense boldness from her.

“You’re cute, but you can’t fool me. I know you’re feeling her.” Simone confessed soberly.

“What is with everyone tonight? Am I being scrutinized underneath a microscope?” He soughed annoyingly.

“Aw, what’s the matter the sly fox didn’t get what he want?” Simone teased him jokingly.

“As a matter fact, Fox always get what he wants and he wants Whitney.” He explained to her candidly.

“Your name is Fox?”

“Mm-hmm. Now it’s time for me to turn the tables on you. How are you associated with that pretty girl?” He brought his arms to his chest merrily.

“I’m her younger sister.” Simone responded laconically.

This is too perfect. Maybe I can score with her baby sister to get next to Whitney. I’ll do anything to have her big sister. He beamed mischievously and lowered his dark brown irises on Simone. “Since you know my name already, it would be nice to know yours …”

“Simone.” She introduced herself amicably.

He took her hand and kissed it, using his wickedly sexy charm to his advantage, knowing she’s being taken by his seduction.

“Clever and sexy. I like that in a man. But if you’re willing to win my sister … you have to come a little more easier than that.” Simone urged.

“Are you indicating that I’m coming on too strong?” Fox read between the lines.

“There’s nothing wrong with a man who is aggressive, I’m just saying you need to take it slow with her.” Simone vented softly.

“I’m sorry, I can’t play that route.” Fox declined quickly.

“Fox, I like you a lot, and I think you and my sister can hit it off, but you have to do the unexpected.” Simone interpreted some more.

“Simone, sweetheart, I don’t play by rules. I make up my own rules … either she’s with it or not.” His shoulders slumped nonchalantly.

Simone exhaled jaggedly, having a notion that he’s an avid rebel to the core. “Do you want my sister or not?”

“No doubt.” Hell, at least he had no shame with revealing the truth; Simone can commend him for that.

“Then you have to play by her rules.” Simone muttered nicely.

“Her rules? I don’t follow rules too well. I want her, but I’m not going to stoop so low to win her because she wants me to be something I am not.” He blurted bluntly.

“Fox, it’s your prerogative, you don’t have to go after Whitney. Besides, it’s a waste of time and she’ll get over you.” Simone begins to tread away until Fox stopped her.

“She’s interested in me?”

Simone grinned shiftily and straightened her expression right away, rotating her form back to him. “Yes, but she doesn’t want you to know it. Do you want to make her yours or not?”

Fox rolled his eyes, hating it has to come to this, but he even said it himself he will do anything to win Whitney. “What do I have to do?”

“I knew you would listen.” Simone beamed widely. “Now this is what you have to do.” Simone discussed the whole plan on how to win Whitney completely in Fox’s ear.

*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*%*

Five minutes later

“Hey, Whit, are you feeling better?” Simone interrogated worriedly.

“Yes, I’m fine, Simone, thanks for asking. Are you and Alan ready to take me home?” marveled Whitney.

“Well, actually, Whitney, if you don’t mind, I’m taking Simone back to my place. We want to spend some time alone.” Alan stated.

“How in the world will I get home, Simone?” Whitney was devastated.

“I’m sorry, Whitney. But I haven’t been able to spend some time alone with Alan ever since I’ve been studying … please understand that we need to have some quality time.” Simone struggled to keep her scheming grin under control.

“I understand. You two have fun. I’ll find someone who can take me home.” Whitney permitted them to go on without her.

“You’re sure?” Alan asked dryly.

“Positive. I’ll be fine.” Whitney hid the sadness in her voice and hugged her sister goodnight. “Be safe.” She winked at Simone, watching her decamp from the club.

“We meet again.” His stimulating tone startled her to death.

“Fox, I thought you were gone. What are you still doing here?” She gasped, catching her breath.

“I wasn’t leaving until I knew you were all right.” He cracked a semi-smile at her.

“Oh,” Whitney kind of frowned in confusion. “You didn’t have to.”

“Why not?” He tilted his head to the side.

“You could have been with any girl here tonight. I have to go home, I need to get up early.” Whitney cleared her throat, wanting to escape from this man who makes weak in the knees.

“That’s true, but I rather be with you … and cheer you up.” He almost gave himself away.

“You would do that?” Whitney fluttered her eyes at him astonishingly.

“Most definitely. Now, why so morose, beautiful?” He inched himself nearer to her.

“I need a ride home and I refuse to wait outside for a taxi.” Whitney sighed heavily.

“Whitney, only if you want me to, I can take you home.” Fox submitted.

“No, we don’t know each other that well.” Whitney rejected on the spot.

“Whitney, I’m not coming on to you, I rather take you home than to let you be harassed by some stranger.” He insisted.

“Aren’t you a stranger?” Whitney retaliated.

“I’m not a stranger anymore to you, you know my name.” Fox chortled.

“You’re still foreign to me.” Whitney bounced back with retorting.

“Aw, come on. I want to take you home. That’s all—no strings attached.” He gestured with his hands by moving them away from one another.

Whitney contemplated for a while, actualizing what’s at stake for her. She knows she can’t risk being here alone for another hour, nor will she humiliate herself waiting on some taxi with strange men, who are nothing but perverts, lurking in the streets at night. “You would really give me a lift, that’s all?”

“Yes,” he conceded, and then he started pondering to himself. That’s not the only lift I want to give you. He shook his wild notions out of his mind, endeavoring to tame his horniness.

“Okay,” Whitney gladly accepted his proposal and parted with him, heading towards his new cherry red 325Ci convertible BMW. Whitney was impressed that he opened the door for her and he hasn’t made any moves so far. He started the ignition as she gave him directions to her house, driving her there safely.

They stepped out of his brand new vehicle and strolled to the front door. Whitney stared at him alas, being amazed with his patience and kindness. “Thanks for taking the time out to bring me home. I really appreciate it, Fox.” She bit her lower lip nervously.

“The pleasure is all mine, Whitney. As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters to me.” He exhaled calmly. “I guess this is our cue to say goodnight.”

“I guess so.” Whitney murmured.

“Goodnight, Whitney, and sweet dreams.” He wrapped his arms around her platonically, surprising her once more.

“Goodnight, Fox.” Whitney squeezed him as well and released him afterwards. “Drive safely. Sweet dreams to you, too.”

“I will.” His killer smile danced on his face sensually and headed towards his car after she had closed the door. “And I will definitely have sweet dreams about you, Whitney. No matter what it takes, I will make you mine.” He hopped in and drove back to his condo to get some rest.

Whitney was already in her nightwear, drinking herself in Fox’s manly redolence, which tickles her nose magnificently. “You seem like an interesting guy that I would like to get to know better, but I can’t … I don’t want to go down that same path again.” She replied to herself. “I wish you were mine … but you’re not … and I still need time to heal, despite of what I am feeling for you, Fox. You must never learn about my old life. If you knew of my past … it’ll destroy our chance to be together. Gosh, why did my life turn out to be such a mess?” She vociferated interminably over the loss of her baby, and the life she once adored, letting her tears rock her to sleep.