Aces

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I couldn't believe it.

I, Cecileigh Montgomery, was running hand in hadn through 1920s Manhattan with the  most handsome man I had ever laid eyes on.

His hand sent tingles up my arm, through my body, and down to my toes.  I had never felt anything so... so exciting!

So intriguing.

So sensual.

Richmond Callahan, running slightly ahead of me, looked over his shoulder and caught me staring at him.  I smiled shyly, embarrassed to be caught, and felt a warm blush rise through my cheeks.  Richmond's lips turned up into an amused grin.

What I would give to kiss those lips!

I groaned internally, frustrated and pleased by the sex appeal of this man from the past.

Then I felt guilt.

I wasn't supposed to feel this way.  I just met this man.  There was no -  no way possible I could feel this way.

And yet, I did.

Silent and lost in thought, I followed Richmond, my hand holding even tighter to his.

We weaved in and out of streets and alleys, avoiding a trackable route to the club.  Soon enough we were in front of an exquisite and lavishly adorned apartment building.

Richmond removed his hand from mine and placed it on the small of my back, pushing me gently forward.  As he led me around the side of the building, my mind was focused on his hand on my back.  The contact was nearly overwhelming and his nearness to me made my heart skip a beat.

I mean literally.  It skipped a beat.  I know, it sounds cliche, but its true.

We stepped in front of a door in a dilapidated back section of the building.  Richmond reached up and rapped on the door in a five knock rhythm.  A window in the middle of the door opened, a young man's face appearing.

"Yes? May I help you?" He said.

"Mac, it is me," Richmond replied.

In an excited jolt the young man slammed the window shut and swung the door wide open. "Why, Mr. Callahan," He said, "it is right nice of you to join us this evening.  And I see you have brought a young lady with you." Mac's winked at me. "Quite a beauty she is, sir."

"Yes, she is that indeed, Mac.  Thank you for opening the door.  Make sure you grab a beer before you leave tonight.  On the house, as always, my dear friend."

"Thank you, sir.  The two of you have a grand night, you hear?"

Sir? 

"Why did that man call you, 'sir?'" I inquired as we removed our coats and hung them in the entryway.

"He did so," Richmond replied with a shy grin, "because I am the owner of this establishment."

My jaw dropped.

Richmond was the owner of a Prohibition era speakeasy.  This was unreal.

"You- you own this club?"

MY astonished expression and stuttering vocals must have amused Mr. Callahan because a smile graced his face and he laughed.  "Miss Montgomery, I indeed own this club.  Why does such a premise surprise you?"

"I just wasn't expecting you to bring me to a club you own.  Not that I should be too surprised.  I mean, we didn't exactly meet the conventional way where we exchange names and life details.  I guess I just wasn't... nevermind, I'm rambling again.  Sorry."

"I find your excess of nervous chatter to be quite endearing, Cecileigh."

Oh, how I loved the sound of my name on his lips.

"Well, Richmond," I smiled, "are you going to just stand there admiring my endearing rambling, or are you going to buy me a drink and show me a good time?"

Wow.  I could really turn on the charm when I wanted.  I had never been able to, or maybe had never wanted, to do that before.

"Well then," Richmond answered, "welcome to Aces."

He once again put his hand on the small of my back, leading me from the entryway towards the sound of boisterous jazz music.

The inside of the club was amazing.  A large crystal chandelier hung from the center of the room and electric candles graced every few feet of wall.  To the left of the dance floor was a bar that extended the length of the building.  On the opposite side of the room stood a stage, jazz musicians creating beautiful sounds through piano, trumpet, saxophone, and voice.  There were round tables and chairs in front of the bar and horshoed around the dance floor, stopping just before reaching the stage.

A feeling of excitement rose in me.

I looked up into the expressive eyes of Richmond Callahan as he led me to the bar with a smile on his face.  "Do you like champagne?" He asked me, his index finger turning circles on the back of my hand as it lay on the bar counter.

"Champagne?  Sure, I like champagne.  Is that what you are ordering?"

"In a sense."  Richmond raised his hand to catch the attention of the bartender.  When the man tending the bar made his way over to us, Richmond said, "two French 75's please, Tom."

I wasn't too versed in the world of cocktails.  Sure, I had the occasional class of wine, champagne, or margarita, but my knowledge of alcohol was limited to pretty much that.  "What is a French 75?"

"It is a new cocktail: gin, champagne, lemon juice, and sugar.  You are going to love it, I am sure."

I smiled at the cocky look on his face.  "You are so sure of yourself aren't you?"

"Why yes, yes I am.  I am right, however.  You are going to like this," he said as he picked up the two champagne flutes Tom the bartender had placed on the bar.

I took the one he offered me and took a cautious sip.  Okay, he was right.  The French 75 was pretty good.

"See," Richmond said to me.  "I knew you would like it." I laughed.

We talked and laughed as we drank our champagne cocktail.  When I finished the last sip of mine, Richmond stood and extended his hand to me with a bow.  "Would you care to dance, M'lady?"

I blushed at the chivalrous nature of the gesture.  I was still getting used to the old fashioned manners.  With a smile I answered, "I would love to, kind sir."

We moved to the dance floor as the song changed from a Charleston number to smooth jazz.  I felt Richmond's hand move to my waist as the other grasped my hand tenderly.  I placed my free hand on his shoulder, rouge tinging my cheeks.

And we danced. 

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