Scottie, I wasn't really doubting my writing abilities per say (I know you guys will tell me if I write a sucky part
) but more of the picture I painted with the words. Apparently the phone sex went over well...Thanks Tasyfa for the FB..It means a lot! What's life without a little fun...
Mar- I went out with my friend last night and over ice cream
we were discussing some ideas when your alka seltzer thing came up...Tasyfa is right, it tastes like crap...Then my friend suggested pop rocks,,,needless to say we went on a search for them and found some watermelon ones...If it works, I'll let you know 
...Also did you know that they have glow in the dark massage oil??? Hmmmm, lots of fun!!!OK, enough with the babble, on with the story...
Part 31
The big night finally arrived. The weather was cool but clear. Kyle and the others stayed close to the door the first hour so that he and Isabel could properly greet their guests. It seemed to Kyle that more people than ever had shown up but then again, Isabel did plan this and invited several people she knew also. There were friends, business associates, clients and employees in attendance. Kyle was glad that Isabel had not insisted this to be a formal affair. His suit was much more comfortable than his tux.
The women as usual were beautiful as they wore elegant semi-formal dresses. Maria wore one in green that brought out her eyes with her hair swept up. Liz wore a blue dress that fit snuggly to every curve she had, her hair worn down so that it flowed down her back. Isabel wore a red strapless dress that accented all the right parts of her body. Her hair was swept up with whisps of hair framing her face.
Kyle could not help but find her in the crowd every chance he could. It warmed his heart knowing that after tonight, she would finally wear his ring and soon be his wife.
“Kyle.” A male voice said, bringing him out of his thoughts and his eyes away from Isabel. He turned and found Mr. Duane Dupree next to him. Kyle smiled at his guest.
“Duane. I’m sorry I was unable to make it to your Black and White this year but I heard that it was wonderful.”
The older man smiled at Kyle. “That’s alright. I believe Mr. Evans and Mrs. Guerin really brightened the party in your absence.”
Kyle chuckled. He remembered what Max had told him about Duane’s attention to Maria. “I believe you are right. They were the talk of the town for weeks.”
“You have some pretty amazing friends Kyle. They are very loyal to you and I think they’ve lifted you up higher.”
Kyle did not really know how to react to the older man’s compliment. He was speechless.
“So tell me. How did you manage to gather such a faithful following? It’s hard to do in the lives we live.”
Kyle shrugged. He knew that Duane meant that people are always friends when there is money around but gone when it’s not. Having money often brought on the problem of who your real friends were. He knew that his lovers were not like that at all. But he often wondered himself how he’d gotten so lucky to find five people like that. “Let’s just say that I have a wonderful, loving woman and the rest just fell into my lap.”
Duane chuckled and patted Kyle’s back. “Don’t let them get away. They are rare ones.” He said before taking his leave of Kyle to mingle.
“Don’t worry about that.” Kyle said quietly watching the man’s back. “They aren’t going anywhere anytime soon.”
^^^^^^^^
Max was off in a corner, quietly observing the party while the others were roaming the downstairs rooms mingling with the guests. So far the night was a success. Though Kyle and Isabel were the official hosts, word had spread that he and Liz lived there with Kyle so many of the people he knew had complimented him on the turn out. Modesty only allowed Max to nod and give the credit to Isabel and Kyle.
“This is a big change since the last time I saw you in this house Max. I believe you were a nervous wreck last year.”
Max turned and saw that Philip had come to stand next to him. Max smiled at his friend. “Yes. A lot has changed in a year.”
“You’ve done well and made some great friends just like I knew you would. Are you sure about turning down the partnership that was offered?”
Max’s eyes scanned the room and found Liz who was talking to Brody. “I’m positive. If they’d have asked me two years ago, I’d have jumped at the chance but now…”
Philip followed the line of Max’s sight and saw Liz. Philip patted Max on the shoulder. “You’re a smart man, Max. Choosing love and happiness over money. Just always remember that.”
Max nodded as Philip walked off smiling.
A Little Later…
“Thanks Raul. As soon as this place is cleared out, we’ll be ready to leave.”
Max closed his phone and took a deep breath. He’d taken a walk out to the garden to get some fresh air and to make sure that everything he needed tonight was in place.
“I see you have big plans tonight Mr. Evans. Care to share?”
Max stiffened at the sound of the high female voice. He turned and found himself looking down at the small blonde.
“Ms. Harding. What can I do for you?” his voice flat, without emotion.
Tess smiled. “Mmmm. There’s a lot you can do to me just as there’s a lot of pleasurable things I can do to you.” She cooed as she stepped up to him and ran her hands under his suit jacket, getting a feel of his chest.
Max grabbed her wrists and stepped back from her but she stepped forward again.
“Don’t you want to see how much fun I can be Max?” Tess stood on her tiptoes and leaned forward, placing her lips to his.
Max immediately pushed away as if he’d been burned. “Ms. Harding. Do not ever touch me again. I have absolutely no interest in your ‘fun’.” He said through gritted teeth trying to control his anger and disgust.
Tess’s eyes narrowed and turned to ice. She jerked her hands free from his grip. “How can you say no to this?” she asked indicating her well-proportioned body. “And yes to that…that mousy Liz Parker?” Tess did not take rejection well, especially since it rarely happened.
“Liz has more love and kindness in her hand than you could ever hope to possess Ms. Harding.” Max said harshly. His Liz was not mousy.
“Unless you want to be escorted off the property Tess, I would suggest that you go back inside and cover the party like you’re assigned to do.” Michael said stepping out of the shadows. “Your boss assured me that you would not cause trouble tonight. I’d hate to see what would happen if he got wind that you were causing a disturbance at one of the biggest functions of the year.”
Tess glared at Michael then turned to Max with a ‘how dare you’ look then stomped ff to the house. Michael and Max exchanged looks then Max pushed in a number on his phone.
“Scott. Meet Michael and I in the garage in five minutes.” He hung up the phone and looked at his watch. “Come on Michael. We don’t have much time to take care of this before Kyle and Isabel make their announcement. Isabel will kill us if we’re not there.”
“She’ll do things worse than killing us.” Michael scoffed.
^^^^^^^^^^
Kyle had everyone gather in the large ballroom as he stood on the stage the band was using. Isabel stood next to him while Michael, Liz, Max and Maria stood off the stage to the right.
“Ladies and gentlemen. First I’d like to say thank you for coming tonight. I hope you all have enjoyed yourself. Tonight, there was a reason behind this Social.” Kyle looked out at the crowd and saw that the waiters had just about finished passing out the champagne. “By my side is a beautiful woman, who most of you know. She has brought me nothing but joy and happiness since I first met her. She has been by my side through the good times and bad. She’s seen me at my best and my worst. She is the sunshine in everyday that I wake. Tonight, I would like to announce to all our friends and those we consider family, my engagement to Isabel Ramirez.”
Kyle pulled out her ring and placed it on her finger where he knew it would now stay. Applause broke out in the room, along with a few hoots and ‘it’s about time’. Flashes went off from the area that the press had designated for them.
That was Max’s cue. He walked up on the stage and stepped between Isabel and Kyle. He raised his glass and waited for the room to quiet down.
“A toast.” He said. “To my good friend Kyle and the dear and lovely Isabel. May your love and marriage last an eternity.”
Everyone in the room raised their glasses and drank.
^^^^^^^^^^
After the announcement, while everyone was busy congratulating the happy couple Tess snuck up the stairs. After a quick look around on the second floor, she went to the third. The first door she came to was locked. She wondered if she should try to open it but decided to try the other doors first.
The next door opened to a large bedroom. From the pictures scattered around, she figured it to belong to Michael and Maria. The next room was larger and held one of the largest beds she’d ever seen. She saw that it was Liz and Max’s room. Tess could imagine the things that the couple did on that bed but then replaced Liz in her images with herself. Moving on, the last room was the largest room having an office area and knew right away that it was Kyle and Isabel’s. That room also had a large bed that amazed Tess. From the three rooms she found nothing of interest to her.
Standing in the office, Tess’s mind wandered back to the locked door. ‘What are you hiding?’ she thought. She still felt bitter about Max’s rejection earlier that night and wanted desperately to find some dirt on the six to print. Tess went back out to the hall and down to the locked door. She dug in her purse and pulled out her picks. She never left home without them. She inserted them into the lock. Her attention was so engrossed on her task that she did not hear someone approach from behind and stun her with a taser. Tess felt the electricity shoot through her body then fell into darkness.
TBC...
Next: The engagement gifts and Tess's punishment
...I hope everyone has a wonderful long weekend...
and I'm very glad that you have enjoyed this fic...
Working on the next part!