Chapter Three: Fun Kat

Fun Kat

They were both breathing heavily from the dancing, and AJ suggested taking a step outside.

“Let’s get some air,” he said. “It’s hot in here.”

This room is not the only place that’s hot, Kat thought, as she followed AJ’s lead out of the ballroom and into the lobby of the hotel. They walked out the double doors and into the early evening air. The sky was slowly darkening as the early June sun finally dipped below the horizon.

“You know what?” AJ said after a moment. “Feel like going for a limo ride? It’s a beautiful evening and we could get the driver to take us for a quick loop somewhere. I’m sure there’s a park nearby.”

“That sounds great, but where are we going to get a limo?” Kat asked. “Unless you brought your own. I saw you driving that red car earlier, but maybe you switched cars. That would be a little tacky.”

AJ laughed. “No, I didn’t. I drove myself, thank you.”

“So, how are we going to get a limo to drive us around?” Kat motioned to the only limo parked in front of the hotel. “I don’t think Renee is going to let us borrow hers.”

“Who said anything about asking?” AJ grinned and winked at her again.

Boring Kat would have balked. Boring Kat would have felt guilty about even thinking of using her friend’s limo without permission. But she was Fun Kat tonight, and Fun Kat wasn’t about to turn down time she could spend with AJ.

“Okay,” she agreed. “Let’s do this. Let’s steal a limo.”

“Steal? You’re going to get me into trouble, lady,” AJ said, as he grabbed her hand and led her to the limousine. “I was just thinking we’d bribe the driver. It’s easier and there isn’t jail time involved.”

Kat laughed. “That is much easier,” she agreed. “I have twenty bucks on me. If you have some money, we can probably get a quick ride around the block.”

AJ grinned at her. “Oh, I have a little bit of cash.”

Kat was on cloud nine as they approached the limo. Fun Kat was going to take charge. She knocked assertively on the driver’s side window.

“Good afternoon, ma’am.” The driver rolled down his window. “Can I help you with something?”

“I believe so,” Kat replied, hoping that she sounded less afraid than she felt. She’d never done anything like this before. “We’d like to use this limo.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am, but it’s reserved for the wedding. I can give you the number for our company if you’d like to rent one out.”

“The bride is my friend,” Kat explained. “She won’t mind. She’s not coming out for a long time. She’s even staying in the hotel, so she doesn’t even need a limo.”

“I’m sorry, ma’am. I just go where I’m paid,” the driver apologized.

AJ held up a hundred dollar bill. “Perhaps we can just borrow you for a little while? If we are the ones paying?”

The driver smiled. “I think that can be arranged.” He jumped out of the car and ran around to the guest door. “If the bride calls, we’ll have to come right back.”

“Absolutely,” Kat agreed, sliding into the dark interior of the limo with AJ right behind her. The smell of fresh leather hit Kat in the face. The interior of the car was immaculate and beautiful, and AJ seemed to know exactly where everything was as he started pressing buttons. She had to wonder how many times he’d been in a limo to be that proficient at it.

“Where would you like to go?” the driver asked through the window.

“We just needed to get out for a bit,” AJ said. “Do you know of a park or somewhere we can visit? We were hoping for a change of scenery.”

“Of course, sir. There’s a park not five minutes from here. I’ll take you on a loop.”

The engine started and Kat grinned as they began to move forward. She hadn’t been in a limo since her high school prom and it was fabulous to be inside one again.

“You know, I have a limo just like this,” Kat joked, as she slid across the seat to make room for AJ. “I don’t take it out much, though. It gets horrible gas mileage, so I prefer to drive my Ferrari instead.”

“Oh yeah?” AJ asked, playing along. “I see you as more of a Bentley kind of girl.”

“No, no.” Kat shook her head and frowned. “Bentleys aren’t for me. I prefer to be as conspicuous as possible.”

Kat had managed to surprise herself with how she was acting. She was usually so calm and reserved and yet, it seemed that AJ brought out a truer side of herself that most people never saw. Something about him let that part of her personality shine. And it wasn’t just the tequila either. AJ allowed her to be her sassy self, and it seemed as though he almost encouraged it in some ways.

The two sat next to each other as the driver took them into a park with a large lake in the middle. They rode slowly through the double lane road that circled the lake, but neither of them took in the beautiful view. They were too enthralled with each other to care about what was outside.

“Are you going to dance with me again once we get back to the reception?” Kat asked, hoping that the answer would be yes. She wanted to be the only one he danced with tonight.

“No,” AJ stated, as he brought his beautiful blue eyes to hers. “I don’t want to dance any more.”

Kat felt defeated, but she shouldn’t have. AJ wasn’t finished.

“I want to spend more time with you. But just you. I’ve had enough of the party,” he said.

Kat’s eyes lightened and an uncontrollable smile crossed her face. “That’s kind of what I was hoping you’d say,” she responded.

AJ’s hand dropped to Kat’s bare knee, which was exposed just below the bottom of her dress. The night was quickly turning out even better than she had hoped or planned. It seemed she was going to get a real taste of Mr. Sexy-wink and he was going to have a chance with Fun Kat. It was a combination that could only end in pure bliss.