50 Sexcapades [Erotica Compilation] novel Chapter 19

"Would you excuse me for a moment, dear?" I hardly waited for a response from the young man before placing my glass into his empty palm and turning myself away from him.

I didn't yet know or understand the rules and etiquette of being amongst this type of crowd. Lucy reassured me I'd eventually get the hang of it by observing, but everything always looked easier than it truly was. I was worried of saying the wrong thing, speaking too loudly, arranging my hands and ankles the wrong way...there were small intricate details to remember that were hidden beneath the surface, like the fine stitching in a custom suit or lace detail on those hats the high ladies loved to wear.

What attracted me to the man I was currently walking towards was the evident lack of refinement he too demonstrated. The others...they were like perfectly groomed machines carefully following a rulebook for decorum.

But the two of us- we were basically renegades in a room full of paper dolls. And the way you were looking back at me confirmed that I wasn't the only one who thought so...

* * * * *

I was tempted to give my arm a pinch to ensure I was not imagining that this beautiful girl with the mesmerizing stare was actually walking towards me. She looked like an ethereal goddess in a deep green dress that brought out her delicate features and copper-red hair.

"I'll likely be reprimanded for approaching you first, but something tells me you're not a stickler for social etiquette and gender norms," the young lady said.

I was at a loss of words for a moment, not at all expecting that sentence to slip through those cherry coloured lips.

"Then you'd be correct in your analysis, miss. Richard Donovan," I finally replied- taking her hand in mine and pressing my lips to it. The gesture felt foreign to me but rather fitting, and I hoped it came off suaver than I envisioned.

"Isabella Parker," she said- blushing and looking down at where I had kissed her hand. A red curl brushed against her cheek when her head tilted down and I fought the urge to brush it back.

"What brings you here this evening, Richard Donovan?"

Her eyes showed genuine curiosity and I wanted nothing more than to pause time and capture that expression carefully, down to every last stunning detail.

"They talked me into coming," I said- pointing my thumb over at my friends and giving a small shrug. "I'm an impressionable guy."

Isabella looked over at them and then back to me, asking if we were athletes.

I shook my head no. "Soldiers. We're back from Europe just recently."

Isabella's face softened in understanding and I imagined she had noticed the glass eye and connected the dots already.

"I have no doubt it's been quite an adjustment coming back. You're heroes, you know."

My face twitched into a half-smile. "My comrades, they want to celebrate day in and out, but all I want is to figure out who I'm supposed to be in this life now" My confession to Isabella was heavy and probably off-putting, but it felt good coming out and the several drinks I'd consumed made my tongue looser than usual.