Part 8 (2/2)
She gave me a little squeeze and waved goodbye, disappearing through the doorway with Heath.
Blake came up to me as a tear fell down my cheek. d.a.m.n it. I would miss that girl. He wiped it away and pulled me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around his waist, thankful that at least I'd never have to say goodbye to Blake any time soon. I couldn't and didn't want to imagine it, ever.
”Are you sure it's going to fit?”
I waited impatiently as Marie unzipped the garment bag and peeled away the enclosing plastic from the dry cleaners.
”I think so. I had the top taken out a bit.”
I laughed a little as I held a modest arm around my b.r.e.a.s.t.s, which had always seemed a little too full for my pet.i.te frame. I stood in my bedroom in my underwear as Marie unveiled the dress. The floor-length gown was a rough black silk with a pattern of faded teal velvet embellishments.
I stepped into the dress and Marie zipped me up. The sweetheart top tightened around my chest comfortably. Grateful I wasn't busting out, I shuffled over to the mirror to see how the rest of the dress fit. The mermaid cut gown hugged my waist and hips perfectly, and the large swaths of the vintage fabric flowed out at my knees.
Marie stepped beside me, almost a head taller and looking as vibrant and gorgeous as ever. She'd been my mother's best friend, but over time she'd truly become one of mine as well. Sometimes she was the mother I needed, other times just a friend I could talk to about things I couldn't imagine talking to my mother about. Times like these though, she looked at me the way my mother would have. Her eyes clouded a bit as we admired the beautiful gown together.
”Sometimes I forget how much you look like her.”
I smiled and swallowed back tears. Now that I knew my father, I could appreciate a little more how closely my features favored my late mother's. We shared the same blond locks and fair skin, but my father's eyes stared back at me.
I tensed suddenly at the thought of seeing him tonight. Nothing about that relations.h.i.+p was simple.
”Well, she had incredible taste.”
Her eyebrows rose slightly. ”Actually, Daniel bought this for her. She wore it to our senior ball.”
”But she left it with you.”
”She left a few things, out of convenience I suppose. Told me to donate them. But this was too beautiful not to keep. I'm so glad I did. Look at you.” She slid her hands down my upper arms and gave them a little squeeze.
”It's perfect.” I ran my hands over the fabric, loving the mix of soft and rough textures, from the velvet to the silk. The dress fit me so well. Somehow my mother had managed to give me a truly beautiful gift without even knowing it.
Before I could get emotional again, the door buzzed in the kitchen. I shuffled out of the bedroom to answer it. A few seconds later I let in the courier. He was holding a pink box with a black sheer bow. His eyebrows rose as he examined my too-formal-for-midday outfit.
”Sorry, wardrobe change,” I joked nervously.
”No apologies needed.” He gave me an obvious once-over before fis.h.i.+ng a piece of paper out of his pocket. ”Um, I just need you to sign for this.”
I scribbled my signature and took the box. I shut the door behind him and set the box on the table, eager to open it. I retrieved the tiny card tied to the bow and read it.
Erica, Spoil me and wear this tonight.
Love, B My heart sank a little. s.h.i.+t, what if he'd bought me a dress? I couldn't part with this gown. The gala was still hours away but I already didn't want to take it off.
Reluctantly, I tugged the edge of the bow and pushed away the layers of pink tissue paper until I reached a pile of delicately folded black lace garments. I took out a strapless bra with matching panties and lace topped silk stockings. The man had expensive taste, and lingerie was no exception.
Marie came up behind me and let out a whistle.
”Okay, that's my cue. My work here is done.”
Suddenly embarra.s.sed, I dropped the garments back into the box.
”You're officially my formal attire savior. Thank you so much, Marie.”
”Anytime, baby girl. I'm glad I could help. Please take pictures! Oh-actually on that note. I forgot to tell you that Richard will be there with a photographer who's covering the event. Maybe he'll give you a plug in his piece.”
”Awesome, I'll keep an eye out for him.”
”He's tall, dark, and unwilling to commit. You can't miss him.”
I laughed.
”Seriously though, he's seen photos of you all over my apartment, so I'm sure he'll introduce himself at some point.”
”Got it. I'll be on the lookout.”
She gave me a quick kiss and headed out, leaving me alone with nothing but the overwhelming antic.i.p.ation of the night to come.
I'd slipped on the lingerie that Blake had given me and did a little spin in front of the mirror, a.s.sessing myself. My hair was pinned up, and loose curls framed my face. I wore diamond studs that had been my mother's and matched the diamond bangles that Blake had given to me.
What a lucky girl I am, I thought, giddy with antic.i.p.ation. But trying to network with all this s.e.xual antic.i.p.ation was going to be interesting for sure.
Alli had taken off for New York already and Heath was now staying with Blake. Maybe that was a good thing. He'd mentioned props recently, and the thought of being subjected to his a.r.s.enal of dominating toys intimidated me a little. We could do enough with our bodies alone. Surely we didn't need help.
Just then, Blake's silhouette filled the doorway. My breath caught as I sized him up. The green in his eyes glowed against the stark black and white of his perfectly tailored tuxedo.
I watched his reflection as he walked slowly toward me, drinking me in from the back.
”You're early.”
He stopped behind me, catching my gaze in the mirror. ”I may have underestimated how tempting you would be in this little getup. Those panties do fantastic things for your a.s.s.”
”Serves you right,” I teased, taking a step back so I could feel the heat of his body, perilously close.
He sucked in a sharp breath through his teeth. He rested a hand at my hip and pulled me back so our bodies met.
”I couldn't wait to see you in it.”
”I missed you too.” I smiled and leaned in, rolling my hand back, relieved to have him with me again. My body relaxed into his. Any time away from each other really dragged. Could you sound more hopeless and dependent? I ignored the little voice, and at least for now, gave in to being completed in his presence.
My smile faded when he trailed his lips up my neck, took my diamond stud in his mouth, and bit my earlobe gently. I let a moan escape my lips and my body tensed in heated antic.i.p.ation. He roamed my curves. Sliding his palm over my belly, he moved south and slipped into my panties and over my mound. He stopped suddenly and his eyes widened.
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