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Thalia shakes her head, her gaze slipping from Regina to me. In the last weeks we have all gotten to know one another better, becoming friends. She has spoken to me before, voicing her worries about the future.
Regina takes Thalia’s hand in hers. “Dom knows you better than anyone else. He has been part of your life for years, helping and supporting you.”
“What if I am too damaged?” Thalia whispers brokenly.
“What if you’re not?” I challenge. “What if all you need is love to help repair the damage done to you? Don’t you think it’s worth a try?”
“If it doesn’t work I’ll lose him.”
“If you don’t try, you’ll lose him eventually,” Regina replies as we pull up to a swanky new boutique.
“Let’s get through today,” I say with a smile. “Then we can sit down and work on a plan of action that you’re comfortable with.”
“Sorry for killing the mood,” Thalia says, looking guilty.
“You didn’t ruin anything,” I say, grabbing her hand and dragging her along. “Let’s find something pretty to wear and then find somewhere to grab a mimosa.”
Thalia laughs behind me, smiling once more. Regina follows behind with a slight smile of her own and Sonja takes up the back. I have grown fond of Thalia and only want the best for her and Dom.
It doesn’t take us long before we each have a selection of items to try on. Sonja surveys all of us with hawklike eyes but I can see she is bored out of her mind. I keep replaying Rafe’s words in my mind, my fantasies already running away with me.
Thalia and Regina quickly find what they like and I send them down the street to one of my favorite cafes. I know Regina hasn’t eaten yet and I don’t want her to wait longer than necessary. They take our driver with them for protection and Sonja waits for me. The dressing room is quiet as I undress once more to try on a different dress.
Standing in my underwear I stare at myself in the mirror, the dress hanging against the back wall. “Sonja,” I call out before losing my nerve. “Will you help me please?”
The curtain moves aside moments later, revealing me to her gaze. Sonja blatantly takes in my body, her gaze skimming every curve.
“Mrs. Gallo,” her voice is different than usual, lower. And her accent is more pronounced. “How can I be of assistance?”
“Hand me the red dress, please,” I gesture toward it.
It’s a deep-ruby color with a halter neck and a plunging neckline. The length will hit above my knees once I have it on. Sonja passes it to me without making eye contact. Slipping it over my head I allow the luxurious material to slip across my skin.
“Zip me up,” I command.
Sonja’s fingers caress along my spine, drawing the zipper up slowly. I can feel her gaze burning into my skin. I see her anger in our reflection of the large floor-to-ceiling mirror. It’s easy to forget about my scars until someone notices them.
“I won’t be able to wear a bra with this dress,” I mumble.
Sonja’s head snaps up and her gaze collides with mine in the mirror. Pulling my hair out of the way, I undo the clasp that holds the material around my neck, the material falling free and once more exposing my bra. I undo the clasp and my breasts fall free as the material falls to the floor. I don’t take my eyes off Sonja, assessing her every reaction. I’ve never tried to seduce a woman but I presume that it’s the same in principle as it would be with a man.
Her pupils dilate and she swallows before licking her lips. Slowly, I fix the dress in place before turning to face her.
“What do you think?” I ask.
“You are a very beautiful woman,” she replies. “And the dress only enhances that.”
“Thank you, Sonja,” I say.
She nods before high tailing it out of the dressing booth. I can’t help but smile as I change back into my own clothes.
****
Hours later I dance with my husband in the marquee tent he has set up on the back lawn. My face hurts from smiling so much. Rafe has been growling and glaring at any man that dares to let his gaze linger on me, and I am loving his possessiveness.
It isn’t an overly big party but he has invited some of the higher-ranking members of both our families and they have brought their wives. On a table in the corner stands a stack of perfectly wrapped presents I have absolutely no interest in. None of these people know me so they wouldn’t know what to get me.
“Have you decided what you want for your birthday?” Rafe asks with a smile after twirling me on the dance floor.
