“While you were planning my life, he texted. He said he’s hung up on a meeting.”
“Great. That will give the team time to make you even more beautiful.”
Eliza had to admit, albeit to herself, that it was a very good idea. They set up shop right there next to the pool, and Justin and his crew went to work. He was a flamboyant-looking man with a multi-colored ponytail reaching to his waist and as skinny as a rail. But he was talented and in high demand by celebrities. His fees were astronomical, but worth every penny.
People were known to say that when Justin was through with you, even a plain Jane could look like a movie star.
He tutted at her braids and had several women getting rid of them. Another person whipped the dress off her, and they all exclaimed over how huge her belly was, then went right to work, rubbing moisturizer all over her skin. She was not in the least bit shy about her nudity. She was an actress, used to stripping in front of a bunch of people, and the ones around her continued their conversations without blinking an eye.
The ladies made short work of getting rid of the braids, and by the time she was pummeled and massaged into near oblivion, her hair was ready to be shampooed.
Justin did the honors himself, exclaiming over how thick it was and how much it had grown. He applied his special treatment, wrapped it up with a warm towel, and went to work on her face.
“Your skin is glowing,” he remarked in admiration. “This new cream I came up with will only enhance what’s already there. You’re beautiful, Mon Cher. It’s in your bones, and that’s where real beauty lies. Even if you look like a dinosaur, you still radiate beauty. That cannot be taken away from you.
“Your skin is so soft and silky. I’m going to make certain that gorgeous man of yours notices the difference.” He gave her a speculative look as he rubbed in the cream. “I take it, even though you’re this huge, there’s still some activity going on in the bedroom?”
“That’s none of your damned business,” she told him mildly.
Instead of being offended, he laughed, pressing a kiss on her lips. “I take that as a yes. Well, he’s going to want to maul you tonight. I think we should shave your snatch.”
“You’re going to leave my snatch alone. If it needs shaving, my husband will see to it.”
He patted her cheek in approval. “That’s my girl. Well, it’s time to put on the finishing touch,” he announced in his grand way.
She had texted him to let him know that she was on the balcony attached to their bedroom. A glass of his favorite brandy was waiting for him and some refreshments. She had decided on grapes and cheese, an Italian brand she had picked up from the kitchen. Blair had invited himself to stay for dinner, and they had eaten the delicious meal by the pool.
She heard the ping on her phone indicating that he had disconnected the alarm. For some unknown reason, she was filled with nerves. Over the last two months, with everything going on, he had been so patient with her. She could appreciate the fact that for a man as busy as her husband, rushing from the studio or various locations to be with her whenever she was facing a crisis had to be terribly hard on him, and he hadn’t asked for this. She was the one who had insisted on going the IVF way, and now, with four babies nestled inside her uterus, there were the usual complications.
He never complained. She had half-jokingly told Blair that he put up with her passing gas and suffered through the unbelievable stench stoically. Because the babies were pressing down on her bladder, she peed frequently, and sometimes there was an after scent because she did it so often.
Tonight, she felt beautiful. The whisper-soft, almost transparent black robe was new. It hugged her breasts lovingly and was high around the waist to accommodate her swollen abdomen. But most of all, her hair was shining with health, the thick strands swinging whenever she turned her head. And her skin was glowing. Justin might be a pain, but he knew his stuff. The massage had loosened the tension in her back and her legs, and she felt better.
She had thanked Blair for his consideration and generosity.
Straightening as soon as the door opened, she turned toward the open glass doors and watched as he walked into the room.
“It’s supposed to rain. I don’t think…” His voice petered off abruptly when he caught sight of her, and all he could do was stop and stare.
“What do you think?” Lifting a hand, she slid it through her hair and shook the mass back vigorously. “Blair suggested I get a makeover, so Justin and the crew came to my rescue. A full-body massage and the works.”
He walked forward, silver eyes taking in the curve of her lips and the healthy glow of her beautiful skin. He had come home with the intention of just crashing because he was so tired. All of that simply disappeared. He was no longer exhausted.
“You never said anything.” He lifted a hand to brush against her cheek, feeling the satiny texture of her skin.
“I wanted to surprise you. Well?”
“Consider me surprised. You smell like… what’s that scent?”
“Something Justin experimented with. I think he called it crushed blueberries and pomegranates.”
“Hmm.” His hand wandered to the graceful curve of her neck. “You got rid of the braids. Good.”
She sent him an arched look. “You could have said you hated it.”
“And run the risk of offending my very pregnant wife? I don’t think so. Are you all right?”
“I am.”
