AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER 7
AINSLEY
My hands are trembling as I open the cedar wardrobe and pull out the evening dress I packed on a whim. It’s one of the ones I’d bought for a charity ball my ex-fiancé’s firm had bought tickets to, and it’s literally the most expensive item I’ve ever had on my body.
Made of cherry-red satin, it has tiny spaghetti straps that cross twice in the rear and tie at the very low back, while the low cowl neckline drapes gently across my breasts. It’s very fitted, and the slit goes up to mid-thigh.
I had had all kinds of romantic expectations for this dress, but the president of Cranmer & Flory had kept Jake and the other associates at his table, toasting with some very expensive scotch, until Jake was too tipsy to take me home. I’d been disappointed.
But now, the prospect of wearing this dress—this very sexy, over-the-top, killer dress—for Jordan has me tied up in knots.
What if he doesn’t like it?
What if he does?
He’s already dressed for the evening and looking delicious: auburn beard neatly trimmed, beautiful white shirt, elegant suit in a gray linen with a greenish tint that looks fabulous with his coloring, polished caramel-brown shoes. He smells like limes.
My jaw nearly dropped when he came out of the cabin onto the porch looking like that. Who knew Jordan would clean up so good?
Probably everyone except me. Some part of my brain has been hijacked for far too long by the memory of Jordan at fourteen, pudgy and too worried about body hair to even take his shirt off at the neighborhood swimming pool.
That guy is long gone, let me tell you.
“I’ll just—I’ll go get ready,” I stammered, jumping up from the wicker armchair on the porch.
“I’ll be here,” Jordan said calmly. “Take your time.”
Now freshly showered, I sit on the bed in my nude thong underwear, the only pair I have that won’t show through the dress, and put on my strappy silver shoes. I look at myself in the mirror.
It’s time for Jordan to see me with fresh eyes, too.
I slip the dress over my head, letting it slither to the floor over my body. It’s a sensual feeling, and I love that. I lace up the back of my dress and slip it on, making sure the cowlneck drapes prettily.
I even my complexion, do a quick smoky eye and a barely-there sheer red lip tint that makes me look like I just ate berries. I run the straightener over my hair so that it falls like silk over my shoulders. I spritz on my Black Tulip perfume, then pick up the delicate silver necklace that Jordan gave me for my 18th birthday. The pendant is a simple silver leaf, and I’ve always loved it.
While I’m struggling with the fastener, a gentle knock sounds at the door. “Come in,” I call.
Jordan opens the door, hand over his eyes. “It starts soon. Are you ready?”
“Almost. Can you fasten this necklace for me, please?”
“Sure.” He drops his hand, then stares at me. “Whoa.”
I’m instantly worried. “Too much?”
“You look—” His voice cracks. He licks his lips. “You look amazing, Ains.”
“Come here and fix this for me.”
He says nothing as he crosses the room and steps behind me to fasten the necklace, but I feel the heat of his body at my back. His fingers are cool on my heated neck, and I can hear him breathing.
My body is alive, tingling, every nerve straining for his touch. More of it. Lots more of it. Everywhere. I’m very aware of my nipples standing against the satin of my dress.
When he says he’s done in a voice that sounds deeper than normal, it’s all I can do not to simply turn around and take him into my arms. “Thank you.”
“Shall we, my lady?”
He offers me his arm to descend the wooden steps to the ground, and escorts me to the the main lodge. The ballroom is lit with fairy lights and candles and the live band is playing old crooner standards. It’s Romance with a capital R.
