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I was angry at the thought that my Steph had had to deal with that bullshit before when I wasn’t there to protect her. I was angry that at some time in her life, she’d heard those words, that there was no one there to shield her. I was angry because I couldn’t do shit to change people’s minds and perceptions.
Now that I knew where the anger stemmed from, it was actually easier to deal with. I made up my mind when I got home and hit the shower that since I couldn’t change other people’s thoughts, I was going to go out of my way to make sure she never felt that way with me. I’ll figure out what I have to do to make her feel like the beautiful girl she is whenever she’s with me and even when she’s not.
I’m hurt and angry because I know as brave as she pretends to be, I’ve seen the pain in her eyes from people’s callous disregard for her because she’s not stick thin. By the time I turned off the water, I’d made up my mind to break the face of the next asshole who hurt my woman’s feelings with that shit.
I’d planned to pick up dinner on the way to her place but changed my mind and decided to take her out to dinner instead. That required a phone call to tell her to get ready and for her to choose where she wanted to eat.
“I didn’t think of it before, but don’t you need to be at the club? I know it’s a Monday night, but from what I heard, your place is always packed.”
“That’s true, but I thought you might want a change.”
“No, it’s fine with me if we go there, that’s if you don’t mind. I happen to like the food there.”
“Okay, if that’s what you want, then that’s what we’ll do.” I hung up the phone and whistled as I put my watch on and grabbed my phone to head out the door. Something else I haven’t done in years. Even the feeling of lightness as I hopped down the stairs was new, and I had Steph to thank for that. I’ll be damned if I let anyone mess with what we’ve got.
STEPH
Why am I so nervous? It’s not like it’s the first time Mace has taken me out somewhere, but after his phone call, I don’t know why everything feels so different. I couldn’t quite put my finger on it, but there was something in his voice, some note that I hadn’t noticed before.
It sent shivers down my spine, and even now, when the call is over, I can still feel those tingles that made my toes curl. I tried shaking it off as I got ready, but there was no escaping it. Even Miss. Kitty seemed to be swimming in a sea of calm because she wasn’t nagging me half to death.
I rifled through my closet, discarding one outfit after the other and getting myself into a state with every second that passed. I knew what I was after. That look in his eyes when he saw me in that dress had become like a drug; I wanted to see it again and again because nothing had ever made me feel as good as I did at that moment.
I settled on a black empire-waisted dress with splashes of golden floral print and trumpet sleeves, and a square neck that fell to my ankles. The gold faux belt drew the eye to my cinched waist and pert breasts, which were getting tons of help from the bra that kept them contained.
I pulled my hair back in a low ponytail leaving a few tendrils to hang at my temples and used the makeup brush very lightly for a fresh, almost innocent look. Even I appreciated the reflection the mirror sent back when I stood in front of it. And the way Miss. Kitty hummed and sighed, I guess it meant that she, too, was pleased.
There was no excuse not to wear underwear this time since the dress flowed around my hips and didn’t cling like the last one, but before I could even think about opening that drawer, she came out of her stupor. “That bra is like to stifle you to death as it is. Something’s gotta breathe, I volunteer.”
She’s getting more vociferous these days and seems to have a vocabulary all her own. I know she only says the things I wish I could say out loud, but sometimes I wonder if she’s a whole other entity on her own. Whatever, I turned away from the drawer because time was running out, and I didn’t want to waste what little I had left fighting with her.
I chose oversized hanging hoop earrings ringed with diamonds and a simple beaded necklace to match to complete the look and grabbed my black and gold clutch just as I heard him downstairs. I barely had enough time to spritz myself one last time with my favorite scent before heading out of the room and to the stairs.
