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“You’ll ruin the reveal. Sit.” He points at the sofa he fainted onto earlier. He sends one of the ladies with me to help do the corset back.
The satin is smooth and cool, and the lace and tulle are buttery soft. Once the corset is laced up, she pulls a full-length mirror out for me to see.
“Holy shit.” I give a couple of twirls to each side, looking at the back of the dress over my shoulder. It’s a little long, but otherwise fits perfectly. I gather the extra length in my hand and walk, barefoot, out to the main room.
Sean was in conversation with Michael when I walked out. He stops mid-sentence and scoots Michael aside with a hand. He stands in front of me, gazing down with his deep blue eyes burning.
“You’re beautiful, baby.”
“So it’s a yes?”
“Fuck, yes, it is,” he growls, then pulls me in for a deep kiss.
Michael asks about my shoe size and has me try on a few pairs before announcing that he will have someone bring over a couple of pairs that match when the dress is delivered. I give him my bra size so he can get a strapless bra for me as well. Michael kisses me on both cheeks before shooing us out the door.
The SUV is waiting for us. Declan has materialized behind me. Sean escorts me back into the car and asks for my address. I provide it to him.
“Over Mrs. Morelli’s restaurant?” He looks surprised.
“Yeah, not many people know there is an apartment up there. It’s kinda fantastic actually.”
Declan chuckles from the front seat.What the hell?Given that I just met the man, I refrain from asking what the fuck his problem is.
We make good time to the apartment, and I direct them to the little alley where my entrance is. Patrick pops out and inspects it before calling Declan to tell him it’s ‘clear.’ I’m not entirely sure what they were expecting, though I suppose crowded alleys are probably a little more stressful for those of us accustomed to being shot at. They do a nifty repeat of driver swapping, though this time Patrick and Declan stay with us all the way up to my apartment.
“Tasha, put some clothes on, we have company!” I shout as I open the door. Tasha darts out of her bedroom, runs to me, and envelops me in a bear hug that almost knocks me off my feet.
“Christ, Rocky, I’ve been so worried. I even went to that night club a couple weeks ago but didn’t see you and I couldn’t exactly ask about you by name. Are you ok? Is everything ok?” She starts patting me down like a nervous mother before realizing that there is a blue-eyed giant in a designer suit standing behind me. I watch her hackles raise up.
“Who the fuck are you?”
I gasp. I’ve never heard Tasha curse. I’ve also never seen her adopt the aggressive, hands on her hips stance she has right now.
“Tasha, this is Sean O’Connell. Sean, Tasha, my best friend.”
Sean smiles at her and shakes her hand. “I’ve heard great things about you. I’m really glad to meet you.”
Tasha looks a little dumbfounded.
“So, anyway, I’m just popping in to get my laptop and some of my things. I’m, well, I’m sorta, I’m staying with Sean for a while.”
Tasha looks from me to Sean and back again. She holds up a finger in his direction. “Please hold, Rocky can’t come to the phone right now.” She snatches my wrist and drags me into her bedroom.
“Jesus Christ, Rocky, do you know who that is?”
I start to tell her, but she doesn’t stop for a breath. “He’s the head of the fucking Irish mob. And you’re living with him? How? Why? Does he know about,” she whispers directly in my ear, “the project you’re working on?”
“Breathe, Tasha. I know who he is, I’m staying with him for the time being, he knows everything, and I meaneverything.” I blush, which Tasha doesn’t miss, if her raised eyebrow is any indication. “I don’t know how long I’ll be there. I will explain more, but it can’t be here, ok? I’ll text you and we’ll set something up for you to come over?”
She looks unconvinced, but less hysterical. “Ok. But you’re sure you’re ok? Like blink twice if you’ve been kidnapped.”
I laugh, which does nothing to calm Tasha down. “I’m fine, Tasha. Better than fine actually.” This time I can feel my cheeks turning red.
Tasha whistles.
I grab my cellphone, tablet and laptop, and assorted chargers and accessories, plus my headphones for the gym. From the bathroom I grab the tampon that I actually hide my memory cards in. I shove it all in a big purse. Tasha questions my lack of personal items.
“Yeah, um, Sean kinda went shopping for me. He ordered me a whole bunch of stuff.” This placates her for now. We hug and Sean escorts me downstairs, with Patrick in front and Declan following.
