by Hannah Ford
Heat climbed into my cheeks and I turned to look out the window. How many others had Isabella taken shopping? Get a grip Skylar, does it really matter? In two days I would be paid and I could put more distance between me and Maine. This was a way for me to ensure my own safety. If Madden wanted to play Pretty Woman, then why the hell not. It wasn’t like I’d ever have this chance again.
“Champagne?” Isabella asked. She held out a fluted glass filled with tiny bubbles.
After only a second's hesitation, I took the glass.
“Cheers.”
* * *
About two hours and many sips of champagne later, I was almost a new woman with a new wardrobe.
“I think that’s the one,” Isabella said and Katya, the owner of the boutique, nodded in agreement.
I had tried on five dresses and it had become clear very quickly that my opinion didn’t really matter. The two women conferred over every detail, from the hem line to the bodice cut and dismissed every one.
Though to give them credit, the dress they were now agreeing on was amazing. It was as if the dress had been made just for me. The neckline plunged down to reveal the inner edges of my breasts and tapered in at the waist. The material had been gathered and sewn into pleats that ran diagonally along my ribs and then fell in cascading waves to the floor. The green was a soft mint that changed the color in my eyes. They were softer. Brighter. The shoes that Katya brought me fit like Cinderella’s glass slippers. They were the same shade of green with straps criss crossing over the top of my foot and they fastened around my ankles. Unlike Isabella's five inch heels, these were a more practical three.
Isabella stepped behind me and gathered my hair up and away from my neck. “Definitely up. We need a delicate necklace, something that doesn't take away from the dress.”
Katya was gone and back in a flash and she fastened a necklace around my neck. It was as simple silver chain with a teardrop shaped diamond pendant.
I stared at my reflection. I was dressed for a walk on the red carpet, not dinner at a resort.
“This is too much,” I argued.
Neither woman acknowledged that I had spoken.
“This and the necklace then. I think that the cream colored one will work for tomorrow evening, so that and the shoes we picked out. You can change back into your clothes now, Ms Kinsey.” Isabella ticked off items from the list she had on her phone as I walked back to the dressing room. Katya’s assistant was waiting to help me undress. By the time I had my own clothes back on, the pile of boxes and garment bags waiting had grown enough to clothe a small army.
“I don’t need all that.” Two dresses were fine, but whatever was in the other boxes? I was only there for two days. That had to be enough stuff for a week.
“Have these delivered right away please.” Isabella looked at her phone. “We need to run. Are you ready?” For the first time in two hours, she waited for me to reply.
I was about to say yes when I remembered something. Katya was still standing there so I looked at her. “I would like something in black lace.” Heat climbed into my face.
Black lace drives me fucking insane.
“A nightgown maybe?” I asked, my chest tight.
“Ah. Yes, I have the perfect thing.” She clapped her hands and her assistant disappeared into the back, only to return holding a slip of a nightgown. At first look, it seemed to be almost demure. But then the assistant held it up. The entire thing was sheer except for a faint pattern of lace shining through. Absolutely nothing would be left to the imagination.
“It’s perfect,” I said. If Madden wanted to play games, then he was going to get a taste of his own medicine. I wanted him to ache this time.
“Thank you Katya. A pleasure as always.” Isabella ushered me out the door and back into the car. She didn’t even have to tell the driver where to go. A few minutes later he turned down a tree lined driveway and glided to a stop in front of an enormous house right out of the gothic south. Stone pillars as tall as the house graced the front of the two story building, showcasing an ornate wrought iron door that had to be ten feet high.
The air outside the car was thick with the perfume of exotic flowers. Isabella walked with me to the door and a man dressed entirely in white opened the door.
“This is where I leave you,” Isabella said. “They know what you need and I’ll be back in two hours to take you back to the resort to get dressed for dinner. Have fun!”
“This way, Ms Kinsey,” the man said.
I glanced back at the car which had already pulled away before stepping inside. White marble gleamed everywhere in the foyer. There were no signs, no reception desk, and as far as I could tell, no other people.
The man stopped in front of a nondescript door and opened it, then stepped back to let me in. Soft music filled the relaxing space and a waterfall gurgled in the corner.
“Welcome,” a soothing voice crooned. “If you would disrobe in the adjoining room and put on the robe, we can get started.”
I spent three hours at the spa, getting massaged and painted and waxed in places I never wanted a stranger near again. I tugged the luxurious robe around me tighter. The final stop was the salon, where a man with enough flair to star on Broadway tamed my hair into the most elaborate updo I had ever seen. Only after he declared me a triumph did a woman move in to do my makeup.
When Isabella came through the door she stopped and stared. “Wow. Mr. Cross is going to lose his mind over you. You look beautiful Ms Kinsey.”
I glanced in the mirror. It was weird having a stranger looking back at you, because Isabella was right, the woman in the mirror was stunning.
“‘I’ve had your dress steamed and it’s waiting in the other room. I misjudged the time, so I will take you straight to the restaurant after you have changed.” A new assistant moved to my side and guided me to the correct room. The dress Isabella and Katya picked out hung on a hook on the far side of the room. Next to it on the chair were the shoes that matched. On the dresser was the necklace and matching earrings.
Before I underdressed I poked my head out the door. “Isabella?”
She stood up from a chaise and started toward me. “Yes?”
“There aren’t any...undergarments. Should I just wear what I have on?”
Her expression turned horrified. She shook her head and a smile danced over her lips. “With a dress like that, one typically does not wear anything under them. With material that sheer, anything you wear would be visible.”
“Oh.” I ducked back into the room and stared at the dress.
Commando. In public.
It really was the weekend for new experiences. I slipped the robe from my shoulders and took the dress from the hook. The material settled over me like a second skin and I reached back and zipped the short zipper just above my butt. I slipped on the shoes, hooked the necklace and pushed the earrings through my ears.
When I looked up at my reflection, the breath caught in my throat. Whoa. That person in the mirror…that was not me.
I had never looked so sexy before.
“Are you ready?” Isabella called through the door.
Not really, but I had nothing left to do. With a deep breath, I grabbed the small matching purse and opened the door.
Isabella gasped. She lifted her phone and snapped a quick picture. “I have to let Katya see how stunning you are. She will be ecstatic.” We walked through the lobby once again, and it was empty. The employees there were like ghosts, appearing and disappearing as needed. So strange.
I slid into the town car much more gracefully that I had before and sat as still as possible, so not to wrinkle my dress unnecessarily. Isabella typed on her phone most of the short drive back to the resort.
“This is where I leave you. I hope that everything met to your satisfaction today, Ms Kinsey and I look forward to seeing you again.” She held out her hand and this time when we shook, my hands were as pretty as hers.
“Thank you, Isabella. This w
as a day worthy of a queen.”
She giggled then climbed back into the car. She waved as it pulled way.
I took a deep breath and went into the lobby.
Madden was supposed to meet me there at six. It was five minutes till. I clutched the small purse that matched the dress and looked around. Several interested glances slid my way. I hated being the center of attention, but this dress demanded that people look at me. I should have insisted on the high necked blue one.
The air in the room shifted at the same time I felt an awareness crawl up my spine. Madden was there. I turned slowly until I saw him several steps behind me. His gaze moved leisurely over my exposed skin, hesitating at the valley between my breasts where the diamond pendant sparkled.
“You look ravishing. Good enough to eat.” His gaze dipped down once more before he took a step forward and held out his arm. I linked mine with his and he pulled me tight to his side. “Every single man in this room wishes he were me right now,” he said close to my ear. “But you’re all mine tonight.”
I looked up and caught his stare. His eyes were dark with possessive desire and I reacted instantly. My skin warmed. Air stuttered in my chest. A sound escaped, part whimper, part moan and his gaze turned stormy. Wild.
“If you keep looking at me like that, Skylar, I’m going to end up bending you over that chair and giving everyone a show.”
His voice was all but a growl and it made me feel reckless. This exquisitely dressed woman was not me, which meant I could play a part tonight. I wanted to have this powerful man begging by the end of the evening.
I leaned in close and he tilted his head down. “Then everyone in this room would see I’m not wearing anything under this dress.
“Fuck,” he muttered darkly. “Room service sounds like a much better plan now.”
This was exactly what I wanted, to give him a little taste of his own torment. “I think I’d like to eat in the restaurant. If you don’t mind of course.”
His jaw clenched tight. He narrowed his eyes at me, but reached out to run a gentle finger down my neck. One touch and I was already melting. “Are you sure?” he asked.
I wasn’t sure of anything at all except that I never wanted him to stop touching me. Triumph shone from his eyes and he moved his hand away. “Shall we go eat then?”
Damn him and his table turning wiles. I had no choice but to walk along side him now, every brush of silk like a dozen fingers caressing my skin with each step. We were seated at a secluded table overlooking the water and Madden ran his fingers down over my shoulders as he helped me to sit.
“The view is stunning,” I said, looking out over the water.
“I agree.” The timbre of his voice pulled my gaze back and I found him staring across the table at me. “Did you enjoy your day?”
I took a sip of water from a crystal goblet to wet my throat. “It was...surreal. I felt like Cinderella getting ready for the ball. Thank you.” I should care more that he was doing all these things for me, but the truth was I was being compensated for my time with him. There was nothing left to morally object to, not that I would. I wanted to be there with him.
Pleasure danced over his face and he smiled.
“Did your day go well?” I asked.
“Very well. We are ahead of schedule which always makes me happy. Maybe tomorrow I can show you around the entire resort. There are over twenty acres, though most are undeveloped. It creates the illusion of privacy and seclusion, which is what draws people here.”
Remembering the view from our room I had to agree. It felt like everything was ours alone.
The waiter set down a plate in front of each of us. One enormous shrimp was curled over the edge of a delicate glass and the bottom was filled with red sauce. Next to it were two spring rolls, one resting against the other, and finally, what looked like the end of a cucumber, carved out and filled with a creamy white sauce that had been sprinkled with tiny red and green petals. It seemed a shame to eat something so pretty, but after the first bite, I couldn't stop if I wanted to. Flavors melded on my tongue and I closed my eyes. Holy god was it good.
When I opened them again, Madden was staring at my lips. I darted my tongue out to make sure there wasn’t any white sauce that I’d missed.
He reached across the table and ran his thumb over the corner of my mouth.
The urge to run my tongue over the tip, to suck his thumb into my mouth, twisted my stomach into knots.
The waiter arrived to clear our plates, giving me time to catch my breath.
Outside our little alcove, the restaurant was packed. The bar was to the left of us and several people stood waiting for their drinks. My gaze snagged on one figure, standing alone at the end. He had on jeans and a button down shirt and his ball-cap was pulled down low over his eyes, but I could feel his eyes on me.
My lungs seized and I couldn't take a breath in.
Jacob was there. It wasn’t possible. My hands shook so badly that I knocked over my water. Chills washed over me and I wrapped my arms around myself. The man had not moved. He just stood there, staring at me.
“Skylar, what’s wrong?” Madden asked.
I tried to speak but my voice was frozen. How had Jacob found me here? The sickly taste of bile coated the back of my throat. Too soon. I needed more time to disappear. I pushed away from the table so fast that my chair tipped over.
The floor under my feet tilted and I started to fall. Strong arms swept me up, cradling me like a child. I buried my face in Madden’s neck. His familiar scent enveloped me, helped to control the panic building inside.
I glanced back into the dining room, towards the man with the ball-cap pulled down low. He moved away from the bar to a table full of people, and when he tipped his head back, I saw that it wasn’t Jacob after all.
Tears of relief burned in my eyes. “Can you take me back to the room please?’ I whispered.
“Do you need a doctor?” Madden asked. His long strides ate up the distance between the dining room and the elevator. Curious glances shot our way but he ignored every single one.
“No, I just need…” What did I need? I let my head fall back and I stared up at Madden. I wanted to not feel scared. I wanted to feel pleasure to take away the sharp taste of fear. That’s what I needed. The elevator dinged and he stepped inside. We were the only ones there.
I closed my eyes and breathed in.
“I need you.” I pressed my lips to the column of his neck and his arms tightened around me. The stubble along his jaw scraped across my lips and I shifted so that my arms wound around his neck and I could reach his mouth. One tentative kiss was all I dared. I glanced up and found him staring down at me.
He slid my legs down until I could stand on my own, then he turned and crowded me into the corner. He was bigger and stronger, but he didn’t scare me.
It was just the opposite, in fact. Excitement danced up my spine. This was what I wanted to focus on.
“I don’t know what spooked you back there,” he said. “But if we’re doing this, I want you to be one hundred percent present with me. I will demand everything from you tonight, Skylar, and you need to understand that. Inside that bedroom, you are mine. Your body is mine. Are you ready for that?”
I wrapped my fingers around his wrists and dragged his hands down over my chest. When they covered my breasts, I let them go and dropped my arms. “Tonight, I am yours, Madden.”
A low growl came from his lips and he leaned in close.
Ding.
The elevator slid open but he didn't move. His hands were still cupping my breasts and he was close enough that I felt the bulge through his dress pants. What was he waiting for? “There’s something I have to check first. Something that has been making me crazy since the lobby.” He slid one hand down over my hip, then my thigh, until he found the slit in my dress and I felt his touch on my bare skin. Then ever so slowly, he moved up and under the material.
I jolted when he slipped his hand to my inner thigh
. I dug my fingernails into his shoulders when he ran one finger between my legs.
“Fuck,” he hissed. “So wet already, Skylar?”
There was no barrier at all between his touch and my skin. I rocked my hips, pushing myself along his finger. Shocks shot through my body. It wouldn't take much more to spin me over the edge.
“So close aren’t you?” His dark eyes glittered with desire and he swiped his finger over my clit twice. My back arched. Just one more touch. I could feel myself hovering right there, every nerve ending stretched to the limit, ready to let go. My legs trembled. Air staggered in and out of my lungs.
He squeezed my breast and ran his thumb over my nipple through the fabric. It only tightened the bow further.
“Please,” I moaned. Too many hours of teasing had brought me to this point. I needed release.
“Not until I say you can,” he nipped the skin on my shoulder and pulled his hand free. My dress fell back into place and I stared blankly at him, unable to form a thought.
He took my hand and tugged me out of the elevator. My legs were wobbly and I stumbled behind him. The highs and lows were killing me. I wanted to scream in frustration.
As soon as we were in the room, he let go and started pulling at his tie.
“Is this a game? See how many times you can get me right to the edge before I crack?” I kicked off my shoes and yanked the pins out of my hair. Madden pulled the tie free and tossed it on a chair. His gaze never strayed from mine. His suit jacket followed. Every movement was controlled, precise. He undid the buttons on his cuffs then loosened the first four before reaching behind and pulling his dress shirt up over his head.
I paused with one earring in my fingers.
Last night I had only seen him from behind. That view was impressive but nothing compared to what I saw right now. His chest was broad and hard with ridges running down over his abdomen like a ladder. Fine hair sprinkled over his lower abs and a trail of it disappeared beneath his dress pants. Every move he made cause a ripple effect that had me mesmerized.