Nervous, Mara raked a hand through her curls. Getting the full ogle from a sprite was a little disconcerting.
“It’s coming to me.” Piper stroked her dimpled chin. “Eureka,” she shrieked, giving her head a decisive bob. “Take everything else off.”
“The only things left are my undergarments.”
“Yeah, you won’t need ’em.”
“The hell I won’t.” The idea of walking around in public without them brought a flush of heat to Mara’s face.
“You’re such a prude. Fine, I’ll let you keep the panties, but the boob catcher’s gotta go. Won’t work otherwise.”
“It’s called a corselette.” Shaking her head at Piper’s crude yet inventive vocabulary, Mara reached for the hook between her breasts and popped it free. Sliding the straps from her shoulders, she tossed the garment to the floor.
Piper rubbed her hands together. “Here we go.” She flung her arms out and sparkling violet dust showered from her fingertips. Fluttering her wings, she flitted around Mara, plucking and weaving the dust as she went. “Hold out your arms.”
Mara obeyed, trying not to giggle when Piper’s wings tickled beneath her armpit.
Roughly thirty minutes later, Piper clapped her hands. “All done.”
“Really?” Running her fingers over the tissue-thin substance covering her, Mara walked to the tall looking glass angled in the far corner of the room. She gasped, gawking at the sight greeting her.
The dress was magnificent but at the same time absolutely…indecent.
Piper settled on her shoulder. “What do you think?”
“You can see my breasts!”
“What are you talking about? I patterned a curlicue design over them. They’re mostly covered.”
“Mostly being the operative word.” Mara resisted the urge to clamp her hands over the exposed buggers.
“You don’t like it.” Hurt laced Piper’s voice.
A blanket of guilt settled over Mara. It covered her more thoroughly than the violet dust dress. “No, I do. It’s the most amazing, beautiful creation I’ve ever seen.” Her words weren’t guilt-induced flattery. The dress was all those things and more. She just wished there was more of it.
Piper’s smile took up her entire face. Relieved her little ego had been restored, Mara reached for the knee-length hem of the dangerously snug dress and gave it a tug. It didn’t budge. Frowning, she gave another tug. Still nothing. “Okay, am I doing something wrong?”
“Nope. It can’t come off.”
Mara gaped at Piper’s reflection in the looking glass. “Ever?” Oh gods, she was doomed to spend eternity walking around in a dress that allowed everyone and their brother to see her curlicue-patterned breasts.
Piper snorted. “Don’t be silly.”
The breath trapped in Mara’s lungs escaped in a relieved gust.
“Just for tonight.”
“What?”
“I had to make it extra strong so it’d cling to you, which used up most of my dust.” Piper shrugged. “You’re stuck with it.”
Mara’s mouth went dry as wild palpitations kicked up her heart rate. She wore a dress that left her close to naked—one she couldn’t take off or cover up with her everyday clothes.
There was just one adequate response she could think of for the situation facing her. “Oh shit.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
“You know, I’m strangely attracted to you right now.”
Dash glared at Jerrick before whipping the blonde wig from his head. “Doesn’t surprise me. You always were a little on the queer side.”
Jerrick settled back and tapped his fingers on the couch cushion’s braided top seam. “Admit it. Leo’s disguise is damn brilliant. Hell, I couldn’t have come up with anything better. And it beats that stupid hat you’ve been wearing.”
“Cut me some slack.” Dash ran his hands over his scalp, combing his hair in place. “I didn’t exactly have much time or the proper resources to do my usual bang-up job in the disguise department.”
They fell into a companionable silence for several minutes, until Jerrick finally cleared his throat. “I’ve been thinking.”
“Always a dangerous activity where you’re concerned.” Grunting, Dash stacked one platform boot on the shin-high, triangular table sitting in front of his overstuffed chair.
“Maybe it’s not such a good idea if you’re there when Mara lures Baggins.” Jerrick’s expression turned cautious. “Before you go ballistic, hear me out. You hate the idea of Mara’s involvement in the heist, and her being anywhere near Baggins.”
“Because I don’t want her in any danger,” Dash snarled. Why couldn’t his brother understand that?
“I know. None of us are disputing your right to feel that way. But you’re also a danger to Mara.”
Anger surged inside Dash’s chest. Dropping his boots from the table, he prepared to physically knock some sense into his brother. “I would never hurt her.”
“Not directly. But you losing it at the first sight of Baggins standing a tad too close to Mara would bring down a shit storm of trouble. And she’d be stuck right in the middle—a sitting target.”
Dash opened his mouth, fully intending to refute the assessment, when a harsh breath hissed from Jerrick. He turned to see what the devil had elicited his brother’s rapt attention and nearly lost all the oxygen in his lungs.
Mara stood at the juncture of the hallway—wearing just about nothing. Her wary gaze locked with his.
“I considered riding the time out in the bedroom, but decided it would be cowardly. Besides, a crowded restaurant is on tonight’s agenda, right? Might as well get in all the practice I can.”
Good gods, she was out of her ever-loving head. “You aren’t leaving this house in that dress.” Growling, he leapt to his feet.
“I don’t have any choice. It won’t come off.”
He stalked towards her. “Don’t worry. I’ll bloody get it off you.” The clomp of Jerrick’s boots sounded behind him but he ignored it and continued advancing on Mara.
Her eyes grew huge and she stumbled back against the wall. Jerrick’s hand clamped around Dash’s shoulder and tried jerking him to a halt. He shrugged from his brother’s grip.
Jerrick muttered a curse. “You would make me do this.” His fist connected with Dash’s jaw, knocking him off balance.
Staggering, Dash shook off his disoriented haze and glared at his brother. “You want a piece of me? Fine, game on.”
“You stupid sonofabitch.” Jerrick’s expression matched his confrontational tone. “This is exactly what I was talking about. You’ll never be able to handle seeing her with Baggins.”
Dash bared his teeth. “Don’t tell me what I can and can’t handle.”
“Fine. Guess you need a demonstration.” His jaw tight, Jerrick brushed past Dash and sauntered to Mara. “Blondie, I’m doing this to save your life and his, so please humor me.”
Without further word, Jerrick’s hands slid into Mara’s hair, holding her steady. His mouth covered hers, muffling her surprised squeak.
Fury exploded in Dash’s head. His ears ringing, he closed the distance between Jerrick and himself with two long strides. He yanked Jerrick away from Mara and plowed a fist into his brother’s gut. Jerrick reciprocated with an uppercut to his jaw. At this rate, it’d be a miracle if the damn body part didn’t end up shattered. Growling, Dash grabbed Jerrick and slammed him against the wall. He wedged an arm across his brother’s jugular, pinning him in place.
“Stop it!”
Mara’s irate demand ripped through Dash’s rage. Her heels clicked on the wood floor and he slashed a look in her direction without releasing his hold on Jerrick.
Her blue irises glittered. “I thought the two of you settled this beating-each-other-to-a-pulp business back in Tul’dea.”
Lungs bellowing, Dash granted her a steely eyed stare. “He’s lucky if I don’t kill him.”
A wheeze came from Jerrick. “Could y
ou let up?”
Dash didn’t immediately honor the request.
“Do it.” Mara’s voice whipped around him, her tone clearly stating she’d take no more funny business. Reluctantly, he slid his arm free.
Jerrick rubbed his throat. “That does it. He’s not going anywhere near Zupello’s. In fact, he’s leaving.” Pointing a finger at Dash, he shoved away from the wall. “I don’t trust you to stay put here, so I’m packing you off to the hideout. I’ll nab the rune without you.”
His eyes slitted, Dash glanced around the main living area. “The army you intend to help carry out that demand must be hiding.”
“If I have to tie you to the damn passenger seat and take you there myself, I will.”
Dash ignored Jerrick’s threat and backtracked his gaze to Mara. Blood pounding in his eardrums, he stared at the violet swirls covering her breasts. Across the room, she’d appeared a glittering fantasy come to life. Up close, she was the death of his sanity.
“Look at her.” Jerrick’s harsh demand bulleted past Dash’s ear.
He responded to his brother’s request with an unintelligible grunt. Right now, an orgeel could lumber across the room and he wouldn’t notice.
“Now tell me what you’ll do if Baggins touches her.”
“I’ll rip the bastard’s heart out through his nose,” Dash said without hesitation. He smothered a growl. Great, he’d walked straight into his brother’s trap and didn’t have any hope of springing the lock. Pivoting, he stalked outside, slamming the door behind him with a thunderous bang. He stopped at the top of the porch steps. Leaning his hands against the support posts, he hung his head.
It was official—his sanity had migrated south for the winter.
The door made a whisking noise behind him seconds before he heard the rap tap of Mara’s high heels. Her hand fell hesitantly on his biceps. He couldn’t control his involuntary flinch. Hell, his utter lack of control lately seemed to be a recurring theme. If nothing else, he was consistent.
“If you’ve come out here to tell me to take Jerrick’s advice, save your breath.” He stared morosely at the roses flanking the porch. Their scarlet blooms shivered in the breeze, releasing a spicy-sweet essence. “Clearly I’m a menace to this operation. I’d only put you in danger.”
Her fingers stroked his arm through the gods-awful jumpsuit. “Not purposefully. But it’s a risk we can’t afford.”
The heaviness in his chest threatened to collapse his lungs. “I’m supposed to protect you.” It was the foremost thought in his head. Well, other than the delicious curves revealed beneath her glittery dress—a visual that seemed permanently branded in his visual cortex. “How can I do that if I’m thirty martroneters away at the hideout?”
“Jerrick will keep a close eye on me. And it’s not like I’ll be out of your sight for long. Before you know it, Baggins will be snoozing thanks to the sleeping potion, and I’ll be joining you at the hideout with the Rhyann rune in my hand.”
“That’s assuming everything goes well.” He looked down, taking in the bright glow of hope lighting Mara’s face.
“It will.”
He’d experienced enough botched heists to appreciate the necessity of a good backup plan. “If this mission looks even remotely like it’s heading in a bad direction, promise me you’ll call it off.”
She frowned. “But—”
“Promise me.”
Her mouth started to form another protest and he backed her against the post. She nodded with a squeak. “Sure, whatever you want.”
“Mm, I like the sound of that.” Though it’d only fuel his torture, he reached out and cupped her breasts. A soft gasp sprang from her lips.
The dress moved like liquid beneath his fingers, an almost nonexistent barrier from her skin. Lust curled low in his groin. “Later, after this is all finished, I’m keeping my word.”
A moan skipped from her while his hands continued their exploration over the slithering fabric. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, making his cock throb in painful agony. “Your word?”
He curled his lips in feral promise. “I’m getting this dress off you.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
For the hundredth time, Mara rechecked her coin purse for the vial of sleeping potion. Yep, still there. “Okay, enough stalling.” Dragging in a deep breath, she climbed out of Jerrick’s Air Racer. After crossing the courtyard, she sashayed through the front entrance of Zupello’s.
The older gentleman standing near the door turned his head at her approach. “Good evening, how many…?” His eyes bugged from their sockets while his voice trailed off.
“Just little ole me.” Mara waggled her fingers. “Think you can squeeze me in?”
The man seemed to experience some difficulty swallowing because he reached for the knot of his tie and loosened it. “Most definitely, m’lady. Right this way.”
She followed him inside the hubbub of the tropical-themed restaurant. Gradually, the noise level abated as conversation ceased at each table they passed.
Oh gods, they’re probably all staring at my boobs. Pasting on a confident smile, Mara settled into the bamboo-caned seat her escort pulled out for her.
“Would m’lady care for a cocktail?”
Several males at the surrounding tables bounded from their chairs, reaching frantically for their merca.
“No, just some water please.”
Dejected sighs filtered from the males before they sank back into their seats. The server hurried off for her beverage and Mara swept a discreet glance around the restaurant. She spotted Jerrick at the bar. He’d entered Zupello’s ten minutes ago, but it appeared he’d barely put a dent in the amber ale in front of him. Catching her eye, he deserted his stool and ambled past a series of tables. He stumbled into one of the diners and appeared to mumble an apology at the scowling man before striding towards the bathroom facilities.
Mara stared at the male Jerrick deliberately bumped into. Baggins. Her heart knocked increasingly faster.
The bounty hunter wasn’t hideous by any means, but he wouldn’t win any male-model awards either. A bulbous nose staked claim to the majority of his face. It looked sort of off kilter, like it’d seen one too many fists in its day. Thinning brown hair swept low over his wide brow, not quite obscuring the coldest, flattest gray eyes she’d ever seen.
Overall, he looked like the sort of individual who enjoyed committing murder. And lucky her, she got to seduce him.
Shivering, Mara stood and tucked her coin purse beneath her arm. She ignored the hot, interested stares of the males occupying the neighboring tables and strolled in the direction of Baggins’ table. Rather than approaching from behind, like Jerrick, she took the other aisle so the bounty hunter wouldn’t miss the show she intended to provide.
Almost there. Mara slowed her pace. When she was almost on top of Baggins’ table, she shifted her arm. The coin purse plummeted, landing between her sparkly high heels. “Jeez, could I be any clumsier?” She bent low, thrusting her butt in the air, and reached for the coin purse. Several male groans floated from the nearby tables.
Mara’s fingers curled around the metal clasp of her coin purse. Satisfied she’d given everyone plenty of time to gawk at her butt, she straightened with a toss of her hair. Her gaze shifted, locked with Baggins’ lust-filled one.
She bit back a smile. We have contact.
~ * ~
Dash growled as the countryside raced outside the Cloud Chaser’s windows. “Something will go wrong. I know it.”
“Geesh, nothing like being Mr. Positivity.”
He shot a glare in Piper’s direction. “Why didn’t you talk me out of leaving?”
The sprite shrugged as she bounced on the center console. “Didn’t know I was supposed to.”
“Of course you’re supposed to. You’re the lousy sidekick—it’s your job.”
“I’m the sidekick? Cool.” Piper’s wings fluttered excitedly.
Dash’s grip tightened aroun
d the steering wheel. “It’s bloody torture, knowing I’ll just be waiting for them to show up. Maybe.” He knew he was being pessimistic again, but he couldn’t shake the queasy feeling in his gut. And this time it had nothing to do with lust and love sickness.
“Then don’t.”
He jerked his head around and stared at Piper. “What?”
“Just because they want you to go to the hideout doesn’t mean you have to do it.”
She had a point. But he’d also made Mara and Jerrick a promise. “I’m not supposed to go anywhere near Zupello’s.”
“Doesn’t mean you can’t stake the place out from a distance.”
A grin stretched across Dash’s mouth. “You’re one damn good sidekick.”
Piper fluffed her pink hair. “I try.”
He slammed on the brake and the sprite knuckled the console to keep from colliding with the dashboard. “Sorry.” Glancing to make sure she hadn’t been catapulted through the air vent, he pulled onto the side of the road.
“No problem.” Piper resettled onto her perch before frowning at him. “I just realized something—you’re not wearing your disguise.”
Dash’s hand eased off the throttle. “Sonofafairy.” Much as he’d rather give himself a lobotomy than put the damn thing back on, he didn’t have much choice. He couldn’t risk blowing everything by having Baggins or some other goon recognize him.
He jumped out of the vehicle and grabbed the disguise from the bags nestled in the backseat. The road was deserted so he stripped down right there and zipped himself into the jumpsuit before donning the boots and wig.
Impatient with the time lost, he hopped back into the Cloud Chaser and broke every land record driving to Skalage’s entertainment district. He spied the cherry red Air Racer parked in the lot next to Zupellos.
“There’s an available spot,” Piper said, pointing towards the lot.
“I can’t see the restaurant from there.” Spinning the wheel, Dash shot across the opposing lanes and nosed into a tight alley that seemed more suitable for pedestrian traffic than the wide-bodied Cloud Chaser. Following the lane until it branched off behind the cluster of buildings, he hung a left, heading back to the street. He slowed once he reached the mouth of the walkway. Convinced he’d find no better stakeout position, he shut off the ignition.
Lover Enslaved: Thieves of Aurion, Book 1 Page 23