I nod. “That was exactly what I was thinking.”
“Okay, so we’ll do a low bun with curls and I’ve got the perfect band to put in your hair,” she says, pulling out a headband with blue and white stones that complements the dress perfectly.
“That’s gorgeous,” I tell her and she nods as she gestures for me to sit in the chair before pulling a blow dryer and extension cord out of her bag.
“Come sit down and let me work my magic.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I answer, crossing the room and plopping down in the chair, eager to see how I look when she’s finished with me.
“So,” she says as she pulls my hair out of the towel and starts running a comb through it. “How’s life?”
I can’t hold back my smile as I stare at my reflection in the mirror. “Really good, actually.”
“Well, look at you! You’re glowing!”
“Am I?”
She slaps my shoulder playfully. “Yes, you are. What is putting this smile on your face?”
“Life is just good, you know.”
My phone buzzes on the bed and I grab it, my heart skipping a beat at Lucas’s name on the screen. I open the text and laugh.
Lucas:
Do I get a sneak peek of the dress?
Me:
Nope. You’re just going to have to wait.
“Lucas, huh?” Holly asks and when I meet her gaze in the mirror, she wiggles her eyebrows. “Does he have anything to do with why your life is so good lately?”
A blush creeps up my cheeks. “Maybe.”
“Well, in that case, let’s make sure you knock him off his feet tonight,” she answers with a determined look in her eyes and butterflies dance around in my belly as I think about seeing Lucas tonight and my plans for after the gala. The nerves are still there but so is this deep, steadfast feeling that tonight is going to be nothing short of perfection.
* * * *
“Wow,” I whisper, inspecting myself in the mirror as Holly stands back with a proud smirk on her face.
“You look incredible. I’m going to be pissed if your man is able to form words after seeing you.”
I laugh as I gently run my hands over the beadwork on the front of the dress. “You know, I think I will be, too.”
“When is he supposed to be here?” She fusses with my hair, making sure each piece is perfectly in place as I turn to look at the clock.
“Uh, five minutes.”
“Shit,” she whispers. “Well, let me get packed up and I’ll get out of here.”
I turn away from the mirror as she starts throwing blow dryers, flat irons, bobby pins, hairspray, and combs back into her bag and when she’s finished, she scans the room one last time.
“Okay, I think that’s everything.”
I nod. “Thank you so much for this. I feel like a movie star.”
“Girl, you look like one. Text me tomorrow and let me know how long it takes the mister to pick his jaw up off of the floor,” she teases as we move toward the door and I laugh.
“Oh, I definitely will.”
She opens the door and turns back to me. “I would give you a hug but I don’t want to smudge my masterpiece so we’re just going to pretend.”
We both go in for an air hug before giggling as we pull away and she shakes her head and steps out into the hallway.
“Have fun tonight!”
“You have anything planned for the evening?”
She nods, backing down the hallway slowly. “Yeah, big date tonight. Netflix and Chill with Jordy, my cat.”
“Ooh, girl!”
“I know,” she calls as she stops by the elevator and takes a bow. “Be jealous.”
The elevator door opens and I wave as she steps inside. “Bye.”
Once she’s out of sight, I step back into my room and close my door behind me. The butterflies start up again as I check my watch and realize that Lucas will be here any second. Sucking in a breath, I walk over to the mirror and take one last look at the makeup Holly did for me. She kept it classic with thick liner and red lips and that combined with my side swept hair and the gorgeous dress I’m wearing, I look like I would seamlessly blend at a roaring twenties party.
Someone knocks on the door and my head whips toward it as I press a hand to my belly and fight back a smile.
“Here we go,” I whisper before turning toward the door and walking confidently across the room. Lucas is just about to knock again when I open the door and as soon as he sees me, his jaw goes slack and he presses his hand to his chest.
“Holy fuck,” he mutters, his blue gaze slowly sinking down my body and following every curve on the way back up. “Jesus Christ.”
“Can you say anything else?” I ask, biting back a giggle and he shakes his head, still unable to meet my gaze.
“Uh… no, I don’t think I can.”
I plant my hands on my hips and slowly turn in front of him, savoring the whispered curses when he sees the back of my dress. “You like?”
“Baby…” he utters, taking a step toward me as I face him again. “I fucking love. You look…”
“Good?” I ask and he shakes his head as he grabs my waist and pulls me into his body.
“No, better than that.”
“Beautiful?”
“Always but that’s not the word I was looking for.”
I nod, laying my arms on his shoulders. “Well, maybe you could just show me.”
“Fantastic idea,” he murmurs, leaning in and sealing his lips over mine in a kiss that’s far more aggressive than he’s ever been before. I come alive in his hands and arch into his body, every cell pumping through my bloodstream screaming for me.
“Fuck, I want this dress off you,” he growls and thrusts his hips forward, his erection digging into my hip. I gasp, clinging to the lapels of his tux and he pulls back as he shakes his head.
“Shit. I’m sorry, baby.”
I shake my head and pull him closer. “No, please don’t stop.”
“Darlin’,” he rasps, flashing me a grin as he swipes his thumb below my bottom lip. “You’re running this show and now you’ve got to fix your makeup.”
“Oh, shit.” I glance at the clock behind me and I sigh as I slip out of his arms. “We’re picking this up later.”
He holds his hands up in surrender as he steps into the room and the door closes behind him. “You won’t hear any complaints from me.”
I finish fixing my makeup, aware of his intense stare the entire time and when I turn to face him again, I smile. His brow arches as I slowly walk toward him, putting a little extra swing in my hips and hoping I look as sexy as I feel. When I reach him, he pulls me into his arms again and molds my body to his.
“I have a surprise for you after the gala,” I tease and he grins.
“Yeah? What is it?”
Shaking my head, I push away from him. “You’re just going to have to wait and see.”
“Oh, you’re mean.”
“Trust me, it’ll be worth it,” I call over my shoulder as I stop at the door and hold out my hand. “Now, are you coming?”