I’d already chosen. I was smiling as I stared over at my new rack of items, eyes hovering on the silver satin slip. My God, just to imagine his hands over me through that fabric. The very idea sealed the choice in my mind.
I held it up for Francesca to see and she gushed all over again.
“Yes! He is going to go crazy to see you in that!” With that she sighed and gestured down to her own outfit, smiling. “It seems I’d better select something fitting myself, then,” she said, and summoned the housekeepers to take my new wardrobe upstairs while she guided me along with my arm in hers.
“Let’s get ready,” she said. “Let’s give our men something that knocks them truly senseless.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Lucian
I’d enjoyed my day with Devon Quentin, it had given me a new lease on life. A thrill. That’s the ultimate word for the buzz that was coursing through me. The satisfaction in knowing you are forging deals which will lead to an epicenter of success. Huge success. The kind of success that I’d been bred to create, and excelled at through my own nature.
We rolled back up at the manor in the limo, still talking through the finer details of some of our newfound partnerships. The driver opened the door for me and I stepped out, looking up at the magnificent house with a sense of satisfaction. Satisfaction and excitement.
My doll was waiting for me there.
I couldn’t wait to hear about her day with Francesca’s stylist. I couldn’t wait to see the smile on her face as she showed me her collection of new attire, my princess getting whatever she wanted and deserved. Elaine Constantine deserved everything in the world, and I was going to give it to her. I was going to give her everything she ever wanted and more.
“Dinner will be a good one tonight,” Quentin told me. “Roasted pheasant.”
I had no doubt it would be a good one. Quentin’s chef was Michelin starred. “My mouth’s watering already,” I responded. “I’m looking forward to it.”
I felt so alive as we stepped into the hallway, alive and buzzing and eager to see my doll, but I was stopped in my tracks when Quentin’s gaze shot up to the balcony and mine followed.
Francesca and Elaine were standing there, proud and poised together as they leaned against the railing and stared down at us with a smile.
Christ, she looked absolutely incredible.
There she was again, the woman in gold who’d transfixed me right from day one. Only this time she was a woman in silver, in a gown that graced every part of her perfect body.
This was the goddess I couldn’t keep my eyes or my hands off of at Tinsley Constantine’s birthday ball, only this time she was her to a whole other league. She was now the goddess that I was in love with.
Quentin elbowed me in jovial camaraderie as they began the descent down the staircase and fully came into view. Francesca was also a stunning creature, but my fucking God, Elaine was divinity itself.
It looked like she had a new lease on life, too. There was a confidence in her eyes and smile that made me smile proudly right back.
“Welcome home, boys!” Francesca exclaimed, but my gaze wasn’t on her, it was on my siren as she stepped over to me and wrapped her arms around my neck.
She didn’t need to speak and neither did I, our stares said more than words ever could. I imagine they said a lot to the Quentins as well since Devon cleared his throat to get our attention, then gave us a laugh.
“You can get a room later, we have pheasant on the way,” he said, and Francesca was laughing too.
Elaine laughed along with them, blue eyes sparkling like pure fucking sapphires as I let out a laugh of my own.
We’d most certainly be getting a fucking room later.
I gripped Elaine’s fingers nice and tight as we made our way through to the dinner hall. The places were all set at the top of the table and I pulled Elaine’s seat out for her, my mouth watering at the sight of her bare back as she sat herself down. I saw just a glimpse of one of the bruises I’d left on her shoulder and that made my cock hard in a flash as I took my place beside her. I could feel her, her whole body, a temptation and a tease in that dress.
The server delivered the meals, but the food held no interest to me. Roast pheasant could go fuck itself compared to the woman I wanted to ravage. I ate mine with an appreciative smile on my face, but it was barely more than paper thin. My attention was all on Elaine recounting her day along with Francesca, gushing with excitement about all of the wonderful things she had tried on.
Devon Quentin was glazing over as his wife talked about clothes, attention fully on his dinner, but I was transfixed by the women, completely captivated by their exclamations.
“Elaine looks amazing in her dresses!” Francesca told me. “Every single one of them.”
“Marissa was so, so good,” Elaine said, putting the achievement on the stylist and not on the way she could look amazing in goddamn pig shit if she rolled in it.
Devon interjected at that point, putting down his fork on his plate. “So the question is, when and where are you going to be showing these new dresses off?” he asked, then turned to Francesca. “Chessie, don’t we have the Songbirds in the Wind premiere on Saturday night?”
Francesca clapped. “Yes! We do! It’s going to be incredible! The musical is going to be fantastic! We’d love to have you along with us.”
Elaine looked at me, that innocence glowing in her, waiting for my reaction.
“It’s in the West End,” Francesca added. “A perfect opportunity to show off one of your gowns.”
Holy fuck, how I’d love to have her on my arm at a West End London premiere. It would be the perfect opportunity for a showstopper. Elaine Constantine at my side, proud and shoulder to shoulder as we showed ourselves off to the world.
“Yes,” I answered, firmly. “We’d love to attend the premiere. Thank you.”
“Excellent indeed!” Devon said, and raised his whisky glass. “We’ll get you on the red carpet list.”
I could imagine the surprise on the paparazzi’s faces as we stepped out of the limousine with the Quentins. It would be absolutely fucking glorious.
“Thank you,” Elaine said to them, her voice so sweet with gratitude. “Thanks so much, really.”
“You’re very welcome,” Francesca replied, and she meant it. They’d be really damn pleased to have us at their side at the public outing, of that I was sure.
Elaine’s fingers were so delicate as they sought out mine under the table. I squeezed hers right back, brushing my thumb over her knuckles. God, I fucking loved her.
The rest of the conversation over dinner was flowing and easy, the companionship of this couple something I hadn’t experienced all that much in my life. It felt surprisingly like a friendship, not a business partnership finding its ruthless feet. It was something I wasn’t all that well acquainted with, but I was liking it. Enjoying it.
Maybe I was actually capable of forming genuine friendships. Besides Elliot Morelli back home, I didn’t have all that many people I held true affection for. My life was certainly taking some very strange turns of late, maybe this would be another to add to the collection.
The four of us ate dessert together, another fine presentation from the chef. Mixed berry tart, with raspberries and plums.