All Good Things Exposed(82)

The car revved as he shifted down the gears and I opened my eyes to find him watching me as we slowed to a stop. "You trust me." He whispered.

"I trust you with everything, Jace." I said. "I'm marrying you."

He leaned over in the seat and kissed me hard, his tongue slipping between my lips. I instantly felt my body respond to his sweet invasion. At my moan for more, he pulled away. "As much as I'd love to devour you now, we have other plans we have to show for today."

"We do?" I frowned. "I was hoping we could laze around all day. What are we doing?"

"I'm going to work." He said gently, studying my pout. "And you're going dress shopping."

"Dress shopping?"

"Yes."

"With who?"

"Trisha, Jaylah and my mom." He winced. "Is that all right?"

I beamed. "It's perfect. Exactly the way I want it."

"Good." He kissed my forehead, waved to Kyle who stared grimly at us before flooring the gas.

***

Clara, the sales lady gasped when I turned around to face her. And the mirror. This was it. This was the dress I was marrying Jace in. It was perfect. No other would do. Ivory lace clung to my breasts, molding into thick lace straps that clung to the edge of my shoulder, dipping low in my back before flowing in wispy tendrils down around my waist to the floor. It was simple and elegant. There was nothing flashy or gaudy. It was perfect and sweet. I loved it. I couldn't wait to show the three women in the waiting room.

"You look amazing in this dress." Clara said with a sigh.

"Thank you." I ran my hands over my stomach, feeling the smooth lace fabric. "I think this is the one."

Her eyes widened. "But this is only the first you've tried."

"But I'm in love." I shrugged.

She laughed. "When you know you know."

I had a feeling we were talking about more than just dresses and it was true. When you know you know. I stepped from the curtain into the room and earned three loud gasps from the women seated on the bright white leather couch.

"My God," Jaylah breathed. "You're stunning."

"Karen flipped a finger at a lose tear, "Do you love it?"

Trisha coughed away a small sob. "This is the dress."

She knew me so well. The thought made my heart feel swollen. "It is."

"It's gorgeous." Karen stated through her emotion. "He'll love watching you walk toward him in this."

Jaylah smirked, ever honestly speaking her mind. "He'll love taking it off."

"Jaylah," Karen admonished on a smile and I laughed. This was becoming so real. I was standing with Jace's mother and sister and my best friend - in a wedding dress I was madly in love with. It didn't get more real than this? Did it?

Trisha looked to Clara. "This is the dress. She'll take it."

My eyes widened. I don't have money for this. Surely I can't afford it. "How much is this one?" I asked.

Karen snapped her fingers. "Nope." She waved a black card at me. "Jace doesn't want her knowing the price. The one she loves she gets."

I glared at Clara who shrugged awkwardly. "I can't tell you and risk my commission." She joked. All right, so it was pricy. Oh well, I was marrying one of the richest men in New York. He could afford this dress, surely.

I nodded. "Very well," I couldn't refrain from smiling. My cheeks hurt. "This is the dress. I love it."

***

I walked into the lobby of Rush Industries and walked straight to the elevators after receiving a tight nod from the blond behind the desk. I still didn't know her name and figured I should probably know who works for my fiancé. I backtracked to the desk. Her shoulders stiffened as she smiled coldly at me.

"Hello, I'm sure you remember me?" I knew she did.

"Your face is familiar. But the name is hazy."

What a bitch. "It's Olivia." I dug through my wallet for the card, holding it in my left hand. I knew I was being petty, but I wanted her to see the ring. I wanted her to know Jace was taken. He was possessive of me. I had a right to do the same in return. At the sight of the ring on my finger, she gasped. I watched as she struggled to compose herself. "I'm sure I'll be seeing you quite often." I smiled sweetly. "It'd be nice to know your name."

"It's Beth." She coughed. "Bethany."

"Have a nice day, Bethany." I waved my left hand as I walked confidently to the elevator. I pressed the button and looked over my shoulder, not surprised to see a huddle of attractive women gossiping about the ring I wore. It was a lovely sight. Truly. It was.

I snickered as I walked into the elevator and pressed for the top floor. Jace's floor. I was evil. I really was. I shouldn't take pleasure from something so catty. But I did.