“That’s the point, sweetheart. Try it on. If it doesn’t look good on you then we’ll keep looking. But I don’t think we’ll need to. I’m going to go over here to find some shoes to go with it.”
Chapter 14
Royce knocked on her door. He was a little early, but not too much. He glanced at the woman who stepped out when he walked up the hall. He nodded to her and started to knock again when the door was opened. Bobbie was standing there with the strangest look on her face.
“She’s not coming, is she?” Bobby nodded her head. “Then what are… She called you to help her?”
“Yes. She didn’t want you to know, but I helped her pick out her dress yesterday too. You are a little early so have a seat. She’ll be out in a couple of minutes. Your brothers are not with you?”
“In the limo. She didn’t have any trouble, did she, with the card, I mean? I called the bank and told them she was going to use it. They told me that they’d make sure that she didn’t—” He turned around when Bobbie nodded to his left. “Holy fuck.”
The woman standing just behind him was a vision. He couldn’t believe how different she looked. And how beautiful. The dress, what there was of it, was…stunning.
It was black silk and hugged her body like it had been painted on her. Her left shoulder was bare all the way to her wrist while her right had a bejeweled strap just over her shoulder that held the form-fitting bodice up. The entire left side from just below her breast to her hip was open with small scalloped edging that was held together with three more straps that wrapped around her like the one over her shoulder. The dress hugged her hips and fell to the floor in a waterfall of clinging silk. When she turned around he could see that her back was bare as well with only the straps as coverings. He whimpered. He was in so much trouble here.
He suddenly found himself standing before her. “You’re beautiful. Stunning. Words fail me.”
She grinned up at him. “You seemed to do all right there. Bobbie said it would make you drool. I’ve never owned anything so decadent before. Do you think I’ll look all right?”
For an answer, he gently pulled her to him and kissed her. He didn’t want to muss her, but the moment her mouth opened under his he knew that he had to have more. He pulled her to his body and deepened the kiss.
Her mouth was warm, soft, and wet. He touched his tongue to hers and he felt her moan. Royce wanted to devour her. He wanted to run his hands up her waist and feel her breasts fill his hands. He wanted to see what she had on beneath the gown and taste her. He wasn’t sure how much longer they would have gone on if someone hadn’t poked him—none too gently—in his back. He turned to look at Bobbie.
“You’re going to be late if you keep that up. And I’m sure your mother will be very upset with you if you are.” Bobbie handed him a swath of material then took it from him. He was glad because he was drawing a complete blank on everything but Kasey.
They were suddenly walking to the door. He was happy to see that Kasey looked as dazed as he did. When they were ready to open the door he looked down at her again. He realized then that the material had been a cape of sorts. He was both glad and disappointed that she was covered up. He wanted to hide her away from what he was sure was going to be every male in the gallery and he wanted to admire what was all his.
The trip to the gallery was noisy. His brothers kept a steady stream of conversation with Kasey and him, mostly Kasey. She laughed and joked with them as if she’d known them forever. Royce tried his best not to appear jealous, but he was. He found himself wanting to pound his brothers and then do it again. When the limo slid to a stop they got out ahead of them. When Jesse started to reach in for Kasey, Royce knocked his hand out of the way.
“Hey, I was just trying to help a pretty lady.” Royce glared at him as Jesse winked at him.
“Take care of your own dates, thanks. This one is mine.” Royce flushed when he turned to see Kasey out of the limo and staring at him. “Are you ready?”
His tone was sharp and he knew that she’d heard it. He wanted to tell her he was sorry, but they were being ushered inside by the doorman. When he reached to take her wrap, she stepped away from him. He wanted to roar with frustration, but knew that would only make him look stupider. He needed to make this right, but wasn’t sure how.
“Oh my God,” he heard Curtis whisper just behind him. “Christ, she’s going to cause a riot. It’s hard to believe she’s pregnant.”
Royce nodded and reached for her. When she started to step away again he pulled her to him. “I know you’re mad at me, but I need to touch you,” he said close to her ear. “Please, I’m so sorry for what I said, but…well, I was jealous. I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”