I had to admit that Amy had done a marvelous job. My hair was falling in small ringlets down my back and the dark eye shadow set off my blue eyes. We’d gone light on the rest of the make-up because we wanted to focus on my eyes – according to Amy. A bit of lipgloss and rouge completed the look.
“Now the dress,” Amy said.
I picked it up and slipped it over my head, relishing in the feel of the soft fabric as it slid over my skin. Amy helped me zip it up. I put on my black high heels, then I faced the floor length mirror beside Amy’s and Jared’s bed. I turned around myself to see my body from every angle. “Thanks, Amy. I couldn’t have done this without you.”
“No hugging,” Amy warned when I took a step toward her. “It’ll ruin your make-up.”
I snorted.
“I’m so glad we found this dress,” Amy continued. “You look sexy enough to catch Adrian's interest but not too sexy. We don’t want him to get the wrong impression.”
Maybe I wanted him to get the wrong impression.
“We are aiming for the sexy-aloofness-look.”
Whatever.
I was so nervous, I doubted I'd be able to pull off the sexy-aloof act. I was already doubtful if I'd even manage the sexy act. Or the sane person act.
Amy touched my arm. “You look nervous.”
I swallowed. “I am.” I laughed. “Stupid, I know.”
“No,” Amy said. “Just be yourself.”
I couldn't help but wonder, would being myself be enough? So far being myself had only caught the attention of clingy Chris.
“And remember, don’t think you owe him anything. Even if he’s charming, even if he pays for dinner, even if every woman he’s ever dated jumped into bed with him after the first date, you make the decision. If you don’t feel like having sex, then don’t. You should be absolutely sure you want it, especially with a guy like Adrian.”
“Okay,” I said quietly.
My hands were trembling and my heart was pounding so fast, it felt like it was going to burst my ribcage. I was worried about doing something wrong. I wanted this date to be perfect. I wanted to be perfect. Maybe then Adrian would see that one person could be enough, that one woman was enough.
“I better leave now,” I said in a bare whisper. Amy gave me a worried look but before she could say more, I hurried out of their apartment and into my own. I closed the door and took a deep breath. I chanced a look at the clock. Adrian would pick me up in ten minutes and I was close to hyperventilating. I knew I was overreacting, but I couldn't stop. Calm the fuck down, I told myself. I wanted this. I’d wanted Adrian pretty much from the moment I first laid eyes on him having sex with the redhead. I reminded myself of the way his butt tensed with every thrust, of his muscled chest, of the look of rapture on his face when he came. My heart was still racing but it wasn’t nervousness alone anymore. Tonight was my chance to be the woman in Adrian’s bed. Tonight I’d make all my dreams come true. I wouldn’t mess it up.
Chapter Eleven
The bell rang out, and my heart might have stopped for an instant, only to start racing a second later. I took a look at my reflection, satisfied that it wasn't obvious how nervous I felt. This was just a date. Nothing special. No need to feel nervous.
Yeah, right.
I smoothed the non-existent wrinkles in my dress and strode toward the door, trying to look confident and sexy. I grabbed the door handle, then took a deep breath before I opened the door. There he was, holding out a single red rose to me.
He looked amazing. He was wearing black slacks and a slimfit white shirt that didn’t do much to hide the lean muscles beneath. His hair was disheveled as usual, and he was giving me his trademark confident grin. I took the rose from him and forced a smile. I’d never realized how tall he really was. Even though I was tall and wearing high heels, he still had several inches on me. “Thanks,” I said, hating how breathless my voice sounded.
His smile widened.
Get a grip on yourself, Nora. This date must be perfect, you must be perfect.
His eyes slowly traveled over the entire length of my body, making every inch of my skin tingle as if he were actually touching me. How did he do it? When his eyes finally met mine, I held my breath in anticipation of his reply. A lazy smirk curled his lips. “You look beautiful. I love tall women.”
The air left my lungs in a gush and I smiled at him. With a delicate shrug, I said. “Oh, I didn’t even have much time to get ready.” I cringed inwardly at how fake that had sounded. Maybe I should listen to Amy’s advice and just be myself.
His gaze darted past me into my apartment and it took everything I had not to flush in embarrassment. I knew my apartment was a dump – small, dark and sparsely furnished. Definitely nothing in comparison to what I’d seen of his apartment. Not that I’d paid much attention to anything but Adrian’s adventures.