Future ex-husband: Dear Wife, your claws are out early today. I like it.
I chuckle to myself, tossing my phone down onto my coat that rests a few feet away.
“This dress on you,” Willow whistles, “Malakai is going to go nuts.”
As I promised, I’m letting him pay. I have his card in my purse and the dress is being fitted right now, the seamstress pinning it to fit me like a glove. The red is vibrant, with a subtle sparkle and it’s off the shoulder with a sweetheart neckline and a low back. It fits every curve of me, from my breasts to my hips before it follows the lines of my thighs and then flows out ina mermaid style.
The moment I saw it, I knew I needed it.
“You okay?” Willow asks when I don’t respond.
“Me?” I point to my chest, “Fine. Why?”
She frowns and then shrugs, “Seem distant today is all.”
Perhaps it’s because of the complete dick down I got last night. I’m still sore from it, every inch of me marked in some way, either physically with finger shaped bruises or internally with muscle aches. There’s a damn hickey on my neck that I’ve had to work some magic on to cover and I’m silently thankful to all the tutorials and videos I’ve watched on color correcting makeup. It’s hidden right now under layers of makeup. I don’t need the whole world to know how thoroughly Malakai owned me last night.
I’m not even sure how I feel about it.
My phone buzzes and I reach for it, bending to pick it up.
Future ex-husband: Show me the dress.
Me: No. You have to wait.
Future ex-husband: Color at least?
Me: Red. You’re wearing black entirely.
I drop my phone again, lifting my eyes to the mirror. I’m exhausted but after this I needed to go to the hotel to finalize a few details and pay the remaining amounts outstanding for the services I’ve hired for the event.
But I’m also avoiding going back home.
Malakai was up before I was this morning, he didn’teven join me for breakfast but when I checked my account, like he promised, my money was back where it belonged. I didn’t go searching for him after I dressed and had Dennis bring me here, but I also felt weird and vulnerable. It’s why I texted him.
I feel like a teenager again, having a crush on some boy.
A part of me thought he wouldn’t text back and then the delight when I saw that he had, startled me. I don’t want to be catching feelings for my husband.
“There,” The seamstress smiles, clasping her hands together, “This is perfect.”
I glance at the mirror and can only agree.
There are only a few days left to go before the event. I’ve closed off the main ballroom for the decorators to come in and transform the space. Everything is finally organized, paid for and confirmed. My heels clip through the hotel confidently, the last of the invoices ready to be filed and I’m ready to get back to the estate to rest. I haven’t stopped aching all day and I need a damn nap.
When I’ve finished doing everything I need to, I grab my purse and head through the lobby, stopping short when I see Malakai waiting by his Maserati and not Dennis.
“What are you doing here?” I brace for the cold, my brows tugged low, “Where’s Dennis?”
Malakai checks his watch and then grins at me, “Get in, we have a reservation to catch.”
“Now!?” I gasp.
“Now, kitten,” he opens the passenger door for me and offers me his hand which I take, careful not to slip on any ice as I climb into the car. Warmth envelopes me and I sink into the plush seat, sighing. I can’t even be mad that he’s here, not when this chair feels like heaven.
I’m so freaking tired.
Malakai climbs into the seat beside me, flicking his eyes to the mirror before he pulls into traffic. It’s late, not quite dark yet but it won’t be long.
