“Yes!” Violet screamed, her back arching.
Simon didn’t hesitate. He drove in several more times and let himself go.
As he did, he realized going back to Dallas was no longer an option. Not if he was expected to maintain his sanity because he knew with absolute certainty that he would never find happiness like he’d found with this woman. Never find a love quite this intense.
Chapter Nineteen
Saturday, September 17, 2022
Despite the crappy interruption to her evening, Violet spent an incredible night with Simon and an even better morning.
Now, she found herself twirling in front of her mirror, taking in the sight of herself as she got ready for the wedding. She was grateful for a distraction of this magnitude because it kept her thoughts from drifting to her father and the inevitable confrontation. If she gave his little stunt one ounce of her attention, she would end up fuming mad, and that was the last thing she needed. Today wasn’t about Harold Anderson or his selfish actions. Today was about her cousin, and she intended to celebrate by drinking too much champagne and enjoying her time with Simon.
On a positive note, she looked good.
Violet figured Brantley and Reese decided on attire that was somewhere between casual and semi-formal because they wanted people to be comfortable but also wanted to avoid some of their kin showing up in cut-off jeans and sleeveless T-shirts.
It had happened in the past.
More than once.
And yes, it was as awkward and redneck as it sounded.
She appreciated their decision for two reasons. First, she didn’t have to see any of her kin wearing cut-off jeans and sleeveless T-shirts. Second, this gave her a chance to pair her favorite brown cowboy boots with the navy blue boho dress she’d ordered online for the occasion.
The dress was somewhat simple. Beneath the knee-length, ornate lace dress was a dark blue spaghetti strap sheath that was a few inches shorter than the dress, allowing for peeks of skin beneath. The V-neck showcased her relatively nice breasts, which were framed by the thick band of lace that cinched the fabric at her ribcage. The billowy lace sleeves belled at her wrists, adding a bit of flirty fun, while her cowboy boots made it less-than-semi-formal-but-more-than-casual perfection.
If and when she got married one day, her dress code would be the same. She wasn’t into dressing up in fancy gowns or trying to decorate herself with expensive jewelry. She liked casual chic.
Pivoting one more time in front of the mirror, she made sure there were no wardrobe mishaps. Once, her sister Amanda had gone to school with the back of her dress stuck in her panties, and she spent her junior year being called Peepshow. That was how Whitney told the story, anyway. Violet didn’t remember it, so it could be they were making shit up. Which they did. A lot.
A knock sounded on the door. That was Hermione’s cue to join Harry in the living room, where he was camped out in front of the screen door, admiring the neighborhood.
“Come in!” Violet shouted.
She grabbed her phone and tucked it, her credit card, and driver’s license into the pocket of her dress—one of the main reasons she’d bought this one. She turned in time to see Simon step in front of the doorway.
“Wow,” she whispered at the same time he said, “Fuck.”
Violet grinned, enjoying the approval she could see on his face.
“You clean up nice,” she told him, admiring the dark jeans with the light gray shirt and navy blazer.
“Holt told me I couldn’t wear the suit.”
She nodded as she moved closer. “He’s right. This is the right amount of casual for the occasion. Although I would’ve loved to’ve seen you in it.”
“There’s always tomorrow,” he joked, placing his hands on her arms as he kept space between them, his gaze raking up and down. “Damn. You look amazing. How long’s this wedding?”
“A few hours. Why?”
He looked into her eyes. “Because I can’t wait to see what you look like in only the boots.”
“If you’re nice, maybe I’ll let you.”
“So now youwantme to be nice,” he teased.
Violet wanted Simon any way she could get him. After last night, she wasn’t sure she was capable of hiding her feelings for him anymore.
