Page 75 of His Wild Seduction

Why am I so nervous?

It was ridiculous.

There was a time when I could afford all the top fashions.

I’d been spoiled and petted and praised most of my early life. But that was mostly because people were sucking up to me or my father, er, stepfather.

Anyway, it had been years since I had anywhere fancy to go. I felt nauseated, and the butterflies in my stomach were more like fighter jets.

I barely ate all afternoon.

I knew it was silly. Josef had seen, caressed, touched, and kissed every inch of my soft, curvy body.

He knew where all my freckles were. Saw and loved on all my pink bits.

It was completely ludicrous for me to feel self-conscious. Especially in clothes.

And yet, here I am, chewing my lipstick off.

I ran my hands over my soft belly and bit my lip as I waited for my husband to come pick me up.

But will he like it?

He bought it, so he should. I mean, he told me he was buying me something to wear.

But he went a little overboard.

The dress I had on was completely gorgeous. But it clung to me like a second skin.

And old-fashioned as it was, I wanted to please him with my appearance.

We were going to a dinner party to celebrate the wife of his friend. This was important.

Like an interview.

Truth was, I didn’t really know who he was close to, but I wanted to. I wanted to meet the people in his life.

Curiosity had plagued me all day. It was all I could do to focus on work.

Work.

That reminded me. Right before I left, we’d gotten a new admission to the shelter. I hated having to leave early, but the other employees would take care of her. I knew that.

The sweet young mother was sporting a full arm cast and a black eye. My heart damn near broke when she told me her story.

Well, the bits and pieces she’d shared.

It was a wonder someone who’d been hurt that badly was willing to confide in anyone at all, let alone a stranger.

It was a humbling experience when someone trusted you without you really earning it.

Ellie was her name. She seemed shy and timid. But she’d been hurt so many times, I couldn’t be sure if that was her real nature.

All I knew was she needed help.

Leading her to one of the small efficiency rooms in the back, newly secured courtesy of my husband, I gave her my number and one of the mobiles we had on hand for residents.

It was important they did not use any of their own electronics.

---