Page 67 of Saved By Two

JESSICA

I stare at my reflection in the full length mirror and have to double-take. It’s been so long since I dressed up and put on a full face of makeup, even going as far as to curl my hair.

Noah was so patient with me yesterday. I saw his concern when I left my counselling session and found him waiting. Caleb is the same; he sits and waits for me in the reception area. It makes me feel guilty. They have lives, and yet lately, it’s as though everything revolves around me, like I’m taking them away from more important things, and a tiny part of me can’t help but feel like a burden.

Of course, neither has made me feel that way, and I know a lot of it is my own self-doubt. Greta, my therapist, has been incredible these past few weeks. Talking to her is helping. I’m sporadic at times. My thought process is all over the place; things surface out of the blue. It’s emotionally draining, and my anxiety is rife right before a session, but I feel a little lighter each time I leave.

Shopping felt way out of my comfort zone. The saddest part is I used to love it, even if it was just to browse. Curtis played the role of a good boyfriend. He would come along and even hold some of my bags. Only later did his loathing become apparent to anything that didn’t adhere to what he wanted to do. I only moved in with him because I was between student accommodations. Mason offered for me to stay with him, but Curtis was persuasive, it was only meant to be temporary.

I hadn’t even considered makeup when Noah suggested we go shopping so I had something to wear tonight. I left Selfridges completely kitted out. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit I felt like a child in a sweet shop. One of the makeup artists even helped me with a look for tonight with testers, so I knew which products to get.

Noah wouldn’t let me pay, and when I tried to argue that fact, he shut me up with a searing kiss as he handed over his credit card. I can’t even remember the last time I wore perfume. I was more indecisive about my perfume than I was over the dress. Noah helped as we smelt samples but refused to choose for me.

The dress was the one I was drawn to, but I kept finding excuses as to why it wouldn’t be suitable, however, Noah was persistent and insisted I try it on.

I smooth my hands down the sleek black material of said dress—beautifully fitted, spaghetti straps, corseted bodice with lace trim, underwired cups, and a split hem which stops mid-thigh. As much as Noah tried to persuade me to go for a pair of Manolo Blahnik stilettos, I had his card marked. I knew there was no way he’d let me pay, just like with the makeup, so I opted for a gorgeous pair of Kurt Geiger black patent leather stiletto sandals with a side buckle fastening.

My nails are still battered from where I’ve been biting them, so I buffed them up as best I could with a coat of clear varnish and opted for a deep red lipstick and smoky eye makeup look.

I feel good for the first time in a long time—a bit more like me.

“Knock knock?”

My pulse races, and I suck in a deep breath as I look in the mirror. Noah is standing in the doorway, his gaze sweeping over me. Slowly, I turn around until I’m facing him.

“You look beautiful,” he says, his arm behind his back.

He moves closer, and I can’t help but admire how handsome he looks in a suit. I’ve seen Caleb in a suit for work, but this is the first time I’ve seen Noah dressed up.

“Wow, you look beautiful too… I mean, handsome.” My skin flushes, but he doesn’t seem phased as he rewards me with a dimpled smile.

“I’m flattered you think so,” he says, moving closer and revealing his arm from behind his back, holding out a box of black roses.

“Oh, my God.” I reach out and take the box, my hands trembling. “They’re gorgeous.”

“As are you,” he says, kissing my cheek before stepping back.

I sniff back the urge to cry. “I can’t believe you remembered,” I say almost to myself.

Clearing of a throat draws my attention back to the doorway where Caleb now stands.

“Of course, we remembered. And those are Infinity roses. They should last a year.”

I glance back to the gorgeous bouquet and then back to the man who commands the room as he stalks towards me, stopping beside Noah. Together they’re a force to be reckoned with. Caleb’s eyes cast a leisurely perusal of me from head to toe and back up again. “Stunning,” he says, moving into my space, his hand moving to the back of my neck. “May I kiss you?”

This man could take whatever he wants, but still asks, making my entire body tingle.

“Yes,” I reply as he lowers his mouth to mine. It’s over way too quickly, and I try to hide my disappointment.

“Later,” he says, a one word promise as he uses his thumb to swipe over my top lip. “I’m almost disappointed it didn’t smudge,” he admits. And it takes a moment for my brain to play catch up as I bring my fingertips to my lips.

“It’s a lip stain.”

He smirks. “It’s lovely, just a shame. I’d love to see that colour all over my cock.”

I almost stop breathing and squeeze my thighs together as my lower stomach summersaults with a deep rooted need.

These men are going to ruin me.

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