Page 53 of Paddy

“No, we were just about to finish up and get started on his coursework. Did you need something, Mrs. Washington?” he asked keeping the formality up whenever Elijah was near.

“Ummm…I was just wondering if I could talk to you for a minute?” I bent down to meet Elijah. “Guess who's still here? Dorothea and Alice! Why don't you go downstairs and say hello to them?”

Paddy rustled Elijah’s thick, coily curls with a promise to meet him downstairs in a bit. The moment he was out of view Paddy grabbed me by the waist and pulled me closer to him, the feel of his lips on mine making my heart pound and my panties wet.

“Just thought I’d sneak that one in there seeing that you've been working all morning and into the day. This is the first time I've really seen you. You look stunning, Pretty. I like your little red number today. It looks nice,” he complimented. He was always making note of what colors he liked on me, and I don't think he ever failed to notice when I was in red. He let go of me, leaning against the dinner table we had set up here for parties.

“What can I help you with?” Fingering my gloves off, I don't know why all of a sudden, I felt nervous to ask. Especially since it seemed like she really liked me.

“I know this is a little last minute and I wouldn't ask if I didn't absolutely need it. But I was wondering if your sister Órfhlaithmade house calls and rush orders. I need a dress for a show I have coming up, and I completely forgot about it. I don't think I can get in something with my usual dressmakers this close to the performance.” He crossed his arms.

“You know as your bodyguard, I need to know about your scheduled appearances. Especially given your situation. Where is this performance?” I rolled my eyes.

“I know Paddy. With everything that's been going on lately, I just forgot. But it's downtown at the concert hall. Because I’m from Boston, they make it this big event when I sing there.” He shrugged.

“It's local. Gives me a chance to scope out the place. But about the dress, I'm sure she’d love the work. Especially given your celebrity. Might be good for business. I'll give her a ring when I go downstairs.” I giddily clapped my hands, grateful that this all would work out, but my mood dampened when I realized I wouldn't be able to walk in with Paddy on my arm.

“I wish you could come with me as my date and not my bodyguard. I'm sure you look so dashing in a tux. You do have a tux, right?” I asked, as I pressed my palms along his chest. Once again, he put his loving arms around me.

“For you, I could get one. It's alright if we can't walk in arm in arm. When you're performing with a big crowd, I think I can get a better eye on you if I’m not walking around, all proud like I'm showing you off to everyone. Besides, I'll still be somewhere cheering you on. Just from a distance keeping you safe.” I pouted my lips.

“You're no fun.”

“Maybe so, but we’ll have our fun afterwards. Once you wow the crowd and come home to me.” Giddy with excitement, I reached in to kiss him.

“I forgot to mention that I have a surprise for you, but you have to wait until the night of the show to get it. You mightchange your mind about fun, because once I give it to you. You’ll definitely feel like celebrating.” I smiled hard.

“Pretty, I think we might have different versions of what we call celebrating. Yours involves dressing up, getting glamorous, and schmoozing with a lot of posh folk. Mine is getting you naked, and doing all the nasty things I could think of to you.Twice, if I have time. So, unless you mean that, you better not set my expectations too high. And ahh—" He pulled me close and smacked my ass. “Next time you better be careful at who you’re rolling your eyes at. Daddy’s not above fucking the brat out of you.”

Twenty-Four

Paddy

The night of Pretty’s show filled her common rooms in a way I’d never seen before in a home so big. She had an entire glam squad responsible for her performance ready appearance. Glitz and glimmer weren't really my thing, but I loved seeing Pretty getting dolled up and be the center of attention. She deserved it for how much work she put into this. Didn’t hurt that I’d finally get to see her play.

I’d had the privilege of it up close, but tonight I’d get to see her play in front of a proper audience. Since Pretty had been expecting Órfhlaith, when she turned up at Pretty’s front door with a gown bag, I let her in, allowing her to follow all the laughter and voices so she could personally hand Pretty her dress.

I cringed admitting this but, I liked how Pretty called on my sister. Meant that they were comfortable around each other, and if I didn't plan on going anywhere, they'd be seeing more of each other.

I preferred the mystery of a woman glamming herself up, so I stayed my arse out of it, deciding it was time to go downstairsto suit up myself. Before I could reach my apartment, Órfhlaith asked if she could speak to me alone before she left.

Órfhlaith tome, wasn’t a tomboy, but it threw me off whenever she was in a dress. She got too much attention in them for me, which was why I never thought anything of it that she had adapted more of a gamine style. “What’s with the dress?” I asked confused.

“I didn’t want to stand out,” she confessed. “Besides, I’m allowed to dress up every once in a while.”

“Yeah, well itbetterbe every once in a while. I don’t want to have to pound some lad trying to be fresh with my sister?—”

“Paddy, I can take care of myself. Right now, you’re taking care of Pretty. For the moment, worry about that,” she said, reaching out to caress my face.

“What?” I squinted at her suspiciously, the look on her face made me think she had something to say. Órfhlaith wasn’t vague like other women. She typically got to the point, so it wasn’t like her not to just say what was on her mind.

“Be careful.”

Confused, I asked her to clarify. “You just…have a habit of caring for people unavailable to you. I'm not going to tell you what to do, just…be careful.” Her tone free of any judgment or malice. With a squeeze to my shoulder and a brief hug, Órfhlaith said her final goodbyes, wishing Pretty luck before she departed.

Now was my chance to prepare myself for tonight. I was already a well-dressed lad, though there hadn’t been too many places I’d frequented that required a tux. By the time I was cleaned up and dressed, I hadn’t realized I’d forgotten to reach for my leg sleeve.

Around Pretty, I didn’t need it. Yeah, I was still getting used to it being exposed. But my scars were a part of me. Proof of the journey I’d taken. It shouldn’t have taken this long, but I was slowly losing the shame attached to having them.

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