Page 35 of Yours Suddenly

Chapter 17

Alexandra

After Roman and I are done shopping, coming from the mall with four dresses, jewelry worth fifteen thousand dollars and shoes that cost six thousand, we take a nice long thirty-minute shower together.

Afterwards, he's concerned I won’t be able to walk properly during the party with how sore he's made me.

“Where does it hurt?” he rumbles, dark hair damp, a towel the only thing on his large, tatted body as I sit on the edge of the bed, applying lotion to my wet skin.

I open my legs and point between them. “Here.”

He kneels, buries his face there, and kisses it gently twice. “There,” he says. “All better now.”

Before we sink into more hot, passionate sex, we get a grip on ourselves. He changes rather quickly into an immaculate dark suit and after I’ve worn my silk brown gown, I need a little more time to do my hair and makeup. Adrianne, in a blue maxi dress and sneakers, helps me curl my hair with a hot iron.

“We're running late,” I say.

“We're fine,” she replies. “Hold still before I burn you. I don't want to potentially get killed by your husband.”

Downstairs, the kids are excited, as always, whenever we have a party. Music plays from speakers in the walls as Mama and Matthew waltz in the middle of the grand foyer. Friends and extended family members mingle in both the living room and entertainment room while some chat on the rooftop terrace. Outside, household employees move around with trays of orange quarters from the grove dipped in chocolate while Blake plays catch with our dachshunds and their puppies.

I don't want to appear too clingy and annoying, but I can't help myself.

“Where's Rome?” I say to Adrianne.

“Hmm. I actually don't know,” she says thoughtfully. “He’s supposed to be mingling, but at this rate of MIA, he's probably in his office.”

That's probably what's happening. Men always needing to talk business.

“Gorgeous dress, by the way,” a beautiful woman with a bob says as she passes me.

“Thank you, you too,” I say, taking in her long, black dress.

She winks at Adrianne before disappearing into the crowd.

I glance at Adrianne and she's turned scarlet in the face.

“Why are you red?” I ask.

“What do you mean? I don't know what you're talking about?”

I narrow my eyes, amused. “Uh-huh.”

“Go find your husband,” she says.

“We'll talk aboutthatlater,” I say, giving her a wink, before I move away toward Mama and Matthew who are still waltzing, seemingly oblivious to everything else around them. When I lightly tap Mama on the shoulder, she jumps.

“Sorry to interrupt!” I say.

“It’s fine, sweetie, what’s up?” Mama says. Her speech is a little slurred. She’s tipsy.

“Do you think it's a good idea if I take some food to Roman? Adrianne says he's in his office.”

“Okay,” she says, looking me up and down, “you lookstunning.”

“Oh, Mama, thank you!”

I lean in and kiss her on both cheeks.

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