Page 39 of Leather & Lace

“Alright Cinderella, let’s get you something dazzling to wear.” We smile at one another as we enter the boutique. It is breathtaking inside. The shop reeks of wealth and stature. Expensive items hang from the dainty, lilac-painted walls.

Every dress I see looks like something you would dream out of a fantasy. Only queens or ladies of a house would be fitting for this kind of formality. I look down at my torn jeans and wrinkled AC/DC shirt and shudder.

“Jenny, we are severely undressed to even step foot into this shop.” Jenny just rolls her eyes.

“Babe, all you need is a black card here, they will gladly take anyone’s soul as long as they have the money for it.” We made our way deeper into the boutique. I eye some beautiful black lace gowns to my right, then greeted with a pair of white satin low cut gowns to my left.

“Can I help you ladies find anything?” A tall, slender, gorgeous blonde woman asks me. Looking at me with disdain in her eyes, I am sure she probably thinks we are lost. Or maybe up to no good. Jenny takes a good long look at her, sizing her up and down.

“Why yes, yes you can. We have a ball she is attending tonight. I believe you have probably heard of it. The annual Fall City Masquerade.” Jenny’s accent turned British all of a sudden. I have to cover my mouth in order not to laugh. The blonde lady’s face suddenly tightens, her eyes widening.

“Yes, of course I know about that event. It’s the biggest event held all year. So, you are looking for something specific then?” Her gaze shifts to me from Jenny’s.

I swallow and reply, “Yes, I am looking for something in red.” Red is Eli’s favorite color, so I would find it extremely fitting. A little surprise for him.

“Red, hmm yes.” She places a finger on her chin, searching her mind. “Yes, I have the perfect dress for you. We actually just got it in today. I hope Versace will be perfect for you for the ball?” Jenny’s eyes shoot to mine.

“If you don’t get that dress, I will,” she says as the lady glances at her in surprise hearing no accent. She then leads us toa display case towards the middle of the store. My eyes view it before she even points it out.

A beautiful and seductive red satin dress with a low v-cut down the middle stands before me. Red lace flows from the bottom. A long slit roams up the left leg. It is stunning.

“I can also match this with some delicate red leather gloves.” The lady ponders while inspecting the dress.

“Black,” is all I say. Jenny and her look towards me. “Black leather gloves will do perfectly.” The lady nods her head with approval.

“Let me grab you the perfect pair.” I see a black, short mask hanging out of the corner of my eye on the far wall. It has the eyes exposed but covers the mouth. It is the sexiest mask I have ever seen, well...except for Eli’s skull mask.

It will fit perfectly for the seductive look I am trying to accomplish. The lady returns with the black leather dainty gloves and a pair of black Louboutin heels. “These will be perfect; I sized you at a seven.”

Well, the lady was very good at her job. “I will also take that mask.” I point to the far wall.

“Very well.” She smiles in approval. “I will have it all ready up front.” She turns and takes the items with her.

Jenny picks out a black lace thigh high tight dress and matching lace gloves. She was upset I wouldn’t tell her why she needed to get a dress. She told me if it was for something dumb that she would rip my dress into pieces. I just giggled at her anxiety. Checking out at the cashier, the total comes to over five thousand dollars. I nearly died. The lady just stares at me with a snobbish grin in her eyes. Jenny just lets out a low laugh.

Turning British again, Jenny heaves.“Oh darling, that’s it? I was expecting to pay at least ten thousand. I guess they must have sales going on.” The lady’s mouth dropped open at the accusation.

We pay and leave quickly. I rush out into the cool air. Jenny is gasping with laughs behind me. “Did you see the look on that stuck up bitch’s face? She thought we wouldn’t have been able to afford that.” Jenny opens her car door.

“Holy hell, Jenny, that was a lot of money,” I say with an anxiety ridden voice.

“Honey, that is nothing for them. Mere pocket change. Your life has changed. You need to accept that you are worth all of this and if he wants to spoil you, let him!” She gracefully slips into the car as I follow.

The next few hours we are held up in a hair salon, getting our hair and make up ready. I get a tight updo while Jenny has her hair curled and braided on the right side of her head. We look stunning. Both our makeup is done in smoky tones and a crimson lip stains our flesh. Today has been one for the books and the truth is, the real fun has not even started yet.

CHAPTER 21

ELI

I returned home about an hour after Brook had returned with Jenny from shopping. I am not allowed in my room, because Jenny wants it to be a surprise when I get to see her. I opt out and end up getting ready in my all-black tux in Dane’s room. By the time I had finished fastening my silver cufflinks, I saw that Dane and Jenny had already left for the evening.

I slick my onyx hair back with some pomade and apply my black mask for the final look. Heading downstairs, I call the limo service to make sure the Rolls Royce will be here promptly at eight. As I hang up my phone, I hear heels clicking towards me from the top of the marble stairs. She comes into view, my heart drops into my stomach.

She is a vision. The blood-red dress that clings to her porcelain satin skin has my breathing starting to become sporadic. There is a slit on the left side that ends right before her undergarments would show.

The long and deep v-neck exposes just a hit of her glorious tits. The mask she wears looks like a dark queen that I would gladly drop to my knees and lay my life on the line for. Nothing in this world would compare to the goddess I have standing before me. No dream could even come close to the beauty that is radiating from the top of the staircase looking down at me.

“You look stunning,” I say in a weak, breathy voice. She giggles a musical hum as she walks down the stairs to meet me.

---