Page 95 of Sugar Coated Secrets

A woman sticks a microphone in front of his face. “Who’s the lucky lady, Ford?”

“I’m the lucky one,” he says, squeezing me tight. The crowd fades away in the background. Our eyes lock, the beat of my heart in my ears. “Will you go out with me tonight, Dulce?”

I smile, wanting nothing more than to share this moment with him. “I would love to.”

Rummaging in my bag, I want to kick myself for not thinking of bringing anything nice to wear for an evening out.

I honestly didn’t think we were going to go out for dinner or that he would ask me out anywhere else. I thought I was here to see him race, promote the bakery, and serve the cakes and cookies I baked into the wee hours of the morning the night before the courier showed up.

I ended up watching the race and not having to hand out anything. Ford had Derek hire an entire team with the bakery’s logo and banner. There was a gorgeous pink-and-black tent I have never seen before all made up like I had an entire marketing team at my disposal.

There is a knock on the door. I check the time on my phone. Ford said he’d pick me up at seven, but that’s three hours from now. My anxiety is running high as I open the door, not knowing what to expect. He hasn’t called.

“Are you Dulce Webster?” a woman asks, surrounded by another women about my age and a man with green hair.

“Yes,” I reply tentatively. “Who are you?”

“I’m Jermaine, and this is Tina and Britney. We are here to help you get ready for dinner. Hair, makeup, and…” He pauses, assessing me. “Don’t worry. Mr. Keller said to take good care of you. You won’t have to worry about a thing,” he says animatedly.

“Mr. Keller gave us strict instructions.” Jermaine speaks to the women like I’m not in the room, and I’m a doll they have to dress. “He said not to cut or dye her hair. He doesn’t want to change her; he only wants to enhance her,” he tells Tina and Britney, then turns to me with a smile.

I glance at Tina and notice the garment bag with a box I’m assuming are shoes. Ford thought things through when he asked me to come.

After checking in with Mary and the nurse Ford hired, I let them do their thing and glam me up. I’ve never been to a salon or had my nails professionally done, but a girl can get used to this. It’s one night.

I just hope it doesn’t turn out the way prom night did.

30

FORD

Iknock on the door to Dulce’s suite. I didn’t want her in a separate room, but I have to take things slow after she told me what happened that night.

She probably has no idea, but I have security monitoring this floor. I’m not planning on sleeping here tonight. It’s why I decided we have dinner in my penthouse suite so we can have more privacy. I want her all to myself.

When the door opens, my throat goes dry. She’s wearing the black cocktail dress with a high slit. Her natural hair is silky straight, the way I like it. There is nothing I want to change about her, but I sent a glam team to pamper her. Her short nails are painted a red to match the red suede five-inch heels I don’t plan on taking off.

I make it obvious I like what I see the way my eyes slide over her. Slowly. Deliberately undressing her.

“You look gorgeous, Dulce.”

“You look nice too, Ford.”

I give her my arm. “Shall we?”

She rubs her glossy lips together, and all I can think about is her mouth wrapped around me. “Just a sec.” She walks backin the room and comes out with her phone and the designer evening bag I picked out. “I’m ready.”

We take the elevator up to my floor. If she’s nervous when we step into the penthouse suite, she doesn’t show it. Her eyes take in the luxury of the room. It’s more of an apartment with the marble floors and tall windows with the view of the city.

“Wow,” she breathes. “Is this how you’ve been living since you left?”

I smile. “This is nothing but yes. This is my life. Hotel rooms in different cities, parties, and endless people.”

“A far cry from Airy.”

“I’ve done okay for myself, I think.”

“Yes, you have,” she says, looking out at the city lights. “Is there anything you regret?”

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