Page 8 of Anything For This Love

My breath hitches at the heat in his voice and fire in his eyes. His lips brush mine gently, but before he can dive in, a feminine voice calls out and footsteps approach.

“I found a few gowns that meet your specifications. Plus, I tossed in a few more I thought would look incredible on her.” She nods toward me with a sweet smile. “Everything is set up in the dressing room. There’s a seating area where you can relax and enjoy a glass of champagne, if you’d like. If you need any assistance or a different size, there’s a little call button in your room. I’ll be locking up soon,” she informs us, glancing at her watch and indicating it’s almost closing time, “so come find me when you’re done. If you need anything else, just give me a buzz.”

We both thank her and follow her to the back of the store. She offers us both a drink, but I decline. There’s already enough excitement bubbling in my chest. Jacob accepts a glass and sinks into the chair, relaxing back with one ankle crossed over his opposite knee. He looks incredibly powerful and sexy sitting there, watching me with curious anticipation. I gulp back my nerves, hoping I don’t disappoint him.

I step inside and push the door shut, turning to the wall lined with colorful satins, mostly emerald green with a few dresses in other shades – deep purple, bright red, and sparkly silver – thrown into the mix. My fingers drift over the shiny, green fabric, barely grazing it. I’m almost afraid to touch it. If I know Jacob as well as I think I do, these dresses cost almost as much as my car.

Swallowing back my trepidation, I undress and gently slide one of the gowns off the cushioned hanger. I slip it over my head and push the straps up my shoulders. Managing to zip it up by myself, I study my reflection in the mirror. The color makes my eyes pop, brightening them beyond their natural hue. When I step out of the dressing room, Jacob eyes me up and down, bringing his fingers to his chin thoughtfully. My skin tingles under his perusal and heat creeps up the back of my neck. I’ve read scenes like this in romance novels and it always leads to some hanky panky in the dressing room, with ruffly skirts being shoved up to the heroine’s waist and cries of pleasure muffled by desperate kisses.

“What do you think?” My voice comes out breathy and Jacob freezes, his gaze lifting to mine.

“You look beautiful,” he praises, “but I want to see you in all of them.” His husky voice slides over the words like a lover’s caress.

Wanton need coils tightly in my lower belly, and I dart back into the dressing room for an escape. I’ll never get through all seven gowns if he keeps looking at me that way.

Selecting the next dress, I change into it, ensuring the first one is hung back up with care. I need help zipping this one up, so I hold it in place as I step out and walk up to Jacob. Turning my back to him, I peer at him over my shoulder, taking in the way his eyes flare at the sight of my bare skin. “Can you zip me up?”

Silently, he stands and grasps the zipper, slowly sliding it into place. He leans down and places a gentle kiss to my shoulder, his lips lingering a moment on my overheated skin.

“You look stunning.”

“Thank you.”

“Turn around. I need to get the full effect.”

I do as instructed and let him observe me from every angle. He gives an approving nod before asking to see the next one. This time, I change it up and grab the red selection. It’s a gorgeous dress that hugs my curves just right, but the color is bold and too flashy for my taste. Regardless, I leave the confines of the dressing room so Jacob can see it. He nearly bolts out of his chair when I step out into the seating area. He stops just short of bringing our bodies together, his eyes scanning up and down my petite frame. He leans in, his mouth an inch from my ear.

“You look good enough to eat in that color. Like a shiny red apple I can’t wait to sink my teeth into.” His voice whispers over my cheek and a shiver courses down my spine.

“It’s -” I pause, searching for the right way to tell him I wouldn’t dare wear this dress in public. It would draw far too much attention. “It’s very beautiful, but a little too bold for me.”

“You look perfect, but I want you to be happy with what you choose. Show me the next one.”

I try on three more dresses, modeling each for him as he sips his drink. He nods in approval at each of them, but nothing elicits the same reaction as the red dress. Finally, I slip into the only remaining emerald green dress, which I’ve saved for last because it’s the most stunning. When I put it on, I know instantly that it’s the one. Having grown restless of sitting, Jacob’s standing at the far side of the room with his hands on his hips when I come out one last time. He turns when he hears the door open and a smile spreads across his face.

“Wow,” he muses, closing the distance between us in measured strides. “Let me get a good look at you.” He holds up his hand and draws a circle with his fingers, instructing me to twirl for him. I turn slowly, giving him the full view from every angle. Histhumb goes to his lip and he tugs on it absently, studying me like he can’t decide which position he wants me in first. My thighs clamp together in response to my lascivious thoughts.

“What do you think?” he asks, his eyes dark and full of need.

“I think this is the one.”

“I agree. Why don’t you let me help you out of it and we’ll have her ring it up?”

My breath catches in my throat as he takes a step toward me. His fingers land on my waist and he applies just enough pressure to urge me backwards. I take a step back and then another until we’re back inside the dressing room and he shuts the door behind him. His arm snakes around my back and he hauls me to his chest. The proof of his arousal presses against my belly and I suck in a breath. My back hits the mirror as Jacob’s hand lands above my head and he braces his weight against the wall.

“It’s been driving me nuts watching you try on these dresses, knowing that on the other side of this door, you’re nearly naked,” he growls against my neck, nipping at my pulse point with his teeth. A low moan escapes my lips and I bring my hand to my mouth to muffle the sound. “I’ve been dying to see what's under here,” he confesses, bunching the skirt in his hands and lifting it. Cool air hits my knees as he lifts the material and crouches in front of me.

“Jacob!” I hiss, attempting to keep my voice down just in case Carla is hovering close by.

“Shhh,” he instructs, holding a finger to his mouth, one side curling up in a sly grin. “You don’t want anyone to hear, do you?” he asks, his eyes dancing with mischief. “Or maybe you do. Naughty girl,” he teases as his fingers skim up the inside of my thigh.

My head falls back against the mirror with a thud and my eyes fall closed. He slowly shimmies my panties down my legs and grips the back of my knee, throwing it over his shoulder. Anticipation lights my nerve endings on fire. I’m nearly shaking when his hot mouth finally meets my tender flesh. The first swipe of his tongue has me biting the inside of my lip to keep from crying out. He feasts on me like a starving man until my legs give out and he presses my hips to the wall to keep me from falling.

“Best appetizer I’ve ever had,” he says, standing and wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. A blush explodes over my cheeks as the lower half of my gown falls back into place. “Now let’s go get dinner.”

Twenty minutes later,we’re seated at a table in the middle of one of the city's most popular eateries. As promised, the atmosphere is casual, but there’s still an air of sophistication and an upscale vibe to the place. The wait staff are dressed in crisp white smocks and black pants. Soft, dim lighting creates a relaxed ambiance and faint music fills the air. The low murmur of conversation floats around as we look over our menus. Once we place our orders and the waiter takes the menus away, Jacob reaches across the table and takes my hand in his.

“I’m so glad you’re here.”

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