Page 54 of Arden and the Girl Downstairs

I actually think Arden’s dad isn’t the only one who likes that I challenge him. I get the feeling the rest of his family and friends also approve; his dad isn’t the only one smiling at me when I glance around the table.

“Not happening,” Arden announces in what I’ve learned is his authoritative tone.

It doesn’t work on me, and I also don’t miss how the slow circles Arden has been drawing on my thigh have creeped higher. Seems like the challenge turns him on, and I am so here for this. I clench my thighs—he doesn’t miss the movement—and I smile up at him.

Game on.

He’s been teasing me all night with his soft touches, but never going further, never pushing that little harder.

At first, I thought it was the dress that caused the reaction. Now I know it’s me as well.

I must admit, today went better than I thought it would. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we walked into Giselle’s. I’ve heard of her, and how many people want to wear her dresses, but I wasn’t one of those girls that dreamed about it. I’ve heard the waitlist is to get an appointment with her is ridiculously long, so it surprised me that Arden could not only get one appointment, but an appointment for all of us, and the store was closed just for us. They pulled out all the stops today, including champagne on arrival, quickly followed by an endless supply of cocktails, during which the hairdressers and makeup artists arrived. Arden had arranged a full Cinderella experience for everyone.

Giselle even found me the perfect dress. She’d already met the other girls, so she knew what sort of styles suited them. Most recently, she dressed Yasmin and Ally for their formal last year, which was also a last-minute arrangement by Arden. I’m learning that this is just what he does for his friends.

Giselle took one look at my hot pink “Before you speak to me, ask yourself if this conversation is necessary” tee and laughed as she read it. It’s one of my faves. She then told me she had the perfect dress for me to wear, and that was when Yasmin decided to tell her I was Arden’s wife.

I have never seen somebody react how she did to the news. She was ecstatic, surprised, and blown away, all at the same time.

This little French lady—probably in her late fifties—was shocked. She actually told me she never thought she would see the day that one of Arden’s girlfriends would step into her store to be dressed by her . . . let alone hiswife.

She then spent half an hour being upset at me because she didn’t get to create the dress for my wedding. We clued her into what had happened, and the fact that we didn’t actually have a wedding, and how getting Arden into rehab panned out.

The girls filled Giselle in on all the gossip about me. They chattered excitedly, even though I was standing right there, but I didn't care. It was all in fun. I’ve spent enough time with Yasmin and Ally to know their personalities, and they definitely don’t hate me for what I did. Neither does Julia. I have a soft spot for her. She messages me almost daily and I love it. I love hearing about her day.

The girls also don’t treat me like an outsider. They immediately accepted me into the group, and I couldn’t be more thankful. If this is what it’s like having girls as friends, I sure as hell have missed out the last few years, but I have a feeling these girls are going to make up for it.

I never actually met Mumma Nat—Chase’s mum—before today, but she welcomed me with open arms. It’s clear these women in my newfound family all love each other, and they would do anything for each other as well.

Yasmin filled me in on the main issues with her dad and how everything has gone down. She’s happy he’s come along this weekend, but she still isn’t completely ready to let him in. Given their history, I don’t blame her. However,heishere, and that speaks volumes.

We spent hours trying on dresses, doing fashion shows, laughing, dancing, and having so much fun. At one point, Giselle ducked out the back and returned with a new dress, and the minute I saw it, I knew it was the one for me. The top of the dress was black with short sleeves, a tight-fitting bodice, and a skirt that flared into a short tutu with layers upon layers of the softest multicoloured tulle I had ever touched. Up close, unicorn silhouettes were visible all over the top part of the dress, incredibly subtle in the black fabric.

It was short, but so am I, and it fit me like a glove, hugging my curves while also being super comfortable. As soon as I saw my reflection, I was speechless. The dress was magical, like it was made for me; it captured my personality perfectly, and I didn’t feel like a sheep in wolf’s clothing.

The look in Arden’s eyes when he walked into the store to see me standing there with my blonde hair curled down my back, subtle makeup on, and three-inch hot pink Louis Vuittons gave me butterflies. His heated gaze held both lust and promises.

I’d never owned a pair of Louis Vuitton’s—heels definitely aren’t my thing—but Giselle and the girls talked me into it. They promised they would be comfortable.

They lied.

The minute we walked into the restaurant and sat down, those suckers came off. I’m not a heels girl, but apparently I could not get away with wearing this dress without them. I’m glad I got talked into it, especially for the initial wow factor, but Arden smirked when he saw my shoes under the table.

As if he can sense I’ve been thinking about my dress and his reaction to it, Arden leans in and whispers in my ear. “You look breathtaking, and I can’t wait to peel you out of this dress tonight.” His hand ruffles the tutu layers as heady flush warms me.

I turn to look up into his sparkling blue eyes, replying with my new favourite taunt. “Is that a promise?”

I cannot wait to get home tonight, but more importantly, I’m not backing down with my stance on paying for dinner, and if he wants to be peeling this dress off, hewilllet me.

I’m not against using my body to get what I want with him—a girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.

Everybody chats again while sipping their drinks. The adults—Daddy Warbucks, Mumma Nat, GW, David, Ralph, and Martha—all have wine, while the rest of us of legal drinking age prefer other forms of alcohol. Yasmin, Ally, and I have cocktails, and the boys have beer. Poor Millie, Julia, and Hayden have soft drinks, being underage.

I can’t even remember the name of this cocktail because this isn’t my first drink, and at this point, I don’t care. I have a buzz happening and I’m enjoying it. I’m not completely irresponsible; I didn’t take my pain meds today so that I could have a drink and enjoy myself. I’m kind of hoping I will not need them later, but we’ll see how the night pans out with Arden.

While everybody else is distracted, I lean closer to Arden and kiss him on the cheek. His signature scent of coconut, lime, and man overwhelms my senses, sending a pulse right between my legs.

I want to have some fun.

---