Page 90 of Broken Dreams
“Sure you didn’t.”
I take a step to her. “We can fly home after the party if you want. I don’t want you to be uncomfortable.” I also don’t want her to think I’m responsible for this or that I expect anything.
Tonight may have started rocky or at least strange, but we found our way back to the carefree friendship we have. She was definitely not excited when we got in the plane, but as soon as we were airborne, it was different. We flew into the small airport in upstate New York. There were stars in her eyes the entire flight, watching the lights below and talking to me on her headset.
Gone were the conversations in the car and here was a free and happy Addison.
One I was enjoying immensely.
And one I don’t want to lose.
“It’s fine, Grady. I know you didn’t really plan this, I was there when the front desk stated what happened. We’re adults and we’ll be fine.”
“Right.” I’ll just have to jerk off in the shower when we get back to the room and fight every urge I have to touch her—at all. No touching or I’m going to end up between her legs.
She smiles and lifts her bag. “Now, we’re late and I have to get ready to be the arm candy you need.”
I don’t need arm candy, I need her. Just her. The way she is because it’s impossible not to fall into her charm once she speaks. I want to tell her that, but I worry she’ll think it means more and there can’t be more when it comes to us. Jett is already too attached. He needs me to protect him from it getting deeper. “Addy...”
She taps my nose. “Let me get ready without another weird conversation happening. Okay?”
“Okay,” I acquiesce.
I hear the bag hit the floor and a lot of things opening, moving, thumping as she starts to get ready. I flip the television on and lie back on the bed, letting her do her thing. It’ll take me a total of eight minutes to get ready, so I lounge and wait for Addison to emerge, hopefully soon, since we’re running late as it is.
“I’m almost done!” she calls from the bathroom about thirty minutes later and I take that as my cue to get ready.
I pull out my tux from the closet, since this is a black-tie event, and get dressed. I had to dress up for balls and events when I was on active duty, but I was in uniform, which felt like armor in some ways. There’s a nervousness that I can’t explain.
Maybe it’s because this is really one of my last shots to secure the funding.
Maybe it’s because the last time I wore a tux was for prom, since Lisa and I got married in a traditional military style wedding.
Or maybe it’s because I’m here—with Addison.
A woman I’m coming to like more than I thought I would. More than I want to. More than what our arrangement was supposed to be.
All of that could be it, but I don’t have the time to pinpoint it because about ten seconds later, the door opens and she walks out.
Stunning.
Fucking stunning.
She smiles, glances down at her dress and up to me. I should speak. I should have words coming out of my mouth, but I can’t.
She’s fucking fantastic.
Her long blond hair is swept up with hanging curls, her makeup is darker than I’ve ever seen, but it’s perfectly subtle at the same time. Except her ruby red lips, there is nothing subtle about those. Her beauty is beyond words, but the showstopper is her dress. Red silk falls against her body as though it was fashioned exactly for her. The front dips down low, just the traces of her breasts visible.
“Do you like it?” she asks when I still haven’t said anything. “I saw the dress in the store and really thought it was pretty. Chloe and Devney demanded I buy it after I tried it on, but if you think it’s too—”
“Exquisite,” I finish. “You. The dress. You’re...perfect.”
The fear in her eyes vanishes and she smiles softly. “I wouldn’t say perfect, but...”
“I would. I do. You’re perfect and you left me speechless.”
Her cheeks redden and it takes everything inside of me not to lift her in my arms, toss her on the bed, and see what that red lipstick looks like on my cock, but that’s not going to happen for several reasons.
