Page 57 of Duke's Daring Bookworm
“That wasn’t so bad,” I said to Frankie as we collapsed onto the couch once Clara packed up and left. It was late, and we still had work in the morning, but I was still too keyed up to go straight to bed.
“I thought you said it was horrid, and you hated every minute and never wanted to do it again.” She held her fingers up in little quote signs.
“It was. Why didn’t she pull out that dress to start with? But then she did, and it was perfect.” I sighed and leaned my head against the back of the couch.
“I think she enjoys torturing people.” Frankie seemed excited by the idea, and I was willing to bet she would get Clara’s number so she could find out.
“Maybe. I can’t wait to see how Duke reacts to that dress.” I didn’t mean to say that out loud, but now it was out in the world, and I couldn’t take it back.
“It’s like that?” Frankie raised an eyebrow at me.
“It’s n—we’re just friends and this whole deal is only for a month. Still, I want him to think I’m beautiful. Is that so bad?” I plucked at the pillow and kept staring at the ceiling as I confessed.
“Of course not.”
“I’m going to bed.” I pushed off the couch, sore and overwhelmed but satisfied. I was still too keyed up to sleep, but I couldn’t keep talking about Duke, not without revealing too much to Frankie.
In my dreams that night, Duke showed up in the Pumpkin, with Frankie somehow pulling it and Clara waving a magic wand, turning me into something I wasn’t. The way Duke smiled at me, though, made the transformation worth it. If only he would keep looking at me like that, I’d try to be anyone he needed.
Chapter Twenty-One
Istood in the living room on instructions from Frankie. I didn’t expect fanfare from Lily, she wasn’t the type for that, and nerves skittered along my spine from worry that she changed her mind and decided it would be too overwhelming.
The clock on the wall ticked, and I considered pacing just to dispel the energy building in me. Frankie stepped out of Lily’s room, rubbing her hands like a villain.
What had she done?
“Ready?” she asked as she stepped out of the short hall that held the doors to their rooms, moving to the side so Lily could walk out.
Purple emerged first, the skirts of her dress so voluminous that they preceded her entrance. I saw her profile first as she stepped out of the door, holding up the skirts so she could walk. Her red curls looked perfect, styled in a sort of braid circling her head with a jeweled headbandnestled in it. The dress fit tight against her waist and when she turned toward me, I caught my breath, and my cock jerked to attention.
“Fuck,” I said under my breath.
“Seems like he likes it,” Frankie said from her corner.
Lily’s face lit up as she looked me up and down.
“You look good.” She stepped up to me and ran her hand along my chest, the smell of jasmine and vanilla floating to me. Whatever shoes she wore put her at almost eye level with me, and all I could think about was how she was the perfect height to pull in for a long, slow kiss.
I swallowed hard.
“Thank you,” I said once I remembered the word. “You look… wow.” Everything my Staff Sergeant shouted at me was true. I was a complete idiot.
She blushed, and I followed the redness down her neck to her neckline. My cock throbbed at the sight of her pale skin flushing red. Like it did in the throes of passion, when she took me so well and begged for more.
“Earth to Duke,” Frankie cut in. “Time to go?”
“Right.” I shook my head and stepped over to open the door for Lily.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!” Frankie called just before Lily stepped through the door.
“You wouldn’t even come. Also, there’s very little you won’t do.” Lily laughed and shut the door behind her. I hooked her arm into mine and walked her to the waiting limo.
“Oh,” she said when she saw it.
“Fancy galas require fancy cars.” The feel of her hand as she held mine for balance as I helped her into the car burned through me.
“You look amazing.” I brought her hand to my mouth,kissing it, wishing it was her mouth instead.
