Page 44 of Dream Lover
“I would, but I have a hot date.”
“Right.” He paused. “Don’t hurt my sister. I don’t want to murder you.”
“I’d never.” Even though I had. It wouldn’t happen again.
“Okay. I gotta go.” Luckily, he didn’t give me too much shit for dating his sister.
“We’ll catch up soon, I promise.”
I ended the call and got in my car to go home to get ready and pick up my place. After traveling, everything was everywhere.
I was taking Quinn out and had every intention on getting her back to my place at the end of the night. I did a quick sweep of the place, picking up dirty clothes out of the bathroom floor. Running the vacuum. I changed the sheets on my bed.
I did have a cleaning lady, but she was on maternity leave, and I hadn’t had time to find a replacement. Satisfied with how the place looked, I picked out my clothes and hopped in the shower. Let’s do this.
17
Quinn
If you kiss my neck, I’m not responsible for what happens next
Fingeringthrough the wooden hangers on the rack inside my closet, I had no clue what to wear to dinner with Conner. Casual? Dressy? Sweats? Okay, maybe not sweats, but still. There were too many options, and dammit if part of me didn’t want to look awesome for whatever the night would bring.
Although we’d spent a great week together, excluding Rebecca and company, in Las Vegas, this would be our first real date like a couple.
Not that I believed a date implied there would be an us, maybe it was a glimmer of hope.Snap out of it, Quinn. You’re mad at him. Remember?
Gripping a little red satin slip of a dress between my fingertips and feeling its softness, I remembered how Conner’s eyes lit up when I wore the red dress during the competition. The one he bought for me.
The night a dream so many years in the making came true.
Our first kiss. Intense and all consuming. Everything that one would think a first kiss should be. His gaze seared through me and penetrated my soul; my breath stalled in my throat, his warm, slick tongue dominating mine. A moment I had fantasized almost half my life. If I touched my lips, the feel of him still lingered there.
Buzz. Buzz. My cell phone vibrated, lighting up on the nightstand of my bedroom. Pulling the power cord out to unhook it, I picked the device up and swiped a finger across the screen.
Conner—You decide where you want to go yet?
Quinn—Surprise me.
Conner—See you at seven, buttercup.
Lips tipping up at the silly pet name, I snatched the red silk from the hanger. Even though he’d seen me in it before, it had sentimental value. It meant something to me, and I hoped it did the same for him.
Searching through my underwear drawer, I snagged my red satin strapless bra and coordinating hipsters that matched my dress.
I hated going strapless, but I couldn’t simply slap some pasties over my nipples and call it a day. My girls required support, or all hell would break loose.
Glancing at the clock, there was enough time to shave my legs and reapply my makeup. I never wore a lot, however, tonight I wanted to go the extra distance, giving my eyes a bit of a smoky, dramatic appearance. It was something I hadn’t done for him before, and I was curious what his response would be.
While I was still angry at him for completely writing me off, those feelings I had for him were still going strong, and chances were good that I’d be in Conner’s bed reenacting a performance of what we started on our trip. He’d have to work a bit for it first, though.
Hurrying through my shower, I prayed I didn’t miss any spots while shaving. The last thing I wanted was Conner to run his hand up my smooth leg and hit a patch of hair and think he was touching spider.
Going through the motions of my set routine, I did my hair in loose waves that hugged my shoulders but bounced when I moved. Applying mascara and red lip gloss, I checked my reflection in the mirror. Black and smoky gray eyeshadow highlighted my olive eyes, giving me a sex kitten vibe.
Losing my robe, I took extra care not to ruin my hair while pulling my dress over my head. The red satin clung to my hips, and the draping neckline accented my ample cleavage. The dress hit right below my knees with a slit up the front that ended mid-thigh.
Tagging my earrings from the dresser, I pushed the diamond studs through the holes and slipped silver bangles over my wrist. Completing the look with my favorite red heels that wrapped around my ankles, I felt glamorous like Hollywood royalty.
