Page 39 of Mated to the Enemy
“Yet. Tomorrow is a wedding.”
“So?”
Natalia laughed. “Things happen at weddings, and if nothing crazy happens at mine, I’m going to be disappointed!”
Shifting uncomfortably, Jessica forced a laugh as well. Something crazy? With her and Klaue? There was nothing there. Right?
She remembered the way her body reacted to them holding hands. Nat had just grabbed her hand minutes ago, and nothing had happened. Not compared to when Klaue touched her.
“Here, try this on,” Nat said, changing the subject.
Grateful for the reprieve, Jess launched into the project of finding the right dress. Surprisingly, it didn’t take long, and soon they were onto picking out shoes. They were half a size different, but Nat pulled out a pair she said were a bit loose on her, and to both their delight, they fit Jessica adequately enough for an evening.
“Okay, well, you look stunning,” Nat said, eyeing her up and down. “Klaue isn’t going to be able to take his eyes off you.”
“It’s not like that,” she protested feebly, knowing it was useless trying to convince the other woman, and yet somehow finding herself liking Nat more because of it.
“Right. Anyway, take it off.”
“Pardon?”
“You can’t let him see you in it yet,” Nat said with a laugh, then waved her arms. “Change back into those comfy sweats that do nothing to catch a man’s eye. Which is exactly what you want until he sees you in that.”
Jessica changed and Nat grabbed the items from her and set them aside, then gestured for her to leave the closet.
“But I thought I…” she said, confused. Why was she leaving the garments there? She needed them for the next day…
“Come back in the morning,” Nat said. “You can meet my friends, and we’ll get the makeup artists to do you as well, get your hair done. The works. We’ll have some champagne and you can just relax. They’re cool, they won’t judge you, I promise.”
Jessica was stunned. “Nat, you don’t have to do that. I couldn’t possibly interrupt. This is your wedding, and—”
Amber eyes flashed. “Exactly. It’smywedding, and if I want to change it up and have you join us, then that’s whatIwant. I’m not afraid to push to get my way either. Klaue is a good friend of Kirell’s. They work together and have saved each other’s lives. Whether you two are or aren’t, you’re coming with him, and so I’m going to take care of you. Care to argue any more?” she asked, crossing her arms.
“No, Ma’am,” Jessica said, subdued. “I’ll come back.”
“Good. Now shoo, let’s go.”
They exited the closet and moved back into the sitting area where Klaue was lounging on a chair, eyes closed. They popped open the second Jessica emerged.
“No luck?” he asked, standing up.
“She’s all set,” Nat said, jumping in before Jessica could say otherwise. “But I told her she’s coming back in the morning to get her hair and makeup done with the rest of my bridesmaids. So make sure she’s here, showered and presentable by ten, okay?”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Klaue said, sketching out a salute. “I’m on it.”
“Good. Now go, I have to start freaking out about the fact I’m getting married tomorrow.”
Klaue snorted. “I highly doubt that.”
Nat stuck out her tongue.
Jessica remained quiet, still awed by the woman’s generosity. It was so unlike anything she’d experienced at House Ursa so far. Or even with the other women of House Canis either, all of whom had been very inwardly-oriented in their priorities. This was unexpected, and she still wasn’t sure what to make of it.
Klaue’s hand landed on the small of her back as he ushered her back through the door, the press of his fingers sending tingles shooting through her core.
“Oh, and Klaue?” Natalia called after them.
Jessica turned back as well.
“Yes?”
“I need that dress back in the same condition it’s going out in. No ripping it.”
