“You can. Believe me, Duke already wants you. The lingerie is just like window dressing. It will give him the push he needs to get over this idea of taking it slow. Remember, blow jobs are king.”
She had to duck her head. She wished she had a tenth of Jewel’s confidence. She stood and took a look at herself in her full-length mirror, barely recognizing the woman who stared back. Jewel had convinced her to get a haircut, nothing major, the hair stylist had lightened it and put in layers so it felt lighter but it had more of a curl to it with the weight out and the highlights mixed in well with her own dark-blonde tones.
The make-up was subtle, but it made her eyes look bigger, her cheeks higher. The clothes were something she’d never dare wear before. The skirt was short and the top tight, yet it was totally her.
“I feel beautiful.”
Jewel stepped up behind her. “You were always gorgeous, Sunny.”
She nodded. “But now, I feel like me. Rather than trying to be someone that someone else wanted me to be. And I look. . .I look happy.”
And that had nothing to do with her clothes.
Jewel winked. “You’re gonna look even happier after you get yourself some.”
“I hope so.”
“You’ll knock him dead, babe. Call me tomorrow and give me all the nasty details.”
She blushed then turned to her friend. “You’re going now?”
Jewel nodded. “Got a shift at the club.”
“Thank you!” Sunny moved on instinct and wrapped her arms around her new friend. “I couldn’t have done it without you.”
Jewel was stiff for a moment then she wrapped her arms around Sunny, holding her tight. “Pleasure was all mine, babe.”
* * *
Ink let out a low whistle. “Damn, looking good, Sunny-girl.”
Duke turned and felt his mouth drop open slightly. He placed his bottle of beer down, barely aware of it tipping over and Spike righting it.
Sunny walked up onto the deck, Jason behind her. She was dressed in a short skirt and tight top and her hair was flowing down her back. It looked lighter, curlier and her eyes seemed brighter.
The top stretched across her breasts and accentuated her small waist and those legs of hers. . .hell she wasn’t that tall and yet they looked like they went on forever. He walked towards her, drawing her close, dipping his mouth to kiss her. His tongue slid inside her mouth and she wrapped her arms around his neck.
He heard a low whistle then remembered the boys. Not that he cared. In fact, it might be good if they all fucked off.
“Hey, baby.”
“Hi,” she said breathlessly, staring up at him with dazed eyes.
He drew back to look her over. “Looking fucking good, babe. But you always did.”
She gave him a happy look. “I never liked my old clothes. They were old and too big for me. But I like these new outfits. I feel sexy.”
“You look damn sexy, too, Sunny-girl,” Ink commented.
Duke turned to glare at him as Sunny blushed.
“Isn’t it time you assholes hit the road?” Duke told them all.
Ink grinned and leaned back in his chair. “I thought I’d have a drink and shoot the shit with Sunny.”
Spike gave the other man a whack on the head. “Hey!” Ink rubbed at the spot.
“You thought wrong,” Duke growled. “Go.”