“Where will you be?”
“In the other bedroom, getting dressed and briefed on some specifics for tonight. I’ll be in and out if you like.”
“I kind of like the idea of you seeing me once I’m all put together.”
He grins. “That works, too. But I’ll be here if you need me.”
He kisses my cheek, crosses to the door, and then all hell breaks loose.
Six people come storming inside. It looks like a herd of elephants, and they’re all headed toward me. They tell me their names, but I’ll never remember them all.
“Your skin is dull,” is the first thing said. “But don’t worry, we’ll brighten you up. You go shower, do not wash your hair, and we’ll get set up out here.”
“Okay.” I start to back away. “Uh, I’ll be out soon.”
I lock myself in the bathroom and press my back against the door. This is just…crazy.
Is this how Kane feels when he’s in the middle of one of his glass shows and hundreds of people come to see him?
Kane’s so moody, so grouchy, I can’t imagine that going over well with him.
Then again, he’s loosened up considerably since he met Anastasia.
It doesn’t take me too long to buff and polish myself in the shower since I’m not washing my hair. I slip into my strapless bra and panties that I brought just for this occasion and wrap myself in a thick, luxurious cashmere robe before walking back out to be transformed into a woman worthy of being on Hunter’s arm on the red carpet.
“I do believe our work here is finished.”
Three hours. It took three freaking hours to finish said work. I’m used to taking thirty minutes to slap on a little makeup and do something with my hair.
This was another experience altogether.
I have lashes. Not the kind you glue onto your eyelid. No, these have been added to my actual lashes. They should last several weeks, and if I choose to, I can start seeing someone to keep them filled in all the time.
We decided to leave my hair down because it’s thick, and if we did an up-do, there was concern that it would either look bridal or like I was going to the prom.
So, for several hours, someone stood behind me with a curling iron and carefully sculpted every strand.
I’ve just stepped into my dress and am itching to look in the nearby full-length mirror.
“Can I look now?” I ask.
“Don’t worry,” I’m assured, “we have smelling salts for when you faint. Just don’t mess up your hair.”
I laugh and walk over to the mirror. And then I just stand and stare.
“Is that me?”
“It’s all you. We just enhanced you.”
“Everyone out.”
It’s Hunter’s voice. There’s a bit of commotion around me, and then the door closes.
The air is charged.
I slowly turn around and see that Hunter, who was already the sexiest man alive, is wearing a black tux. What is it about muscled men in tuxes? It fits him like a damn glove.
It makes a girl salivate.
“I—”
He doesn’t finish the sentence, he just stares, unblinking, taking me in from head to toe the way he did the first time he saw me.
“You look nice,” I say lamely, suddenly feeling uncomfortable.
“I’ve swallowed my tongue,” he says at last and rubs his fingers over his lips. “For fuck’s sake, we can’t go tonight.”
“Why? Is this not appropriate?”
“I’ll kill them all.” I blink at him, and my stomach loosens a bit. “They’ll stare at you, want you, and I’ll have to murder them.”
“I think you’re safe from that.” I laugh and step to him, straightening his tie. “I’m glad you like it.”
“I don’t think I just like it.” He swallows hard. “What I’m feeling can’t be that simple.”
“It’s just a dress. And a super special necklace.”
“It’s the woman in them.” He grins. “I want to kiss you, but I don’t want to mess you up.”
“They left the tube of lipstick for me.”
The kiss is gentle. It always surprises me how tender he is with me given how strong and big he is.
Finally, he pulls back and sighs.
“We have to go. I have to share you with the world for a while. And then, I have some special things planned for later.”
“Good God, Hunter, I can’t take any more special plans. I’ll die of a heart attack.”
He laughs and passes me my clutch.
When we walk into the hallway, I’m surprised to see two men, two huge men, waiting for us.
I turn to Hunter and raise a brow.
“This is Sid and Harry. They’re our bodyguards for the night.”
“Wait, what? Why in the world do we need bodyguards?”
“Because Mr. Meyers is a very famous man. One who receives threats.” Sid nods, and we walk toward the elevator.
“But, why?”
“Because I beat people up for a living, babe.” Hunter winks at me. “And while I have no problem protecting myself, I won’t risk anything happening to you.”