I curl my hair and apply my makeup carefully. Spritz myself in my favorite perfume then immediately regret it. What if I’m wearing too much? What if I’m making a big deal out of nothing?
I shove all of my insecure feelings into the darkest corners of my brain. I need to stop doubting myself all the time, but old habits are hard to break. The majority of my life, I’ve thought this way and it’s gotten me nowhere.
I’m sick of it. Before Seamus forced me out of the lobby with a gun jabbed into my side, I was gaining more confidence. Feeling assured in my position as Perry’s wife. I lost that.
Tonight, I’m ready to reclaim that version of myself.
A little before seven, I receive a text from my husband.
Perry:Meet me downstairs. I’m parked at the curb, right in front of the building. Have Jasper go with you.
I want to protest, but don’t. He’s justified in still being worried about my safety. I’m worried too.
Me:Will do!
“Jasper,” I call as I exit my bedroom. “Can you accompany me down to the lobby?”
Jasper appears out of nowhere, as he’s wont to do. “Where are you going? Oh, that’s right. Dinner with Mr. Constantine, correct?”
Nodding, I grab my small purse and shove my phone inside. “He’s here, ready to pick me up.”
“Let’s go then.”
We ride down in the elevator together, making small talk, though I wonder if Jasper can tell I’m nervous. More like I’m excited. Ready to get out and do something normal, like put on a pretty dress and go out to dinner with my handsome husband.
Once we leave the elevator I’m walking quickly through the mostly empty lobby of our building, smiling and nodding at the security guard sitting behind the desk as I walk by. Jasper’s hurried steps sound behind me and I think yet again how much of a non-threat my sweet, older butler is. If Seamus were to magically appear, he could knock Jasper over with a poke of his finger.
Glancing around the lobby, I look for a sneaky dark-haired Irishman lurking in the shadows, but I don’t spot any.
Thank goodness.
The moment I’m outside, I regret not wearing a coat since the wind is chilly. But that would cover up the goodness that is my dress, and I want to see Perry’s initial reaction when he first spots me. Giddy, I run the last few steps to the waiting Chevelle, throwing open the passenger side door and bending down so I can meet Perry’s gaze.
“Thanks, Jasper!” my husband yells, his gaze on me and nothing else. His eyes practically smolder as he takes me in, annoyance flitting across his face, which has me frowning in confusion. “Get in. Now.”
I scramble into my seat, slamming the heavy door before I turn to glare at him. “What’s wrong?”
“You were bent over and probably showing the entire night shift your ass,” he mutters irritably. “That skirt is too damn short.”
Glancing down at my exposed legs, I swallow hard, trying to fight the disappointment that wants to consume me. “You don’t like my dress?”
“I like it too damn much. That’s the problem. Look at you.” His fingers slip under my chin and he turns my head so I have to face him. “Sexy as fuck, wife. I don’t want anyone seeing that pretty ass of yours.”
This sort of talk shouldn’t make me feel all warm and gooey inside, but it does. Oh God, it really does.
“That ass belongs to me,” he continues, dipping his head to deliver a quick, tongue-filled kiss before he’s pulling away from me, one hand on the steering wheel, the other on the gear shift. “Get your seat belt on. We’re going for a ride.”
I do as he says, scrambling to pull my seat belt on, my heart pounding with excitement.
It’s going to be a good night.
Chapter Fourteen
Perry
There goes mywife, killing me yet again with one of those dresses that appears proper at first glance, yet is anything but. Covered everywhere but those damn legs of hers. I can’t stop looking at them as I drive, completely distracted by how smooth and shiny they look. Did she put something on them? Baby oil or some shit? They’re so damn long and she keeps moving them. Like she’s restless.
I’ll give her restless. If she doesn’t watch it, I’m going to pull over into a random parking garage like last time we were in the Chevelle and fuck her senseless. Make us late for our dinner reservation, not that I give a shit. The last thing I have on my mind right now is food.