61. Langdon
Sixty One
Langdon
I cannot wait to see her. I also cannot stop fiddling with my tux as I wait with my parents, Anderson, Gramps and Clover in Delia’s living room. The anticipation is killing me. All she would tell me is that her Prom dress was Emerald green—like her eyes. Lyra and Miles and her all went shopping together to pick out their outfits, but I wasn’t allowed to come. She said she wanted her dress to be a surprise.
“Okay! I’m coming,” Delia calls from upstairs. Clover and my mom wedge themselves at my sides to see her make her entrance.
My heart skips a beat as she appears at the top of the stairs. There she stands, a vision. Delia’s emerald green dress hugs her curves, accentuating every enchanting detail. The soft fabric cascades down to the floor, trailing behind her in a gentle sway. Her hair is half up, with sexy wisps framing her face.
I feel a rush of emotions overwhelm me as our eyes meet. Her beaming smile lights up the space between us, and I can’t help but reciprocate.
Her green eyes sparkle with excitement as she descends the staircase.
As she reaches the bottom, my hand instinctively reaches out to meet hers. The moment our fingers interlock, a surge of warmth and familiarity courses through me. It’s as if every nerve in my body recognizes this connection. I’m speechless. Which is rare. Luckily Mom and Clover jump in gushing over how stunning she looks.
As Mom and Clover continue their compliments, their voices become distant echoes in the background. My attention remains solely on Delia, captivated by every delicate feature that defines her allure. The way her hair falls gracefully around her face, framing her radiant smile. The smattering of freckles across the apples of her cheeks. The way her dress accentuates her body, hinting at the secrets it holds within that only I am privy too.
Suddenly, Delia leans forward and whispers softly into my ear, “You clean up pretty well, Mr. Nash.” Her voice, filled with playfulness, sends a shiver down my spine.
I chuckle, feeling the tension that had built up all day finally release. “And you, have left me breathless.”
Her laughter dances in the air as she pulls away slightly to meet my gaze. “Well, it’s only fair. You’ve always had that effect on me.”
Unable to resist any longer, I lean in and capture her lips with mine. It’s a gentle kiss but that doesn’t stop Anderson from groaning and telling us to knock it off. Which Gramps and Dad seem to agree with. She bites her bottom lip and it takes all my willpower not to kiss her more right then.
Mom nudges me and glances at the box in my hand.
“Oh, right. This is for you.” I open the box and pull out the corsage as she gives me her left hand.
“Wait! Pictures,” my mom blurts out. Delia laughs as I roll my eyes.
“It’s so beautiful,” she says while the parents try to get their phones up and ready to record.
“Viv says it’s ranunculus. It’s supposed to be better than just roses.” I chuckle. “She specifically said it will set you apart from the other girls.”
Delia grins. “I love it. It’s perfect.”
The parents pose us so that their view for photos is just right as I slip on her corsage and she pins my boutonniere to me. Then they pose us some more.
“Ok, Mom…seriously. Enough pictures!” Delia shouts, finally reaching her breaking point. The parents all laugh and tell us to have fun.
I smack Delia’s butt and say, “Let’s get going.”
She frowns at me.
“What?” I ask.
“Maybe I don’t want to be smacked on the butt and told to get going . "
My chin pulls in toward my body and my brow wrinkles. “What do you want, then?”
She takes a step closer to me. “I want someone to caress me gently and ask if I’m ready ? It is prom after all not a lacrosse game.”
I look at her, my eyes softening. I place my hand on her neck, thumb brushing her ear lobe, my touch gentle. “Are you ready?” I ask, voice filled with sincerity.
A smile tugs at the corners of her lips as she gazes into my eyes. This simple gesture reminds me of why I fell for her in the first place—the way she always strives to understand us and speaks up about helping me meet her needs. It’s as if she can read the depths of my heart without me uttering a word.
“Yes,” she replies, the word barely a whisper. “I’m ready.”
My hand lingers on her neck a moment longer, tracing delicate patterns along her skin, before I withdraw it slowly. The tenderness in it sends shivers down her spine, filling me with a warmth that spreads through every inch of my being.
I take a step back, My gaze never leaving hers. “Then let’s make this prom a night to remember,” I say, a hint of excitement in my voice.
I help her into the truck and as we pull away Gramps, Anna and Dad and Mom wave us off. Gramps even rings the big porch bell.