Chapter 61
JESSI
The scent of pine and leather mixes with the humid air blowing into my face. Jack’s smell has become my new favorite perfume. It sets my blood on fire but also calms my soul.
I hold onto him, watching the purples, blues, and oranges in the sky fade into night. A breeze makes me shiver as we drive down a tree-lined road. I wasn’t expecting a temperature change.
Jack reaches back and cups my thigh with a hand. A motorcyclist’s hug, I think. “You okay? Cold?” he asks.
I try to yell over the wind. “No, I’m perfect.” I am. In this moment, with him, I’m content and grateful for the life we’re building together.
We park in front of a pretty boutique, the storefront filled with cocktail dresses, some bright colors and others subdued neutrals. Jack has me hop off the bike while he parks it, and then he joins me on the sidewalk. Without a word, he links our fingers and leads me inside.
The dresses inside are even more incredible. “Jack!” I gasp.
“Hi there,” the shop assistant says. “Can I help you with anything?”
Jack’s eyes light up at the question. “Yes. We’re attending an art gallery event in a few days and she needs a dress.”
The sales assistant brightens and waves me forward. “Sure! What price point are you looking to stay in, hon?”
Before I can respond, Jack interjects, “None. We’ll take whatever she likes.”
I snap my head back to Jack. “Don’t be ridiculous. You’re already doing too much.”
“How sweet,” the sales assistant says.
Jack kisses my hand before releasing it. “Cover or remove the price from any of the dresses that she tries on, please, will you?”
“Of course. This way, hon.”
Jack places his hand on the small of my back and steers me toward the dressing rooms. My body instinctively leans into him, and chills cover my skin.
For the next half-hour I try on dress after dress after dress.
Colors and fabrics blur in front of my vision, and choosing one is an impossible task.
The last is a white satin dress that fits me like a glove.
It has a halter-style top, full-length skirt, and entirely backless.
It’s a bit long and I’ll need heels, but I love it. I open the fitting room to show Jack.
“Ta-da,” I say, doing a curtsey.
Jack’s breath catches. I sense his eyes wandering every curve. When he meets my eyes, I smirk and say, “The best part . . .” I spin, showing him my back.
“Fuck,” he says. I peek over my shoulder and laugh, loving the way he’s devouring me with his gaze.
The sales associate walks over. “How does it fit? It looks amazing on you!”
Without taking his eyes off me, Jack says, “We’ll take it.”