6. Elodie
CHAPTER SIX
elodie
After a full day in the sun, I’m ready to sleep like a baby when Jade rudely barges in the room.
“Absolutey not, bitch. Get up, now.” Her tone is borderline lethal.
I know she's not actually serious about making me go out with him.
“But whhhyyyyyy,” I whine, fully aware I sound like one of my kindergarteners.
“You agreed to dinner with him and you are a woman of your word. Get the fuck up.” The lack of room for debate lets me know that my options have been squashed, so I switch tactics.
“I have nothing to wear to a fancy dinner. I brought beach clothes and that’s it. I can’t go to a nice restaurant in that blue sundress. I won’t be comfortable.” I try the new tactic to see if that works better, because it’s also the truth.
My words sink in and her face lights up in a huge Cheshire grin.
After seeing that face, I know I am fucked.
Royally fucked.
I sigh, giving in to the fact that whatever is about to come out of her mouth will solidify the dinner plans further, so I sit up on the bed and slowly slide over to the side.
“So, Mr. Storm Hunter thought of everything apparently,” she states before rushing out of the room and returning with a black box wrapped with a blue velvet bow.
My eyes widen as she places the box on the bed next to me. She’s practically buzzing with excitement to see me open it up.
Without trying to hide the excitement I’m sure I am mirroring, I pull the bow open before taking the top off. Inside sits a gorgeous maroon-colored lace. Lifting it up, I find that it’s lingerie I’m lifting. The panties fall to the floor as I hold up the lace scraps that are supposed to be a bra.
My cheeks immediately heat in embarrassment and Jade lets out a whistle.
“DAMN BITCH. You’re getting fucked tonight.” She giggles, taking in the red on my cheeks and picks up the panties, handing over the lace with a small bow centered on the back.
I run my hands over the lace, admiring how soft they are against my fingers.
My eyes flit to the box to find the black at the bottom isn’t a part of the box.
Placing the lingerie next to me, I lean over and pull out a gorgeous little black dress.
The material is soft and stretchy in my hands with ruching all over.
I eye the chunky straps and slight scooped neck, praying between the length and scoop neck that it won’t show everything.
“He really did think of it all…huh?” I mumble.
Jade giggles. “You can’t say the man doesn’t have good taste.”
Scoffing, I pull my phone off the dresser to check the time.
Six o’clock stares me in the face, reminding me that I’m on a time limit. However, the lack of missed calls and texts fuel me to wash away the lonely feeling I get when I have to face the fact that Dad is gone.
Seeing the shift in my mood, Jade doesn’t miss a beat. She crawls onto the bed from the other side and wraps her arms around me.
“It’s okay to be scared and to not want to go. If you honestly don't want to go, I won’t force you, but your dad would want you to try new things. He doesn’t want you scared of love.”
As if she read my mind, she addresses all my worries, soothing me in a way only a best friend can.
“But this isn’t love, Jade. This is a fling. A blip in a long timeline. He’s not forever, or sunset promises. He’s fleeting like the waves or the last bit of light left at dusk. They don’t ever stay. Just look at him. He doesn’t look like the kind to stay.”
Her eyes soften the moment she realizes what the hang up with him is.
“Babe, it’s okay for someone to be a blip in your timeline and to mean something just for that moment.
If all he does for you is good sex and shows you that you have worth and appeal, let him give you that.
Not everyone we meet is supposed to be a forever piece.
Some are moments, some are seasons, and the best we can do is roll with the tide and appreciate the time they do give us. ”
I mull over her words before responding, and before I let the negatives drown out any positives.
“We have less than forty-five minutes to create a makeup look and hairstyle worthy of this dress. Are you up for a challenge?” I smile and lean into her, hugging her harder before standing up.
She squeals before hopping up off the bed and pulling me into the bathroom.
Without a moment’s delay, she turns the curler on and sits me on the toilet to do my makeup.
Knowing how I am, she steers away from any heavy topics to keep the energy upbeat and get me excited.
Slowly but surely, I start to feel the excitement bubble low in my belly.
“Go put on your dress and the slinky panties and come right back. I have one last finishing touch!” She helps me stand and covers my eyes so I can’t see in the mirror as I walk out the bathroom.
“No peaking!” she warns before closing the bathroom door.
Without looking, I strip down and put the lace two piece on then the dress.
Of course, it all fits like a glove.
I knock on the bathroom door before walking in to look at myself in the mirror.
“Holy shit.”
“Yep.” Is the only response she gives.
We both take in the dress. The ruching and neck line give a modest feel without showing too much leg or chest. My glowing skin pops against the stark black of the dress. It’s classy but sexy all at once and will pair perfectly with the strappy sandals I have.
Without words, Jade hands me a lipstick tube and walks out for me to finish up.
Putting the red lipstick on, I feel confident, loving the way I look and how the outfit feels on me.
A knock on the door pulls me out of my thoughts, and I rush to put my sandals on and grab my little purse.
I hear murmured conversation through the door and walk out to the main living area to see Jade grilling him, finger shoved in his face and all.
I clear my throat and both immediately step back from each other as he takes my appearance in.
His eyes trail up my legs all the way to my face, locking on my lips. The look alone heats my core.
“Are you ready to go? It’s seven-ten right now. I thought I was getting stood up for a moment there.”
Biting my tongue, I fight the urge to sass back to him as I take him in. He looks good in an all black suit that appears tailored to fit him in ways that pants really shouldn’t.
Jade clears her throat. “It takes time to look that good. Now, remember to text me on the way to the club and ya’ll have a good dinner. Okay, bye!”
She practically pushes me into his arms and out the door, closing it behind us.
We awkwardly untangle ourselves before he takes my hand and leads me out the ship.
Blaise breaks the silence, slowing down as we get to the car that’s sitting at the end of the dock waiting on us. “Don’t get shy on me now, Storm. Just let loose for tonight with me, and if you hate it, I’ll take you back.” He draws an ‘X’ over his heart with his finger. “Scouts honor, baby.”
He winks before opening the car door for me, and I nod, unsure of what to say or even where to begin on how to let go. As if he’s reading my mind, he doesn’t push me further. Blaise closes the door to my side and walks around to get into the driver’s seat.
Starting the car up, we take off into the night.
He weaves in and out of traffic as if he’s done this drive a thousand times.
Blaise turns the radio up and someone sings softly in the background while I watch all the streets around us come to life.
We go from the busy docks to bustling streets.
The outfits range from strappy bathing suits to high end dresses and everything in between.
I watch young girls laugh with their families and couples kiss.
The scenes passing me by fill me with loneliness knowing that Dad is gone.
I’m pulled from my thoughts when I feel a hand on my thigh. Whipping my head to him, our eyes clash and he gives me a small grin.
“You looked like you were a million miles away and I don’t want you there. I want you here, with me,” he says softly, while focusing on the road.
His words feel too sincere to be real. “Sure you do. You do know you don’t have to lay it on this thick just to get in my pants. I’m sure there are plenty of girls that would let you for a hell of a lot less.”
I regret the comment the moment it flies out of my mouth, but it happened, and I have to own it. I steel myself for his sharp tongue when he pulls the car over and throws it in park before turning to give me his full attention.
“Is that what you think this is, Elodie? A way for me to get laid? Because it’s not. But if that’s what it is for you, then say that. Quit projecting your insecurities on me. If I just wanted a fuck then that’s what I would have said.”
“Excuse me?” I look at him shocked. “You think this is me projecting? Really?”
I reach for the door handle, not wanting to deal with the bullshit when he grabs my other hand.
“You can’t keep running from me because I want to know you.
It’s not a crime to find you beautiful and intriguing.
And if it was, I would gladly plead guilty.
Now, can we please go to dinner and just give me a real chance to get to know you and for you to get to know me.
I know what your lips taste like but I want to know more. Please, Elodie...”
The request lingers in the air while my fingers remain on the handle of the door, and I know what I want before I say or do anything.
“Okay…” I release the handle and intertwine our fingers with my other hand. “No more running. There’s just something about you that makes me want to fight and run all at once, and you’re right, I’m not used to the attention so it makes me nervous.”
He nods in understanding, gently squeezing my hand before taking his back to shift the car out of park.