Chapter 19
Isabelle
Sasha insisted I needed professional preparation for the event. As a result, I rescheduled my clients’ appointments. Brayden’s spare bedroom had been transformed into a beauty parlor for the day when the team of professionals arrived at one o’clock: hair and makeup artists and a nail artist!
I’d honestly assumed I was only going to have my hair and makeup done, but I wasn’t going to say no to pampering. This whole day I felt like I was undergoing one of those “ugly duck to beauty queen” transformations you only saw in movies.
I was a little nervous about tonight. I’d been to a few fancy events, like the Ballroom Galas the Winchesters organized for charity, but those were different. For one, there wasn’t much press. More importantly though, no one paid attention to me.
“Hey, if Brayden wants to come in, just keep him out, okay?”
Toni, the hairdresser, nodded efficiently. “Of course. He’ll only get to see you when you’re ready.”
I wanted to keep him on his toes. Besides, the wow-effect only worked if you saw the whole package, not interim steps.
During the beautification process, I kept texting with Josie.
Sis was feeling a little down because she and Sophie weren’t sleeping much lately, and I felt guilty that I couldn’t go over for a girly evening.
But I texted Skye, Laney, and Tess, keeping my fingers crossed that one of them could pop over.
I was proud of Brayden for only opening the door once during my ninety-minute massage. I was even prouder of the team, who flanked the door so he couldn’t see inside at all.
“This is ridiculous,” he mumbled.
I barely stifled a laugh, only letting it out when he retreated and they closed the door.
Once Inna, the nail artist, was done working her magic on me, Toni was next. I was sitting in the chair they’d brought in here, and he was circling me, looking at my hair and my face.
“How do you feel about an updo?” he asked.
“I rather prefer to keep it down.”
He nodded. “Okay. Straight hair with a few waves in between for emphasis and volume?”
“Yes, I’d love that.”
“It will frame your face nicely. You have fantastic bone structure.”
Toni efficiently straightened my hair with a brush, then used curlers for a few strands to achieve the wavy effect. He sprayed an array of products during each step, and in the end, I couldn’t believe how glossy my hair looked.
“I love it,” I exclaimed, inspecting it in the dresser mirror. If it didn’t take two hours to achieve this perfection, I’d do it myself once in a while, but using the hot iron was quicker.
“My turn,” Diana, the makeup artist, exclaimed.
She’d been silent most of the time, inspecting my dress.
I was so proud of it. It was hands down the most beautiful thing I owned.
I’d bought it on sale at Nordstrom Rack, but it looked like a million bucks.
It was pure black silk with a heart-shaped neckline to accentuate my cleavage and a silver belt just under my breasts. It highlighted my curves perfectly.
Sasha had insisted that Diana was the best she’d worked with over the years and that her skill level was out of this world. On the bed, she’d laid out an array of eye shadow and glosses next to seven jars with creams, two mascaras, and an eyelash curler, and I was a little nervous.
“Diana, I still want to look like myself,” I told her.
“Of course. Don’t worry, I don’t like contouring techniques that make you unrecognizable. That’s not makeup, more like wearing a mask.”
She won me over with that, and I was thoroughly relaxed while she worked her magic on me. Brayden tried to come in one more time, but Toni shooed him right back out.
The moment he closed the door, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I grinned, sure it was from Brayden.
Diana pointed at me. “No smiling. You’re ruining my process.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Brayden: What’s going on in there?
Isabelle: You’ll see.
Brayden: That’s what I’m trying to do and no one lets me.
Isabelle: Even better. You’ll see the whole package at once.
Brayden: Did you put them up to this?
Isabelle: Maybe.
I could imagine his reaction. Maybe he’d even reward me with a little growl.
I put my phone away after that, because Diana was glaring at me.
“I’m all yours now,” I promised.
“Good.”
Forty minutes later, I was ready and absolutely stunning. I took a gazillion selfies, then spammed my family with them.
“Sasha was right. You’re amazing,” I exclaimed.
Diana’s makeup was even more subtle than mine usually was, but it highlighted my eyes with the expertly applied mascara and shades of cream and gold on my eyelids.
She’d also dusted my jawline and cheekbones with three types of foundation, which defined them so much more. I loved it.
At my request, they also helped me put on the dress; I didn’t want to risk ruining my hair or makeup by doing it myself.
Inna zipped me up, and she also secured the straps of my silver sandals around my ankles.
Diana gave me small samples from the foundations she used, a lipstick, and the mascara, saying they were included in the price.
They fit in my tiny silver clutch perfectly.
“Well, our job here is done,” Toni said. “Good luck tonight. You look fabulous.”
“Thank you all so much. I love everything.”
“That’s our job,” Inna said. “It’s been a pleasure.”
I walked them to the front door. Brayden was sitting on the sofa in a dark gray suit and a white shirt, and I noticed his eyes widen when he first glimpsed me.
He joined me, bidding the team goodbye. The second they were all out, I felt the air thicken with tension between us. He wasn’t saying anything, which only increased the tension. I turned around slowly, looking him directly in the eyes. The heat in them was so damn delicious.
“You kept me out all day.” His tone was accusing.
I put the clutch on the small chair next to the entrance. “I did.”
“On purpose.”
“Hell yes.”
He groaned. “Why?”
“So I could get this reaction.” I pointed at his eyes. “Super-hot look. I was hoping for a growl too.”
He put an arm around my waist, bringing me closer. I pressed two fingers against his lips.
“No kissing,” I said regretfully.
“Why not?”
“You’ll mess up my lipstick.”
“You’re killing me.”
“I’m sorry.” I pouted to emphasize I really meant it.
“If you keep pouting, I’ll kiss you anyway.” He moved his thumb under my lower lip. I pressed my thighs together, exhaling sharply. His mouth curved in a sly smile. “Better yet, I’ll keep you here, have my way with you.”
“You’d miss your own party for me?”
“I’d do a lot more for you than that.”
“Why?”
“I’d rather celebrate this with you alone.”
My sexy, slightly reclusive rock star was putting up walls again. I put my hands at the sides of his neck.
“No can do. Your band needs this, and your fans.” Stepping back, I looked him up and down appreciatively. “I’ve never seen you in a suit. You should wear one more often.” I made a big show of walking around him. “Oh yeah. That ass is just perfection in these pants.”
Laughing, he turned around quickly, but I moved past him. He caught me from behind, burying his head in my hair, kissing my right shoulder. The buttons of his shirt pressed into my back.
“Ready to go?” he whispered.
“I think so. I’m a bit on edge.”
“Don’t be. You’ll enjoy it. Every time you’re nervous, think about how much you mean to me. I love you, Isabelle.”
I sucked in a breath, instantly turning around to face him.
My pulse sped up. I realized I’d clasped his shoulders in a tight grip.
I sealed my mouth over his. I needed to kiss him and connect with him.
He groaned, taking control, tilting my head backward with one hand, touching my bare back with the other.
Feeling his rough finger pads against my skin sent a jolt of heat through me, energizing me all the way to my toes.
I couldn’t get enough of him. The way he kissed me was simply addictive. The more he gave me, the more I wanted.
Only after we paused to breathe did I remember about my lipstick. Glancing at my mouth, Brayden burst out laughing.
“Hey, don’t laugh, or I won’t tell you that I love you too.”
“Oh really, you won’t?” he asked between fits of laughter.
I shielded my mouth, afraid I was going to scare him away. “Yes, I love you. Now stop laughing.”
He didn’t, of course.
Grabbing the clutch, I headed to the bathroom in the guest bedroom where I’d been with the team today.
I sighed in relief when I glanced in the mirror.
I didn’t look like Ronald McDonald. I’d made a mess, but it wasn’t that bad.
Diana had told me it was very resistant to wiping, but I didn’t really believe it.
I was pretty sure I’d removed three layers of skin as well by the time I’d gotten the smudges Brayden made off.
I wasn’t sure if the skin around my mouth was red from all the rubbing or because there was still a hint of lipstick left.
I carefully applied foundation around my mouth, then lipstick on my lips.
It didn’t look as perfect as when Diana had done it, but it would do.
I didn’t have any make-up remover. I’d packed it and my overnight things in the small bag Peter took to the Waldorf Astoria.
We were spending the night there because the band was expecting reporters to wait for them in front of their apartments after the event, so it was a way to avoid the madness.
Brayden flashed me a huge smile when I joined him, fixing his gaze on my mouth.
“So much for not kissing.”
“You made me lose my head,” I admitted.
“I know.”
“Hey, a love declaration will do that to a girl. Don’t judge me.”
“I don’t. I think you’re adorable.”
I pointed a shaky finger at him. “Don’t make me lose my head again.”
“I’m tempted.”
“No, no. I won’t have any of that. Let’s go.
” I tried to keep my resolve, but as we walked out the penthouse door and stood at the elevator, I couldn’t help but think what a lucky girl I truly was.
But would this last? Brayden’s world was so different from mine, and I wasn’t sure if I was really going to feel comfortable with it… or if I’d fit in.