Chapter 31
thirty-one
My fingers run under the delicate maroon straps that rest over my tattooed skin. The inked flowers are visible the same way they were for our date. My head tilts as I study myself in the mirror. It certainly doesn’t leave much to the imagination. From the low backline to the sleek material that clings to my every curve, and the slit stretching up to my thigh, more of me is on display than ever before. And somehow, amidst all those things, the dress remains elegant. It has a sophistication to it that makes it easily my favorite thing I own.
Miles walks out of his bedroom after finishing work for the day, and I catch him in the reflection of the mirror doing a double take when he passes my open door. He’s wearing sweatpants with no shirt, his colorful tattoos clearly on display.
In the time it takes me to turn around to ask him what he thinks, he’s already slammed his back against the hallway, both hands gripping the wall on either side like he was blasted backward.
I let out a laugh and pop my hand on my hip. “I take it you approve? ”
He cranes his head forward to get a better look without separating himself from the wall. “Who. Are. You!”
With my best dazzling smile, I hold out my hand and say, “Oh, I’m Chase’s girlfriend. It’s so nice to finally meet you.”
Laughter bursts from his lips. “You’re going to kill it tonight.” He looks me up and down. “You’re going to destroy him, aren’t you?”
A light laugh leaves me as I reach for my phone on the bed. “I’m going to play the part he asked me to play.”
“I like your hair like that.”
I glance in the mirror before looking back at him with a smile. “Thanks.” It isn’t much different from how I normally wear my hair, but instead of styling it with loose waves, I went for a more defined curl.
His lips twist like he’s trying to fight his smile. “He’s coming to pick you up again, right?”
“That’s the plan.” I grab a delicate pair of black heels—also picked out by Miles—and slip the strap over the back of my ankle.
He grins but says nothing.
“What are you so happy about?”
He wistfully leans against the doorframe. “I just want to see the look on his face. This feels like a wedding.”
I force out a laugh. “This is the furthest thing from a wedding.” I slip on my second shoe. “The groom and I aren’t even together.” Gesturing toward the hallway behind him, I add, “And I doubt anything will beat your reaction just now.”
Miles weighs his head from side to side as he thinks it over. “I mean, it’s hard to top me on most things.” His gaze settles on me again. “Do you think you’ll sleep with him? You should totally sleep with him.”
“I already told him that can’t happen.”
He closes his eyes like he’s trying to suppress his disappointment. “ Why would you do that?” Before I can answer, he shakes his head. “Just do the thing already!”
“Don’t get your hopes up.” I pat him on the chest as I walk past him to the living room.
He groans behind me. “Quit being a baby and fuck the man. If all goes to hell after, it will at least make for a great story.”
“That’s one way to look at it.” He’s a terrible influence, and he knows it. Of course, I want to sleep with Chase. I haven’t stopped thinking about what it felt like to have him underneath me since I left his apartment Tuesday night. I’d give anything to feel wanted by him again, and again, but I can’t shake that feeling of how it would probably end in disappointment.
A knock puts a stop to our conversation. I don’t think I’ve felt nervous all day, but knowing he’s standing on the other side of that door has my heart pounding. It isn’t until Miles grins and ushers me toward the door with both hands, mouthing, “Go, go, go,” that I take a step forward.
Prancing backward, he peeks around the corner so he can spy like the nosy bitch he is, and I take a steadying breath before opening the door.
Chase has his head down as he messes with the cuff of his white shirt poking out of the sleeve of his black jacket. Everything about him looks sharp. I liked his hair a little longer, but the cleaner look is phenomenal on him. Every article of clothing looks well pressed, and the way it all hugs his muscled frame could easily make me drool if I stood here long enough.
His eyes lift first, his hands freezing. That gaze works its way up my entire body, and it’s only when our eyes lock that he stands up straight. “Candace.”
I smile. “Chase.”
He looks me up and down again without shame. “Candace.”
I fight the urge to bite my lip. Tonight is about pulling out all the stops. Tonight is not the night to be shy. “Do you want to come in?”
Lifting his fist to his mouth, he shakes his head. “No.”
I let out a bewildered laugh. “No?”
“No.”
I’m tempted to look back at Miles, but instead I say, “Can I ask why?”
He looks me in the eye again. “You’re . . . You look . . .” He shakes his head. “If I come in, I’ll mess you up, and we’ll never make it to this party.”
“You’re welcome!” a loud whisper sounds behind me as Miles walks past us on the way to his room. I guess he’s seen all he needed to see.
Chase laughs, but his eyes only flick to Miles for a second before falling back on me. “I knew you’d try to kill me tonight.”
I shake my head with a smile. “Okay. Stay here, then. I just have to grab my things.” As soon as I turn around, Chase lets out a groan.
When I come back a moment later, his head is leaning back against the wall. “Do you know what you look like from behind?”
Lifting an amused brow, I say, “I know what the back of the dress looks like.”
“And you thought I was strong enough to resist such a thing?”
Walking up against him, I put a hand on his chest, the warmth of him radiating through my fingertips. “You don’t have to resist anything tonight.” I kiss him, and another faint groan drags out of him. “Tonight, all our practice pays off.”
I go to pull him with me, but he snatches me back, holding me flush against him. “Thank you for doing this.”
“Of course,” I breathe. “What are friends for?”