Chapter 10 #2
“Uhhh, I mean … I have … it must be the color of this dress, or maybe the hairstyle.” I pull her close, only to feel her stiffen slightly when I kiss her on the cheek. My mouth lingers slightly longer than it should as I take in her unique smell. “Love, I swear, you take my breath away.”
I know I am butchering this, but I am literally tripping over my own tongue.
I’ve looked right past her. She could have walked by me, and I would never have realized who she was.
If anything, this really makes me wonder how many beauties out there are hidden by plain clothes and their position in life.
My eyes devour Jessica to the point that my body is reacting.
The light blush on her cheeks only makes her more adorable to me, and I am just in the process of lowering my head, wanting to taste those lips, when Tyberius’ voice breaks through the fog in my brain.
“Are we going to stand in the aisle or have a seat? The evening is still young.”
Shaking my head, I make myself look away from her. “Sorry, yes, we would love to continue on with this pleasant night, after all, we have no place we need to be.”
I step back, placing my hand on Jessica’s waist as I move out of the way so that she can maneuver herself and all that dress onto the large bench seat.
Releasing her so that she can scoot over is something I almost have to force myself to do.
For once, I am glad that the others at the table can carry on a conversation without me because in this moment, I am a tongue-tied youngster.
I’ve seen many women … enjoyed the pleasures of the flesh as all men in my station do, but none have captured my attention like this beauty beside me, like my damn maid.
I noticed she was attractive before, but my mind never saw her as anything other than a maid.
It’s like those other clothes put her in one category, and that only makes me as vain as the people who judged her when we walked in this room.
Now I wonder if I really am that sort of man or if it was my upbringing.
To look at her now and the way she is holding herself, you would never know she was not born into this world.
Tyberius orders a late dessert, and I eat mine without tasting it as I can’t seem to keep my eyes off her as she talks animatedly to Victoria about a dime magazine they both read and the dresses inside.
Tyberius interacts with them constantly while I sit back, slowly sipping on some fresh coffee, literally watching Jessica bloom in front of me.
I didn’t realize how much time had gotten away from us until I see them lowering the gas lamps, realizing how late we’re all still up.
“I hate to interrupt such good times and the exceptional company, but if the train is still on schedule, we will arrive at the depot in Chicago early and should probably turn in for the night. We have a million things to do there and not enough time to accomplish them all.”
“Victoria and I are both night owls and tend to forget that not everyone else is. You are correct, Reggie. The train will arrive early, so you two should get some rest.”
I am just getting out of my seat when Jessica leans closer to Victoria. “Thank you for everything. I will clean the dress and have it back to you in the morning before we leave, along with the jewelry.”
“The dress is yours, sweetheart. As a matter of fact, while you were getting ready, I gathered a few things I thought you might need and had them sent to your room so that you will have something decent to wear tomorrow.” Just as Jessica starts to say something, I see Victoria reach out and take her hand. “Just say thank you.”
With a pretty blush on her cheeks and a timid smile, she whispers, “Thank you.”
“You can bring the jewels with you when we are back en route since we still have to take in a few of those dresses I was telling you about earlier.”
“I am looking forward to it.”
I hold out my arm for Jessica, and for once she doesn’t hesitate to take her place at my side. She walks beside me with her head up, only to hesitate when a woman’s voice stops us.
“Miss, that dress is stunning. The color is quite fetching on you.”
This is the same woman who insulted her when she walked in with me a little while ago. I expect her to be rude, but once again, Jessica shocks me.
“Thank you, that is quite the compliment. This dress has quickly become my favorite. You and yours enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I nod my head at the older lady’s husband, only to pull Jessica closer.
Once we leave the dining car, I expect her to step away from me, but she stays by my side like that is where she belongs, and I will admit she fits perfectly against me.
Every eye lands on her, and like a proud peacock, I could walk her all over this train, showing her off.
I find us back at our own cabin too soon and sitting beside the door is a proper leather personal bag.
I pick it up, and the moment the door closes, I watch her visibly relax.
Walking to her side of the room, I place the bag on her bed.
“You shocked me back there. I thought for sure you would tell that old biddy off.”
“Maybe before the dress I would have, but after wearing it and seeing how people treat you differently, I decided right then that you can’t change people’s opinions, either right or wrong. But it’s very obvious how much you can hide behind well-made clothing.”
“Well, you really are stunning, dear. I had no idea that …” I point my finger up and down her body.
“Was hiding under that brown, unflattering dress. You were already a pretty girl, but I do agree, clothes do help bring that out. Although you would not believe how many evil vipers hide behind pretty dresses and fake smiles. Honestly, I think I am glad I knew you before the dress, because I know the real you, just fancied up.”
“Reggie, I am not sure if that is a compliment or not. And I do know the true nature of the upper class, as they have never let me forget that I was not one of them. I will say it was nice to eat a good meal and wear something pretty while someone served me for a change. I do appreciate you giving me this taste of your world.”
I frown when she says that, as I keep forgetting I have no rights to her. She isn’t my wife, even though it doesn’t bother me to call her that or act like she is, no matter what clothes she has on. Her next words bring me out of my own thoughts.
“Thanks for this evening, Reggie. I won’t ever forget it.”
Before I can say a word, she slides the curtain between our beds shut, and I just stand there.
My body wants to tear that curtain down and devour her and her innocence, but my mind reminds me this is all supposed to be an act.
Shaking my head, I turn around, shrugging off my leisure coat, then the vest that I feel has been crushing my chest all evening.
I’m just unbuttoning my shirt when I hear,
“Reggie, are you decent?”
“Yeah, for the most part.”
“Can you come help me? No matter how I turn, I can’t get the button on the back of this dress.”
I rush through that curtain like a kid promised his favorite piece of candy, only for my half-hard cock to instantly decide this is the moment to embarrass me.
Untucking my shirt to hide the evidence, I walk up behind her.
Half of her long, glorious hair has fallen out of the elaborate arrangement Victoria had put it in, and one shoulder is bare.
It takes everything I have not to reach down and kiss that beautiful olive surface as my fingers work slowly through the little buttons on the back.
Each one opens the dress slightly more until I am practically gritting my teeth as it reveals the silky skin underneath, which I am the first to witness.
I don’t miss the gasp that leaves her throat as my fingers slide along the inside of each one that comes loose.
Before I want them to … they end, and she is holding the front of the gown up with her arms. I must clear my throat before I can say the next words.
“Do you need me to untie the top of your stays?”
“Please, and I am so sorry Reggie, this is humiliating. I didn’t even think about how I was going to get this off when Victoria helped me put it all on. I promise I didn’t do this on purpose.”
“That thought never entered my mind, Jess, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. I am assuming that Tyberius helps Victoria, as she doesn’t have a ladies’ maid traveling with them, and I’m sure she assumed I would be glad to do the same for you, and Honey, this is not a chore.
No man in his right mind would object to helping you do this. ”
“Well, it’s not proper. If you were my husband, it would be different.”
It’s like she smacked me when those words leave her mouth. I step back instantly, agitated with myself and the situation, as I have become comfortable with her way too quickly.
“You’re right, and I apologize if I have overstepped. Try to get some sleep, Jess. We will be up early in the morning. Everyone needs a few things, and we’ll only have a few hours to get them.”
“Is this our only stop?”
“No, but it’s the one with the most options.”
“Alright then, I will see you in the morning.”
The curtain closes, and the room gets quiet.
I use the lavatory quickly, then strip down into the loose pants I prefer to sleep in before climbing into the cold, uncomfortable bed.
Staring out at nothing, I watch as the moon’s light flashes across the ceiling as the train passes by trees and other things outside.
Forcing myself to close my eyes, all I can see is her standing before me.
A goddess in a dark blue dress with innocent green eyes.
I am drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and I have a feeling that before this trip is over, one of us is destined to be burnt.