Chapter 7 #2
Ignoring everything else, I pick up one of the bottles of lotion and open it.
It smells like a field of flowers. I need to hurry so I’ll be dressed when Adam comes out of the bathroom.
Quickly setting the towel aside, I then squeeze the lotion onto my palm and rub it into my arms and legs. Talk about a luxury.
When I’m done, I look through the bras and panties and pick out a set I think will work.
The panties fit perfectly. At least, I think so.
I’ve never had underwear this skimpy. The matching bra also fits.
It’s small. I don’t have much in the boob department.
My face heats all over again when it occurs to me that Adam would have told his brother exactly that.
Otherwise, how would Aaric know to buy me these small sizes?
My mother’s wedding dress is hanging on a hook on the back of the bedroom door, and I quickly remove it from the hanger and examine it.
There are tiny buttons all up the back, but the dress looks a bit large for me.
My mother was never as small as I am. For one thing, she was taller, but she also had full breasts and hips.
Ignoring the buttons, I pull it over my head.
It slides right into place. It’s too big, but it will work.
I look down at myself. It’s so pretty. White with lace around the collar and down the arms. Delicate and intricate. I wonder where she got it from and how she could afford it. I suppose in the early days of her marriage, they must have had the money for nicer things.
The shower turns off, and I hurry to look through the hair things, choosing a barrette that has a white bow attached to it and long ribbons hanging down. I gather up the front of my hair and clip it at the back of my head.
I’m smiling as I look at myself in the mirror above the dresser. I feel prettier than ever.
When the door opens, I spin around.
Adam steps into the room wearing nothing but a towel around his hips. Once again, he freezes and stares at me. That smile reappears. It makes my body tingle when he looks at me like that.
“The, uh, the dress is kind of big.” I can’t take my gaze off his chest. He’s so huge, and he looks even larger without a shirt on.
“It’s perfect. You look amazing,” he tells me again.
“Is the bow too much? Too immature?”
“No. It’s just right. I told Aaric to get you some pretty bows. I’ve only known you to be more of a tomboy with overalls and wild braids, but I thought you might like some things that make you feel feminine.”
He’s right. I can’t wait to try on all the dresses. I can’t remember when I last wore a dress. Probably as a toddler. There was never any use for pretty things living in the mountains. How could I climb trees and traipse through the woods in a dress?
“Do any of those shoes fit you?” he asks.
“I don’t know yet.” I shuffle back to the bed and pick up a pair of white flats. They are so impractical, but I love them. They will go with my dress. After bending down to put them on, I grin. “Perfect.”
“I’m so glad. I didn’t think you’d ever worn heels, so I didn’t figure you’d want to risk breaking your neck. But like I said, next time we go to the city, you can get whatever you want.”
I don’t bother arguing with him. It seems like a waste of energy. Instead, I rush toward the bedroom door. “I’ll wait in the living room, so you can get dressed.”
My heart is pounding as I shut the door.
Adam does things to me. Things I’ve never experienced before.
I can’t catch my breath as I think about the expanse of his chest. He has tattoos, too.
Lots of them. I didn’t let my gaze linger long enough to know what they represent.
I want to explore them. I want to curl up against him and feel his heat.
There are a lot of things I want, and most of them scare the bejesus out of me.
I’m drawn to him like no other human. I want to feel his lips on mine.
I want his lips on other parts of me, too.
What will it be like to have him inside me?
I know he’ll be gentle, but it will still hurt.
My sister told me once. I think Mama told her it always hurts the first time.
Adam’s so huge. I’m not looking forward to that part, but it’s my duty.
I wander around this enormous front room, exploring.
There aren’t a lot of decorations, but he’s only been living in this cabin for about a month.
He hasn’t had time to do much. He does have furniture, though.
He also has a television. It’s huge and flat.
Odd looking. It’s also mounted on the wall.
I’ve never had a television. I’ve seen one, though.
Here in the Gallant’s original main house before it burned down.
I’m trailing my fingers over the soft leather of the sectional when I hear a door open and turn around to see Adam striding toward me. All the oxygen leaves my lungs. He’s wearing a suit and tie. His hair is slicked back. His shoes are black and shiny.
Adam is the handsomest man I’ve ever seen. I feel like a waif.
“You look like you’re going to faint, sweetheart. Do I look that bad?”
I gasp, my jaw dropping open. “You’re so handsome. I’m so boring.”
“Not even close. You’re the prettiest woman I’ve ever seen, and you look gorgeous in this dress. I’m sure your mother is looking down on you and smiling.”
I swallow as he cups my arms and meets my gaze. “I’m so fucking lucky.”