Chapter 38
A m I having a fever dream? Did we crash on a backroad and I’m somewhere in a hospital in a coma? I’ll admit I was a little bit sad when Reid picked me up today and didn’t make any mention of the greeting card holiday. But he brought me a dirty chai like always, and my disappointment melted away.
I feel like I blinked and awoke in a fantasyland. He brought me back to the Dreamhouse, where the wall between us crumbled.
Memories assault me. The first time he called me sugar.
Becoming comfortable in my own skin and gaining the confidence to stop hiding my face with makeup.
Sitting with him by the fire listening to him tell me all about his ranch, his family history, and his dedication to his horses.
Confessing my prepubescent crush. Him manifesting his dreams for Lucky Spurs Ranch.
The way his eyes lit up when he saw my sketch.
A lush bubble bath steams before me. My mouth was physically incapable of forming words when he revealed it to me. I stand here like an idiot for several minutes, trying to comprehend what I'm seeing.
I strip out of my comfy travel clothes and step into the heavenly water.
I sink down to my chin and melt into the sensual sensations—the soothing light from the sunset, the dancing flames of the candles, the soft floral scent from the bubbles, and the silky water caressing my skin like a lover—like how I yearn for Reid to touch me.
I raise a foam-covered hand and take long pulls from the glass of ice water.
The cold water sliding down my throat is a seductive contrast to the rising temperature of my body.
I pluck the rose from its vase and twirl it between my fingers and pluck each petal in a game of “he loves me, he loves me not.”
When I'm so relaxed I think my bones have dissolved, I turn off the jets and unplug the stopper. I towel off and wrap myself in the brand-new pastel pink terry cloth robe hanging on the back of the door.
When I enter the bedroom, my heart skips a beat. Laying on the bed is an expensive looking garment bag and several white boxes. Part of me is terrified. But most of me is ready to lean into this experience—to lean into my feelings for Reid.
The garment bag reveals an immaculate black slip dress. The material is slinky but stretchy, cool to the touch. It’s spaghetti strapped with a sophisticated draped cowl neck.
Desperate to see my other surprises, I open the smallest box which holds the softest, most delicate black lace thong I’ve ever seen. My blush rises all the way up to the part in my hair thinking of Reid buying this for me. My sex clenches around air.
The thrum of arousal has me burning up, so I take off the robe and slip into the lingerie.
The lace hugging my hips feels like a wisp of Reid’s hands skating across my skin.
I lean into the fantasy and squeeze my breasts.
My nipples peak, and at the tight sensation I realize there was no bra in the box.
I open the next box, expecting to find the missing bra, but instead, I find a pair of bubblegum pink ballet flats. A smile pulls at my lips from how well he knows me. I slide the slinky dress over my head, and it falls perfectly over my figure.
I return to the bathroom to brush my hair and am entranced by the woman looking back at me in the mirror. My pierced nipples are concealed by the draped fabric, but peek through if I move just right. I’ve never felt so beautiful, so sexy.
My heart is telling me this is who I want to be—who I'm meant to be. Reid sees me and I feel treasured dressed in the items he chose for me. I sit on the bed to put on the beautiful shoes.
When I move the shoebox, I see a handwritten note on what looks like a piece of my sketch paper.
Please join me for dinner.
Reid
My stomach flips with nerves, but I won't waste a second of this night—so I stand from the bed, run my hands down my lithe body, and walk out of the bedroom, head held high, heart in his hands.