Lock and Key
If I ever had the unfortunate pleasure of meeting her piece of shit ex in public, his face was going to get the pleasure of becoming acquainted with my fist. Your girlfriend is struggling with her mental health, and your first thought is to make her feel crazy? What a fucking douchebag.
I rolled my shoulders to release the tension building there and followed behind Allie as we made our way to the starting point of stores.
Stopping in the middle of the store, I let her decide which one to go to first. She tapped her foot on the ground, head swiveling back and forth for a moment before speaking.
“Well, the dress store, obviously, and then I’ll pair the shoes and jewelry with it from there. I have to start with a base layer and base everything around that.” Always one with a thought-out plan.
“Oh, yes, of course, how could I be so forgetful. After you, beautiful.” We headed to the dress store, and I placed my hand on the small of her back as I ushered her inside. I could feel the shiver that made its way down her spine at the contact.
The staff came to greet us and offer us champagne while we shopped.
Allie picked out a few dresses to start with.
I took a seat in front of the area where she could stand on the small podium and look at all angles.
Pulling my phone out while I waited, I double checked the bookstore’s hours to make sure we would have plenty of time for her to shop for anything she wanted and not to feel rushed.
As long as the search was correct and we didn’t run into any problems, she’d have plenty of time to browse and hopefully get whatever she wanted.
As long as she didn’t fight me, however, knowing her, she’d try.
“Okay, so here’s the first one, it’s like an emerald green color, but I don’t know how I feel about the fit in the chest and shoulders. What do you think?”
The dress made a light swishing noise as she walked out in a floor-length green dress with straps that sat on the sides of her shoulders and was fitted to her body like a glove.
“I think that it shows your curves in a way I don’t want other men to ogle you.
It’s jaw-dropping, that’s for sure.” I held my hand up and twirled my finger in a motion so she’d do a little twirl for me.
“How do you feel in it, though?” While she was looking at herself in the mirror, I quickly snapped a couple of pictures of her in case she wanted them.
“Calm down, caveman. No one is going to be ogling anything.” She let out a small laugh and turned in the mirrors, taking the dress in.
“I don’t love it, but the color is nice.
I’m gonna try the others on before I pick.
” She headed back to the dressing room to try the next one on.
Two more dresses were marked off because she didn’t like how they looked, or the fabric felt weird.
On the fourth one, she walked out wearing a sparkling black dress that tied in the back and cinched in the waist, kind of like a corset.
The glittering fabric flowed from the bottom of the waist down to the floor and trailed ever so slightly behind her.
When she stepped onto the podium, I noticed on the right leg there was a slit that went from the floor to right above mid-thigh.
Fuck did she look gorgeous.
“This is it. This is the one. What do you think?” She was absolutely glowing when she turned around to me. The happiness and confidence radiating from her was potent. I set my champagne down and walked over to her, careful not to mess up the delicate fabric on the dress.
“I think you look absolutely exquisite in this dress, and I can’t wait to escort you in front of everyone. To be able to say that this beautiful woman is mine.” The last word came out on a growl, causing her cheeks to flame as she twisted her fingers together.
“You’re sure it isn’t too much? I can find something that doesn’t show so-” I cut her off. I wasn’t going to let her mind and past experiences ruin how she felt.
“It’s perfect, sweetheart, just like you. So this is the one, huh?”
“I love it so much, I just need to check the price.”
“Nope. I told you I’m spoiling you today.” I looked around for the sales
woman helping her. “We’ll take this one, please. Thank you.” Her mouth opened and closed, lost for what to say. Finally, her brain caught up, and she grabbed my arm.
“Spencer, no. Seriously, I can get this. I don't need you to buy this. Help me get this price tag so I can check it.” She started spinning in a little circle, trying to reach the back. It was amusing, but I also didn’t want her to hurt herself or the dress.
I grabbed her hips to stop her twirling and pulled her into me.
She let out a sharp exhale as she placed her hands on my arms. Those hazel eyes were filled with so many conflicting emotions.
I leaned in closer, my lips ghosting hers as I spoke.
“Allie, what did I tell you earlier? I want to do this, so please let me. Let someone spoil and do something for you simply because they want to. Please, baby girl.” She swallowed, her shoulders tense, still unsure of how to answer.
Another moment passed until finally she let out a deep breath, smiling, and dropped her shoulders.
“Hmm, maybe I could get used to you spoiling me.” She smirked as she
stepped down from the podium to go change back into her clothing.
“Now that’s what I like to hear,” I smacked her ass as she walked away.
“Let's go find you the other pieces of your outfit, pretty girl.”
After we paid for the dress and gathered it in a protective bag, we headed
to the jewelry store next door, where we both looked at pieces.
While Allie looked at the bracelets and earrings first, I stepped over so I could find a new watch and necklace.
After debating, I went with a simple gold chain and a gold watch with a black watch face. Simple and elegant, just what I liked.
I headed back over to where Allie was now looking at necklaces to go with the golden diamond tennis bracelet she picked.
“I can’t decide which one I like most. I narrowed it down to these three, all different lengths, but it’s so hard. What do you think?”
“We’ll take all three of them. That way, you can wear them for other occasions too.”
“What’s next, a new purse? A new puppy? I only need one Spencer.” She rolled her eyes at me in disbelief. Stubborn woman. She’d fight me any chance she could if it came to me helping her.
“Hmm, it’s a little early to be planning a child together, but I wouldn’t mind it.” I shot her a fiendish grin and winked at her. Truth be told, I wouldn’t mind moving in together right now, but I needed to reel it in and slow that line of thinking down.
She threw her head back and laughed, “Oh my god, I’m so done with you. Here, come on, it's time for you to go try stuff on.” God, her laugh was so smooth and full of warmth. I held our bags as we walked outside into the bustling crowd of people.
“You want to see me naked again, don’t you?”
“You’re mighty full of yourself today, aren’t you?” She shot back.
“You can be full of me later if you play your cards right.”
“That’s it, we’re breaking up.” Allie deadpanned and started walking away.
“Oh, I think the fuck not come here you.” I picked her up and swung her around, causing her to squeal and then let out another full belly laugh.
When I sat her down, the sunlight hit her eyes in a way that set them on fire.
Every yellow fragment shone like gold, the green sparkled like the most beautiful gems, and the brown was as stunning as the fall trees.
It was a kaleidoscope of the most beautiful colors.
I brushed a stray strand of hair back from her face.
“How did I get so lucky finding you?” I didn’t let her answer as I sealed our lips together in a tender kiss, hoping that I could convey just how strongly I already felt for her.
I didn’t care that we were standing in a crowd of people on a busy weekend.
All I cared about was that I kept her wrapped in my arms forever.
Allie decided that I should have an all-black suit to match her dress, so it was fairly quick to find what I needed. After we loaded the car up, I started to head toward the bookstore.
“Just one more stop before we head home.” My hand was placed on her thigh, so I gave it a gentle squeeze.
“Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise.” I grinned and squeezed her thigh again.
I was suddenly nervous because what if she didn’t want to go because she was tired or felt overstimulated, or if she didn’t want to buy any new books because maybe there weren’t any she was looking for.
Maybe I should have asked her… No, this was a good idea.
She’s going to love it. We pulled up in front of the store, and I put the car in park.
“You were saying the other day how you never get to come, so I figured since we’d be up here, we could stop in.
I checked their hours, and we have plenty of time, so you don’t have to rush. You can take as long as you’d like.”
“Oh, Spencer, thank you! There are so many new ones I’ve been wanting to get, but I’ve just put them off. I’m so excited!” She threw her seatbelt off and leaned across the center, placing a kiss on my cheek before hopping out of the car.
The little bookstore was cute and filled to the brim with tables and chairs loaded with books from all genres.
The smell of new and old books filled the store with their mix of new and used books.
Every wall was a different color and had various pieces of art from local artists adorning them.
They also had a section of local handmade goods in one corner.
I grabbed a basket for her so I could help hold anything she found.
She was so cute bouncing around from section to section, pointing out authors she loved, books she’s read, or ones that she wants to read, and ones that she ended up not liking.
I made a mental note of one she loved, so I could surprise her with some from time to time.
I listened to her as she went on, following her around and letting her put whatever she wanted into the basket.
After a little, she filled two baskets with an assortment of novels and other items she found she wanted to.
The drive back to my place was quiet as we listened to another playlist of hers and she softly sang along.
Her rich voice wrapped around my heart, and chills broke out against my skin.
I don’t think I’d heard her truly sing yet, because even now it was lower, but her voice was beautiful. I needed to hear more of it from her.
We decided we’d stay the night at her house so she could put away all she got today and organize her books.
I packed a quick bag, making sure I had everything I needed, and then we loaded up in her 4Runner.
Since we had been out all day and were tired, we decided to grab a drive-thru meal for dinner.
After naming almost every restaurant in Maplewood, she went with the burger place I first suggested.
We got back to her place and settled in.
We turned on a Halloween movie and lay on the couch together while we ate.
When she finished, she lay her head in my lap, and I massaged her scalp.
Not long after she fell asleep, snoring softly, she snuggled in closer to me.
I looked down at her dark lashes fanned across her cheeks, her slightly parted lips, and her perfect, rounded nose with her gold hoop hugging it.
She felt like I had found a piece of me that was missing that I didn’t realize I had lost. As corny as it sounded, we fit together like a perfect lock and key.
Everything came so naturally with her. Every moment was filled with smiles and laughter.
Even the silent moments were filled with a reverent gentleness I’ve never experienced.
Nothing ever felt forced with her. Carefully rolling her off me so I could stand, I gathered her up in my arms and carried her to bed.