Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
LIVIANNA/LILY
Then
Fancy Invitations & Perfect Roses
He hasn’t touched me tonight, but every rule feels like a promise I’m terrified to break.
There’s an unexpected knock on my door. Who could that be?
It’s Saturday and I’m working in the living room of my apartment, drinking coffee, buried in new ideas I can’t sketch out fast enough. I really need to get a computer program that can assist me.
I get up and answer the door. “Hi, can I help you?”
“Oh, you speak English.” There’s a younger guy with a thick French accent standing before me, holding a bouquet of pink roses and a black envelope. He offers them out. “These are for Livianna Hemings. This is you?”
“Yes, thank you. I mean, merci beaucoup.” I take the items from him.
“De rein.”
Don’t mention it, I say to myself. I think that’s what that means.
He turns and leaves without giving me time to tip him. I should stop him, but I’m too curious about who these are from to worry about running after him.
Are these from Jax?
They could be, but we only established that we both want a sexual relationship last night after work. Thinking they’re from him could lead to a letdown.
Would he send me flowers? Who else could it be?
A thrill shoots up my chest just thinking about how dominant he was. Something about giving up control to him leaves me breathless.
At first I wanted to fight back, but his commanding tone and stare were enough to tell me that if I didn’t comply, I wouldn’t get to explore any part of that side of him. And I really want to experience him…all of him.
There must be two dozen roses in the arrangement, because the aroma fills the air without me even bringing them to my nose. I do anyway and smile. My stomach swirls in delight.
I set them on the counter and open the envelope. Inside is a heavy black card with gold words typed on the front.
Go to your guest room and open the closet. Tonight, wear red. Be ready by 7:00. Our dinner reservation is for 7:30, and we will be on time.
Dinner?
Whoa. I didn’t expect that.
I flip the paper over. Nothing. What the hell?
I place the card down and run to my closet. Excitement bubbles up in me, and I squeal. I fling the foldout doors open, and my jaw drops. Hanging inside are at least seven different dresses with shoes to match.
How did these get in here?
I frown for a second, then notice a stack of lingerie boxes off to the side. “How in the world did someone get these into my apartment?”
I should be furious, or at least scared, but I’m not. Something about the way everything is put together tells me I’m safe and this was done to please me. Maybe being Jaxon Crowne’s submissive is going to be worth more than I initially thought.
I want to text Trent and see what he thinks about the situation, but I know I can’t. I mosey out to the living room and find my phone. Maybe there’s a way I can get his input without disclosing anything.
Oh, I know. I type out a message and snuggle into the corner of the couch.
Me: Remember the guy I met last night at the dance club?
Trent: Yes. How could I forget?
Me: He wants to take me out tonight.
Trent: What’s the problem, my special little boo?
Me: I got the sense he’s into some different type of stuff.
Trent: Such as?
Me: Sexual things.
Trent: Do tell!
Me: He made a comment when I hugged him goodbye. He told me if we go out, I’ll have to follow his directions in order to get what I want. What should I expect?
Trent: Let him lead. Are you going to sleep with him?
My stomach twists, and heat rises through me. An image of a naked, chiseled Jax standing before me flits across the screen of my mind, and wow, do I want to see that in real life.
Me: I don’t know. I think I want to.
Trent: You told me you don’t want to date anyone. Can you be with a man without getting all emotional?
Me: Absolutely. That’s not an issue.
Trent: Then have fun. Write down any details you might forget because I need every moment of passion told to me when you get home.
I glance out the window and let myself enjoy the suspense the last thirty minutes brought. It sits deep in my abdomen and thrums up to my heart.
If this isn’t Jaxon’s doing, then what? The problem is, I don’t have his cell phone number, so I can’t check whether my suspicions are correct.
“The tour is going great. I love Europe.” Bren peers at me through the screen of his phone as I get ready for my surprise date. “We’ll be in Paris in two months. Have you changed your mind about coming to the concert?”
“No, I’m still not in a place where I could risk running into Callum.” I apply blood-red lipstick and smack my lips together when I’m done. “Sorry, Bren. I love and support you, but I still need the time and space to let him go completely.”
“I get it, but he’s been doing better, Liv. He’s not using as much, and he’s not hooking up with anyone. I think he’s trying hard to get his life back on track.”
Internally, I roll my eyes. “I’m sure he’s having plenty of fun.”
“He’s trying to fix everything, Livianna. Cut him some slack for once.”
“It doesn’t matter what he does. I’m moving on. That’s why I’m going on this date tonight.”
“Really? You can look me in the eye and tell me you’re finally over him?”
I consider his question, and the pain in my heart still aches. Callum’s not a bad person, but he made a hurtful decision and ruined everything.
The burn is just as agonizing as it was three years ago. I wish I could release him, but I seem to be tethered to him. That’s why I can’t see him yet. I need distance to heal.
I stand and show myself to Bren. “What do you think?”
“You always look fantastic.” He brings his face closer. “That’s not one of your designs, is it?”
“No.” I spin around. “Tonight, I’m being spoiled.”
“How so?”
Shit. I didn’t think that through.
“It’s nothing.” I tuck my hair behind my ear and show him a smile.
He narrows his eyes. “Spill it.”
“What?”
“It’s not nothing. You’ve got the guiltiest-looking expression written all over your face. I’m not hanging up until you tell me.”
My shoulders roll forward. “I don’t want to explain myself to you.”
“Why? What did you do now?”
“Bren…”
“Just say it, and we can deal with it.”
I grit my teeth, then decide to give him something so he’ll quit pressing me. “I’m going out with someone I met at Elite-Sinsations. He bought me the dress.”
It’s kind of true.
Bren’s eyes widen as big as the moon. “You’re fucking kidding.”
I shake my head and lower into the chair I use at my vanity station. “Don’t judge me.”
“I’m not. It’s just… Fuck, Livianna. I know you talked about going, but I didn’t think you’d start dating someone from there. And I certainly didn’t expect him to be buying you designer ensembles. How long have you been seeing him?”
“Um…like dating?”
Bren’s eyes close and he groans. I give him a moment to sit with the idea. Even I would know by my answer there’s a lot more going on than what I’m telling him.
He brings his gaze back to me. “Promise me you’re not doing anything stupid.”
“I know what I’m doing.” I hope. “He’s a good man, Bren.”
“Damn… You like this guy.”
I take a deep inhale and release the truth on my exhale. “Yeah, I do. I’ve known him for a while, but tonight is our first date.”
Let’s just pray the person showing up at my place in five minutes is Jaxon.
Bren flashes me a lopsided grin with a shrug. “Who am I to butt in?”
“Thanks for understanding.”
“Sure thing. But be careful.”
“Cross my heart, I’ll be good.” Just as I say it, someone knocks on my door. “Bren, I’ve got to go. He’s here.”
“All right. I love you, and call me later so I know you’re alive.”
“I love you too, and consider it done.”
“Bye for now. Have fun.”
“Thanks. Now bye.” I pick up my phone and disconnect.
I take one last peek at myself in the mirror while I try to keep down the tingles of excitement taking over my body. Hopefully, I’ll have a night like I’ve never experienced.
To say I’m looking forward to this is an understatement. I rush out of my room and hurry to find out if Jax is on the other side of the door.
I take a quick calming breath and open the door. Just as I hoped, Jax is standing before me. He’s dressed in a black suit with a crisp white button-down and a red tie. It matches my dress.
Did he coordinate that?
Thank you, God, for sending me this handsome man who makes me go weak in the knees.
“Hi.” I step to the side as my pulse pumps hard through my veins. “Would you like to come in?”
“Do you always answer your door without asking who’s here?” His stern tone takes me aback.
“Um…”
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He glances off to the side, then faces me. “In the future, you’ll ask who’s here before you open the door.”
My instincts tell me to argue, but I bite my tongue. “Of course, I will. I was just happy to see you.”
“Forgive me for my abrupt hello. I just need to know you’re not putting yourself in dangerous situations.” His tense shoulders relax. “You’re absolutely beautiful.”
A smile breaks through and spreads across my face. “Thank you. You look fabulous. But then again, you always do.”
“That’s very kind of you to say.” His gaze connects with mine and lingers for a few beats. “Are you ready to go?”
“Yes. I just need to grab my purse off the counter.” I gesture to it.
He dips his chin in acknowledgment. “Please get it so we can arrive at dinner on time.”
“Okay.” I hurry and grab it. “Before I forget, I want to give you something to show you my appreciation for the roses and gifts you left in my closet.”
“You don’t need to give me anything in return.”
“It’s nothing much.” I close the door behind me.
When I reach him, I plant a kiss on his cheek.
He stiffens and shifts away. “I’m giving you some leeway tonight, but the rules stand. You touch me when I give you permission.”
A sting slices through me, and my heart drops. “I just thought…”
“My boundaries can’t be crossed, or this will be over before it begins.”
“I understand. It won’t happen again.”