Ch. 28
It was nearly dinnertime when they dropped me off at James’ house. He was waiting for us and opened the door as I came up the walk.
“Well, aren’t we the eager beaver.” Tara muttered under her breath.
James heard her when he opened my door. “I miss her when she’s gone.” His eyes never left mine as he called back to them. I could feel the heat come right up the back of my neck, ducking my head to hide my reaction. I felt him put his arm around me as we crossed the thresh hold. His lips tickled my ear as he whispered. “You know I get a private showing.” His fingers tapped the bag with a rustle. My ears burned hot, despite the eager shiver that went up my spine at the promise behind his words. I barely heard the engine fading as the girls drove down the street.
His hand slid down my shoulders lightly trailing its path down my back, ending low on my waist. “Shall we then?”
Yes we shall, I nodded, not trusting my voice.
We went upstairs to “our room.” I was able to get myself out of my jeans and long sleeved tee and slapping James’ hands away when he tried to help pull my shirt over my head. “You behave and go sit down over there,” I pointed to the chair in the corner opposite the bed. Dutifully he sat resting his hands in his lap. It was awkward at first with him watching, but I began to enjoy it and took my time when I heard his breathing stop. First, I tried on the dress for the wedding. I had to go to him to be zipped up. James’ fingers lingered at the top of the zipper, tracing my shoulder blades. I had to close my eyes and take a few deep breaths to keep control of myself.
“You sir, are not helping.” I felt his warm breath on my back as he chuckled softly. He had just fed if the warmth of the reheated blood had not yet faded from his lungs. “Did you want to see my dresses or not?” Uncertainty crept into my voice. “I would like to know what you think of them. I don’t usually have people paying that close of attention to me so I’m pretty nervous about all of this.”
His hands rested on my bare shoulders and he turned me around to face him. Blue eyes penetrating my own from just inches away. “You are a beautiful woman and you will make the bride weep for jealousy.” My heart skipped, James smiled when he heard his effect on me.
“Were you this smooth as a human or have you just gotten good with years of practice?” I teased.
He didn’t answer instead he held me out at an arms length and let go. Crossing his arms, he made a show of giving me a once over. He walked all the way around me, his scrutiny only serving to heighten my paranoia that I had chosen poorly.
“What do you think, do you think I look good enough to impress the family?”
A hint of a grin lifted one side of his mouth. “Love, you are breath taking.”
“You are so good for my ego, James. I don’t know that I believe you all the time, but I like to hear you say it.” I leaned in for a kiss.
Sighing he pulled away. “We’d better stop or we’ll ruin that dress before you have the chance to show it off. That would be a shame, it looks good.”
I smiled and turned around. “Unzip me, please.”
“With pleasure,” came his rough reply. He unzipped me then continued to help to slide the dress off of my shoulders and down my body. It landed on the chair he’d vacated with a soft rustle.