Love That Defies Us (The Devil's Dust #2.2)(8)

“Victoria’s Secret,” I read aloud. I look at her and narrow my brows. “You seriously think I am going to fit into anything they have in there?” I question, my hand pointing toward my belly, emphasizing my point. Cherry rolls her eyes and huffs.

“You are the skinniest pregnant woman I have ever seen. The only place you have gained weight is in your stomach. You’re lucky; I have seen women blow up like a balloon from one end of their body to the next,” she explains. “Do you have stretch marks? Is that what you are so embarrassed about?” She grabs at my shirt trying to lift it, but I smack at her hands and push her away.

“It’s lingerie, Dani; what did you expect? To wear a maternity bra and supportive panties?” Cherry asks, her tone sarcastic. I’m not sure what I was expecting, but it wasn’t Victoria’s Secret. “You’re the hottest pregnant chick I know, celebrities included. Embrace it.” She whispers the last of the sentence, a smile spreading across her face.

“Fine, we will look,” I reply exasperated. She is the most convincing person I know, or maybe the most annoying—I’m not sure.

“Good,” she responds, grinning.

I slide my fingers through the rack of purple silk nighties, their touch caressing my skin. I look up and see a mannequin with black stockings and tiny panties, with an even tinier bra. I curl my lip in refusal; I am not feeling the color black.

“Not digging the black today?” Cherry observes, walking up beside me.

“Nah, not today,” I admit, walking to the next rack.

“Oh my, Phillip would go crazy over this,” Cherry cheers, slapping hangers together. “I’m going to go try it on!” she yells, walking toward the dressing rooms.

I sigh and look into the racks, my eyes landing on a white babydoll piece. I pull it from the rack to get a better look at it. The cups are embroidered with white lace, the rest of its material a white mesh with white panties which are ruffled along the backside. It looks innocent and angelic.

I take it and head to the dressing room, praying it fits.

I slide it over my head, the straps falling along my shoulder perfectly, and the bottom hem caressing the tops of my thighs. It fits, and I actually look great in it. I feel sexy in it.

“Dani, you in there?” Cherry yells from the stall next to me.

“Yeah” I respond, still eyeing myself in the mirror.

“Come check me out,” she requests. I open the stall door and poke my head out. Cherry is walking in a circle, her hands held out as she displays herself for all in the store to see.

“What do you think?” she questions. She’s wearing a pink and white bustier falling just above her belly button, showing a good few inches of her toned abs. There is black lace stitched around the breast cups and she’s wearing a pink and white striped thong with the hem colored black, garter straps falling freely against her thighs.

“I’ll have to grab some stockings, but does it look good on me?” She glances down at herself then back up at me, waiting for my reply.

“You look stunning; it suits you,” I respond. Cherry smiles big and nods.

“I think so, too. Let me see what you picked out,” she suggests, pointing at me. I look both ways and after seeing nobody is around, I open the door slowly.

“Hot damn!” Cherry yells, making me grab the door to close quickly, laughing.

“Shadow is going to love that!” she continues, walking back into her stall.

I shake my head and grin, then hear my phone chime in my purse.

I’ll be home late.- S

That’s ok. Just doing some shopping with Cherry. Sara has Zane. – D

I don’t want you out tonight. Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving the house?- S

I didn’t realize I needed permission. – D

My phone starts to ring in my palm, making me jump.

“Yeah?” I answer.

“You should have told me,” Shadow snaps.

“Why do I need to ask you to leave the house?” I question, my tone angry.

“Where are you? The town has a curfew, for f*ck’s sake!” Shadow yells into the phone. I inhale a sharp breath, his tone pissing me off.

“I’m going home now, so calm the hell down!” I yell back, hanging up.

“That sounded like it went well,” Cherry remarks from outside my door, now waiting on me.

“He gets in these moods where he is the most controlling ass I have had the pleasure of knowing,” I respond, taking off the lingerie.

“Ha, Phillip does the same thing. It doesn’t last long, not after I put him in his place,” Cherry informs, following with a scoff.

We pay for our things and head back to my place, cursing the cold the entire time.

“Thanks, Cherry,” I say as she puts her car into park right outside my apartment. I lean over and give her a kiss on the cheek before grabbing my bag and purse and heading inside. I pull my bags and coat against me as I make my way through the cool wind and inside the building.

“Fucking Shadow,” I mumble, going to the elevator, still angry at the way he talked to me.

“He’s going to hear from me,” I continue to talk to myself.

The elevator dings, opening the doors, and letting me onto my floor. I step out, and my eyes widen in shock. I drop my bags and cup my mouth. Sara is crawling along the hallway floor, blood staining the carpet behind her. Her face is smeared with blood, her clothes tattered as she pulls herself along the floor with her trembling hands. The elevator dings as the doors shut behind me, catching Sara’s attention. She looks up and her dull eyes spot me, widening with recognition. Her body wracks as she begins to sob loudly.