When I'm with You (Hope Town #3)(65)
I look good. No, I look damn good. Just standing in front of the mirror in Nate’s room has helped to ease a little of my tension about tonight because of the confidence my appearance brings forth.
“Fuck me,” a deep voice moans, breaking through my thoughts.
I turn, my red lips smiling as Nate stands in the doorway breathing heavily.
“Well, hello to you too,” I joke.
“How long is the show again?”
“A few hours. Why?”
“I just need to know how long I’m going to have to wait before I can peel that skirt over your ass and bend you over. Fuck, Ember. I’m going to be tenting my pants all night.”
I laugh, walking over to him, and his eyes zero in on my heels.
“Those will stay on. All night. I have plans for those.” He adjusts his crotch, moving the very noticeable erection around with a groan before holding his hand up to stop my movements. “Don’t get near me. If you do, we’ll never get out of here. Be a good girl and go wait for me downstairs while I get dressed.”
He shifts, jumping away from the doorway when I take another step, making me throw back my head with a laugh as I walk out of the bedroom and down to let Bam outside to take care of his business before we leave for the night.
Thirty minutes later, he comes downstairs and gives me a narrowed eye look full of accusations.
“What?” I ask, tossing the magazine I had been thumbing through down on the couch next to me.
“What, she says,” he grumbles. “Acting like you didn’t plan this with your tempting body on display for me.” He points at his crotch, and I can just see the outline of his hard cock still tenting the fabric.
My giggles bubble out and he puts his hands on his hips, the fabric of his black dress shirt pulling tight on the muscles in his arm. I lick my lips as my eyes travel back to the black slacks hiding—or rather, not hiding—his erection.
“Not helping, Ember,” he says through clenched teeth.
I hold up my hands and have to stifle the bubble of laughter that is threatening to burst out. “I didn’t plan anything. Promise. This is all thanks to Sway.” I point at my dress.
“Sway did this?”
I nod.
“Hmm. Remind me to send him a thank-you note then,” he mutters under his breath.
“Just a second ago, you were ready to spank me for having the nerve to wear this dress! Now, you’re talking about sending thank-you notes?”
“Oh, I’m still spanking your ass, but I’m going to make sure and thank him for giving me a whole new list of fantasies when it comes to how I want to f*ck you.”
My jaw drops. “I think that’s an inappropriate thank-you note, Nate.”
“You’re right. I should send him an edible arrangement and mention how he’s should enjoy eating something delicious as f*ck for giving me my own mouthwatering treat.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m horny! You have no idea what that dress is doing to me. In fact, after I f*ck you in it tonight, I might have the damn thing bronzed.”
Speechless, I just shake my head and turn to gather my clutch and phone, smiling to myself when he makes a noise low in his throat.
Maybe I’ll send Sway a thank-you note of my own.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” my mom praises and gives me a big hug.
I look over her shoulder and let her admiration sink in. The nerves I had been fighting leading up to this moment had left the second Annabelle’s gallery filled to the point of bursting earlier, and I haven’t been able to stop smiling since.
When I got here, she had everything already set up, and with nothing to do but wait, I spent the quiet time I had walking the room with Nate, showing him all of my work.
The catering company Annabelle had hired had been working the room, passing out champagne flutes and light canapés. I’ve been enjoying a glorious buzz thanks to that. The low hum of classical music that was playing through the speakers earlier can’t even be heard over the light babble of this many people filling the room.
She had sent out something like two hundred invitations, not counting the huge crowd that came from my personal guest list, and it looked as if almost every single person had shown up.
The only thing I was still anxious about was hearing what ended up selling at the end of the night. Optimistically, I was hoping for at least half of my collection to sell, but I really would be happy with anything. Just being here and seeing my work on display as everyone visibly appreciates my pieces is the most wonderful gift to my soul.
“Thank you, Mom. It’s a little overwhelming but so exciting to see everyone loving my work.”
“What’s not to love?” my dad says from behind me, and I turn to smile up at him. “Except that woman wouldn’t let me buy one.”
My brow furrows. “Annabelle?”
“Snotty blond woman who looks like a stick is permanently wedged up her-”
My mom slaps her hand over his mouth, not letting him continue to complain, and gives me an apologetic look.
“That’s Annabelle. Did she give you a reason?” My mind races with reasons why she would deny a sale, to my own father of all people.
“Sure as hell did,” he answers against my mom’s hand, his lips turning up as he smiles brightly at me.