Page 58 of Redemption

I set the mascarpone down. And pull the pancakes off the griddle before pouring another batch on. My curiosity gets the best of me and I drag the box toward me.

I pull the cord off and open the top. A handwritten note sits on top with my name on it. I open it to find a familiar script.

Wear this tonight.

I smile when I realize it’s from Kilian. I pull back the tissue paper and find a beautiful red silk dress. It’s simple but I know it will hug every one of my curves. Beneath it sits another note.

For the panties I ruined.

I laugh as I find three silk thongs in the box, all black, all the same. Another note sits underneath it.

I thought I would buy a few because I am sure to destroy these too.

I smile as I shove everything back into the box and run it upstairs before Aria sees what’s inside.

I flip the pancakes and send a text to Magda confirming that she is still okay with watching Aria tonight.

She lets me know she is and then tries to pry out details from me. I only told her yesterday that I had a date and of course, she wants a full dossier on the man taking me out. I lied and told her I hit it off with a man I ran into at the market. Which is kind of true.

I know it’s a risk seeing Kilian tonight. But I trust him. I know he will take every precaution to make sure no one sees us.

I pull the last of the pancakes off the griddle and shout for Aria to come downstairs. We eat at the island, indulging in lemon mascarpone pancakes. And then I help her with her project.

* * *

I run my hands down the side of the red dress. Kilian knew exactly what would look killer on me. The dress hits at my knees to keep it modest in length but that’s where the modesty ends. It’s tight around my hips and ass and the plunging neckline accentuates my girls.

I paired it with a pair of black stilettos, a drop diamond necklace that used to be my mom’s and set my hair in loose curls over my shoulder. I swipe my red lipstick over my lips and head downstairs.

“Mommy, you look so pretty!” Aria shouts as I walk into the living room where she is watching television.

“Thanks, baby girl.”

Magda whistles as she walks out of the kitchen, a towel in her hands. “You look gorgeous and sexy as hell. Where is this mystery man taking you? You must be going somewhere special.”

I really have no idea. I assume he is sending a car to pick me up and take me to some hotel where he will either fuck me in this dress or rip it off me. Hopefully both.

“It’s a surprise,” I lie to Magda.

“How romantic,” she sighs. “He better come to the door if he is a gentleman. And I want to meet him.”

“Magda, stop. It’s nothing. A first date.”

“Chivalry, my dear. Besides if you dress like that for a first date, he must be important.”

More than you know.

“I just wanted to look nice. It’s been a while since I went on a date.”

“Mmhmm,” Magda says, giving me a look like she can see right through me.

I grab a leather jacket and wrap it around my shoulders. “Don’t give me that look.”

“You are the one with the look on your face,” she chastises. “Looks a lot like the same look you had when you came back from Malta.”

“You mean relaxed?” I ask as I grab my clutch and switch a few things from my purse.

“No. In love.”

---