Page 106 of The Pucking Arrangement

God, I’m in trouble.

The doorbell chimes, yanking me from my Dmitri-induced haze.

“Delivery for Erin O’Connor?”

Three massive boxes sit on the doorstep, pristine white with gold ribbons. The kind of packaging that whispers luxury.

[Me]: What did you do?

[Dmitri]: Open them.

My fingers tremble as I drag them inside, anticipation thrumming through my veins. The first ribbon slides free, and?—

Oh. My. God.

Red silk spills over my hands like liquid fire. I lift it carefully, and yards of fabric cascade to the floor in a waterfall of crimson. It’s…breathtaking. The kind of dress that turns heads, that steals breath, that doesn’t belong in a hockey player’s foyer but on a red carpet.

The bodice is intricately beaded, catching the light like scattered diamonds. The skirt flows in perfect pleats, and the slit—Jesus—is high enough to be a scandal. But the back is what does me in—barely there, just delicate straps of crystal leaving most of my spine bare.

[Me]: Dmitri Sokolov

[Me]: What’s this?

[Dmitri]: Keep going

My pulse hammers as I move to the second box. Blue velvet, rich and decadent, pools in my hands. Off-the-shoulder with a sweetheart neckline that will showcase...well, everything. The fabric hugs every curve before flaring at the knee in a perfect mermaid silhouette. It’s timeless. Classic. Devastating.

But it’s the third dress that makes my breath catch.

Black. But not just black. The kind of black that ruins men.

Sheer panels flirt along the sides, teasing glimpses of skin while strategic beading keeps it just this side of sinful. The neckline plunges, indecently deep, and the back—or lack thereof—ensures there won’t be room for undergarments.

[Me]: Dmitri. These are...I can’t even

[Dmitri]: You deserve to feel as beautiful as you sound

My heart stutters.

[Me]: These must have cost…

[Dmitri]: Don’t

[Dmitri]: Let me spoil you

The words land like a blow, knocking the air from my lungs. Because he isn’t just giving me dresses. It’s about him supporting me. Wanting to give me what I need.

[Me]: The dresses are stunning

[Me]: Thank you

[Dmitri]: I want to see you in them

[Dmitri]: In your videos

[Dmitri]: On stage

[Dmitri]: And I want to peel them off you

---