Page 69 of Sweet Passions at Bayside
Emery looked down at her dress. “Missing? It’s not fancy enough?”
Rick came down the stairs and whistled at them.
Dean shot him an I’m-nervous-enough glance. “You look perfect,” he said to Emery, then lowered his voice and added, “Although I did ask for something that wasn’t hot.”
Her cheeks flushed. “Should I change? I don’t want to look inappropriate.”
“You not only look appropriate, but you look like a goddess. You could wear my sweatpants and you’d still make men drool.” He leaned in for a kiss. “And you taste like cherries.”
“Lip gloss.” She wrinkled her nose adorably. “I didn’t want to get lipstick all over you.”
“So thoughtful.” He kissed her again, earning another whistle from Rick. He withdrew a long black velvet box from his pocket and opened the top. “For our first fancy date.”
Emery and Desiree both gasped. Desiree peered around Emery at the dainty, three-tiered choker he’d had made for her.
“You don’t strike me as a diamond or pearls girl,” he said, “but if I’ve messed up—”
Emery pressed her lips to his, blinking repeatedly. “It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I’m not a diamond and pearls girl, but for you to know that…”
Rick put his arm around Desiree as she watched with a dreamy look in her eyes.
Dean took the choker from the case, and Emery lifted her hair, turning for him to put it on her.
“I know lots of things about you, but I have a feeling that just when I think I’ve discovered all your secrets, you’ll have a hundred more things for me to unveil.” He kissed the back of Emery’s neck.
He secured the hook on the thin brown leather choker first and then the clasp on the attached silver chains that connected in the front with a silver heart in the center of her neck, and just below, where the thinnest chain met a silver hoop, a beautiful quartz dangled.
Emery turned to face him, lightly touching the choker. “How does it look?” she asked.
The brown leather and delicate silver chains against her slender neck looked even sexier on her than he’d imagined they would. “Youlook spectacular, and the necklace makes you look even more beautiful.” He leaned closer and whispered, “And erotic.”
“Mm. I like that.” She framed his face between her soft, warm hands and gazed longingly into his eyes. “Thank you.” She pressed her lips to his. “I love it. Did you know the charm was quartz when you bought it?”
“What do you think?”
“I think if you did, then you’re an even more incredible boyfriend than I thought.”
“Quartz helps relieve stress and anxiety,” he said proudly. “I knew you were nervous about meeting my family. And I know how spiritual you are, even if you don’t talk about it. You once told me that yoga was a lifestyle, not a job. I want to be part of your life, which means I need to learn about your lifestyle. So, yes. I did know.”
“Mr. Masters, you do know how to impress a girl.”
“I only want to impressyou.” He glanced over her outfit again, noticing that she was wearing the thick bangle where she’d hidden Splenda—always prepared—and strappy heels. “No hidden compartment for a phone in those. Do you want me to carry yours, or are there other secret compartments I should check out?”
She shook her head with a mischievous grin. “There’snothinghidden in the secret places I want you to inspect, and I’m not taking my phone. I don’t want any outside distractions tonight. Just you, me, and a room full of highfalutin people who, thanks to you, I’ll be a little less nervous around.”
He withdrew his phone from his pocket and took a selfie of the two of them. Right before taking another picture, he turned and kissed her cheek, earning her melodic laughter, which led to several more pictures of them kissing. Rick and Desiree snagged Dean’s phone to take moreappropriatepictures of them, and then Emery insisted that Dean take a selfie of the four of them huddled together. They were all grinning like fools, and he knew it would forever be one of his favorite pictures.
Forty minutes later they were still kissing and laughing as they entered one of the two Victorian-style mansions at the Ocean Edge Resort. Emery clung to Dean’s arm as they crossed the marble floor, following throngs of women in gorgeous dresses and men in designer suits toward the main ballroom.
“I’ve never been anywhere this luxurious,” she said in an excited, though hushed, tone. “I don’t even think wehavemansions like this back home.”
“And you’re the most gorgeous woman here.” Dean felt like his skin was stretched too tight beneath his clothes. He didn’t enjoy these snooty dinners, but as they passed a sign directing attendees to the ballroom, his father’s name was noted as the speaker, and a sense of pride washed through him. He was proud of his father’s accomplishments, even if he didn’t agree with the way his father pushed him, or his elitist attitude.
Emery stopped outside the ballroom, breathing deeply. “How will I know your parents?” She realized she hadn’t seen any family photographs in his house.
“My father will be the one everyone’s kissing up to, and my mother…” He followed the distinct sound of high heels clicking on marble at a fast pace and saw his mother hurrying toward them. While Dean shared his mother’s honey-wheat hair, hers had turned mostly silver in the past few years, and it was Jett who’d ended up with her vibrant personality. Dean took after his father’s more reserved nature. “Is right here.”
“Baby!” His mother threw her arms around his neck. She looked beautiful in a dark blue dress, a string of pearls around her neck, and a smile as welcoming as the sun.
