Page 48 of Secrets & Desires
Nox grinned at her, knowing well the look of mischief in her eyes. “Oh yeah? Hit mewithit.”
Ariel stood, and proceeded to shuffle sideways then back again rapidly on her carpeted floor. Nox burst out laughing. “Whatthehell?”
“I’m giving you a clue,” she said breathlessly, then started to do ‘The Running Man,’ moving her arms and legsenergetically.
“You are quite insane, Miss Duplas—and I have no earthly idea what’s goingonhere.”
“Imagine baggy pants.” Ariel moved up and down her bedroom, flailing her arms and urging him to guess. “Maybe ifIsing…”
She began to intone ‘oh-uh’ repeatedly as she moved, then came to an abrupt halt,shouting“Stop!”
Nox finally got it. “Hammertime!”He collapsed with laughter as Ariel cheered, then collapsed on the bed beside him, pantingforair.
“So, what do you think? We both go in Hammer pants and fuck the patriarchy. Why should I wear adress?”
“You could wear anything and still be the Queen oftheBall.”
Ariel pretended to puke and Nox laughed. “You really can’t take a compliment, Ari, youknowthat?”
“You know me, Noxxy. I leave the cotillions and debutante stuff to Amber. It’s herthing.”
Nox sensed an undercurrent in her voice. “What’sup?”
Ariel shrugged. “Nothing, really. We’re just having one of our time-outs. We’re not getting on particularly well at themoment.”
“Anyreason?”
Ariel hesitated, then shrugged. “Justreasons.”
Nox wound a long lock of her hair around his fingers. “You don’t want to talkaboutit?”
“Not really. So, now you know what I’ve plannedforprom…”
Nox grinned. “You think I don’t know you by now? You say that, then I turn up in Hammer pants, and you’ll look like some ethereal goddess in a perfect gown. I still remember Junior prom.Remember?”
“That washilarious.”
“Foryou. My mom spent weeks on my sailorcostume.”
Ariel giggled. “So, so gullible, Mr. Renaud.” She bent her head and kissed him, lingering over his lips. “Now, seriously…do you want to see my dress? I ask because…it has some complicated fastening and you may need to practice if you want to get itoffme.”
Nox’s smile widened. Like most couples, they had planned for prom night to be the first time they slept together…even though they’d done practically everything else already. Neither of them could wait. “You know, it might be agoodidea.”
Ariel sent him out of the room while she changed and when she was ready, calledhimback.
Nox pushed the door open and his breath caught in his throat. The pale grey chiffon draped beautifully over her body, clinging to her curves and setting off the pink tones in her creamywhiteskin.
“Wow. Wow.” Nox walked to her, cupping her face in his. “You look insanelygorgeous.”
Ariel blushed, but laughed. “That is the correct answer. You may kissmenow.”
The kiss went on for so long that Ariel, laughing, had to push him away. “One more day, Nox, and we’ll finish that kiss andthensome.”
Nox nodded. “Then I’d better get out of here before you make it impossibleforme.”
“And your blueballs.”
“Andmy blue balls.” He grinned as she squeezed his groin. “Damn, woman, you’reimpossible.”
