Page 37 of Four Simple Rules
Or I’m just lying to myself.
My mind circles back to this morning when Jesse took me out for breakfast after I had found all the letters, he’d written that first year after I left. Those letters contained every beat of his heart and piece of his soul.
All for me.
Maybe Jesse has changed after all.
Butterflies swarm, causing havoc inside me when I peer at myself in the long mirror. A deep blue lace dress hangs from my average frame, hugging me in all the right places. Matching heels raise me a few inches off the ground, giving me the illusion of height. I may only stand at five foot six inches, but these heels give me the long, lean legs I’ve always desired and envied.
I lick my lips, twirling in front of the mirror, and only stop when my backside reflects back at me.
My fingers run the length of my dress, falling to the material over my butt. My nose wrinkles. Through the delicate fabric, my underwear line shows. In my haste to pack, combined with my terrible hangover, I only packed comfortable underwear. Any other time, it’d be fine. Who wants a wedge twenty-four-seven? Not me, that’s for sure. But right now, with this dress showing every line, I could really use a tiny piece of fabric between my butt cheeks.
With no other option, I slip my panties off and throw them in my suitcase, leaving me utterly bare underneath. No lines show through when I look at my butt in the mirror, and I grin with satisfaction. A small thrill shoots through me at the prospect of Jesse’s hand running up my thighs and feeling how bare I am for him. I squeeze my eyes shut. That’s the last thought that should be passing through my dang mind right now.
Coming here, I didn’t think to grab something formal to wear to the reception. But Grace did. Without my knowledge, she bought this beautiful vintage piece with me in mind.
“I saw it hanging off the mannequin in the store window downtown and thought of you. If it doesn’t fit, we can take it back for something else. But…” Grace’s eyes fill with tears as she hands me the bag. “I think it’ll look beautiful on you.” Gently, she pats my shoulder with love and reassurance.
“Thank you, Grace,” I whisper, lifting the white bag of the dress and hanging it on my long mirror to view it fully. Slowly, I peel the plastic up, revealing the stunning piece. “The lace is beautiful,” I murmur, toying with the dark blue lace in awe.
“I can never thank you enough for what you did for Jesse.” I stiffen when her whispered words break through my churning thoughts. Without warning, she wraps her arms around me, pulling me into a tight embrace. “You saved him over and over by giving him somewhere special to go when life got too rough. And for that, you have my gratitude.”
“I’ll always be his safe space,” I murmur, without realizing what I said. It’s so natural to think. “No matter where I am.”
I’m falling for him again. It’s easy, really. For so long, we were best friends. He slept in my bed. We were each other’s safety nets. Sure, we drifted apart because he was a butthead. But now? After our breakfast date, something shifted inside me. He’s matured and changed over the years, even admitting what went through his head as a teen. And then he stuck up for me—acknowledged me when I never thought he would.
“I’m coming in. If you’re naked, well…” his voice trails off when he pushes through the door with big eyes, examining the dress hugging my body.
“I’m not naked,” I scoff, soothing the knee-length lace dress and ignoring the heat billowing up my flesh.
“Well, bummer,” he quips, waltzing the rest of the way into my room and abruptly stops. “God damn, you’re gorgeous, Tulip.” The rasp that captures his voice has goosebumps spreading across my skin, igniting something deep inside me.
Heat rushes over my cheeks and down my neck. “You’re not too bad yourself,” I murmur, eyeing his charcoal-colored suit and blue bow tie.
Not too bad is the understatement of the century. His shaggy blond hair is slicked back and perfectly styled, highlighting his chiseled chin and dreamy hazel eyes. I could get lost in him. All over again. Like I already am. He’s pulling me down into his wicked web, and I’m the willing prey. My heart is telling me to succumb to his pull, but my head is throwing caution flags to keep me from getting hurt again.
I’m so screwed.
“I see now why my mom insisted on this color.” His fingers pluck at the bow tie with a chuckle. “I think she’s rooting for us.” He winks, holding out his arm. “Shall we go, my Lady? Dance the night away under the glittering lights of the ballroom?”
I smirk, weaving my arm through his and touching his elbow. Something brews inside me, igniting a fire beneath my skin, heading straight for my bare nether regions. How pathetic am I? The simplest touch has my hair standing on end and my pussy ready for a night of pounding. It hasn’t been a whole week, and I’m already a goner.
“Let’s do it.”
A smile lights up his face when he tugs me down the hall and out the front door.
“Thanks for coming with me, Tulip. This means a lot to me and our parents.”
His eyes light up when he opens the passenger side door of his simple, black car. As fast as lightning, his palms encase my face, holding me hostage as he peers into my eyes. A sharp storm brews behind his gaze as he takes his fill of me, darting up and down my body.
“Thank you for starting over with me. These past ten years have been hard without you. And please, don’t think I’m trying to guilt you. I’m all for truths now, Blake. I’m going to tell you about every single thing on my mind tonight.”
“Is that a good or bad thing?” I murmur, inches from his parted lips, begging to seal over mine.
He smirks, letting go. “That’s up to you.”
“God, you’re so gorgeous,” Jesse murmurs in my ear as he leads me through the Manor of Brighton Hill entrance, the most prestigious hotel in town. It’s filled to the brim with elegance and draperies.
