Page 83 of Wallflower
Victoria holds Violet’s hand as she blindly steps into the silver heels Simone slips onto her feet, and when the picture is complete, air rushes into my lungs and becomes trapped there as Victoria and Simone step away.
I return to my place behind Violet, my gaze sweeping over her reflection. The dress. The color. The blindfold. The lips.
“Chord?” Violet asks with tentative fingers on the scarf around her face. “Is that you?”
“Yes.” My voice cracks, so I try again. “It’s me.”
Her full, painted lips tremble with a nervous smile. “Can I see the dress now? Please?”
I kiss her bare shoulder, and she whimpers quietly. “I’ve told you before. You never have to beg me for anything.”
I tug on the scrap of silk, and it falls to the floor. I watch Violet’s reflection for the exact moment she realizes what I’ve done. Her gasp is followed by a breathlessoh!Her wide chestnut eyes grow glassy with emotion as her manicured hands hover over her mouth before hesitantly brushing over the dress as if to make sure it’s real.
It’s real. And it’s hers.
Violet is stunning. Elegant. Exquisite. Her neck and shoulders are bare, her breasts accentuated by the strapless corset that wraps around her ribs in a fine, intricate net of lace and flowers. The dress drops from above the waist, falling to the floor in layers of sheer teal fabric that hints at the shape of her long legs underneath.
Blinking back tears, taking shaky breaths, hands exploring the intricate lines of a dress she’s only ever seen as a drawing in hersketchbook, Violet blushes so damn prettily. No, not blushes.Glows.
I try to swallow, but it hurts, so I run my tongue over my lips and try again. Before I get a word out, Violet reaches behind her to thread a hand in mine and meets my eyes in the mirror.
“How?” she asks.
I reply with a proud grin and cut my eyes to Victoria. “I shared your sketches and measurements with Victoria, and she brought your vision to life.”
Violet returns my smile with one of stunned gratitude and turns to search out Victoria. “Thank you so much,” she says.
“You’re very welcome,” Victoria replies from where she stands at the far end of the room with Simone by her side. “It was a pleasure to work on such a gorgeous gown. You have a wonderful eye for texture and movement.”
The color in Violet’s cheeks deepens with the drop of her eyes until she raises her thick lashes and meets my eyes in the mirror’s reflection.
Time stands still. My heart beats painfully and erratically. I’ve forgotten how to speak. I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
Then she whispers, “Thank you.”
Time starts up again.
Fuck. I’m not falling for Violet anymore. I’ve fallen. I’m down. I’m done.
“You look—” The words catch in my throat as I take her hand. “You’re beautiful.”
The color rises in her face, and she gives me the tiniest shake of her head. “I can’t believe this is real.”
“I’m having a little trouble myself.”
“Do you—” She licks her lips, and her throat bobs. “What do you think of the dress?”
“It’s the most gorgeous dress I’ve ever seen, and you look radiant in it.” Violet smiles shyly, and I offer her my elbow. “Shall we?”
With her arm in mine, I escort Violet to the stairs, trying not to get distracted by her silver-heeled foot peeking out from under her skirt and hitting the steps in a way that makes her hips sway. Her fragrance consumes me, and I can’t feel my own feet meet the floor, but then we’re miraculously in the foyer, where her gaze slides past me to the windows.
Her eyes widen. “Is that a limousine?”
It’s impossible to look at anything but her when I reply, “Yeah. It’s almost time to go.”
She blinks, the first real hint of nerves showing on her face, but she nods as if to herself. “Okay.”
“Just breathe, Wallflower.” I inhale and wait for her to breathe in with me, and we exhale together. “Tonight is going to be great.”
