Page 76 of Big Daddy Christmas
Grabbing Ruby’s arm, Silver dragged her over to the rack where all their dresses had been hung and grabbed the two with their names. “Strip and talk, baby. Strip and talk.”
“There’s not much to talk about. He spanked me, which I expected.”
“You were over there for like half an hour. Either that was one hell of a spanking or there was more to it.”
Rolling her eyes, Ruby untied her robe and tossed it aside so she could step into the dress Silver was holding open for her. “After he spanked me, he put a plug in my ass. With ginger oil.”
“Oh, you poor thing.” Genuine sympathy rang in Silver’s voice. “He’s a devious sonofabitch.”
“He is. But I feel so much better. It sucked and I can still feel the burn a bit, but I feel lighter, you know?”
“I do know. I’m glad you feel better and it all worked out.” Tugging the dress up so the single sleeve draped over Ruby’s shoulder, Silver stepped back and sighed. “You look so pretty. That color is gorgeous with your hair. I might be a little jealous of you and Frankie today.”
Ruby snorted out a laugh as she pulled Silver’s dress off the hanger to help her into it. “Please. With that figure? Ice is going to swallow his tongue when he sees you in this dress.”
“Hell yeah he is,” Silver agreed with a wide grin. But as she wiggled into the dress, her smile faded. “Do you ever worry that Beckett’s feelings for you would change if you changed?”
“I mean, I’ve changed a hell of a lot since he and I met and he still loves me. Why?”
“Nothing. Forget I said anything.”
“Hey.” Pausing with the dress halfway up Silver’s body, Ruby laid a hand on her arm. “What’s going on? Are you sure you’re okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just feeling a little emotional, I guess.” She smiled again, but Ruby couldn’t help but notice it looked a bit strained at the edges. “Weddings always get to me. I’m a sucker for romance.”
“Same. But you’d tell me if you were sick or something, right?”
“Pinkie-swear.”
They hooked their pinkies together, and as much as she hated to when her friend was obviously going through something, Ruby let it drop. They finished getting dressed, and then spent some time helping the others into their dresses as well. Aria in particular seemed to be struggling with the halter-style strap on her dress, and when Ruby stepped in to help her, she noticed the other woman’s eyes were suspiciously shiny.
“You okay?” Ruby whispered, fiddling with the strap to give them some cover.
“Yeah. Just a little weepy.” Aria smiled, but her bottom lip trembled a bit with the gesture. “My dad’s waited a long time for this. I’m just really happy for him and Lottie.”
“A lot of daughters might be weirded out, having a stepmother that’s just a few years older than them.”
“I was, at first. But have you seen them together? I swear they shine so fucking bright I need sunglasses around them.”
“You’re not wrong. And Lottie’s good for him.” Ruby winked. “Keeps him young.”
Aria snorted out a laugh. “Tell that to the extra gray in his hair.”
“Holy fuck.”
Whipping around at the sound of Ivy’s strangled whisper, Ruby froze on the spot at the sight of Cordelia, dressed to the nines in a form-fitting tux and matching stiletto heels.
A knowing grin curved Cordelia’s lips as she tugged at the sleeve of her jacket. “See something you like, blossom?”
“Yes. Yes, I do. And I just made an executive decision.”
One of Cordelia’s pale brows rose toward her hairline. “And what might that be, babygirl?”
“It’s two decisions, actually. One, you and Jacob are both absolutely wearing tuxes when we get married. And two, I’m jumping both your bones the second we get to the club tonight.”
Crossing the room to her babygirl, Cordelia gripped Ivy’s chin, forcing her head back. “Who decides when you get to jump anyone, Ivy Mae?”
Eyes widening, Ivy sucked in a breath. “You do, Ma’am.”
