29. Twenty-Nine

Twenty-Nine

Kendrick

The boutique is warm, with soft lights glowing over racks of evening gowns that look like they’ve been plucked straight from a fairytale. Emily is a force of nature, darting between displays with an energy that belies her petite frame. Her dark hair bounces with each step, blue eyes gleaming with purpose; she pulls a vibrant red gown from the rack the saleswoman left with us.

“This one,” she declares, holding it up to me. “No more mom sweaters or neutral tones. At the awards, you’re going to turn every head in the room.”

I chuckle, nervously fingering the fabric of the dress. “Emily, I don’t know… this feels a little too bold for me,” I say, running my fingers over the fabric.

Emily sighs, dramatically placing her hands on her hips. “Kendrick, if you’re going to be with Cass, you have to own it. The spotlight isn’t something you can avoid anymore. And trust me, Cass will love seeing you in this.”

Her words sink in as I glance at my reflection in the full-length mirror. She’s right. If I’m going to stand by Cass’s side, I need to embrace the life–and the attention that comes with it.

“Okay,” I say, straightening my shoulders. “Let’s try it.”

Emily grins triumphantly and ushers me into the fitting room. The gown hugs my curves perfectly, the deep red fabric shimmering as it catches the light. The neckline is elegant but daring, and the slit up one side reveals just enough leg to feel sophisticated yet sexy.

When I step out, Emily lets out a low whistle. “Now that’s what I’m talking about! Kendrick, you look amazing.” She grimaces. “I wish I was tall and willowy like you. Stately, instead of short.”

“Emily, you’re perfectly petite,” I argue. Feeling a rush of confidence as I turn to see myself in the mirror. For the first time in years, I feel... beautiful and sexy. Not just Cassidy’s mom or the woman who works at Heart I’m consumed by a wild, primal passion that matches his—reveling in his claiming of me.

When I finally cry out his name, he joins me in my orgasm, both of us spent from our exertion. Our breath slowly returns to normal as he stands, pulling me up with him.

“I’m not finished with you yet, Kendrick,” he whispers with a dark promise. “It’s going to be a long night.”

I finally speak. “I’m up for it,” I say with a sultry smile, answering the challenge in his eyes.