In the shower, I added extra conditioner to my sticky hair. Despite having my hair in a bun on the sailboat and in the helicopter, it was tangled from the sail boat ride, and was still full of salt. My arms were a golden tan, and my cheeks were red from the sun.
When I came out of the bathroom, still wrapped in a towel, a mannequin stood in the center of my room.
The figure wore a strapless ball gown with layers and layers of pink tulle for the skirt. The bodice was covered in pink sequins. It was the most gorgeous dress I’d ever seen. I’d seen glimpses of fancy dresses before on television, for the Oscars and the Golden Globes, but I’d never allowed myself to indulge in admiring them the way other women my age did. Before meeting Richard, wearing a fancy dress wasn’t within reach for me, so there had been no point in looking.
But now I had one of my own right in front of me. I ran my hand across the sequins, letting them tickle the palm of my hand.
A knock at the door interrupted my thoughts. I opened the door to see a woman around my age standing there. “Hi,” she said. “I’m Jean. Mr. Boswell hired me from the cosmetology school to do your makeup and hair.” Behind her, an older woman appeared. “I’m Carolyn. I’m an event planner. I handle all of Mr. Boswell’s parties here at the mansion. I’m going to go over the schedule for tonight, and any etiquette you might need.”
I sat in a office style chair that Jean brought with her, and Jean got to work. She was a little slower paced than Loren from the Wish Maker’s club. Loren had been efficient at transforming me during my time at the club, but it was kind of Richard to hire students and give them opportunities to work outside of school.
While Jean smoothed on lotions, foundations and powders, Carolyn explained the details of the evening to me.
“The number one rule is to not get drunk.” She tucked her clipboard under her arm and pointed her pen at me. “Don’t even get tipsy. You may have one drink and sip it slowly throughout the evening.”
“I will be happy to follow that advice in the future. But I won’t be drinking tonight. I’m not twenty-one yet.”
“That’s never stopped anyone else, but I’m glad. It makes my life easier. Half my career has been spent trying to mitigate the bad decisions rich people make while blackout drunk.” Carolyn fanned herself with her clipboard for a minute.
“Next, don’t chew gum. Also, do not chew with your mouth full. Hors d’oeuvres will be served. Don’t eat during conversations with people you don’t know.” She took a moment to chew on her pen cap. “Don’t take your shoes off. If your feet hurt, tell me and I’ll get you some flats. Stand up straight, do not slouch. You will not have your phone. Richard has already contacted the hospital to let them know to contact me. If your sister needs you, I’ll find you immediately.”
I was impressed that he’d thought of that.
“You will be expected to dance. Richard will guide you; don’t worry about that part. The music will be made up of an orchestra. If someone jumps into the pool, do not join them.”
I bowed my head as Jean began curling my hair. “Does that happen a lot?” This was not a casual gathering of friends. It was a formal cocktail party with business associates. The thought of someone jumping into the pool was funny, but I definitely wouldn’t be anywhere near that.
“Often enough that I feel the need to mention it.”
I could handle all of that.
“If someone asks you about your religious preferences or your political affiliations, tell him or her you’d like to hear more about theirs, or get yourself away.”
“I can do that.”
“Good. Last year someone insulted the prime minister of Ireland’s most recent speech, and one of the guests threw a piece of cake at him.”
“Richard didn’t tell me these parties get rowdy.”
“I try to keep as much crazy from Richard as possible.” She gave me a big smile. “That’s what he hired me for.”
“In that case, thank you for the advice.”
“You’ll be fine.” She patted me on the shoulders. “I’ve got to get downstairs. Jean, fabulous work.” With that, Carolyn was gone. Jean continued curling my hair while I sat back and enjoyed having someone do it for me.
Finally she was done. She bent down next to me and turned the chair.
“Now you can look,” she said, pointing to the large mirror.
I gasped. I looked like a princess. A small portion of my hair was pulled up on top of my head, with curls cascading down onto my shoulders. The pale pink of the dress made my blonde hair stand out.
My eyes looked bluer and bigger than usual. My cheekbones were highlighted with a faint pink, and all of my skin glowed.
A diamond necklace sat right at my throat.
Jean helped me step into my ball gown. She helped me pull on white gloves that showed off my new tan.
“You are exquisite. That is the only word for you.”
Carolyn reappeared in time to thank Jean and sent her home. “Let’s get you to Mr. Boswell. He’s going to be beside himself when he sees you. He’s waiting for you in his study.” Carolyn took me to the office, which I’d never seen before. When we got there, she hugged me. “You are stunning. And you are sweet, and kind. Remember that, all night.” She reached up and touched the side of my face. “It was so lovely to work with you. If everyone was like you, my job would be so easy.” She lowered her voice. “I’ve worked for Richard for a long time. He’s a good man. I’m so glad he’s found you.”
I appreciated her honesty. “Thank you, Carolyn. I feel a lot better knowing you’ll be around during the party.”
She squeezed my hand one last time and left. Richard’s door was cracked. I put my hand up to push the door open, but stopped when I heard his deep voice. He was on the phone. If he was still working, I’d wait outside for a few moments until he was done.
His voice rose, but he wasn’t talking about work. He was talking about me.
“… She is sweet, and kind, and hard-working. And yes, I have feelings for her. I want to make her life easier. I want to take care of her. She’s so independent, but she’s feisty too.”
I was moved. He didn’t say those things for my benefit. He didn’t have to say anything for my benefit. From the things he said, he liked me for more than my virginity, and my willingness to submit to him; he’d noticed parts of my personality.
I waited until he was off the phone, then I knocked on his door.
“Come in.”
I came into the room slowly. The ball gown gave the appearance of gliding.
Richard gaped at me for a moment before recovering. “I’m speechless. You don’t even look real,” he said.
I put my hand on his cheek. I wanted to thank him, but I knew he wouldn’t like it that I’d overheard his conversation.
To my surprise, he closed his eyes and leaned in.
I couldn’t thank him for what he’d said on the phone. But I could talk to him. “I —” My voice broke, and the words froze in my throat.
He frowned. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing. Nothing’s wrong. I wanted to tell you something.”
“Yes?”
“I’ve fallen in love with you.”
Dammit. I hadn’t meant to confess that. I had only meant to say how much I appreciated his kindness toward my sister, to let him know that I cared for him beyond the money and security he could offer me.
He didn’t seem put off though. His green eyes were fixed on me. “I’m going to kiss you.”
His lips met mine. I needed him inside me. I wanted to show him, with every part of me how much he meant to me.
His mouth was warm, and he tasted of mint, mixed with whiskey. I straddled him, taking care to pull the skirt of my gown up so I didn’t crush it. He lifted me, fancy gown and all, still holding onto me, laid me down on his desk. His hands disappeared under the pink tulle. “These are in my way.” He pulled my panties down, tugging, ripping them from my body. I felt the cool air as he exposed my body.
“You aren’t going to wear panties tonight.”
He moved away, folding them away in his bottom desk drawer. “You’ll be bare beneath this dress. I’ll know all night that you’re naked for me under this dress.”
I shuddered. I would never have considered leaving my room without panties on. But now it sounded like the hottest idea I’d ever heard. “Yes. You could put your hand under my dress and touch me there, if no one was looking.”
His eyes darkened. “Keep that kind of talk up and we won’t make it to the party.” He rubbed his face across my chest. “You turn me on, so much.”
He leaned back, unbuttoning his tuxedo pants. His erection pressed against his boxers. “Look what you’ve done to me.”
I did look. I reached one hand out, ready to touch his arousal.
He clasped my hand in his before letting go. “No. I don’t want to finish like that.”
As he got his hand between my legs, he groaned. “You’re wet.”
“It’s because I want you.”
“Chrissy.” He groaned again. “You can’t say things like that.”
I didn’t feel like I was good at bedroom talk yet, but the few things I said affected Richard. I vowed to keep trying.
He took my backside into his hands and guided me forward until I was close enough to the edge of the desk that I could rub against him.
He kissed my neck. He kissed down my chest, dipping one hand into my bodice to brush across my nipple. “I’m not going to tear your bodice. Even though I want to rip it off.” He groaned. “I need you naked. but you look so damn beautiful in this dress that I’m leaving it on. You look like every dream I’ve ever had.”
My eyes watered. This was something I didn’t know I’d ever wanted. And Richard was so much more than I’d let myself hope for when I met the Wish Maker.
If it didn’t last between us, I didn’t think I could fall for any other man. Not because of Richard’s money, but because of the way he looked at me. And the way he took care of me, when no one else ever had.
“What’s wrong?” Richard touched the corner of my eye. “Are you uncomfortable? Is the desk too hard?”
I couldn’t seem to get him to realize that I was far from fragile. A little discomfort was never going to faze me. But the fact that he wanted to protect me made me want to swoon.
“Just a little emotion. I’m fine.” I resisted sniffling and smiled instead. “You look very nice yourself.”
“Can I make love to you?” He pulled me to his chest and squeezed. “Chrissy, I need you.”
Make love. “Please.”
He pushed inside me. “Richard,” I moaned his name, not caring if anyone heard. He wasn’t dominating me. He was still in charge, but the dynamic was different. It felt more like a real relationship, one that could have begun in a chance meeting on a college campus.
He began to move inside me. “You feel so good. I never want to stop.”
“Then don’t.” I wanted to stay here all night, with him inside me.
I clutched at him, desperate and needy. I loved the dress, but at this point, it was a distant second to the passion I felt for Richard.
