I forced a laugh because it was the only thing I could do to stifle the keening pressure to know what was happening to me, to understand everything about this immediately. "You looked effortless too, I promise. And classic, which is just as good as cool. That dress was meant for you."
She locked her fingers together around her phone. "By that logic, this dress was meant for you."
That wasn't the direction I'd expected this to take. I wasn't prepared to slip on the one this evening and I didn't know how to put my feelings about this in the proper order.
I turned back to the mirror, again surprised to find myself in the reflection. Stacy tucked a headband behind my ears and put a bouquet of silk flowers in my hand while she explained something about the fabric or the designer. I didn't hear much of it.
The boutique's door chimed as it had several times since we'd arrived. I noticed a spot of shine on the gown's bodice and realized several of the embroidered petals were studded with seed pearls and gems. I liked the subtle sparkle of it as much as I liked the open back, the drapey sleeves, the airy fabric that seemed to weigh nothing. It was all of my things, all at once.
Who knew there was a dress for me and all my me-ishness? One unique and funky and also achingly romantic? It shouldn't have made sense, shouldn't have looked like a dream come to life. And it shouldn't have found me now when it was the last thing I needed.
"Yes. Hello. I'm just here for my—"
My attention snapped to the deep, demanding voice on the other side of the shop and found Ash staring at me, his lips parted and a slight twist of confusion on his brow.
"Zelda." He sounded breathless.
"You can't be here," Diana cried, advancing toward him with her arms raised like she was trying to chase a raccoon away from her kitchen garden. "You can't see the dress—"
"Not now, Mom."
Ash crossed the shop, Magnolia and Diana watching him as he rounded the pedestal to stand between me and the mirror. I sensed a hot flush climbing up my chest and neck, settling at my cheeks.
He didn't say anything as he took in the dress, the headband, the bouquet. Then, he cupped my flaming cheek and leaned in for a kiss almost as airy as this gown. "Now this is what I mean when I say I want you in a Zelda dress."
Behind us, Diana let out a cheer and Magnolia said something about not letting it go to her head but neither of us paid them any attention.
Ash leaned in, dragged his lips up my neck, and asked, "How quickly can you get out of this? I need to know for right now and the next time you wear it for me."
18
Ash
"Don't you think we should say goodbye?" Zelda asked as I led her out of the dress shop, my hand fisted on the waist of her skirt like a true savage while she waved to my mother and sister.
It wasn't as though I was truly dragging Zelda away or I doubted her willingness to leave the shop under her own free will. It was that I rather enjoyed the visceral satisfaction of claiming her, possessing her. It was that she rather enjoyed it too, and there was no material difference between fisting her skirt on a sidewalk and cinching my belt around her wrists in the bedroom.
God, the things this woman made me feel and think. The things she made me want.
"I think finding you in a wedding dress calls for the suspension of all polite conduct," I replied, scanning the street for the arrival of our car service.
"And why is that, boss?"
I couldn't wait any longer. I just couldn't. "They've had you all afternoon. It's my turn now." With my hand still gripping her skirt, I brought my lips down to hers.
"I didn't plan that," she whispered between kisses. "I mean, I didn't expect to try it on."
"Doesn't matter," I murmured to her cheek. "Damage is done, love."
She leaned away, scowled up at me. "What do you mean by that? By 'damage?'"
"It means I won't be able to scrub the memory of you standing there like a glowing moonbeam bride and I don't believe I care to scrub it anyway. Not when I know I want to see you just like that