Fearless The King Series Book One - By Tawdra Kandle Page 0,90
new tricks from Anne the day before, and I was pleased with the results.
When I put on my dress and shoes, I had to admit that the overall effect was attractive. The dark green material picked up the shade of my eyes and brought out the auburn highlights in my hair, which fell in loose waves around my shoulders. The length of the dress shimmered when I moved, and I loved the way it swirled around my legs. And my silver shoes made me feel like a true princess.
“Very nice,” my dad approved from the door of my room, as I stood in front of my mirror, checking my reflection from every angle.
I smiled at him. “Thanks. Maybe this won’t be so bad, after all.”
He laughed. “You’ll have a wonderful time. I’m glad you’re finally getting the opportunity to do this, Tas.”
I felt the sentimentality and regret he was experiencing, and I caught his eye in the mirror. “I never missed out on anything, Daddy. This was the way it was meant to be. Really. I never wanted to go to a dance until I knew Michael. Well, to be perfectly honest, I’m still not sure I want to go to a dance, but I want to make him happy. And maybe I am looking forward to it, just a little.”
My little girl is all grown up and going out for her first real dance. She looks so lovely… I hope that dress isn’t cut too low. No, it’s very modest. He better take care of her…
“Daddy!” I rolled my eyes and glared.
“What?” He held up his hands in assumed innocence. “What did I do?”
“It’s not what you’re doing, it’s what you’re thinking.”
“And you know you’re not supposed to be listening.”
“I’m nervous, so I can’t keep the guard up. Plus, admit it, you were thinking so loud you were practically shouting…”
Before we could continue, the doorbell rang.
“That’s Michael!” I darted around the bed to the door of my room, and my father stopped me.
“No, you wait here. It’s a father’s prerogative to answer the door. Plus, you want to make an entrance. Trust me.”
So I stood in my room, my knees shaking, and listened to my parents greet Michael and exclaim over how handsome he looked. Finally I couldn’t stand it any longer, and I moved out into the living room.
Conversation ceased as Michael spotted me and stopped in mid-sentence. His eyes grew large and his mouth dropped. I hoped this was a good reaction.
“I think that’s a positive response,” my mother laughed.
Michael’s eyes met mine and he smiled. Suddenly the Harvest Moon Dance didn’t seem like such a bad idea.
My parents, under strict orders not to fuss, did insist on taking several pictures. First, Michael had to take one of both of them with me, then they took turns posing with Michael and me, and then there were the couple only shots. Finally I threw up my hands.
“Enough!” I proclaimed. “That’s it. We need to go, or you’ll be snapping pictures all night. We’re not going to be able to see for hours as it, with all those flashes in our eyes.”
Michael laughed at me. “Just one more. I nearly forgot, in the excitement, but I bought you flowers.”
They were tiny pink roses, surrounded by a spray of baby’s breath. I oohed in spite of myself, and Michael slipped it onto my wrist. I permitted one more picture with flowers, and then I gathered my wrap and my purse.
“Have a wonderful time—be safe—remember, your curfew is 1 AM. Plenty of time to enjoy the dance, have a little snack out afterward, and be home by then.”
“I’ll have her back in plenty of time,” Michael assured my parents. I kissed them each on the cheek and we were off.
Michael had the top up on the car in deference to the formality of the evening. Carefully he helped me into my seat and moved around to join me. Before he started up the car, he turned to face me.
“Seriously, you look incredible. I know you don’t want to make a big deal out of tonight, but I just wanted you to know that.” He leaned closer, gently and deliberately moved my hair over my shoulder and touched my lips softly with his own. I sensed the depth of his feelings and heard the quiet murmurs of his thoughts, echoing what he had just