almost imagine he was in the same room with me.
“Hi! I was just about to call you.”
“So....”
“You made good on that promise to win me over,” I said.
“I did well, didn’t I?”
“Yes. She was so happy, feeling like a lady.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“You did it on purpose, didn’t you?”
“I’m not going to answer that. So is that a yes?”
“Well, I’m trying on a dress right now, so I guess you have your answer.”
“Describe it to me.” His voice sounded even more gravelly than before. Dangerous, somehow. I licked my lips.
My voice trembled lightly as I spoke next. “It has a tight corset out of black lace. The skirt is organza.”
He said nothing.
“Are you having trouble picturing it?”
“Yes. All I come up with is you wearing absolutely nothing.”
Holy shit! A flash of heat lit up my body. I gripped the edge of the mirror with my free hand, leaned my forehead against the cool surface. It was no use.
“Goodnight, Ryker. I’ll see you at the gala,” I said. “I can’t wait.”
My breath was still shaky when I hung up. The tips of my breasts turned hard, brushing against the fabric of the bodice. The contact of the dress on my outer thighs made my skin turn to goose bumps, as if Ryker was here, touching me. I wouldn’t be able to wear this dress and not remember this exact moment, when he’d made my entire body feel like a live wire.
Chapter Eleven
Heather
On the day of the ball, I received a message from one of Ryker’s sisters, Tess, asking me if I wanted to come earlier. I jumped at the opportunity. I was curious to see the famous ballroom, and I knew Avery would enjoy it too.
It was even more magnificent live than in pictures. The second I entered it, I felt as if I’d stepped into another century. Crystal chandeliers and balconies with wrought iron railings surrounded me. I spotted tables on the balconies. In the center was a dance floor with a small stage at the end of the room. There was a bouquet of buttercup winter hazel on every table. I loved that they used seasonal flowers.
“Mommy, are we in a castle?” Avery whispered.
“Something like that.”
Two women walked towards us. I could tell they were Ryker’s sisters. Something about them instantly reminded me of him. One had dark brown hair, the other light brown—interspersed with highlights. They were both wearing gorgeous evening gowns. I had yet to change into mine. I was carrying it in a plastic cover over my shoulder. Avery was already wearing her dress—she’d asked to change at her school.
“You must be Heather. And this is Avery?” said the one with light brown hair and highlights.
“Yes,” I answered.
“I’m Tess,” she said.
“And I’m Skye,” the other introduced herself. “We have about half an hour before guests will start arriving. Avery, want me to show you the kids’ corner?”
She pointed over her shoulder to a corner I hadn’t paid attention to, opposite the stage. There was a small slide and a mountain of toys. There were also three women milling around that corner.
“We have certified sitters that will be present at the event the whole time,” Skye explained.
“Mommy, can I go?” Avery asked.
“Sure, honey. Let’s go together.” Tess and her sister led the way. Avery headed straight to the slide while Skye introduced me to the sitters. I spoke with them for a few minutes, and afterward, they headed to Avery. Since she was the first kid to arrive, they didn’t have much to do yet.
“Wow. That’s going to keep kids occupied for hours,” I said.
“That’s the plan. From experience, we know kids don’t like to sit at the tables. It’s boring for them. They usually only interrupt their games long enough to eat or drink, and we’ve set up the kids’ snacks in the corner by the playground. Our sitters have been working our events for a few years now, and we trust them completely.”
By the ease with which they interacted with Avery, it was clear they knew what they were doing.
“You’re magic. Do you have kids?” I asked.
“No, but we’ve got Mom to advise us. She’s a school principal and raised four of us, so... what she says goes.”
“Want me to give you a rundown of everything?” Tess asked.
“Yes, please.”
“The funds raised tonight go towards charity. One of us holds an opening speech. Usually Hunter, but this time, it’s going to be me. After food is served, the dance raffle begins.”
“What’s that?”
Tess grinned. “Every dance