and running an appraising thumb over the calloused skin. “A pedicure, a manicure, waxing, makeup, and you will sparkle in your new gown.”
“My new gown?” she asked. Her head was swimming with all these plans. What in the world was going to happen tonight?
“Oh, you’ll see that later.” Sebastien smiled knowingly. “That man of yours has exquisite taste. It’s the exact gown I would have chosen for you.”
Noise in the hallway caused the enthusiastic man to bounce to his feet. Angel and Shadow entered pushing a dolly stacked with plastic storage boxes.
“Perfect!” He lifted the heavy blue one off the top and started to carry it into the bathroom. Stopping in the doorway, he turned to look at Mia in surprise as she stood in place. “Well, come on. Step one, haircut.”
23
Three hours later, Mia posed in front of the large mirror. Fascinated by her appearance, she could not believe she had become the woman who looked back at her. Sebastien had cut and styled her hair in an elaborate updo that looked sophisticated and sleek. The makeup that Shadow had applied had widened her already big, blue eyes while making her lips look as if she would invite a kiss at a moment’s notice. The gorgeous sparkly gown nipped in at the waist and clung to her hips, giving her an hourglass figure. They had erased any hint of mousiness that had lurked.
Only Mia knew about the intimate treatments the team had given her. Her body had been waxed of all body hair, buffed free of any rough skin, and massaged with a thick cream that felt so good and made her skin glow with health. She had clung to the thought that Rafael had ordered all these treatments when Sebastien’s orders had exposed her nude body to the entire team throughout the afternoon. She wanted to please him.
The team’s professional demeanor had reassured her that this was all normal procedure for them. Their actions proved that they were not bothered or particularly interested in her body. Sebastien had held her hand through the painful and intimate waxing. Now at the end of all their preparations, Mia had begun to consider all three as friends. Their chatter as they gathered all the supplies from the bathroom and bedroom indicated that they would see her often.
Mia glanced down at her nails. Gone was the frivolous pink polish with white flowers. Shadow had painted them a deep navy to match one of the shimmering colors in her gown and added one shimmering, white crystal that caught the light as she moved her fingers. Mia didn’t know why they reminded her of her first days with Rafael, but that glisten mirrored the spotlight in the darkness that heralded his attention. Her toes in the sky-high heels mirrored the design.
Waving goodbye at Sebastien, Angel, and Shadow as they departed, wishing her luck in slaying the crowd, Mia pressed a hand to her thudding heart. She looked around the beautiful room that had been filled with activity for the last three hours. Now in the quiet, she had time to worry.
Smoothing a hand over the sparkling gown, she felt the soft dress liner touching her bare skin. Sebastien had refused to allow her to ruin the sleek lines of the long dress by wearing anything under it. Mia felt very exposed by the tight fit of the beautiful dress.
A faint scent made her twirl around to look at the doorway. That hand at her heart pressed a bit tighter to her chest. Goodness, he looks delicious, Mia’s brain trumpeted inside her head.
Dressed in a coal-black tuxedo, Rafael stood in the doorway, appraising her with a pleased smile. He held one hand out to her and waited silently for her to walk self-consciously toward him. As she stood in front of him, Mia waited for him to say something, but he just looked at her.
Finally, her nerves forced her to speak. “Rafael. Say something, please. What’s going on?” she asked in a trembling voice.
The debonair man simply tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and led her out of the bedroom and down the hall. With each step, Mia could hear talking, laughter, and music growing louder. At the entrance to a large room, Rafael stopped to allow Mia to look at the swirl of activity.
There had to be thirty people filling the large drawing room. Gowns flounced and twinkled as good-looking men paid special attention to the beautiful women. The variations in