found in the form of a black plunge bra, no wires, that would make wearing nursing pads easy.
“All you need is jewelry.”
Summer nodded at the stylist. All the empire-waisted velvet stunner lacked was bling.
A calm certainty fell over her. Oh. My. God. That was what this night was about. She quickly weighed the odds. There wasn’t much of a contest. Her big ole scruffy Adonis Viking teddy bear was going to propose and do it in front of witnesses.
He was so cute she wanted to hop around and squeal like a fan girl.
Well, this changed everything! Her attitude and manner transformed instantly. It wasn’t every day a girl got swept off her feet with such grand gestures. Her best bet was to settle in and enjoy the ride—squeeze all the magic possible out of the occasion and gather as many memories as she could.
A makeup artist took over once she was back in a dressing gown.
“Crystal and candlelight,” he purred. “Deep blue gown, blond hair, blue eyes. What look are we going for, hmm?”
She crossed her fingers and smiled. “I want the full glamour treatment. Neither the dress nor the occasion warrants understated.”
“Oh, gurl,” he chortled. “Strap in because when I’m through, you’ll be red carpet ready.”
They’d sharked around each other all day, never actually meeting up, not even to hand off the baby. His grandfather took care of the logistics and kept Ari on schedule while he and Summer got ready.
As the cocktail hour approached, Arnie could feel her excitement even without seeing her.
Stan arrived looking dapper in a tuxedo despite the arm sling. Their father followed shortly after carrying a half dozen shopping bags filled with diapers, wipes, and baby toys. Arnie found the mix of practical and extravagant endearing.
They were gathered near the fireplace in the formal living room when Darnell Senior strolled in looking every inch the lord of the manor while on his arm and smiling like she was the first lady, Dottie walked confidently at his side. She wore a long black, double-breasted blazer gown with a rather daring slit, considering her age.
“I declare this wild rumpus to be open,” Dottie quipped. “Let the games begin.”
After making sure everyone had a beverage, he walked to the archway several times waiting for Summer and the baby to appear. He was getting worried. Should he go see what the holdup was?
Like magic, she appeared down the long hallway. She moved with grace and ease with their daughter in her arms.
She took his breath away.
As she got closer, he noticed a glaring omission in her appearance and jolted with alarm.
“Dad,” he called out. “Come here.”
“What’s up?”
“Summer’s coming. Can you waylay her in the hallway and take Ari?”
“Sure. Just give me a second.”
His dad headed into the hallway while Arnie slid out another door and dashed through rooms to come up behind her. As soon as his dad took Ari and walked away, he surprised her from behind and whirled her through a series of flamboyant dance moves and into Senior’s study.
“What are you doing, silly?” Summer exclaimed breathlessly as he shut the door.
“Almost fucked up,” he told her with a gigantic grin. He looked her up and down. “God, baby. You look amazing.”
She ran her fingers down the front of his tuxedo shirt and wagged her brows. “You make a tux look hot.”
Hot? Fuck. He was gonna take it and be thrilled.
“Check this out.” She raised the hem of the gown and showed off her shoes.
With a deliberately lascivious lick of his lips and his hand pointing up, he asked for a glimpse of what else was under the dress. “Panty inspector.”
She tut-tutted and gave him some seriously naughty eyeshade but didn’t hesitate to flash her lingerie long enough for him to get an erection.
What the hell was it about tiny black panties? Why did her sweet sexy ass in a scrap of silk turn him on so?
It was nearly go time when she dropped her gown, stepped close, and palmed his hard-on. “Is this for me?”
Snap out of it, you moron, his conscience screamed. Don’t you have something else to give her besides your dick?
He pressed her hand against him and growled. “You can take him out for a spit polish and shine later.”
Her eyes glittered with amusement at his words.
“Right now, I need you to behave.”
Summer giggled. “Ooh. You’re using your daddy voice.”
Pretending to swat her fine ass through the heavy velvet, he told her to close her eyes and clasp her hands behind her