Helpless (Steel Demons MC #5) - Crystal Ash Page 0,91
relationship was off to a good start, but it wouldn’t take much for our completely opposing worlds to clash. We would show him respect, but he had to return that same courtesy. Tattooed women and all.
I had to hand it to Vance’s tailoring staff. Reaper and Gun told me about the dinner party after our sexathon, then a well-organized team of people with garment bags, measuring tape, bolts of cloth, and fabric shears knocked at our door. They got us fitted into semi-formal clothes that slid on like gloves within hours, before moving on to the rest of the party.
I thought I heard protests from Shadow’s room as they measured and fitted him, but tried to keep my excitement in check. A party like this seemed like it was absolutely not his thing, but I really wanted to see him in a suit.
Once my hair was dry enough, I took the dress off the hanger and stepped into it. The built-in bra was snug and supportive without being too restricting. Reaper had looked like he wanted to murder the seamstress who measured my chest, but I was glad they sewed this in. It accentuated my shape nicely, and allowed my back to be completely bare without a bra strap ruining the look.
The guys wore slim-fitting slacks that paired well with their riding boots, and white button up shirts tucked in. They picked out blazer jackets to wear, but chose to forgo ties. Jandro was already undoing the top buttons on his shirt and pushing his sleeves up.
“Okay, as hot as you look like that,” I folded his collar down and pressed it smooth, “this is a look for after the party, not before or during.”
“I’m just making it easier for you to rip it all off me later.” He ran his hands down my sides and took a step back. “Jesus, you’re so fucking stunning.”
Reaper came over from getting himself situated in the mirror. He had the top buttons undone too, teasing a bit of the ink under his neck, but he at least kept his sleeves intact. “I fucking swear, sugar, you’re making it even more tempting to skip this whole thing.”
“Not fucking happening.” I imitated his tone, enjoying his smirk as I came over to run my fingers over the exposed skin of his throat. “You need this time with Vance, president. To have his attention as an equal, for the wellbeing of your club.”
“It doesn’t matter what I say, Mrs. President.” He ran a hand along my side, following my waist to my ass. “With you on my arm, I know exactly where his attention will be.”
“I’m sure we can steal her away to prevent any distractions.” Gunner walked up to check himself in the mirror, looking dapper as hell. He’d shaved, and brushed his hair back neatly so it fell to his collar in soft, uniform waves. Not only were his shirt buttons and sleeves intact, but he even added a pocket square to his blazer. Rather than his engineer boots, he wore a pair of polished brown loafers.
In his usual biker getup, it was easy to forget he came from money. But right then, he looked every bit the polished, private academy graduate. The others noticed too.
“You clean up nice, Gun.” Jandro reached out like he was going to mess up Gunner’s hair, but the blond demon shot him a scathing look.
“All of you do.” I placed Gunner’s earrings in my lobes, then adjusted Jandro’s necklace at my throat. Reaper’s ring sparkled under the bathroom lights as I finished touching myself up. “I’m going to be the luckiest woman at this party.”
“These stuffy old farts aren’t gonna know what hit ‘em.” Gunner slid an arm around my waist and placed a delicate kiss on my earlobe.
“Are we ready to go and get this over with?” Reaper hovered impatiently by the door. “They said the governor would send a car.”
The guys spilled out into the B&B lobby, while I hurried to finish setting my make up. I heard the familiar voices of Larkan and Noelle floating in, then my heart jumped at the sound of Shadow’s low rumble.
He’s coming too! Be normal. Act natural.
What was natural and normal with him anymore? Treating him with polite distance? Hugging him or kissing his cheek? With closer friendliness, like with the Sons of Odin now? Something shifted between us since the rescue mission, and Jandro spoke aloud of what I tried and failed to shove down.