Work In Progress (Red Lipstick Coalition #3) - Staci Hart Page 0,85
probably felt like a butterfly kiss to him. But it got his attention all the same. He lowered his ear to my lips so I could tell him what I needed.
“I’m gonna go freshen up my lipstick.”
He frowned and turned to me. “Are you okay?”
“Yes,” I said on a laugh. “I really am going to fix my face and pee.”
He relaxed, smiling. “All right. Hurry back,” he said, kissing me swiftly before letting me go.
I felt like a princess or royalty or some kind of badass as I floated to the bathroom and into a stall. I had a brief moment of terror as I wondered how the fuck I was going to get out of my costume on my own, but once my cape was hanging safely on the hook on the back of the door, I figured it out.
My relief was palpable. The thought of Tommy helping me undress was only slightly less mortifying than the thought of Aurora Park jammed in a bathroom stall with me. Assuming she could still see well enough to undress me.
It took slightly longer to put it all back together than it had to disassemble, but before too long, I was exiting the stall with a content smile.
Which instantly hit the black tiled floor when I saw the woman standing at the sink.
Vivienne Thorne smiled shrewdly at me in the mirror. “Hello, Mrs. Bane.”
“Vivienne,” I said tightly, carrying myself to the sink next to her. “Aren’t you just everywhere these days?”
She shrugged a naked shoulder. She was dressed as a French maid—Lumiere’s feather duster in Beauty and the Beast was my best guess—her costume consisting of a white Chantilly lace apron, a little lacy hat, garters, and cheeky panties. That was it. In the harsh fluorescent light, I could see the shadow of her nipples through the delicate lace and hated that they were perfectly pink and round and pert in the center of her stupid boobs.
“I make it a point to be everywhere my story is.”
Adrenaline shot through me. I turned on the water, grateful that it was warm. My hands were ice. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Vivienne.”
“Sure you do,” she said like I was a child. “I knew Tommy would be at Aurora’s birthday, so of course I got a ticket.” She assessed me. “I’ve got to admit, you’ve got that scared bunny look down pat. You’re both good—even I almost believe it.”
My teeth clamped together and squeezed until my jaw hurt.
She laughed, the sound beautiful and cruel. “The second I crack you open, everyone will know the whole thing is a sham, just like all Tommy’s relationships.”
My hands fell, my brows drawing together, my heart thundering in a surge of protectiveness and bravery. “Why are you doing this to him? To us?”
Her smile fell, her eyes steely and jaw set. “Because Tommy was a failure that stripped me of the things I wanted, and I intend to correct that mistake. Just as I intend to prove your marriage is fake. Really, I should be thanking you. You two are going to get me my job back at the Times. So smile for the cameras and watch your back.” She pushed off the counter and leaned into me. “See you around, Mrs. Bane.” Vivienne backed off, smiling coolly at me.
I couldn’t speak. Or swallow. Or stop washing my trembling hands. Not until the bathroom door closed behind her.
I let out a shuddering sigh and turned off the faucet, reaching for the paper towels. I couldn’t feel the tips of my fingers, they were so cold, and I only had one thought.
Escape.
I’d find Tommy. I’d code-word the shit out of this, and we would go home where it was safe and quiet. Where we didn’t have to pretend.
I whipped open the door and bolted out, but when I turned the corner, I slammed into a big, broad, naked chest that smelled like oranges and cloves and Tommy.
“Hey,” he said on a gentle laugh. But when he met my eyes, everything about him sobered. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
I opened my mouth to speak, but my tongue was still so fat and useless. “Vivienne,” I finally breathed.
He darkened like a thunderhead, pulling me into him, holding my face, searching my eyes. “Are you all right? What did she say?”
I shook my head, and his hands rode the motion.
A few people stopped nearby, watching us for signs of commotion. I could feel their eyes, the anticipation in the air.