Total pages in book: 91
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87502 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 438(@200wpm)___ 350(@250wpm)___ 292(@300wpm)
But now Kor was expressing an interest in what I had bought—what I wanted to wear. And he didn’t seem inclined to criticize my taste, like Carter had.
“All right,” I said. “Let me go get changed.”
I went to my bathroom and pulled off the long-sleeved black dress—which was hot and stuffy and generally miserable to wear—and put on the light, flirty sundress instead.
The dress fell almost to my knees and left my lower legs bare. It clung smoothly to my curves and brought out the color of my eyes. The only problem was it didn’t have regular straps. Instead, it had two long strips of fabric that tied at the back of the neck, which meant my bra straps stuck out like a sore thumb.
After a moment of consideration, I took off the bra and left it by the sink. Then I tied the straps in a bow at the back of my neck and had a look in the bathroom mirror.
I have to admit, I had a mixed reaction. I liked what I saw, but I felt guilty, too.
The woman in the mirror didn’t look over forty. The flirty little dress made her look younger—and happier too, I thought. But the fabric clung to her breasts—my breasts—and outlined the nipples which were stiff and poking against the thin, silky material.
Should I really go out and let Kor see me like this, I wondered? But he’d seen me in my nightgown last night, so wearing a sundress around him shouldn’t really be a problem, right?
Part of me knew I was rationalizing. But another part—a part that had been starved for affection and admiration for twenty years—didn’t care. I liked the way I looked, even though Carter would have shouted and locked me in my room for daring to wear such “indecent, revealing clothing.” I liked feeling pretty and young.
“Carter’s not here anymore—I can do what I want,” I whispered to the girl in the mirror. Then I tossed my head, making my long hair swirl around my back—I loved how sensuous it felt when the silky strands tickled my bare skin.
Taking a deep breath, I left the bathroom and headed back to the kitchen.
EIGHTEEN
VIVIENNE
Carter was still sitting there, waiting for me, when I got back.
“Ta-da!” I said, and did a little twirl, right there in the doorway.
His eyes widened, then went half-lidded.
“Fuck, Vivienne,” he breathed. “You look fucking amazing.”
“Do you really think so?” I put one hand on my hip and tossed my hair.
“Fuck, yes.” His warm brown eyes were moving up and down my body, lingering on my legs, my hips, and most of all, my breasts.
I shifted again, feeling them jiggle as the soft fabric rubbed my nipples. I liked the way he was looking at me—like he wanted to eat me up. I’d had men stare at me before, but never like this. Carter was always critical and the men in town always whispered to each other, things like,
“Yeah, she’s a nice piece of ass but what an Ice Queen.”
“Bet Carter has to tie her down to breed her. That kind won’t part her legs unless you force her.”
And things like that.
But no one—until Kor had come along—had looked at me with such open admiration and desire in his eyes. The expression on his face made me feel beautiful and desirable and free.
I twirled again.
“So you like it?”
“I fucking love it,” he said hoarsely. “God damn, Vivienne—I thought you were gorgeous before but this…” He made a gesture with one hand. “You’re a knock-out.”
I blushed with pleasure—I had never had so many compliments before, and I found that I liked hearing them—liked it a lot.
“Should I try on something else?” I asked.
“Sure—absolutely.” He nodded. “Let’s keep this fashion show rolling.”
“Okay.”
I went to the boxes on the counter and found another sundress I’d ordered—this one even shorter. I took it in the bathroom and tried it on. The hem on this one fell to mid-thigh, showing even more of my legs.
The top had straps this time, with a scooped, sweetheart neckline. I suppose I could have put my bra back on…but I didn’t want to. I was enjoying the way the cool, silky fabric rubbed against my bare nipples.
Or maybe you just like the way it feels when Kor looks at you, whispered a little voice in my head.
I pushed it away and smoothed down the yellow fabric, which looked wonderful with my dark hair. Then I left the bathroom and went back to continue the “fashion show.”
Kor’s eyes went wide again when he saw me in the shorter dress.
“God damn, you’re killing me over here, Vivienne,” he said hoarsely, and I saw that there was a definite bulge in the crotch of his trousers.
“You like it?” I threw back my shoulders and lifted my chin. I was feeling bolder by the moment and it was a heady experience.