The closet light above me hits like a spotlight on my dress, and a million reflective beams ignite over the space. Before me, sitting in a hanging half-bodied mannequin, lies the most stunning silver shimmering dress. It has a death-defying neckline, which might not be so bold if it wasn’t mere inches away from the high slit on the side.
The material staring back at me is practically calling me poor with the way it glitters. I run my fingers over it to confirm I’m not hallucinating, and sure enough, the fabric feels just as decadent as it looks.
I make quick work of first putting on that hot lacy nude lingerie that the Bergdorf Goodman team said I needed to wear under this dress. And hot damn, if Tony doesn’t forgive me after my apology, I might just need to strip down to this and use it as reinforcement.
I step into the dress, then raise it carefully as I slip my arms into the bedazzled winged sleeves and adjust the top so it at least covers all the important parts. Once on, I realize that I’m going to need help with the zipper. I can probably call Kelsey to come over, since I’ll need help strapping on my silver satin heels as well.
I give myself one final look in the mirror and smile at the memories this twinkling dress conjures. This is a much fancier andmuchmore daring version of the dress I wore on the night I met Tony. The material fits snugly over my perked-up breasts and cinches at the waist before falling straight down to the floor. I quietly laugh at myself for feeling like I’m playing dress-up, standing barefoot in an unzipped dress, as if it’s completely normal to look like someone casually poured extravagant silver jewels all over my body.
I’ve never felt as confident as I do in this exact moment, and I hope it’s enough to carry me on my mission tonight.
I grab my heels and head out of the closet but come to a quick halt.
Tony is standing shirtless at the bottom of the stairs with a towel in his hands.
His former scruff, now turned into a neatly trimmed short, soft beard, holds me captive as I try to remember how to speak.
“Oh. Hi. I didn’t know you were back,” I stammer.
His eyes rake over me from top to bottom with an unreadable look.
“Uh, since you’re here, do you mind helping me with my zipper? I can’t reach, and I—” I stop talking when he stalks my way. For some reason, I’m losing my nerve around him, and I need to remind myself to breathe.
He comes to stand behind me and growls. “Nikki.”
Shit. I forgot what I was wearing under this, so I’m sure he has a full view of the lingerie that ends in a slinky thong.
“Oh, I’m sorry. This is awkward. I shouldn’t have—” I shut up the second I feel his hand on my neck, gently moving my hair to the side. His other hand keeps a firm grip on my waist. Then, slowly, and I mean excruciatingly slowly, he starts pulling up my zipper, centimeter by centimeter. I don’t even realize I’ve started to pant until I hear him chuckle behind me and whisper, “Serves you right,” under his breath.
When I’m finally zipped up, I dart toward the bed and lean against my nightstand. I need space to have this conversation before I start dry humping his leg like an overexcited chihuahua.
He points to the shoes in my hand. “And those?”
I lift them in the air. “Oh, these old things?” I say, breathier than I intended. “I’m just gonna hold them like an accessory. New trend alert.” I fake laugh.
The corner of his lip twitches as he makes his way toward me. Before I can ask what he’s doing, he drops to one knee, then slides his hands up my leg until he reaches my thigh. “Let me.” He doesn’t wait for my response as he grabs a shoe and places my foot in it. He then works diligently to wrap the strap around my ankle and buckle it in place. “How’s that feel?”
I clear my throat. “So good. I mean. Fine. It’s fine.”
He keeps a sexy smile on his face as he repeats the same task for my other foot. When he stands, he leans in close and lifts my chin with his index finger. “I’m gonna shower and get ready for the night. You should go ahead. I know you skipped dinner.”
I open my mouth to protest, but he cuts me off. “Once I arrive, you and I are going to have a long overdue chat,corazón. And we’re gonna settle some things once and for all. Understood?”
I nod in lieu of speaking since I can’t guarantee a moan won’t escape my lips.
“Good.” He starts to make his way back toward the stairs but stops and turns back to me. “And Nikki, you look beautiful in that dress.”
“Really?” I smile.
His eyes narrow slightly. “Actually, no. You look more than beautiful. You look like an absolute vision. Breathtakingly stunning. And straight-up sinful. So for my sake, and the safety of the other men on this island, make sure I don’t find you dancing with someone else. I’m not above making a statement tonight.”
My breath hitches. “And what statement would that be?”
He grins mischievously. “You’ll see.”
26
Nikki
