“It doesn’t matter. I’ve already forgotten about it.” My heart races with both fear and lust—lust from his hand in my hair, and fear of what he might do if he moves any closer and feels all my curves I had hidden the night of the masked ball.
His eyes search mine, and I feel my glasses slipping down my nose. Why did I choose today to skip wearing my contacts? “Alright then, but let me make it up to you.” He unclips the barrette holding my hair, letting it cascade down my back in waves. “Beautiful.” He sets the barrette on my desk before running his fingers through my hair, his lips dangerously close to mine.
Giving up the fight, I lean forward, my lips seeking his. When the sound of a door opening startles me, I jump back in surprise as all three of my sisters file into my office.
“Oh, Mr. Blackwood, we didn’t realize you were back here.” I roll my eyes at Rue’s horrible, fake shocked expression upon discovering the two of us in my office.
“I was just trying to talk Clover here into going out with me.” He doesn’t take his eyes off me as he answers my sister.
“And I was just in the process of telling Mr. Blackwood that I am way too busy to go on a date with him, since Jessa and Bay’s wedding is only three days away. I need time to alter whateverdress she picks today.” I place my hands on his solid chest with a shove and shift my body behind my desk, conveniently putting some space between us. “Now, if you’ll excuse me.” I glance at my computer, silently dismissing him. But I don’t sit down, fearing that my smock will hug my curves when I’m seated and reveal my true figure.
I feel his eyes on me. The intensity of his gaze sends a pulse of heat rushing through my body, centering on my core, causing my clit to thump wildly.
“This isn’t over, Clover. I told you the night of the masked ball that you were mine, and I plan to claim you.” Out of the corner of my eye, I see him spin on his heel and stride out the door, tipping his head at my sisters as he leaves. “Ladies.”
The moment he’s out of the room, Laurel slams the door as all three of my sisters rush to my side. “What is he talking about? You never made it to the masked ball.” Rue raises an eyebrow, giving me that look that would normally break me, causing me to spill all my secrets, but not today.
“It’s nothing.” I shrug, not wanting them to see how deeply his presence affected me.
In a million years, I never thought Bale would recognize me away from the ball. He hadn’t seen my face behind the mask, and my body and hair were different. Besides, why would he want plain, dumpy me when Mr. February could have any woman he wanted?
“It’s not nothing, Clover.” Fern jumps into the conversation. “The way that man was looking at you like he wanted to throw you across your desk and ravish you, almost got me pregnant.”
“He’s mine," I growl before I can stop myself.
“Oh, he does mean something to you.” Fern smiles. “It’s about time one of us found a man.”
“He’s not mine. I don’t know why I said that.” I try to backtrack, but my sisters aren’t buying it. “We met in the garden behind the community center. We danced. He got called away for work. He asked me to wait for him. I did. He never came back, so I left. End of story.”
“Did he explain why he didn’t come back for you?” Laurel picks up the barrette from my desk and begins fixing my hair, placing it back in my usual bun style.
“I didn’t give him a chance. He said he returned, and I was gone. I was too hurt to let him explain.”
“And why didn’t you let him explain?”
I glance from sister to sister, each waiting expectantly for my answer, “Because that night was magical. I wasn’t the shy, chunky girl with glasses. I was a sexy woman hiding behind a mask and spandex. Now that he’s seen me without the mask and gorgeous dress, he’ll realize he made a mistake and be thankful I gave him a way out.”
“Clover, did you not see the way that man was looking at you? He saw you—the real you.” Fern’s voice is stern but caring. “Jessa and Bay invited all of us to the wedding and the wedding reception. Take a few days to think about what you’re giving up if you don’t take a chance on Bale.”
Each of my sisters gives me a hug before leaving me alone with my thoughts about what could be if I were brave enough to take a chance on Bale.
five
Bale
True to her word,Clover never returned to the viewing area, leaving me to wonder if I’ll get another chance to talk to her before Jessa picks out her wedding dress. I break out in a cold sweat just thinking about losing her again. Leaning forward, my body works faster than my mind as it demands I find my woman.
“Hold on there, Bale.” Junie takes the velvet cushioned seat next to me. “Give her some time to process everything that’s happening.”
I inwardly curse myself for telling Junie all about what happened between me and Clover the night of the masked ball and today in her office while the rest of our family funneled back into the dress shop after returning from the bakery.
“I’m tired of waiting, Junie. I feel like I’ve been waiting for Clover my whole life.” I drop my shoulders in defeat. “Why doesn’t she like me back?” I hate how pitiful I sound, but I can’t help how I feel. “Clover, is it for me. If I can’t have her, I don’t want anyone else.”
“You’re going to have to trust me on this one, Bale.” Junie nudges my arm and discreetly points to a curtain off to the side that seems to be moving on its own.
Taking a closer look, I swear I see a flash of brown hair with red highlights pulling the curtain shut. “Maybe you’re right, Junie.” I smile to myself and begin to see Jessa’s wedding dresses in a different light. But instead of Jessa standing there in the white dress, I imagine Clover standing there spinning in a circle with a happy smile as my family helps her pick her wedding dress, which, if I have my way, they will.
***
