Bought: One Bride

“Maybe he’s just lonely,” Holly said in an attempt to defuse this conversation, which was in danger of getting out of hand. “We all get lonely, Mrs Crawford. I’m lonely. It’s not as though Richard and I are about to get married. We just enjoy each other’s company.”

“You’re right. I’m being melodramatic. I should be grateful to you for making Richard see that life is still to be lived. Please don’t tell my son about this conversation, Holly. I won’t, either. Promise?”

“I promise.”

“Forget what I said about his wife, too. He’s awfully sensitive about Joanna. Clams up whenever I mention her.”

“I certainly won’t be bringing his wife up,” Holly said, unable to ignore the stab of jealousy over Richard still being obsessed with his wife.

But she could see that it was probably true. Probably true what she’d said as well. Richard was taking her out because he was lonely.

But that didn’t make her own feelings any less intense. Holly couldn’t recall ever losing this much sleep over Dave, not till after he’d dumped her. She couldn’t recall any of Dave’s kisses doing what Richard’s kiss had done to her last Saturday night, either. She’d been mindless within seconds. Lord knew what would have happened if he’d pushed the matter further.

Instead, he’d stopped, leaving her more turned on than she’d ever been in her life. She hadn’t wanted him to leave. She’d wanted him to stay and make love to her. Wanted him to bypass all those feelings of sexual inadequacy that had always plagued her.

“I…I have to get back to these flowers now, Mrs Crawford,” she said, agitated by her thoughts. “I hope you have a wonderful trip.”

“Thank you, dear. And take care.”

“I will. I promise.”

Famous last words.

A swishy skirt.

Well, it had that all right.

Holly stood back from the full-length mirror and twirled around once. The skirt flared out, but stopped short of showing her white satin G-string to the world. Which was just as well because the darned dress showed more of her body than any dress Holly had ever owned.

Made in pale pink chiffon, it was halter-necked in style, with a V-shaped cleavage slashed down past her breasts. Her already small waistline was cinched in tightly with a wide silver chain belt, making her full bust look even more voluptuous.

Of course, wearing a bra was out of the question. They didn’t make frontless bras. Thankfully, the dress was fully lined, and draped in soft folds over her breasts, which minimised the visual impact of her naked nipples.

She’d bought the dress last night, at an expensive boutique in the city, driven to the extravagance by her desire to knock Richard dead when he picked her up tonight.

The salesgirl had raved, of course, saying it looked simply fab on her.

“Not many girls can carry this dress off,” she’d said. “Most don’t have the curves for it. Or the skin.”

Holly knew what she meant. She did have smooth, honey-coloured skin with no freckles. To be honest, she’d thought she looked pretty fab in the dress, too.

But now that the moment was almost at hand—it was five to eight—her confidence was wavering. Had she gone too far with the dress and accessories, along with her hair and make-up? Would Richard like her dressed to thrill? He’d asked for sexy but maybe, once he saw her, he would prefer the more au naturel Holly of last Saturday night.

The phone ringing startled her. Oh, no, please, not Richard calling off our date, she prayed as she picked up the receiver with a shaky hand. She couldn’t bear it.

“Yes?” she choked out.

“I’m outside,” Richard said, “I can see a light upstairs, but the place is in darkness down here. Are you ready?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“No need to be nervous,” he replied. “Reece and Alanna are very nice people.”

“It’s not them who make me nervous.”

He laughed. “You don’t have to be nervous of me. Now come downstairs this minute. I want to see what you look like.”

The moment she came through that door out onto the pavement, Richard realised she did have to be nervous about him. Very nervous.

He’d expected her to doll herself up tonight. What he hadn’t expected was to be totally blown away by the results. One glance at her in that provocative pink dress and Richard was consumed with a desire so hot and strong that his already-frustrated body was in danger of spontaneous combustion.

As he watched her lock the door he vowed then and there that she would not just stay the night with him. But all of Sunday as well. If he had his way, Holly would not be going home till Monday morning.