Page 53 of Relentless Sinner
“I’m all done,” the seamstress announces with a joyous clap of her hands.
Thank God.
“Come and have a look.” She takes my arm and ushers me over to the full-length mirror.
I stare at my reflection. I don’t know what I expected to feel when I saw myself but it wasn't this warmth swelling within my heart.
The dress is absolutely beautiful. It clings to my body as if it were made for me.
The satin sleeveless bodice is stitched with intricate beading that catches the dim light.
Soft tulle flows down the length of my body and I marvel at the fact that I actually look like a bride. Like the perfect bride for a man I barely know.
“What do you think?” she asks in that excited tone.
The question is a good one because I’m not sure what to think. If I’m being hopeful, I’ll never wear this dress. But if I do then only God knows what will happen on that day. I’ll see my father again and I’m sure he’s not going to like that I don’t want him to walk me down the aisle. That, however, will be the least of my worries.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, realizing that I need to give an answer. I do love the dress and I love the ring, too. I just wish circumstances were different. “Thank you so much.”
“Wonderful. Looks like my job here is done. I’ll complete the final adjustments and have it ready before the weekend. I’ll also send over your dress for the engagement party by tomorrow morning.”
“Thank you.” Damn it, there’s so much going on, so much it puts me on edge. The engagement party is tomorrow night. It’s come around way too quickly. I’m not ready for anything.
“Go on and change. Your legs must be tired.”
I give her a kind smile then rush toward the makeshift cubicle in the corner. I’ve never changed clothes so fast in my life. Within a blink I’m back in my summer dress and out the door, heading to Jaxon’s office. I’ve never been inside but Eve told me Jaxon spends most of his time there when he’s home.
I assume he’s had time to get caught up with her and his men. There was a guard—Andrieu—who seemed to watch me more than the others.
I bet he gave Jaxon the full run-down on me but there shouldn’t be anything to tell.
I was on my utmost best behavior and even accessed my knowledge from watching shows and movies likePrison BreakandShawshank Redemptionto act like the good littleprisoner.
The key was to act normal. Jaxon already knows I don’t want to be here, so I didn’t give him anything more to suspect than he already did.
I spot Eve in the hallway on my way up. On seeing me she smiles.
“Hey, Gabriella, I hope you’re hungry. Dinner will be ready in an hour or so. I’m making a roast.”
“That sounds great. And yes, I’m hungry.” I smile back at her. “Do you know if Jaxon is in his office?”
“He’s out by the pool.”
The pool.What is it about this man and water?
“Thanks. I’m gonna see him.”
“I’ll let you know when dinner is ready.”
“Okay.”
With nerves buzzing all over my body I head out to the pool expecting to find Jaxon inside it, swimming. But he’s not there. He’s in the hot tub adjacent to the pool, smoking a cigar.
He notices me the moment I see him and I can’t help it—I stop midstride, unable to move just from the sheer sight of him.
He sits there half submerged with his taut muscles on show and his hair, dark and damp, falling in long waves around his broad shoulders.
Steam and smoke curl in wispy tendrils above the water, rising around the sharp angles of his face, intensifying his gaze.