Page 71 of Imbalanced Minds
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Iris
“I can’t stop looking at it.”
If I wasn’t so busy looking at it as well, I’d have made some crude joke. My best friend, Natalie and I are getting ready for my engagement party. I’d say it’s déjà vu but who am I kidding. Popping his head around the door frame, Justin asks with an overly curious tone. “You’re not looking at porn, are you? Because all you need is right here, baby.” He says to Nat, attempting to grope himself in the process.
“Fuck, Justin! Get your junk out of my face!” Nat hollers, as I make a scene of fake barfing. “Babe, unless you’re into porn with bedazzled junk then no, we weren’t. We were talking about Iris’ rock, not your cock,” she tells Jay, dragging me toward him waving my left hand in his face. “Unless you would consider getting...” I slam my free hand over my friends’ mouth. I’ve heard and seen enough in my life from these miscreants, she does not need to finish that sentence.
Backtracking ever so slowly like a scared puppy, he tries to leave, which means we can get back to getting ready. I told Cory he wasn’t allowed to come near our room while I got dressed. I wanted to surprise him with my dress choice, or lack thereof.
I chose a rose gold, sequinned choker chain mini dress for our special occasion. Mainly, because I want to toy with him; I want to make sure his eyes are firmly fixed on me all night, knowing I’m driving him crazy with lust. Matched with a pair of rose gold stilettos, I know he’ll be counting down the minutes until he can take them off.
An obnoxious clearing of someone’s throat brings me out of my daydream, as I stand in front of the mirror. “Shut the front door. Iris, you look hot, babe. Cor will be drooling all over himself when he lays eyes on you, sexy lady.”
I giggle and turn toward Nat, who’s holding two glasses of bubbles in her hands. I quirk an eyebrow in question.
“It’s non-alcoholic,” she quickly clarifies, handing me one. “I have the real deal though; you know I can pace myself.”
I giggle at my friend who seems to have become slightly delusional. “Doll, I’m not questioning your choice of drink, but I will be the first to laugh at your drunk ass later.”
Her facial expression becomes serious; Mumma Nat’s about to make an appearance. “Are you okay with this? I mean, the no alcohol? I don’t want to dampen the mood here, but you’re still making progress and I worry about you. I don’t want tonight to impact on all of that and bring up the past.”
I love my best friend right now, so much. Tears threaten to build; however, I do not have the patience to redo my makeup. With a breath of encouragement, I set our glasses down on my nightstand and hug her. For moments, we stay in a warm embrace before I pull away and hand her drink back. “I love you, Nat. I know you worry about me and I appreciate the shit out of you for that. I’m actually doing okay. I spent my last session talking to Lucy about the things that could happen tonight. She’s positive I won’t relapse, and I am too.”
Having a network of people who love me, surrounding me, was a major selling point in that. I know if anyone is concerned, they’ll pipe up. I just want to put it all behind us and move forward. I’m ready to start my new life with the man I love and grow our own family.
“I’ve never been so happy Nat; he makes me feel like the only person visible in the world. We click, you know? It’s the best feeling I’ve ever had.” My cheeks instantly blush, but I don’t care. Every word I said is true, and if it wasn’t for the man out in the other room I would not be standing here today; strong, positive and ready to fight for myself.
I get exactly the reaction I was after as I make my grand entrance into the living room of our new home. Cory’s mouth hangs open in astonishment, or is it hunger? I’m not quite sure. I saunter my way over to him, standing only a foot away; enough for him to take me in and enough for me to touch him if I wanted.
He’s looking sexy as sin, with a white button up that emphasises his muscled chest (added extra is, he left the first few buttons open) matched with dark grey chinos. Moreover, my biggest downfall are his forearms. On full display, along with his bulging biceps under the material of his shirt, I want to lick him. My lady parts are screaming insanity as I drink him in, the same as he’s doing to me.
“Fuck this, we’re staying in,” I think, but apparently, I said that out loud.
“I was thinking the same thing, but we’d disappoint lots of people if we didn’t turn up to our own party.” Cory snickers.
I’m moving forward as he pulls me into him. I melt at his touch and rest my head in the crook of his shoulder—my favourite place—inhaling my favourite aroma; sweet and woodsy notes with natural man all mixed into one. Delectable.
“Mm, you smell lickable.” I hum under my breath. My brain and mouth are really in cahoots with each other today. Maybe I shouldn’t think, therefore I won’t have any worry about the words that voluntarily come out of my mouth.
“Angel, you look absolutely gorgeous. I’m going to have a hard time being around you tonight. In more ways than one.” I feel the rise and fall of his body as he laughs lightly at his insinuation. I have no doubt the bulge pressed against my core will be there most of the night as well. Mission complete.
“Welp, as much as I don’t wish to view your smut, let’s get going. There are people waiting to celebrate the two of you.” Nat not so subtly announces to the room.
Pulling away a tad, I turn and look at my friend and mouth ‘thank you’. She knows it’s for more than getting our arses on the move and I’ll forever be grateful for her being in my life.
—
Natalie wasn’t wrong about the number of people who were waiting to celebrate with us. Entering Seduction, there are people scattered everywhere. Some are at the bar and others are already on the dance floor, enjoying the ambience.
I take a look at my fiancé and beam with pride. This man is here with me. This man is mine. A possessive wave crosses my body as I stare at him. Wondering how I got so lucky.
“Keep looking at me like that, baby girl, and I’ll be doing more than dragging you out of here.” There’s a slight smirk on his face, enough to tell me I’m in trouble later; that’s a promise.
“I can’t help it if I find the man I’m going to marry insanely delicious.” I shrug my shoulders like it’s old news. “Besides, it’s been a whole year since you seduced me on this very dance floor.” I push all the bad, unwanted memories out and replace them with the amazing.
“If I remember right, you were the one shaking your peachy ass for the taking. So, I say it’s you who seduced me.”