Chapter 36

She sounded nervous and I assumed it was because of how I was staring at her. Like a starved man who had just laid eyes on a feast. And that was true, I was starved and I wanted to take my time and devour her.

She pointed at the door and raised her brows, " Please, " she begged sweetly and I followed her hand..then I smirked at her and held up the pair of lingerie in my hand. She immediately realized what it was and struggled to hide her blush.

" Wear this..

I threw the bra on the bed and held up the black pants. " Wear these...." I said, taking slow steps towards her. Being cautious to not scare her into running back into the shower and shutting herself in.

She studied the lace in my grip, then looked up at me and licked her lips." If your answer is yes, " I added and she frowned.

" What? "

" You heard me sweetheart. If you agree to my preposition then wear these. And if you don't..." my smirk grew devilish.

" If I don't? " 

I didn't resist the urge to trace my fingers down her arms, she blinked her eyes shut for a second as I did, then looked up at me expectantly.

" If you don't....I expect you to wear nothing at all under that lovely black gown you tried on today. "

That was my way of telling her to wear the black gown. It was also my way of getting her to say yes. She was too modest to do otherwise.

" Well that doesn't sound very fair. Or appropriate. " She backed away from me and crossed her arms defiantly, and all I could do was wonder whether she knew what seeing her like that was doing to me.The knowledge that she was bare under that towel tempted me to pry it away from her and finally see everything she had been trying so hard ro conceal.

But then again, by the time the week ended I would have seen all I wished to see. And we would have done all I fantasized about doing...maybe even more.

" But that's just how it is my sweet Layla. "

She bit her bottom lip, deep in thought. She looked so innocent...too innocent.

" Okay, let's assume that I don't wear them...or that I do. How will you know?"

" I'll ask of course."

" Really? You'll just ask... nothing more?"

I shrugged, looking all smug and innocent.

" Sure. Unless you want me to be more thorough and confirm for myself because if so then ..." she shook her head instantly.

" No. Just the question will do . "

" But you have to promise me that you'll be honest, don't try to get smart with me. "

She squared her shoulders, looking all formal and official,then she gave me a curt nod.

" I promise to be honest. "

I smiled, noticing that telling wrinkle as it appeared.

" But you also have to promise me that you won't...well...that you'll just ask. Nothing more. "

I placed my hand on my chest and eyed her keenly under my lashes.

" Scouts honor," I murmured just loud enough for her to hear. And I'm well aware that I had lied to her before......and this time was no different.

                              💮🌼💮🌼💮🌼

Framboise... it's this unique liquor I tasted once in Belgium. It had a rather strong raspberry flavour and it both burnt and cooled as it made it's way down my throat. 

It's also a colour if I recall correctly. Somewhere between red and pink...not either of them but somewhere close between. It was also the colour of Layla's gown. I had been invested in fixing my cufflinks when I heard the soft sound of her footsteps as she came down the stairs. There was no clinking so I assumed she wasn't wearing heels. The gown was nothing if not exquisite. Lace sleeves and tiny white pearls across the sweetheart neckline. And the long skirt made of material that flowed as if the wind was it's harbor..as if the breeze was attracted to it despite its absence.

She took slow steps, her hand on the railing for support and her eyes cast on mine. She had been doing that a lot lately. Looking at me. And I loved knowing that the more time we spent together the more comfortable she got around me. And as I stared at her I felt the same way I did when I tasted the legendary liquor. I felt both hot and cold, I was burning up and I feared that my blood had somehow transformed to lava in my veins. But I was also cold...freezing, because why else would my hands be shaking as they currently were. 

I parted my lips and a huff of breath escaped. My heart pounding loud in my ears and this very new feeling of unease settling in. 

She stopped right in front of me, same height as always which confirmed that she wasnt wearing heels.I wanted to complement her..or say something to make her uncomfortable as was my habit, but it appeared I had momentarily lost the basic ability to speak.

" Hey, " she uttered shyly, her now wavy hair framing both sides of her face and the cutest smile on her lovely face.

" Hey, " my voice sounded deeper..and I felt very perched. Heavens!! Whatever was going on had to stop!

" Shall we go? " She raised a brow, then looked around. I simply gave her a curt nod and offered her my arm to crook hers into. She did so and we left. 

On the elevator ride, I forced my brain to snap out of it and collected my thoughts. And all it took was a memory of her half dressed and my desire to have her to myself. It worked for the greater part.

I stepped in front of her and smirked, my eyes glinting and the want in them fierce, but I reigned it in.

" You look delectable sweetheart. "

" Thanks, " she looked up at me briefly then looked to the side. I suppose her confidence could only last for so long.

" Tell me something, .." I began and she looked wary and clearly afraid of my next words. 

" ..if you were asked to choose between an elegant bun and an even more elegant chignon, which would you prefer? " she looked puzzled.

" What? "

" I mean, I considered a low ponytail but then decided against it in the end. And a normal ponytail seemed too.. what's the word ? " I racked my brain for a second then snapped my fingers " meager for the occasion, now tell me, bun or chignon? "

I had known she would wear her hair down again, so I made an appointment to have that rectified on our way to the party. I raised my hand and dug it into the thick dark strands, then I pushed them back to reveal her face, forcing her to look up at me in the process. Her expression more restraint than anything else.

" Do you recall what I once told you? It's an injustice to hide such beauty. " 

She licked her lips and I shut my eyes immediately to avoid having to walk around the party with a raging hard on. 

I had anticipated some sort of resistance from her. But for what I think was the first time, she did not put up a fight in relation to my suggestion.Instead, she gave me a half shrug and said.." Whatever you pick is fine by me. "

I eyed her suspiciously but then smiled. It felt great to know that she was finally beginning to understand how things often were. I made a suggestion and she went with it despite her barriers.

And later, as I sat on the sofa and watched the hair expert twist and tie her dark strands in a chignon, I caught sight of her full expression in the mirror. And that feeling from earlier on returned.

I had felt it before, that first day on the highway when i laid my eyes on her for the very first time. A mixture of complex emotions that were unfamiliar to me. Emotions I wanted nothing to do with, so I exerted some force on my mind and pushed them to the side all while wondering exactly what sort of craziness I had gotten myself in.

And whether I had it in me to pull out.

                       🌼💮🌼💮🌼💮

She held the champagne flute delicately in her hand though she never took a sip. The drink merely an object to help her fit in. And to have something to focus on as the party went on. She swirled it gently a few times, keeping her eyes glued to the glass. 

And as I watched her I wondered whether there was lace under her dress....hoping there was because that would mean she had agreed to my proposal. But praying against all odds that she had chosen to say no. No would mean no lace...no lace would mean a chance to give her a night she would certainly never forget.