Page 79 of House of Scarlett
I reach out and shake hands with him, praying to God that I know what the fuck I’m doing. “Get me the contract. We’ll sign it and make it happen.”
Forty-Six
Scarlett
I takemy time in the shower, shaving every single inch of my skin below my shoulders that has ever grown hair. Tonight is the night. Our next step forward. And I feel freaking great about it instead of apprehensive.
See? This is what a healthy relationship feels like.
Bad Scarlett chimes in right after that thought.Psh, I just need to know what his dick feels like again because it’s been too long. We’re getting laid tonight! Three cheers for getting what we need!
With Bad Scarlett still in my head after I dry off and lotion up, I walk to my lingerie chest and open the second drawer. Inside, it’s an explosion of lacy underthings, most of which have only ever been seen by me. But that’s about to change.
Every time I purchased sexy lingerie, I felt like I was an imposter, because I wasn’t the kind of woman who would wear it for her man and watch it bring him to his knees. But tonight, as I pick out a sheer pale peach bra and panty set with strategically placed lacy flowers, I feel more likemethan I have in years ... or maybe ever.
It’s with a seductive and self-satisfied smile that I slip into the panties and adjust them on my hips before sliding on the bra and hooking it behind my back with the gold clasp.
I stand in front of the mirror, and instead of looking with a critical eye to pick out all of my flaws, I take a deep breath and appreciate what I see—a woman regaining her own power and self-confidence. It’s a beautiful sight that no amount of self-consciousness about cellulite or extra pounds can overshadow.
Besides, Gabriel Legend likes me forme.There’s something eminently satisfying, knowing that if he wanted a different kind of woman, he could have her. But he doesn’t, and that’s a hell of a confidence booster when I imagine him seeing every single inch of me in a few hours.
I’m getting laid!While angels don’t rejoice and sing the “Hallelujah Chorus,” they should, because that’s exactly how I feel.
I could have called Kelsey to do my hair and makeup, but I wanted to do them myself tonight. After I slip a short silky robe over my shoulders and tie it, I brush out my curls from yesterday, softening them around my face, and get started on my makeup. I keep it light and subtle, skipping eye makeup altogether, except for touching up my brows. After applying a tinted lip stain and some non-sticky gloss, I give myself a nod of approval.
Even Kelsey would give me a high five.
Plus, I finished with a solid forty-five minutes to spare.
I could work, but I indulge myself instead by picking up my phone and tapping the icon of my favorite social media app. I haven’t been keeping up with my favorite accounts as much lately, and I’m jonesing to see what the Winston triplets have been up to. It only takes a few minutes to find the page, and my face splits with a smile.
They’re playing with bubbles outside in a tiny yard, but the joy on their faces is absolutely pure. The caption reads:
The tenacious triplets filled the dishwasher with liquid hand soap yesterday, so now we’re obsessed with bubbles. Thankfully these ones aren’t flooding the kitchen. Sorry to our downstairs neighbor, Blanche. We really didn’t mean for that to happen. I promise I’m making cookies tomorrow as an apology! #LifeIsMessy #EmbraceTheMess #TheTripletEffect #BubblesEverywhere #ItWasSoHardNotToLaugh #TheirEyesWereSoBig
My giggles grow in volume as I read her hashtags. I don’t know how she still has her sanity, let alone her sense of humor, but you can feel the love shining from the photo and her words.
I’m going to post pictures and captions like that someday.
A vision of a tiny blue-eyed boy with messy hair and sticky fingers enters my brain, and I pause and imagine what it would be like to be his mom.
God, I want that so damn bad, I can feel it all the way down to the marrow of my bones.
Kids may not be for everyone, but they’re definitely for me. Although, I really don’t need three at once like Mrs. Winston.
Then another thought sneaks in.Does Gabriel want kids?That’s something I’ll need to find out. But not tonight. Tonight is about us and only us.
I lose track of time, and nearly drop my phone when the buzzer sounds at my back door.
I glance down at the robe I’m still wearing and consider throwing on something else. But ...no. No, I don’t think I will. Might as well let him see exactly where my head’s at.
With a devilish smile on my face, I pad into the kitchen on bare feet and press the button on the buzzer.
“Can I help you?” I wanted to say something more risqué, but I chicken out when I consider the fact that it could be someone else at my door ... which means I’ll have to run and change in a hot second, because Gabriel is the only person who gets to see me dressed like this.
“You help me more than you know, ladybug. I hope you’re hungry.”
Excitement buzzes through my body like electricity. “Come on up. I’m starving.”For you,I add silently as I hit the button to unlock the door.
