2.0 The Chronicles of Us - Shame & Blame

Chapter twenty-seven

*♡ Ellie ♡*

I take the sexy black dress from the closet and hold it up. There's not much to say about it other than that it's short, tight and revealing. If I present myself in this, Tex won't be able to keep his hands off me. A delightful chill runs down my spine.

Even though I'm craving his reaction, I'm not wearing it. My wardrobe is a mixture of clothes that are not my own taste. When I still lived with my parents, my mother influenced my style. During the tour, I tried to dress like Maggie would and when I was in Los Angeles, I copied Charlotte and, unfortunately, Vicky. Tonight, though, I want to dress myself the way I like.

For the first time, I went truly shopping in San Francisco instead of getting some necessities. I hang the black number back on its hanger and take out the dress I bought yesterday. It's made of a deep red fabric with thick off-shoulder straps. Though the body is tight, pushing my boobs up, the skirt falls wide from the middle and reaches my knees. It's slightly suggestive in a classy manner. I hope, at least.

Once the dress is on and my new kitten heels with tiny bows on the toes adorn my feet, I drag the mascara brush along my lashes for the final time. The tip nearly pokes me in the eye when the doorbell rings.

Is it eight already?

It seems I've been in the shower too long. Admittedly, shaving every inch of skin takes a moment. Jumpy like a nervous bunny, I leave my room, almost tripping over the big cardboard box that arrived on Wednesday. Tex sent me a care package containing a year's worth of all my favorite candies. It was the cherry on top of an already great week. Edgar personally gave me a call to tell me one of my pictures got sold and Felicity recommended me to one of her friends who is getting married soon. Fortune seems to be in my favor again.

Schnitzel on a stick!

The most gorgeous man I've ever seen nervously runs a hand through his groomed hair and then quickly takes it back when he realizes he's messing it up. Tex is wearing a snug black button-up and dark jeans with Vans underneath. The visible tattoos on his hands and neck give him that edge of danger that floods the nether gates. He and Jonathan are chatting a bit. Though, my friend seems to be prodding him for intel on tonight's plan.

When I step further into the living room, I catch Tex' attention. His mouth falls open before he says, "Fuuuck me." He scrapes his throat. "I mean, you look very pretty."

Me feet take me closer to him. "You look rather smashing yourself. It really adds to the fantasy."

"What fantasy?"

Steamy ones.

I shrug and smile. "One of many."

His eyes sweep over me, longingly, and then he reaches down his backpack that he had placed on the floor. "I brought you this."

To my surprise, a little arrangement of flowers appears. I take the wrist-corsage from him and chuckle. "Isn't this a prom-thing?"

"Is it?" He scratches his nape. "Yeah, I probably consulted the wrong website for tips. You don't have to wear it if you don't want to."

"Don't be silly. It's gorgeous." While he ties the ribbon around my wrist, smiling proudly, I observe the tiny bouquet of spray roses, bell-shaped blooms and green leaves. Lovely as it is, it seems too much. There's no need for him to try this hard.

When it's secure, I find his eyes. "I can't believe you looked up date-tips. It's cute, but you don't have to win me over. I'm already in love with you."

He shrugs once. "Maybe so, but I wanna do this the right way. I've never been to prom or anything. Never even took a girl out on a proper date."

"Don't worry. It's already perfect."