Violet In Lace

by Vivienne Hunt

  They turned off the shower and reached for the towels, taking turns drying each other off. Much to Violet’s delight, Justin sought out every curve, dip, and hollow of her body as he shimmied one of her big and fluffy terry towels over her body. He ended by rapidly towel drying her hair as if she was a kid, which made her giggle.

  She never slept naked unless she was with Justin. So when he pulled back the covers, she eagerly snuggled into him, relishing the heat his body was putting off, still flushed and pink from their shower. Glancing at the alarm clock on the nightstand, she was shocked to see that it was well after midnight. Still intertwined in his arms, she started to fall asleep with her head resting on his chest while he brushed her hair away from her forehead, whispering to her sweet words of love. She was addicted to him, addicted to his love.

  Addicted to love. She thought of Robert Palmer’s video from the ’80s that was the foundation of their show for Fashion Week.

  Violet yawned as she fell asleep to thoughts of scantily clad sex models traipsing up and down the runaway to the beat of the song.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Justin

  “You’re disgusting; you know that? Just disgusting.” Shawn was puffing out his words while he and Justin ran laps around the indoor track of their gym.

  Earlier that morning, Shawn had texted him to get together for a workout; Justin begrudgingly nudged Violet awake to let her know that he was leaving and would see her at work. She was an absolute goddess all naked and warm with rumpled hair clinging to her face and chest. When she had spread her legs and began playing with her pussy — all while talking dirty to him with her face twisted into a sexy, don’t-leave-me pout — that was all it had taken to fuck her senseless while she gripped the headboard for support as it banged rapidly against the wall. Needless to say, he was late getting to the gym. His shit-eating grin did not go unnoticed by Shawn.

  “You’re just jealous . . . ,” Justin puffed back. He hated running, absolutely despised it, but decided to humor his best buddy as an apology for his tardiness. “That you don’t . . . have a luscious honey . . . warming up your sheets . . . in the morning.”

  “Harrumph!” Shawn scowled, but it was all in good fun. “Damn straight I’m jealous.” He slowed once they reached the doorway entrance to the free weights. “But I am happy for you, man, and I can’t wait to meet her.”

  “Oh, thank God.” Justin winced when Shawn had come to a stop. He had a stitch in his side and was bent over near the gym’s water fountain. “Just a few more days till Fashion Week. I can’t believe it’s almost here. I’ll introduce you to Violet at the show.”

  “I can’t wait to meet her. Who knows? Maybe I’ll meet some hot babe of my own there.” Shawn draped a white towel over Justin’s neck. “See? This is what you get for making me wait while you got yourself some pre-gym nookie, you bastard.”

  Justin laughed before guzzling down some water at the fountain. “It’s the best type of bastard to be; you should try it sometime.”

  “Funny guy.” Shawn play-punched him near his side, stopping just short of making contact. “Come on, Romeo, let’s get some reps in before you’re late for work, too.”

  Upstairs in the design room of Chenille, Justin called a meeting, bringing the entire staff upstairs. Violet sat next to him, with Russell and his team, while April and Chloe filled in the other seats around the oval glass table. The table’s surface was covered in swatches, fabric, and sketches of future lingerie designs that would one day be gracing Chenille’s showroom floor.

  “I want to thank everyone for coming in early for this meeting,” Justin began, feeling a bit nervous. “As you know, it’s no secret anymore that Violet and I are dating.” He reached over and took her hand.

  She gave him a gentle squeeze of encouragement to go on.

  “I’m aware that it’s highly unorthodox for the boss to be dating someone on his staff. It means the world to me that you have stayed by our side.” He cleared his throat; now he was getting really nervous. “We’ve all been through a lot over the past few weeks, and those rats with cameras are still lurking around outside. Even though it has affected Chenille’s bottom line, I want you all to know that is doesn’t affect your bottom line; paychecks will keep flowing despite our being down in sales.”

  An audible sound of relief filled the room.

  “That being said, it is business as usual. We have a lot of lingerie and props to pack up for the show. We need to be on our game, now more than ever. The tabloids have been a blessing and a curse. It’s cost us some revenue but has also brought us further into the spotlight. There is a saying in Hollywood about there not being any bad publicity. We need to make use of this. At the show there’s going to be professional photographers, bloggers, magazines — you name it — all with an eye on Chenille. We’re only going to get one shot to do this right. Any questions?”

  Justin spent the next hour fielding questions about show logistics, runway times, which models they were using, and so on. The mood was upbeat, and everyone on his staff was excited to see it all come together.

  Before the meeting broke up, April and Chloe gave Violet big hugs, gushing about how elated they were that she was dating Boss Man and giggling over some spicy lingerie on the showroom floor that Violet might want to get her hands on. Justin chuckled as he moved away from the gals to give them some privacy, noting that Violet was turning from shades of pink to scarlet while April and Chloe showered her with new ideas of lace and satin.

  “Boss Man,” Russell began, clutching Justin by the shoulders, “there is no one else in the world I could picture Violet with than you.” Russell’s eyes were getting misty. “You take care of my darling, okay?”

  Justin tittered. “Russell, it’s not like were going anywhere. Get a hold of yourself,” he jested.

  “I know, it’s just that my little gal’s all grown up now.” Russell sniffed. “She’s leaving the nest; it will never be the same again.”

  “Fortunately, my friend,” Justin replied with mock seriousness, “I have just the thing to ease your pain. How about we check out that new espresso machine I had installed in the break room before we open for the day?”

  “Boss Man! You know just how to make a guy feel better!” Russell pushed back his shoulders as he sashayed out of the room.

  “Yeah, let’s not let that get out, okay?” he called after him.

  “You’re secret’s safe with me, Boss Man!” Russell sang out.

  For the rest of the morning and throughout the afternoon, Justin and his team put their noses to the grindstone to get ready for the show. April and Chloe were downstairs running back and forth with a coat rack on wheels, selecting the pieces that had been tagged for each of the models while Russell was running circles around them, adding last-minute bodices, bustiers, and stockings. Justin put himself on phone duty while Violet went about updating their website and social media, explaining which days they would be closed for the show and where subscribers to their email list could pick up complimentary passes to give them entrance to Chenille’s runway show.

  About an hour before they were about to close up for the night, Justin saw a very special woman breeze through the front door of the boutique. His smile widened as he hustled down the steps to greet his mother, who was dressed to the nines with a personal assistant in tow.

  “I wasn’t expecting to see you again before the show, Mother.” He kissed her lightly on the cheek.

  “Why, I’m here to meet Violet, of course.” Joanna’s arms were filled with shopping bags; her PA was finishing up a phone call behind her while furiously working on a tablet.

  “Come on, she’s upstairs. Follow me.” Justin led his mother up the steps, praying that Violet wouldn’t freak out that Joanna had dropped in on her like this.

  Justin stood in front of Violet’s desk, making introductions. “Violet Smoke, I’d like you to meet my mother, Joanna Avery. Mom, this is Violet.”

  “It’s a pleasure to meet you at
last, Violet.” Joanna switched some of the shopping bags to her other arm. She extended her hand in greeting.

  Yup. Violet was definitely taken off guard. “Mrs. Avery, I’m pleased to meet you, too.”

  “Please call me Joanna.” She handed one of the bags to Violet and dropped the rested on the floor. “I have a gift for you.”

  Violet was flummoxed. “You didn’t have to . . .” She opened the bag and produced a designer tote made of black and white leather with red straps. A gold-plated tag stamped with Joanna’s signature “Avery” logo hung from a gold-metal loop on one of the straps. “Oh my . . .” Violet’s voice trailed off.

  “Just like you, darling, it’s one of a kind, and set to make its premiere at Fashion Week – though that’s only one of the reasons I wanted to give it to you.” Joanna’s voice was light and airy, clearly pleased that Violet was enjoying her gift.

  “Premiere? I’m not so sure I understand.” Violet studied Justin’s face. “Did you put her up to this?”

  He held his hands up as if pleading the fifth. “When it comes to Joanna, I have learned from past experience that it’s better to just go with the flow.”

  “Well said, son,” Joanna replied. “You see, Violet, ever since you and Justin took over center stage of the gossip columns, Chenille has been the talk of the fashion world. Why, some designers even think that the whole thing was staged just to give the boutique some extra oomph during the show.”

  “That wasn’t our . . .” Violet was panicking.

  “Mom, you’re killing her, you’re killing me! Whatever it is you have planned, out with it before you give my gal a heart attack,” Justin implored.

  “Oh, very well,” Joanna simpered. “Violet, we are going into battle; make no mistake about it, all eyes will be on you when Chenille makes its debut. We’re going to need to pull out all the stops — hair, makeup, jewelry. Why, I even had a rack of designer clothes in your size brought up to my suite for you to choose from. Come on, darling, I won’t take no for an answer. We have about forty-eight hours to transform you into a goddess!”

  Violet appeared awestruck.

  Justin just laughed.

  Joanna motioned to her PA and said, “Violet, this is Julia. She’s going to take you downstairs. I have a car waiting for us.”

  A perky woman with a big smile full of perfect teeth shook Violet’s hand. “Right this way, Ms. Smoke. We can go over tonight’s agenda.”

  “We have an agenda?” Violet said, flabbergasted, over her shoulder to Justin while she was being whisked away.

  “Enjoy every moment of your pampering, honey. I’ll catch up with you on opening day of the show!” He knew he was going to miss his honey for a couple of days, but knowing his mother, it was going to be worth the wait.

  Once they were alone, he gave his mom an appreciative hug. “You didn’t have to do this, but thank you.”

  Joanna clicked her tongue, making a tsk-tsk noise. “You are my only child and the best thing that ever came out of my marriage. Your happiness is important to me. That woman” — she gestured towards the steps — “obviously makes you incredibly happy. Now I can see why. She’s beautiful — those big eyes, that long hair, and those curves — good Lord, what I wouldn’t have given to have cleavage like that when I was her age!”

  “Mother!” Justin was getting embarrassed; he could feel the tips of his ears getting hot.

  Joanna patted her son on the cheek. “The rest of the bags are for you, sweetie. I can’t have my son showing up in last year’s labels! Ta-ta!” She wiggled her fingers in the air, waving to her son while she started descending the steps.

  Justin just stood there staring at the numerous shopping bags. Once he heard the front door click closed, he yelled down to the rest of his staff, “Let’s lock it up! It’s quitin’ time!”

  He grabbed the bags and headed out, already curious to see what treasures Joanna had brought him.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Violet

  Violet studied her reflection in one of the many mirrors in the ladies’ room of The Georgia Conference Center. She could not get over what she saw. The past two days had seen a complete transformation in her appearance that she didn’t even know was possible. Joanna’s team of stylists was nothing short of amazing. Her hazel eyes somehow appeared larger and more alluring, her long blonde hair hung loosely around her shoulders in soft, oversized curls, but it was her lips that really drew her in. They were painted to perfection in her favorite lipstick that not only matched her expertly manicured nails but also her last name — Smoke.

  Violet turned in place, admiring every angle of her appearance. The dress Joanna had chosen for her melded to her body, accentuating her curves in all the right ways. She was dressed in a black-sequined Badgley Mischka dress with a plunging neckline that showcased her luscious cleavage. A pair of smokin’ hot, red Giuseppe Zanotti platform pumps, sparkling rhinestone chandelier earrings, and Violet’s new Avery handbag completed the ensemble. Around her neck hung a rhinestone lanyard with her backstage/exhibitor pass clipped to it.

  Violet smoothed her hands down the sides of her dress and checked her makeup one last time. She had no idea how Justin was going to react when he saw her. It had been two days. She missed her man, and now she was going to have to wait a little longer, as she wasn’t going to see him until lunch. Justin had decided to split the Chenille crew up so that they could see more of the show. Violet was with April and Chloe, while Justin was on the other side of the convention center with Russell, Pam, and Heather.

  Patience — yeah, tell that to my aching sex.

  The sounds from the lobby filled the ladies’ room as April and Chloe burst through the door.

  “There you are! We’ve been searching everywhere for you! Come on! If we want to catch any of Darcy May’s runway show, we need to find that exhibit hall!” April was absolutely adorable in a black-and-white Allison Parris jazzed dress. It glowed against her chocolate skin. She was also rockin’ red heels. Chloe looked just as amazing. She was outfitted in a shiny, black Eloquii Esme jumpsuit in a red belt. It had been Justin’s idea that the Chenille staff dressed in the colors that represented their “Addicted to Love” theme song for the week.

  “I guess that’s the great thing about our debut not being until tomorrow,” Violet replied while quickly washing her hands. “We get to enjoy some of the show.”

  “And scope out our competition.” Chloe was perusing a show brochure she had picked up. “Did you see that The Devil’s Playground has their runway debut after lunch today?”

  “Ugh. Don’t mention that name.” April frowned while applying more gloss to her lips. “TDP keeps me up at night. It figures that they would have made the cut for The Emerging 10.”

  “We have it over them in spades, ladies. Wait, who else are we up against anyway?” Violet glanced over Chloe’s shoulder at the list.

  The Emerging 10 was Fashion Week’s competition for up-and-coming designers and students that weren’t yet known in the fashion world. The criteria were strict. Each designer would be judged on three element: aesthetic appeal, originality, and uniqueness. Violet thought that Chenille’s designs were head and shoulders above TDP’s, but then, the fashion world could prove to be fickle — there’s no telling who would come out on top.

  Violet pushed open the ladies’ room door and was greeted with throngs of people milling about in every direction.

  “Come on! This way.” April grabbed Chloe’s hand, who grabbed Violet’s, and the three of them made a chain as they navigated their way through the crowd.

  Reaching their destination, they flashed their passes to the burly security guard at the door. He nodded and directed them to a section of the room that was specifically for exhibitors. April and Chloe squealed with delight once they realized that their seats were in the second row, right behind the VIP seats.

  “I can’t believe it’s finally here!” April gushed.

  “It certainly doesn’t get any better th
an this!” Chloe bubbled.

  Violet leaned back into her chair, absorbing the energy of the room. The exhibit hall was decorated from floor to ceiling in billows of white draping that were accentuated with hot-pink uplighting. Multiple chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting prisms of colors across the elevated white runway. In one of the corners, a DJ was set up and playing techno music while more and more people poured into the room until there were no seats left. A change in the beat of the music signaled that the show was ready to begin. All eyes focused forward as the models started to saunter down the catwalk. This year Darcy May was featuring white vegan leather in a selection of jackets, dresses, and shirts, all embellished with a splash of hot pink. The mood was electric, and the clothing was inspirational. Violet lost track of time, and before she knew it, the show was over.

  “That was utterly incredible!” April jumped up from her seat.

  “I think that makeup workshop we wanted to attend is about to start on the second floor.” Chloe rechecked the schedule before tucking it into her purse.

  Tossed back into a sea of people, Violet followed the girls to the elevator. The many stares and murmurs she was getting did not go unnoticed. The women were nodding their heads and whispering, while the men were giving her appraising glances as they checked out her body. Violet stood as tall as she could as she flipped her hair back, trying to appear nonchalant.

  “Excuse me, Violet Smoke?”

  Here we go. Violet cringed inwardly.

  Violet whirled around and came face to face with the actress Jennifer Coolidge, who was stunning in a hip-hugging, red cocktail number.

  “Holy Shit!” Violet let slip before she clamped a hand over her mouth.

  “Well, I’m not sure about that, but it’s nice to meet you.” Jennifer laughed, her endless blonde curls bouncing around her shoulders.