Just like that, the animalistic, erotic tension dispersed, to be replaced by his characteristic tenderness. He brushed her hair aside to check the spot on her shoulder and stroked it. “I left teeth marks when I bit you.”
“I loved it.”
He withdrew from her pussy, sounding shaken as he stroked her back. She turned to him and reveled in the sight of her big, breathless man, leaning against the shower wall, the water falling down around him, his face relaxed with sexual satisfaction but somehow also seeming a little vulnerable. He made her feel powerful and desirable as his eyes slid over her and he smiled. “Woman, you’re amazing.”
Sliding her hands up his arms to his shoulders, she rose on tiptoe and kissed him. “Thank you. Now…let’s talk about whose legs are shaking,” she murmured challengingly as she rubbed her nipples against his chest.
He burst into laughter as he maneuvered her under the spray and helped her rinse off. “Yeah, I’m gonna feel that in my legs all day long, angel.”
She trembled as he gently slid her fingers between her legs and she felt how easily he slid in their combined slick juices. “Oh, baby. You aren’t the only one. You make me crazy. I’m even a little lightheaded.”
He turned her to him and kissed her, sliding his tongue against hers in a sensual caress as he wrapped her in his gentle embrace. They stayed that way for a minute, sated and quiet as the water rushed around them.
When she came out of the bathroom, naked and feeling like a sex goddess after drying off, both Val and Justin were sitting up in bed and Justin chuckled. “With noise like that, who needs a fucking alarm clock? I’m wide awake now.”
“I hope we weren’t loud enough for the kids to hear us. I was actually trying to be quiet,” she said as she reached in a drawer for a pair of panties.
Val said, “I doubt it. Not with the door closed and their bedrooms on the other side of the house. It was just loud enough to fucking tease us.”
“And?” she asked as she reached in over the clutter of her closet for a pair of jeans and a top. It was early and she was game for round two.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have time for what we want,” Justin said as he threw back the sheets, revealing his cock which was enticingly stiff.
She felt guilty for making as much noise as she had, seeing that it had been a turn-on for them both. “You’re sure?”
“Have to take a rain check, baby. We got a call to go out to a jobsite. Dad said it was important and needed all three of us,” Justin said with regret in his voice as he came to her and kissed her.
“I hope it doesn’t call for any ladder climbing,” Ransome said with a groan. “She took my legs.”
Val slid a hand over her waist and kissed her. She almost reached out for his distended cock but she resisted the urge. The three dads, as she knew Justin’s, Val’s, and Ransome’s fathers, wouldn’t call early in the morning like that if it wasn’t important.
Val pulled on a pair of knit boxers as she went to him and said, “We should be done by midmorning with the job and then we’ll be making that delivery to Violet. I’ll be cashing in that rain check as soon as I’m free, baby. We can make some sparks of our own when we get back home.”
* * * *
Feeling understandably energized, Charity followed Grace and Justine into Stigall’s later that morning.
“Mom, look!” Justine said, her voice filled with excitement as they spotted the prom dresses. She looked like she could hardly contain her excitement as she skipped down the aisle and into the ocean of formal gowns in fabrics of every type and color.
With a chuckle, Grace said, “Well, she may be studious and goal-oriented but get the girl in a sea of taffeta, chiffon, lace, and silk, and she’s showing the DNA she and her Auntie Grace share.”
Justine held a black strapless number up to her and grinned at the two of them then gasped when she laid eyes on a vivid red dress. She crowed when she looked at the price tag.
“It’s on sale!”
“Hello, ladies,” a soft voice said as the dresses rustled back and forth, finally parted, and Presley Ann Woodworth stepped into the formal wear department. “You picked a great time to shop. We just put the prom dresses out early this morning.”
“Presley Ann, how are you?” Charity asked as she held out her hand and Presley Ann gave it a warm, firm shake and smiled.
“I’m well. Staying busy,” she replied before shifting her gaze to Justine. “Shopping for the Divine High prom?” At Justine’s affirmative reply, Presley Ann tapped her finger against her lips as she surveyed Justine from head to toe and said, “Tell me about your date.” She surprised Charity with that question and Grace, too, judging by her raised eyebrow.
“Well, he’s really tall. He’s a football player. He’s outdoorsy, and he’s going to the University of Alaska in Fairbanks in the fall.”
“Are you a senior?”
“No, ma’am. Junior.”
“Do you have any thoughts on colors? Going traditional or are you planning to set a trend?”
Justine bit her lip and then said, “This is the first formal wear I’ve ever tried on. I’m not sure what I’m doing. Maybe red?”
Grace and Charity sat on a settee that had been thoughtfully provided. Charity had been keeping an eye on Grace all morning because she’d seemed more tired than normal.
Presley Ann took out her smartphone and began flicking her finger across the screen. “Don’t worry, ladies, I’m not texting on the job. I’m looking something up.” After a minute, she said, “Hmm.” Her tone sounded optimistic as she began sorting through dresses.
Justine looked at Charity and said, “She’s up to something, isn’t she?”
“Bet on it, honey.”
Presley Ann grabbed a select handful of dresses from the racks and turned to Justine. “The Divine High School colors are red and white, right?”
“Right,” Justine said.
“There are going to be lots of red dresses at this event. Lots of red bowties, vests, and cummerbunds.”
Grace said, “I’ve worked in this department during prom season before, Justine. She’s right. Red is the number-one seller.”
Presley Ann spoke, her eyes sparkling, making her pale complexion seem not quite as drawn. “Do something different. Choose something your date won’t expect.”
“How do I do that?”
Presley Ann gazed at the dresses she’d picked, shuffling them in her hands, and said, “He’s going off to college after this summer, right? He’s pretty excited about it?”
“Very,” Justine said with certainty.
“He’s as ready to leave high school behind as you probably will be next year, given your goals and plans for your life, right?”
“Right?” Justine replied, the question obvious in her voice and then she tilted her head as she looked at all the dresses in Presley Ann’s hands and smiled.
In a low voice, Presley Ann said, “Since he asked you to the prom, I’m assuming he likes you, and you like him and don’t want him to forget about you back here in Divine, right?”
Justine blushed and glanced at Charity. “Yeah, I suppose so.”
Presley Ann laid all but one of the dresses aside and guided Justine to stand in front of the big mirror near the dressing rooms and held a gorgeous, shimmering mermaid dress in blue and gold in front of her. “Every time he sees his school colors he’ll think about you.”
Charity snorted and nudged Grace gently with her elbow. “Presley Ann is as bad as you, Mrs. Matchmaker.”
“Oh, shh,” Grace said with a snicker. “She’s making an excellent point.”
The dress was two-toned, with gold chiffon set with gold sequins and beads into the lower, flowing part of the skirt up to the knee and then gradually skimming upward from the knee in a body-hugging sleeveless style with royal blue stones and beadwork. There were panels of sheer blue mesh at the midriff and the shoulders and the round neckline. The blue stones made Justine’s blue eyes glow.
Justine turned it. “This is backless.” Justine took a doubtful look at her curvy bust and slid a forearm across her middle. “And so snug…everywhere.”
Presley Ann flapped a hand dismissively. “Trust me, sweetie, you’ll want to see this one on. And don’t worry about going backless. I can help you find foundation garments to help in that department. And you have nothing to worry about. This dress is made from a fabric that stretches and will be comfortable all night. Besides that, you’re gorgeous and you should be proud of your curves.”
Grace chuckled and said, “You come from a long line of voluptuous women, Justine.”
“Kickass voluptuous women,” Charity added.
Grace whispered so only Charity could hear. “Kickass voluptuous women who age gracefully into sexy cougars.” Without taking her eyes off of her daughter, Charity stifled a chuckle and returned Grace’s fist bump.
Presley Ann held several others up in front of her that were also blue trimmed with gold and Justine selected three to try on. While Presley Ann was getting her set up in a dressing room, Grace whispered, “I’m liking Presley Ann more and more by the second. She’s seems to be a different person. I wonder what caused the change.”
Charity shrugged nonchalantly, liking the change, too. Presley Ann looked like she’d lost a little weight since the last time she’d seen her, at the lab, and Charity hoped she was feeling okay.
The deep timbre of a masculine voice drew her attention from the main aisle. She peeked through the dress displays and spied Leah Woodworth walking with Patterson Elder, one of the local city cops, both with large coffee cups from Divine Drip in their hands. Leah’s cheeks were glowing as she spoke quietly to Patterson, who nudged her and whispered, “Not even one kiss, fluff?”
She blushed and quietly said, “No. Thank you for my coffee, Patterson, but my employees might see. And besides…” Leah said, a sadness overtaking her tone, “You know how it is.”
“Woman, you make me a little crazy, you know that? I’m gonna get under your skin eventually. How about a snuggle?”
Leah giggled as they passed. “Right. A snuggle sounds like it leads to more than just a snuggle.”
“Of course,” he said in a soft raspy voice and then Charity heard a giggle from Leah as they continued on down the aisle.
Charity realized she was leaning forward to hear every word and when she sat back she saw the surprised look on Grace’s face as she said, “I didn’t know Leah and Patterson were an item.”
Charity snorted and said, “I’m not sure Leah knows, either.”
“You know…” Grace said, “I thought there was a tender little spark of something between the Elder brothers and Leah back a couple of years ago when that crazy dude came in and shot the store up and held her at gunpoint. Remember? Back when Elizabeth Owen and Leroy Paggs got busted.”
“When Summer saved PJ and Rosemary Garner took out the shooter all on her own?”
“And got a spanking, I’m pretty sure,” Grace added with a giggle.
“Yes, I remember.”
“Sometimes people just need time and a little nudge.”
Presley Ann came out a moment later and said, “She’s changing right now. Grace, is there anything I can get you or Charity? Water, maybe?”
Charity shook her head and Grace giggled and said, “No, then I’ll just have to run to the ladies’ room five minutes later.”
Nodding at Grace’s obviously pregnant tummy, Presley Ann said, “How are you feeling these days.”
Grace stroked her bulging abdomen and chuckled. “Slow.”
Presley Ann glanced at Charity and then said, “I imagine I’ll find out what that’s like soon enough.”
Surprise registered in Grace’s eyes, but she quickly recovered and said, “How soon?”
“November,” Presley Ann replied with a pat to her abdomen as she went about tidying up the dresses on the racks. “It was quite a surprise. Lots of changes coming for me soon, I guess.”
Grace met Charity’s gaze and then turned back to Presley Ann and said, “I know we don’t know each other as well as we should, Presley Ann, but if there is anything I can do to help, even if it’s just a cup of decaf coffee and a shoulder to cry on, I’m here.”
“You know that goes for me, too, Presley Ann, right?” Charity added.
Presley Ann turned to them with a broad smile and misty eyes and sniffled before she said, “I think I’d like that. I’m not sure why I blurted all that out, I guess I just felt like I could trust you both not to judge. I’m going to check on Justine. Be right back.” As she walked away, Charity noticed her footwear. She was wearing simple little low-heeled flats.
As soon as she was out of sight, Grace leaned over and whispered, “She works on commission.”
“Gotcha.”
Justine tried on each dress, saving the best one—the mermaid style—for last. Charity and Grace both gasped when she came out, looking like a vision as the gold chiffon swept the floor in soft waves, with her bared toes peeking out from beneath with each step. She smiled at her reflection when she faced the mirror, turning and looking at herself from all angles.
Charity saw it the moment real womanly confidence entered Justine’s eyes. Batting the tears back with rapid blinks, she finally found her voice. “You have to get that, honey. It’s perfect.”
Presley Ann nodded in affirmation when Justine looked at her for her opinion and said, “If you’ll give me your date’s name, I’ll record your color preferences for when he comes in to select his tuxedo and be fitted for it, but I’d like to make a suggestion.”
Justine didn’t even hesitate. “Shoot.”
Presley Ann handed her a tuxedo brochure and pointed at one of the pictures. “Suggest that he go with the classic black tuxedo, black vest, and a regular tie, also in black, with a white dress shirt. The two of you will be stunning, and will set yourselves apart from everyone else.”
Justine looked at her mother for her opinion. Charity nodded and said, “If you can do that for her, I think they would look perfect on prom night. Thank you, Presley Ann. You’re really good at this stuff.”
Presley Ann blushed. “It’s my pleasure. I’ll make a note and when he comes in, I’ll let him know your preferences. From there it’s up to him.”
Justine giggled and said, “I think he’d welcome your help.”
Presley Ann rubbed her hands together and grinned devilishly. “Now. Let’s talk foundation garments, shoes, and accessories.”
Charity thought she heard her debit card squeal in fear, but she grinned and said, “Yes, let’s.” In a few more years, Justine would be able to shop at Discretion for all her lingerie needs but until then, she’d shop at Stigall’s. Charity was happy to spend the money there considering that Presley Ann would make a commission from everything she sold. She and the baby would need every cent she could earn if she planned to go it on her own as a mom.
Grace and Charity had input on all the selections, but Presley Ann made good suggestions for everything Justine would need and helped her make sure they fit properly as well. Once the prom shopping was done, Grace said, “Presley Ann, I need to get the guys some new shirts, and Rose Marie needs something for Easter, can you help me with that?”
“Of course!” Presley Ann said with a big smile. “I can help you with anything else you might need.”
Charity said, “The guys need new jeans. Good thing I already know their sizes. I’ll need some help with that as well.”
Justine added, “I also brought my Christmas money from Grandma and Grandpa. I’ve been wanting a new leather handbag for a while.”
While Presley Ann helped Justine and Grace look for an Easter dress for Rose Marie, Charity excused herself to visit the ladies’ room. She heard a soft gasp as she rounded the corner to the back hallway that led to the restrooms and stopped short when she glimpsed Patterson speaking softly to Leah, who was backed up against her office door. Patterson’s head bowed and Charity realized she
’d caught him stealing a kiss from Leah.
“Now that was worth the wait, fluff. James and Vincent are going to be jealous when I tell them how sweet your kisses are. Forgive me?” he asked, without an ounce of repentance in his raspy voice.
“You’re incorrigible,” Leah replied breathlessly.
“I’ll see you this evenin’ when I bring your supper to you. I’m stealing another one of your kisses then, too.”
Not wanting to be caught gawking, Charity continued on, greeting them both with a big smile and a nod as she passed. “Hello, Leah. Hello, Patterson. Nice weather we’re having, huh?”
Leah’s eyes went wide but she nodded. Patterson tipped his black cowboy hat and then lightly stroked Leah’s chin. “See ya, fluff.”
Leah said, “Wear your helmet, okay?”
“See you this evenin’!” he called as his footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Leah’s office door closed quietly as Charity slipped into the ladies’ room.
Charity grinned to herself, wondering how long it’d be until Leah admitted to the love that was in her eyes, her cheeks, and her voice when she spoke to Patterson. Fluffing her hair as she looked in the mirror, she murmured, “Another one bites the dust.”
When they were finally done shopping, Presley Ann thanked them with tears in her eyes, having figured out what they were all up to. Grace and Charity secured her agreement to have that cup of coffee in the near future and laughingly took the store manager up on his offer to carry out their purchases for them.
They got in Charity’s SUV and Justine sat forward between the two front seats and said, “Great. Now all I have to do is learn how to dance.”
Grace said, “Mom would roll over in her grave if she knew her granddaughter couldn’t dance.”
Charity nodded and gave Justine a knowing smirk. “See? I told you one day you’d need to know how to dance. You said you didn’t want to take lessons.”
Divine Charity [Divine Creek Ranch 18] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Page 15
