by Harper Sloan
“I’m here!”
All three of us turn when Stella comes bursting into the kitchen, where we have currently set up command central to get me ready for the show tonight. She rushes into the room and I notice that she’s empty-handed, making what nerves I had been able to settle pick back up.
“Uh,” I start.
“It’s coming. I had a tagalong that I just couldn’t shake when it was discovered where I was headed.”
That’s when I notice the heavy clicks of heels against the floor. There is only one person I know who takes that heavy of a step when in heels.
Sway.
Or Dilbert ‘Sway’ Harrison III.
He’s not only one-half of Stella’s fathers, as in plural, but he also owns the very popular salon, Sway’s, that my sister, Dani, and Stella work at. He’s gotten a lot of hype after the reality show aired a few years ago, Sway All the Way, and things just keep getting bigger and bigger for him and the girls at the salon.
But more importantly, he knows what he’s talking about when it comes to fashion. I’ve known him my whole life and never thought anything but the best of the man who rocked designer fashions better than anyone else did. I’ve seen pictures of him from before all of our parents had kids, and this has always been him. Back then, he was always rocking a long blond wig, but these days, he has it shaped into a shoulder-length stylized mess of wavy curls.
Just because he’s a gay man who prefers the tight clothing from the women’s section doesn’t mean he can’t pull off jeans and a tee shirt from his husband’s closet too. He just has it all.
“Looking good, Sway,” Dani calls over my shoulder, and she isn’t wrong.
He has on some tight flare-legged black pants with a white button-down shirt tucked into his trim waist. He used to be a little overweight, but nowadays, he’s trimmed up and put on some muscle. Instead of his normal blond locks, though, he has his natural shaved black hair on display, something I know that even though he usually has covered up, he takes great pains to make sure his grays don’t ever show.
“Of course, Sway does, darlin’. Would you expect any less?”
“I suppose not.” She giggles.
“What are you wearing?” He gasps and continues to look at Dani.
“Uh … clothes?”
“Those,” he puffs, “are not clothes and should be thrown out immediately. What have I told you about hiding that luscious body?”
“I know, I know, but give it a rest today. I was in a rush, and Owen spilled his breakfast on me, so I just threw something on. I’m going home to change when I finish her hair.”
“You had better be,” he fusses.
“And you,” he says to me with a smile. “I have the best dress ever for you. Tight and black, but covers everything from shoulders to knees. I even have a gold shawl if you decide that bare arms aren’t what you want. Finish that up with some gold heels that are just marvelous. I knew you wouldn’t want something too flashy, even if flashy is my middle name, even though you should show off that body too. I’ll let it pass tonight because you should flatter your art and not overshadow it with your beauty. So hurry up so Sway can get you all beautified for tonight.”
I don’t get a chance to talk because his face lights up and he starts bouncing in his spot.
“Oh! And now, tell me all about the hunky prince who owns this house. I always knew with parents as striking as Axel and Izzy that boy would be a jaw dropper. Even as a baby he was just the most handsome thing in the world, I tell you. Just the sweetest face, like his mama. But it was his daddy and those brawny, mouthwatering muscles that I knew would win out with his only son. That jaw, my lord. And his hair. I’ve been itching to get my hands on him for way too long, oh yes, I have. Tell Sway everything, if you know what I mean.” He finishes with a dreamy sigh and drops into the seat in front of me, pushing Maddi out of the way. “I bet he is a dream in bed!”
“Oh my God, Sway! I’m going to puke!” Dani whines, making a gagging noise.
“Something is wrong with you,” Maddi snaps and nudges him out of the way with her hip.
Sway continues to wag his brows at me, and I have to fight to keep my giggles in. I just give him a wink and hope that’s enough to keep him quiet while Dani and Maddi finish my hair and makeup.
AFTER BEING FUSSED OVER, BUFFED, and stuffed, the girls—and Sway—deemed me ‘perfect’ and left shortly after to get ready themselves. I still have another three hours before the gallery doors open, but I hope Nate gets back soon so I can get over there. The anxious anticipation for tonight hit a fever pitch when I took my first look in the mirror after getting dressed.
Sway wasn’t wrong about the dress. It’s perfect, understated, and classy.
It’s also skintight, and because of that, I had to forgo any undergarments. Every step I take on the tall heels has me fighting the urge to look and see if my big boobs are swaying around. Sway assured me that it was designed to ‘hug the girls tightly,’ and even if I decided to jump up and down, they would stay put. Now, I just need to make sure Nate doesn’t make my nipples hard, and I should be good to go.
The black fabric has a high neck, covering me as promised from my collarbone to the end of the pencil skirt at my knees. My arms are bare, which is perfect to keep me cool if I start to get the nervous sweats. My hips are outlined in a way that I look like the perfect model for an hourglass figure. That is until I turn to the side and you can’t help but notice my butt. I’ve always thought it was one of my worst features, having more than a handful, but seeing how it’s accented, I know it’s probably one of my best. Lord knows, Nate can’t keep his hands off it. Not quite a Kardashian butt, but close.
Dani took all my hair, curled loosely, and after twisting a few pieces at my temple, pinned one side back so all it hangs over my right shoulder.
My makeup is light, except for the light smoky effect that Maddi had created around my eyes. The normally dull brown color looks more like melted chocolate with the outline of black.
I look good. No, I look damn good. Just standing in front of the mirror in Nate’s room has helped to ease a little of my tension about tonight because of the confidence my appearance brings forth.
“Fuck me,” a deep voice moans, breaking through my thoughts.
I turn, my red lips smiling as Nate stands in the doorway breathing heavily.
“Well, hello to you too,” I joke.
“How long is the show again?”
“A few hours. Why?”
“I just need to know how long I’m going to have to wait before I can peel that skirt over your ass and bend you over. Fuck, Ember. I’m going to be tenting my pants all night.”
I laugh, walking over to him, and his eyes zero in on my heels.
“Those will stay on. All night. I have plans for those.” He adjusts his crotch, moving the very noticeable erection around with a groan before holding his hand up to stop my movements. “Don’t get near me. If you do, we’ll never get out of here. Be a good girl and go wait for me downstairs while I get dressed.”
He shifts, jumping away from the doorway when I take another step, making me throw back my head with a laugh as I walk out of the bedroom and down to let Bam outside to take care of his business before we leave for the night.
Thirty minutes later, he comes downstairs and gives me a narrowed eye look full of accusations.
“What?” I ask, tossing the magazine I had been thumbing through down on the couch next to me.
“What, she says,” he grumbles. “Acting like you didn’t plan this with your tempting body on display for me.” He points at his crotch, and I can just see the outline of his hard cock still tenting the fabric.
My giggles bubble out and he puts his hands on his hips, the fabric of his black dress shirt pulling tight on the muscles in his arm. I lick my lips as my eyes travel back to the black slacks hiding—or rather, not hiding—his erection.
“Not helping, Ember,” he says through clenched teeth.
<
br /> I hold up my hands and have to stifle the bubble of laughter that is threatening to burst out. “I didn’t plan anything. Promise. This is all thanks to Sway.” I point at my dress.
“Sway did this?”
I nod.
“Hmm. Remind me to send him a thank-you note then,” he mutters under his breath.
“Just a second ago, you were ready to spank me for having the nerve to wear this dress! Now, you’re talking about sending thank-you notes?”
“Oh, I’m still spanking your ass, but I’m going to make sure and thank him for giving me a whole new list of fantasies when it comes to how I want to fuck you.”
My jaw drops. “I think that’s an inappropriate thank-you note, Nate.”
“You’re right. I should send him an edible arrangement and mention how he’s should enjoy eating something delicious as fuck for giving me my own mouthwatering treat.”
“You’re incorrigible.”
“I’m horny! You have no idea what that dress is doing to me. In fact, after I fuck you in it tonight, I might have the damn thing bronzed.”
Speechless, I just shake my head and turn to gather my clutch and phone, smiling to myself when he makes a noise low in his throat.
Maybe I’ll send Sway a thank-you note of my own.
“I’m so proud of you, sweetheart,” my mom praises and gives me a big hug.
I look over her shoulder and let her admiration sink in. The nerves I had been fighting leading up to this moment had left the second Annabelle’s gallery filled to the point of bursting earlier, and I haven’t been able to stop smiling since.
When I got here, she had everything already set up, and with nothing to do but wait, I spent the quiet time I had walking the room with Nate, showing him all of my work.
The catering company Annabelle had hired had been working the room, passing out champagne flutes and light canapés. I’ve been enjoying a glorious buzz thanks to that. The low hum of classical music that was playing through the speakers earlier can’t even be heard over the light babble of this many people filling the room.
She had sent out something like two hundred invitations, not counting the huge crowd that came from my personal guest list, and it looked as if almost every single person had shown up.
The only thing I was still anxious about was hearing what ended up selling at the end of the night. Optimistically, I was hoping for at least half of my collection to sell, but I really would be happy with anything. Just being here and seeing my work on display as everyone visibly appreciates my pieces is the most wonderful gift to my soul.
“Thank you, Mom. It’s a little overwhelming but so exciting to see everyone loving my work.”
“What’s not to love?” my dad says from behind me, and I turn to smile up at him. “Except that woman wouldn’t let me buy one.”
My brow furrows. “Annabelle?”
“Snotty blond woman who looks like a stick is permanently wedged up her-”
My mom slaps her hand over his mouth, not letting him continue to complain, and gives me an apologetic look.
“That’s Annabelle. Did she give you a reason?” My mind races with reasons why she would deny a sale, to my own father of all people.
“Sure as hell did,” he answers against my mom’s hand, his lips turning up as he smiles brightly at me.
When my mom feels his smile, she drops her hand immediately and looks up at him with one of her own. It’s rare that he gives us this look, especially in public, so to see his stoic mask slip I know she is soaking it in too.
“Okay?”
“Sold out, my sweet girl. Every single fucking piece is sold.” His smile gets even larger as his chest puffs with pride.
“What?” I gasp.
“Oh my God, Emberlyn!” my mom exclaims, pulling me back into her arms with a bruising hug.
My dad wraps his arms around us both and hoarsely gives me the words that make my eyes prick with emotion. “Proud of you, honey. So damn proud.”
I’ve never doubted his pride, but I know he’s always worried about me since my career started out so quick. I had so much success with my work before I even left my teenage years behind, and when I left art school after two years to pursue my dreams, his worrying didn’t ease up. But this, tonight, goes a long way to extinguishing those thoughts in his mind.
“I need to go tell Nate,” I tell them, pulling out of her embrace.
My dad, shockingly, gives a nod of agreement. “You did good,” he states low and slowly follows with a smile that almost looks sad.
“Thank you?” I respond a little confused. He just said he was proud of me, so I’m not sure why he now looks sad about it.
“Talking about the man, not your night.”
“Oh.”
“Like I said, you did good. He did better, but you still did good. And if he makes you cry again, I’ll kill him.”
My nose tingles, and I look up at my big, strong father as I fight not to start crying. Maddi would kill me if I messed up my makeup, but I know my father would be upset if he was the reason I shed a tear … even if they were happy ones.
“I did do better, didn’t I?” I give a wobbly laugh when he winks, taking my mom’s hand and pulling her into the crowd over to where the Reids are—well, one-half of them since I don’t see Nate’s dad, Axel. The Becketts, Coopers, and Cages are laughing and smiling in the back corner.
Their children scattered around the room, as well, but I only have eyes for the long-haired man in black standing in front of A Beautiful War with his father at his side.
I’m stopped a few times on the way to him. A few critics from the local paper and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution stop me for a few quick questions, making my high for the night climb even higher. The AJC? Holy crap. That’s huge for them to feature an Atlanta artist! By the time I’m stepping up behind the Reid men, I might as well be walking on clouds I’m so happy.
“You going to tell her tonight?” I hear Axel ask his son.
“Yeah. I can’t wait any longer. It’s killing me to keep it from her.”
My heart seizes in my chest, and I drop the hand that had been reaching for Nate’s shoulder as I wait to hear what else they have to say. If they wanted privacy, well, then they should have had this conversation somewhere else.
“Good you don’t wait any longer. Women don’t appreciate that shit.”
Nate nods, still looking at the canvas in front of him.
“Didn’t want it to come to this, but I can’t keep it in anymore.”
This time Axel bobs his head, taking a swallow of the champagne in his hand. After a few seconds—minutes maybe—Axel gives him a slap on his shoulder and turns. He stumbles a little in his step when he sees me behind them but just bends to kiss my temple, covering his misstep.
“Congratulations, Ember,” he acknowledges softly.
Nate’s shoulders tense, but he doesn’t turn. After his father walks away, I wait for it, but he still doesn’t give me his eyes. Their words run through my mind and instead of feeling the overwhelming desolation I would have expected to feel, I have too much faith in him to just walk away without demanding an explanation.
I haven’t come this far to just give up. If he’s going to end it, he’s going to tell me right now to my face.
Squaring my shoulders and taking a deep breath, I step around him, standing between him and the wall holding A Beautiful War. A fitting place, if there ever was one. Even if the crowd is milling about just a few feet away.
“Nate?” His eyes roam over the piece behind me for a second before looking at me, giving me his attention, and the fierceness in his gaze almost makes my knees buckle. “What is it?”
He studies my face before looking back over my shoulder. “That’s us.”
Not a question.
“That was us,” I correct.
“And what changed?” he continues as his attention stays focused on the painting.
“Everything,” I breathe.
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nbsp; With a deep inhale, I finally get his stunning green eyes. “Give me more than that, Emberlyn. What changed to end our beautiful war?”
Time to go for broke. We’ve been leading up to this for weeks now, and after everything that we’ve been through to get to this point, I just need to take a leap and pray this time things will end differently than it did the last time I told him how I felt.
“My head collided with my heart.”
His pupils dilate, his eyes getting stormy as his nostrils flare. “Give me more,” he demands, taking a step toward me until just the smallest of space separates us from touching.
“Love won.”
His chest heaves, jolting at my words, and he dips until we’re nose to nose. “More.”
“I love you.” I softly comply with his demand, my voice steady, strong, and true. “I love you. And even though that has never changed through the years, regardless of my fears and hurt, what made everything change was when I realized you not only wanted my heart, but you would also protect it when I took the last step toward you and asked for yours in return again.”
“I have all of you?”
“I think you always have.”
His hand snakes out, going around my middle to pull me to him as he straightens to stand, my feet lifting to dangle above the ground. I reach up, curling my fingers over his shoulders as our breath mingles between us.
“Tell me again.” The hunger in his eyes betrays the calmness in his voice.
“I love you.”
His eyes close, and he presses his forehead against mine.
“Nate?” I whisper when he doesn’t move.
“I had it all planned.” His words just barely a whisper. “Everything I wanted to say to you, show you, and give you … all planned. It was getting so hard to keep it from you, though. I took one look at this painting, and I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. It was killing me to keep those plans from you, but I just had to be patient.”
I think back to the conversation I had overheard between him and his father when he finishes talking, and my body jolts when I realize what had really been going on.
