“I’m going,” I growled. “Not letting this shit hold me back.”
“Fine. Do what you got to do. But I’ll bring some boys and hang around.”
“I don’t need guards.”
“You do, Dante.” Steven gave me a look. “You’re tough. But you’re not invincible.”
I stood on the sidewalk with the long fancy red box under my arm. I clenched my jaw, but finally nodded. “Fine. But be discreet. She doesn’t need to know.”
“All right.” Steven hesitated and probably wanted to tell me that Aida was a distraction I couldn’t afford, so I turned and didn’t give him the chance. I headed up the steps and in through the front door. I heard Steven pull away as I shut the door behind me.
I lingered for a moment in the entry hall, looking down toward the living room and the kitchen. I heard footsteps and Gino appeared in front of me, a frown on his face, his hand on a gun tucked into his waistband. He relaxed a fraction of an inch.
“Boss,” he said.
“Go home,” I grunted. “You’re done for the night.”
Gino hesitated before nodding. He grabbed his things from the kitchen table then slipped past me and stepped out the door.
My eyes moved up toward the staircase and found Aida standing at the top of it. She wore a gray NASA t-shirt and jean shorts. She tilted her head to one side and frowned a little.
“What’s wrong?” she asked.
“Nothing,” I say, taking a step toward the stairs.
“You look pissed.”
I opened my mouth then shut it again. “Nah,” I said. “I’m fine.” I forced a smile on my lips and the negative thoughts from my mind. “I got something for you.”
“Yeah?”
I started up the steps toward her and she backed away. I reached the top then moved past her. She flattened against the wall, her eyes locked on me the whole way, as I began to head up the next flight to my room. “Come on,” I said.
She followed without a word. I moved in through the white painted wood door and put the box down on top of my comforter. She hesitated at the foot of the bed as I stepped away and gestured at the box.
“Open it.”
She paused for a moment, her hands fluttering over the top of it like nervous birds. The box was dark red, unmarked, with a blue satin bow holding it together. She pulled the bow, untied it, and slipped the top open.
She sucked in a breath as she took out the dress. She held it up and stared for a long moment.
“What is this?”
“Givenchy.” I tilted my head. “It’ll fit.”
“No, I mean. For what?”
I smirked and stepped closer to her. I tilted her chin toward me but didn’t kiss her lips, despite how tempting they looked. “We’re going out.”
“Going out?”
“That’s right. You dance, don’t you?”
“I mean, sure. But isn’t that… dangerous?”
I laughed and shook my head. “Not for me. Now put that on.”
She pulled away and I let her go. She looked at the dress and shook her head. “I can’t go out in this. I don’t have… I don’t have any shoes or anything that’ll match. It’s way too much.”
“Do your best,” I said. “Now take my gift and put it on.”
She looked at me for a long moment then laid the dress out flat on my bed. She pulled her shirt off, unbuttoned her jean shorts, and slid them down her body. She stared at the dress for a moment before shaking her head. “I can’t wear a bra with this,” she said.
“Good. Take it off then.”
I moved over to a small leather chair in the corner of the room next to my wardrobe and sat down. I crossed my legs and watched, her breasts spilling out of her old black lazy bra as she took it off, her little thong barely covering the mound of her pussy. She picked up the dress, unzipped it, and pulled it over her body. She bit her lip and looked at me.
“Little help?”
I stood and walked over. I pulled up the zipper and hooked the tiny clasp. “There,” I said and stepped away, sitting back down. “Let me look at you.”
She turned and I felt a thrill run through me. The dress was black with long sleeves and a mock neckline, the lace covering her chest and arms. The front was cut low, the black soft fabric plunging down deep, showing off just a hint of her gorgeous breasts. The top was fitted and tight but flared out at the skirt. It fit her perfectly, made her long lean legs look incredible, and showed just a hint of her gorgeous, perky breasts. I felt my heart beating wildly in my chest and all I wanted to do was rip it off of her.
She took in a sharp breath and crossed her arms over herself. “Well?”
“You look incredible.”
“Really?” She shook her head. “I’ve never worn anything like this before. It’s… it’s too expensive.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I stood up. “Come here.”
She followed me into the bathroom. I closed the door and stood her in front of the floor-length mirror. I leaned over her and unfolded her arms, made her look at herself as I pulled back her hair and kissed her neck. She let out a soft breath as my lips found her skin.
“Look at yourself,” I purred in her ear. “You look incredible. You realize that, don’t you?”
“Shit,” she said. “I don’t know.”
“Trust me, little Aida. I wouldn’t let you leave the house if you didn’t look perfect for me.”
She looked over her shoulder and I pressed my lips against hers. I kissed her, hungry and angry and ravenous. My tongue stroked against hers and I pulled away as my hands moved up to cup her breasts then dropped down to her hips.
“I trust you,” she said.
“Good. Now go find some shoes and finish getting ready. We’re leaving in ten.”
She nodded, pulled open the door, and hurried out. I watched her go, her thick hair bouncing, as she
