She caught her breath as she held up her black lace indulgences to the light. The black merry-widow had smooth black satin panels, lace inserts on each side and lace cups. She put it on, liking the contrast against her skin. She kicked off the shoes and slid on the black stockings, turning in front of the mirror to fasten the garters just right. With the shoes back on, her choices sent an unmistakable message.
She was reaching for the dress when her phone rang. Her heart stopped cold.
He couldn’t cancel.
If it was Pierce cancelling because of Farah, Jacquie would give him a piece of her mind. She retrieved her phone from her purse, smiling with relief when she saw it was Ashley.
“Hello, daughter number one,” she said when she answered.
“Where have you been?” Ashley demanded. “Cole said you preferred us to call on the land line but you weren’t picking up earlier.”
“I had to stop at a shop on the way home from work.”
“Another take-out dinner? Mom, you know that you need to cook real food and it’s time you mastered more than eggs and toast...”
“A lingerie shop,” Jacquie said, interrupting the lecture before it started. She knew the ‘eat properly’ lecture by heart, having delivered it herself countless times.
Ashley gasped and was momentarily incoherent. “You have a date?”
“I have a date, and I’m late.”
“Well, who is he? Where did you meet him? What does he do for a living? Who are his family? Where does he live?”
Jacquie laughed. “Is this payback time?”
Ashley laughed, too. “Not exactly, but that’s a good idea.”
“Remember I’m the adult.”
Ashley made a dismissive sound. “How long has it been, Mom? You might have forgotten...”
“There are things you do not forget, Ashley Kirsten Morgan, no matter how ancient you become.”
“I didn’t mean that, Mom. You’re not old, not exactly.”
“Thank you very much.”
“But, you know, are you prepared?”
Jacquie rolled her eyes. “Who taught you about birth control and safe sex?”
“Mom! Were you ever with anyone but Dad?”
“That is so not your business.”
“I’m just trying to look out for you. Mom! A date! This is epic and I don’t want you to screw it up.”
“Pun intended.”
Ashley laughed. “Where are you going?”
“Nowhere unless I get moving. I’m late.”
“But what are you wearing?”
“Something nice.”
“Mom! You need to be sure.”
“I am sure. I’ll send you a selfie later. Now, let me get dressed.”
“Only if you promise to call once you get home.”
“I might be busy.”
“Ew, Mom, too much information!”
“You’re the one who asked about contraceptives,” Jacquie countered with a smile. “And yes, I have that covered, although I suspect he probably does, too.”
“Why?”
“He likes to be prepared.”
“Oh! I want to know more, Mom. Is he hot?”
“Yes.”
“I need a picture!”
“Good night, Ashley.”
“Have fun, Mom! And send me pictures!” Ashley shouted just before Jacquie ended the call.
She checked the time and swore a little, then dressed quickly. Fortunately, her make-up routine was pretty minimal and her up-do was quickly managed. A pair of sparkly earrings and a necklace, her watch and a dinner ring made her feel shiny. The lingerie was silky, supporting her in all the right places, and the dress fit like a dream. She hadn’t felt so sexy in years. Jacquie checked herself out in the mirror, took a selfie and sent it to Ashley, then grabbed her coat and headed for the restaurant.
Her heart was pounding and her palms were damp. She could have been sixteen instead of forty-five and about to talk to her crush for the first time. Jacquie scolded herself silently but her pulse still skipped when she saw the sign for the restaurant. She forced herself to slow down. She didn’t want to arrive looking flustered, and she had time. She took a deep breath and strolled.
She was twenty feet away when she saw Pierce. He was standing in the alcove by the door, checking his phone while he waited. She liked that he was on time, even a bit early. She liked that she had a chance to check him out before he realized she was there, too. He was wearing a dark suit and looked both urban and expensive. She was glad to see that they were on the same fashion page.
Probably the same expectation page, too.
Pierce looked up at the perfect moment, as if he’d sensed her presence, and his slow smile made her heart skip a few beats. Jacquie let her hips swing more than they usually did as she walked toward him, liking the way he surveyed her and smiled.
“Hi,” he murmured, catching her hand in his.
She stretched up to kiss his cheek and took a deep breath of his cologne. “Mmm, got to love date night,” she whispered and he chuckled.
“I do. You look great.”
“Thank you. You, too.” Their gazes clung and her heart nearly stopped. “I’m sorry if I’m late.”
“You’re not. And if you were, you’d definitely be worth the wait.” He tucked her hand into his elbow and she could feel the lean strength of him beneath his suit. He smelled wonderful and Jacquie leaned against him, savoring.
The little hot look he gave her, his gaze simmering, was everything she’d hoped for.
“My eldest called to check in,” she said, wanting to explain. “She had to give me all her advice, and she wanted a picture of you.”
Pierce held open the door for her, looking amused. “It’s nice that they’re protective of you.”
“It is. They’re good kids.” Jacquie shook her head. “And I’m sure all four of them knew as much as Ashley did within two minutes of my ending the call.”
“You want to send her a picture from here?”
Jacquie was startled that he’d even suggest as much. “It’s not their business...”
“But it might reassure them,” Pierce replied smoothly, as if he’d been thinking about it. “How many times have they sent you pictures to reassure you?”
“Too many to count,” she admitted.
He wasn’t surprised. “We’ll get the waiter to take a picture with your phone.
