A Little Broken (15 page)

Toni’s stern tone allowed for no argument and she simply nodded. Her friend took a deep breath, glanced at her once more, then marched out in search of more clothes.

Closing the door, Jessie sank down on the small bench in the room and thought back to the last few weeks. She knew that she was eating more than she had after she’d lost her son, but Dominick always frowned when she pushed her plate away, full after only a couple bites. During the dark days, she barely ate, not hungry, and she’d known she’d lost a lot of weight, her only saving grace the belts she’d bought to hold her pants up…but she didn’t realize it was
this
bad. Why hadn’t Dominick said anything? How could he even be attracted to her? She looked like a corpse, the walking dead, completely unattractive, even to herself. She vowed to herself that she’d start eating more – she couldn’t keep looking like this. She worked in a well-respected diner, for a respected member of the community, and her boyfriend was part of that same family; she had to do better than she was, and she could do it. She knew she could. She had to. Otherwise, Jessie knew, she really would slowly die and she wanted to live…for Dominick…and for herself.

***

After a few trips back and forth, Toni was able to find dozens of items of clothing that not only fit, but also flattered Jessie’s body. She was pleased with the items they chose, and this time when they were at the register, she paid no attention to the total of the purchase.

Her friend helped her carry her multiple bags as they chatted about the regulars at the diner, Toni’s love life, and the other girls. The conversation was relaxing and light while they ate at the food court, Jessie making a conscious effort to eat at least half of her food, holding to her new vow of eating more.

They stopped at a few more shops, picking up lotions and perfumes, things that Toni informed her all women had to have – different scents for different days even. It was all a little over Jessie’s head, but she believed her friend, and accepted the advice, finding herself and exerting her opinion with what smells she liked. She even stopped to pick out a tie for Dominick, wanting to surprise him with something she picked out, and paid for, herself. All in all, Jessie had a fun evening with her friend and found herself excited to get to Dominick’s to show him all the purchases.

When Toni pulled up in front of his place, she put the car in park and they sat in silence for a moment. After a moment, she was pulled into a tight hug before Toni spoke quietly in her ear.

“Listen, I know bad things have happened to you…but I want you to know I’m truly here for you. You’re not alone anymore. You’re amazing, girlfriend. Have fun with your man candy, and know I’m totally jealous of you right now.”

Jessie pulled away, smiling, happy to have a friend, a female friend. She knew she relied on Dominick a lot, and was pleased that she was starting to find a path for herself on her own. Things really were getting better, and the thought didn’t inspire as much guilt as it once would have – instead, it filled her with hope that she wouldn’t always be so ruined. She didn’t expect to be completely whole again…but it was a step in the right direction.

Exiting the car, she turned to wave at her friend before scooping her bags up and making her inside Dominick’s home. He’d given her a key about two weeks ago, a thought that still gave her butterflies.

“Honey, I’m home,” she announced loudly, jokingly.

“Hello, beautiful,” came Dominick’s voice before he entered the room from the reading nook. His eyes flashed to the multitude of bags on the floor at her feet and a smile spread across his face. “Oh good, Toni did a good job.”

“Ugh. A little notice, next time, please. I’m trying very hard to not feel guilty about the extravagant amount of money she put on your card today,” Jessie despaired. “You should have sent me to Wal-Mart or Target, would have been much better on your wallet.”

“Pssh. If I want to do something nice for my girlfriend, I will. Now…do I get to see it all? I seem to recall a promise of modeling…”

“I never promised,” Jessie started, though he held a hand up, stopping her.

“Yep, you did. No backing out of it, Miss Thing. On the phone, at the diner, before you left. You said you would, and I’m
totally
holding you to it. I’m curious and want to see! Oh, and we need to get you a cell phone. I have no idea how you can live in this century and not have one.”

“Fine, I’ll show you… You want to see all of it?” she asked him, glancing down at the bags and mentally calculating how long this fashion show was going to take – she had tons of stuff waiting for his inspection.

His eyes came to fall on the lingerie bags, and his eyes shot to hers. She blushed, knowing that he knew what was in them – after all, it was what they were known for…a secret no one else knew.

“Oh yeah,” he said, his voice husky. He cleared his throat, laughed a little, and helped her carry the bags into the bedroom. “I’ll just be sitting on the couch…waiting. Take your time…only don’t, because the anticipation is killing me.”

After he left, Jessie sat for a moment, trying to figure out where she was going to start. She decided it would be a smart idea to unpack all the items, lay them out, and choose from there. At least, it had started out as a logical thing to do…until the garments just kept coming, piling one atop the other and she could no longer see the bottom of the pile. She was sure that Toni had distracted her somehow; she didn’t remember buying this many things – it was more than just a few items; it was a complete wardrobe, for almost two people!

Overwhelmed by the sheer amount of clothes, more than she’d
ever
owned at any point in her life, Jessie hurriedly reached for the pink VS bags and the tissue-wrapped feminine items inside. Unfolding the thin paper, her hands hesitated on sapphire blue lace. The color was so rich, beautiful, and the lace soft. Placing the bundle on top of the mound of waiting dresses, jeans, and shirts, she lifted the bra and held it to her body. She caught her reflection in the mirror above the bureau and she hesitated. The blue went well with the porcelain of her skin, and she quickly snatched the matching pair of panties.

Jessie smiled to herself as an idea hatched in her mind. Dominick wanted to surprise her by buying her enough clothes to last her forever?
Two can play the surprise game,
she thought as she undressed quickly, not wanting to keep him waiting for fear he’d come to check on her before she was ready. Sliding the panties up her legs, she couldn’t help but admit that they were exquisite, much better than the cheap cotton she’d been wearing from Wal-Mart. Maybe Victoria really knew the Secret, if all of their things felt this good. On a mission, she hooked the bra on and scrounged through the remaining bags in search of the one from Sephora. Jessie had huffed when Toni had forced her to buy so many things of makeup and products, but was now secretly glad of it.
I need to thank her big time
, Jessie continued in her head as she hurriedly applied mascara, eye liner, and shadow the way she’d been instructed by the nice girl at the counter. Scooping her loose curls up into a clip on the top of her head, she evaluated herself in the mirror, added the red lip stain, and nodded at her reflection. She could do nothing for the loss of weight, but she thought the hair and face paint was a nice addition to the lingerie.

“Jessie, you alright in there? Do you need help?” Dominick’s voice was still far away, and Jessie knew she needed to finish up quickly.

Snagging a pair of silver stilettos, she slipped them on, admiring them. At the store they’d made her feel like a giant next to her vertically challenged best friend, but now they made her calves look nice and her legs look long and lean. Satisfied, Jessie smiled and moved to the door.

“This is going to be fun,” she said to herself as she started up the hallway, mustering the sexiest walk she could.

Chapter Twenty-Two

The look on Dominick’s face as Jessie strutted up the hallway and into the living room was priceless. His eyes widened and his eyes heated as he took her in, starting at her stiletto-clad feet, up her legs to her panties, her bra, and then her face and hair. His lips were parted when she stopped about ten feet in front of him.

“Well, what do you think, Mr. Wace?” Jessie asked coquettishly, her hands resting on her hips.

Still unspeaking, he lifted his hand to twirl a finger, indicating he wanted her to turn around. She obliged, rotating slowly, pausing with her back to him, and looked at him over her shoulder. From this distance, she could tell that his breathing had sped and he shifted on the couch.

“I think,” he started, stopping and clearing his throat. “I think I need to send Toni some flowers…or a singing telegram…or some other ridiculously big thank-you note.”

“I’m assuming you like what you see?” Jessie strode toward him, her footsteps almost silent despite the heels.

“I don’t
like
what I see, Jessie. I fucking love it, excuse my mouth. You’re always gorgeous to me…but hell, I expected you to come out in a dress or something…not strolling out of the pages of every man’s Maxim wet dream. Are you even real right now? Did I fall asleep on the couch?”

“Ouch. Nice back-handed compliment there, sugar,” she pouted, though she was secretly pleased. Jessie knew that she barely paid any attention to her looks – the only time he’d even seen her in makeup other than right now was weeks ago for Halloween and then it was barely anything. She always said it was because she didn’t have the time, but if she were being honest, she hadn’t wanted to put the effort into herself. What was the point?
This, this is the point
, she elucidated to herself.

Dominick stood and met her halfway. His hands were warm when he reached out and grabbed her hips, tugging her toward him. She allowed him to pull her to him, and when they were close he moved his hands to her face. He held her head steady for a moment, his finger trailing down her cheek.

“Shut up, Jessie. You’re the sun right now, and you’re blinding me. You know that I think you’re amazing, I’ve told you often enough. Remember, you’re standing in my room half naked, in heels – which you never wear – and with supermodel makeup on. Excuse me if my pinup girlfriend is causing my brain to short circuit.”

“Oh,” Jessie said, unsure of what else to say as he continued to examine her. Her stomach was in a knot, nervous and excited all at the same time.

“Yes, ‘oh,’” he said softly. “I’m going to kiss you.”

Jessie was surprised that he’d said it, almost as if asking for permission. Not even thinking about it, she tilted her face in his grip, raising her lips. Even in the heels, he was still taller than she, and it was one of the things she loved about him.
One of the things I love?
she questioned herself, almost panicking. She knew that she cared for him, but
loved
?

Dominick’s mouth came down on hers, capturing her and blanking her thoughts. She melted into him as his hands moved down her sides, causing goosebumps to form on her skin. When his lips opened, hers followed suit, and his tongue slipped inside her mouth, tasting her, exploring her as if he’d never done it before. He turned them without breaking the kiss and moved her backward. Her legs found the couch and he lifted his head, their eyes locking as he pushed her to a sitting position. Dominick dropped to his knees and stared at her for a moment.

“Jessie,” he said, before shaking his head, as if to stop his thoughts from forming into words. Instead, he reached for one of her legs and, starting at her ankle, trailed kisses upward. Once he reached the bottom of the panties he stopped, grabbed her other leg, and gave it the same treatment. Jessie was gasping when his hands finally reached for the delicate fabric. Watching her face, he slowly lowered the gem-colored lace from her hips, trailing it gently down her legs and passed her heels. She spared a thought that she wasn’t surprised that he’d left the stilettos on, until he tugged her forward and his face lowered between her thighs.

Dominick teased her, nipping at the soft flesh of her thigh, his breath warm upon her core. She tried hard to keep still, to keep from squirming against him, but it was a futile effort. Chuckling softly, he took pity on her, his tongue darting out and stealing her breath. Jessie was unable to stop the moan that bubbled out of her, a sound that was almost choking in its desperation. Dominick indulged in her often, but each time was like the very first; he liked to explore her like he’d explored her mouth, searching and seeking, nipping and sucking on her. His fingers joined his tongue, rubbing and caressing, raising her higher toward release.

“Dominick,” Jessie said, her voice high, anticipatory. Her muscles were starting to tighten and she knew she wouldn’t be able to hold out much longer. It was too much.

Sensing her closeness, Dominick stopped abruptly, lifting his face and removing his hand from her center, forcing a groan from her. She loved and hated when he did that, but she knew he had bigger and better things planned for her - she could see it in his eyes, the promise there making her shiver. He spun her, laying her to span the length of the couch, and climbed above her, his arm snaking around her to unhook the bra she still wore. His weight was welcome, familiar, as was the hardness that pressed into her through his thin athletic shorts. He dropped the pretty garment onto the floor, the sound loud in her heightened state. Jessie gripped the bottom of his white undershirt and tugged it upward, over his head, and let it drop to meet her discarded lingerie.

“Skin on skin,” she whispered against him, her hands roaming along his back. She relaxed underneath him, unable to keep from writhing against him. He had placed his knee between her legs, flush against her wetness.

He sighed against her hair, stopping her hands when she moved to tug his shorts lower. Confused, she looked up to his face and her eyes caught on his intense gaze.

“What is it?” she asked, her voice raising, anxiety coursing through her – he had never looked at her this way.