I tugged on the center lacing between the cups in order to plump and lift what the good Lord had already been kind enough to give me. I had a killer rack that looked good in bathing suits and lingerie of all types. Big boobs will travel. The part that made this teddy special was that if someone was less endowed, they could tighten the lacy strings on the mini-corset style stitching at the cleavage, and it would pull their breasts up and together, giving them the illusion of a more bountiful bosom. Genius, if you asked me. I wondered if I should suggest Blessing hire a smaller model to come in and photograph in the same outfits so that the buyers and the big box stores could truly see that these designs worked for all women and all body types. I kept that idea in the back of my mind to share later. I was sure she’d thought of the same, but it never hurt to consider a good idea twice.
I ran my hands down the bust and over my ribcage where the satiny fabric tucked in with some stellar hidden ruching and flared out at the hip in a flirty manner. This accentuated the waist and hips without making the wearer feel boxy. Women liked to feel voluptuous and curvy regardless of however many curves they sported, and this was another trick to the design. The edges were all framed in a matching emerald green lace that gave the piece a timeless and maybe even old-fashioned forties-glamor feel.
“You look perfect, Addy. Go knock the hot photographer dead. Make him drop his camera and fight a stiffy. Hell, I’m fighting a stiffy looking at you and I’m happily married to a man.” He waved his face with a dramatic flare that was all Cameron.
I giggled and grabbed the robe that went with the teddy and put it on, tying it at the waist. This one went down to mid-ankle. Another cool feature of Blessing’s designs was she had a robe in every color from the line so if someone wanted to cover up or give a little show to their mate or walk around tending to their children with the sexy lingerie underneath, they could.
Together the two of us walked out.
“I’ve left clips and other gadgets so you can change your hair to an updo or bun rather quickly. I wish I could stay the day, but Blessing updated me last night. I’m really sorry you’re having to deal with this…especially so soon after what happened.” He grabbed both of my hands once we made it to the front door. “I’m here for you, Addy. Day or night. You know that. Right?”
I smiled wide and hugged him. “Thank you, Cameron. Your love and friendship mean the world to me. Say hi to that hunky hubby of yours and let’s plan dinner sometime next month when all this is hopefully just a bad memory.”
His gaze left mine and moved toward the area where I could see Killian was setting up huge white boxes in the center of the floor that he’d also draped in white paper.
“Maybe it could be a double date.” Cameron waggled his eyebrows overtly.
I rolled my eyes, sighed, turned him around to face the door, and pushed him closer to it. I unlocked and opened the door with a flourish.
“You good?” Mr. Holt asked, hand up to his ear where he held a cell phone.
“Yep, just seeing my friend out. Bye, Cameron, and thanks again.”
“Not a hardship to make you even more beautiful.” He air-kissed both my cheeks and then waved.
“Lock it,” my bodyguard commanded so I nodded and did as he said.
I spun around. “Cameron’s gone. Can we let Brutus out?” I asked, immediately making my way to where Killian now stood behind his camera and tripod. There was a table next to that where his shiny black gun sat. I stared at the gun, my body turning cold, and I wrapped my hands around myself in a protective barrier.
“Maybe later…” he said, and then I didn’t hear anything.
All I saw was that gun.
Only it was a different gun. Lifted up, the muzzle flashing twice. My sister Tabitha’s body jerking in midair as she came down on the attacker with her blade.
I jolted with each remembered shot and backed up, my vision not seeing anything in front of me but a dark, dank room and my sister’s lifeless body on the floor bleeding out, her eyes still open, seeing nothing.
I shook so hard my teeth chattered and my skin felt like icicles were needling every centimeter of my flesh.
“Addy. Come back to me.” A rushed voice spoke close to me.
I shook my head as I felt someone’s hands close around my biceps.
“No!” I choked out. “Please, no!” I could feel my entire body shutting down, blackness taking over my vision.
Then I was surrounded by warmth. It oozed into my icy skin and replaced the sensation with golden waves of heat. I burrowed closer to the feeling.
“That’s it, Addy. Come back. You’re safe. You’re right here.” I heard a voice I recognized but wasn’t super familiar with.
I blinked several times and saw a pinprick of light. Bright white light. Then it got wider and wider. The voice in my ear soft and soothing…serene. Like stepping into a natural hot spring for the first time. The earthy scent surrounded me as the white light widened and I saw hints of blue sky peeking through.
“That’s it, baby. Come back. I’m right here. I’ve got you, Addy. I won’t let go.”
“Don’t let go.” I clutched onto the warmth as though my life depended on it, pressing my chest flat against it, wrapping my arms tighter around it. Keeping it close. Filling me up with all that was good and right.
The darkness crept from my view and I saw the brick wall with the big window leading to an amazing view of the lake and sky beyond. My back was being rubbed up and down as I came to myself one breath at a time. With each swipe of his powerful caress, my vision cleared, and I realized I was in Killian’s arms. He held me so tight to his body, there wasn’t room to slip a piece of paper between us. He continued to run his hands up and down the length of my spine.
“Breathe. I’ve got you. You’re safe,” he reminded me.
I did as told and then the tears hit, filling my eyes as I slowly eased away. “I’m…I’m sorry. I don’t know what happened. I just saw the gun on the table and…” I licked my lips and let my hair fall against my face as I stared at my bare feet. Embarrassment pressed hard against my chest like a battering ram, the earlier warmth I’d siphoned off of Killian turning to a blazing inferno of mortification and shame in its wake.
He put his hands on my biceps once again and dipped his head. “Addy, look at me.”
I shook my head sullenly, wanting to run and hide. To call Mr. Holt and have him whisk me away to the safety of my bed at Kerrighan house. I hadn’t even been back to my apartment since I was tortured and kidnapped by a madman and I thought I was ready to work? With a man like this? A Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer? What the hell was I thinking? I trembled where I stood. I wasn’t thinking. Just like when I walked willingly into the car of a madman.
“Addy, snap out of it!” Killian jerked me back into his arms in a tight hug.
This time I didn’t wrap my arms around him and hold on like he was a long-lost prince charming. I wasn’t worthy of such compassion. My life was so messed up and this man… He had it all. He didn’t need my kind of crap.
“I’m sorry, Killian. I’m going to go…” I pulled forcefully out of his arms and started to head to the bathroom to change back into my street clothes.