change before I meet Ellie at the bar tonight. I’ll be taking the VIP lounge. Can you make sure that it’s outfitted for a romantic evening? Make sure there is food and drinks for her as well.”
“Of course, my lord.”
Ian glances at Jasper and says in an exasperated voice, “It’s Ian, when will you stop ‘my lording’ me? We have been together for centuries now.”
“I know. Old habits just die hard, Ian ,” Jasper stresses the name. “I will attempt to be more informal.”
Ian laughs and slaps Jasper on the back. “That’s all I can ask, my friend. Let’s get out of here.” Both men turned and headed out of the conference room lost in thoughts of friendship and Ellie Dawson.
Ellie glances around the department store and locates the luxury dress department. Walking in that direction, she can’t help but think about Ian and how incredible he makes her feel when they are together. She worries that there is so much about him that she doesn’t know or understand yet. However, the woman in her that longs for love feels that what is in her heart is more important than anything he can say or do. She feels a connection, almost like a presence in her head with Ian that can’t be explained or even accurately described.
Ellie walks toward a female employee in the women’s section. “Good afternoon, miss. I was wondering if you could assist me in finding a dress for a date tonight.”
The young woman turns toward Ellie with a smile. “Of course, I can assist you. My name is Maggie,” she says holding out her hand to Ellie. “Are you looking for a conservative look or a ‘knock him off his socks and kick him in the teeth’ kind of dress?”
“I’m going to go with the second choice,” Ellie says with a laugh. “My name is Ellie Dawson and I’m hoping to drive my date crazy tonight.”
Maggie turns toward a section in the back of the section. “Then you have come to the right person, Ellie. I have something that I think you are going to love. I’m thinking you are about an eight, is that correct?”
“You have a good eye, Maggie. I’m impressed.”
Maggie reaches toward a rack of dresses and pulls one off. “This is a deceptively simple, seductive confection of a dress that I think will melt his toes.”
Ellie takes the dress and heads to the fitting room. “Let’s check it out, shall we?” Maggie follows Ellie to the fitting and unlocks a room for her.
“Go on in and get started. I have some shoes that are going to make that outfit kick butt and take names.”
Ellie goes in and locks the door, shaking with excitement. Shedding her clothes, she lays them on the shelf in the fitting room. She carefully takes the dress off the hanger. Amazingly simple and beautiful, the dress is a pure midnight black shot through with silver strands. The bodice is fitted with a halter that wraps around and fastens at the nape with a silver clasp with an antique finish. The front of the dress plunges to a deep V showing off a decent amount of cleavage and bare skin. The skirt reaches at least six inches above her knees and is made up with material so thin that it looks almost like the scarves from a harem girl outfit. As she slips the dress on and hooks the halter collar, she cannot help but think of the effect that this outfit will have on Ian because it’s perfect for seduction.
“Ellie, I have some shoes that I think will be just the thing to set your man on knees. Your choice if you want to keep him there though. Open the door and I’ll pass them through, but don’t show me the dress I want to see the whole effect.”
Ellie unlocks and nudges the door open and accepts the shoes through the crack. “You are simply amazing, Maggie. They match perfectly.”
The shoes are dainty four -inch heels with thin silver straps that
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