ShortFF:The Wallflower:End updated(25/12/09) - Page 10

hey Thanx a lot 4 all ur lovely comments and i really owe one 4 cupid21 for actually askin comments for me and to u all for respondin to that request.LOVE U ALL! Mwah.....

Chapter Eleven

"You expect me to wear that?" Bani looked at the picture on the bag of the most incredibly X-rated (okay, maybe high-R) pirate outfit she'd ever seen. All the model needed was a half-n*ked pirate next to her to make the picture complete. The frilly, lacy cream skirt hit the girl just before full exposure; God forbid if the poor thing tried to sit, she'd be showing her assets to everyone in the room! The girl's br**sts spilled out of the matching top, helped along by a burgundy waist cinch with an attached overskirt. The cinch and skirt combo was embroidered in an elaborate design done in gold. Lace bell sleeves allowed her hands freedom while promising to drip into everything. The feathered hat matched the cinch, with the edges decorated in creamy lace. No less than four feathers peeked around the rim of the hat. Tall black boots with three-inch heels and a remarkably lifelike saber completed the outfit. If Jai thought she'd wear the lacy thigh-high stockings he'd bought, he was in for a rude awakening. The stockings definitely took the outfit into X-land.

Jai's innocent expression didn't fool her for a moment. There was simply no way he could hide the heat in his eyes. "It matches my costume. Besides, the model in that thing has to be taller than you. The skirt should hit you mid-thigh."

"Oh, yes, that makes it so much better."

They were sitting in Jai's breakfast nook, finishing the last of their coffee. Bani needed to open the store that day; Rano would close at five. Bani planned on handing Rano her costume just before she left for the day, leaving Rano no option but to wear what Jai had provided since the masquerade was that night. Although, looking at the costume he'd chosen for her, she was a little leery about the costume he'd gotten for her friend. "Who picked out Rano's costume?"

"Ranveer."

"Oh boy. Can I see the costume she's probably going to throw at my head?"

Jai grinned and reached into the bag he'd brought to the table that morning. He pulled out an off-the-shoulder black lacy top with long sleeves that were tight at the arms and flared out at the wrists. Next he pulled out a black skirt. It was short and flaring, the kind that would fly up if you spun in place. On top of the skirt he laid out a leather belt with a silver belt buckle, a swordsman's belt meant for a real rapier. Tall black boots almost identical to Bani's, a black bandito hat, black cape and black mask completed the outfit. Where Bani's outfit was blatantly s*xy, Rano's was s*xy in an understated way. Her skirt would probably hit her mid-thigh as well, but in all other respects she was almost modestly covered, especially since it was obvious the cape would hit her at her knees, thus covering her dignity in back. Unlike Bani's outfit, which took dignity and kicked its *ss to the curb with a cheery wave and a fond farewell.

"Wow. I'm impressed. I should have let Ranveer pick my outfit, too."

Bani grinned at the sound of Jai's low-pitched, possessive growl.

"Okay, so?" Bani folded her hands on top of Rano's costume, "?where's my outfit for the party? I mean, I have to assume this outfit is for, like, role-playing at home or something."

"I am going to show the entire world exactly how s*xy I find you." His hands covered hers, both soothing her and locking her into place. Gold flecks danced in the grey of his eyes and Bani shivered. "No one will doubt how much I want you. I plan on having every single male there drooling with envy that I'm the one who has you. I want every female there to hate you on sight."

"Just being with you will do that," Bani muttered.

Jai grinned. It wasn't pleasant. "I want Pia to grind her teeth into powder when she sees you on my arm. And then I want us both to smile at her and wish her well after she bows down to you."

"Damn, Jai, you should have been a girl. That's totally bitchy."

He picked up one of her hands and kissed the palm, sending more shivers of heat through her. "And then tomorrow we finish moving the rest of your stuff in."

Bani had given in on moving in with him just the night before. She hadn't been to her apartment since the night Jai bit her, other than to pick up a few changes of clothing, her toiletries, her full-length mirror that she refused to live without, and her makeup. Her red PT Cruiser had finally made its way to his garage last night, too, and was now nestled next to Jai's Durango. He'd frowned darkly over the fact that it was a convertible, muttering something about knives and maniacs, but he'd just have to learn to live with it. Bani loved her car, and her car loved her.

"I'll make you a deal." He'd never go for it, and then she'd get to change costumes. A win-win situation, as far as she was concerned.

"Shoot."

"I'll wear the costume if we take my car to the party."

"Done." Bani's jaw dropped. He hated her car. He'd made it clear he absolutely hated it, but he hadn't even hesitated. He stood, reached out with a finger and shut her mouth. "You're going to be late for work, sweetheart."

"Oh sh*t!" Bani looked at her watch and bolted for the garage, leaving the costumes behind.

"Bani!"

She turned in the doorway, grabbed the bag he held out with Rano's costume in it and raced out, doing her best to ignore his chuckles. She shoved the bag in the car, opened the garage door and darted back inside.

Jai turned, confused as she barreled back into the house at Mach speed. He managed to catch her as she threw herself at him, wrapping her legs around his waist. She pulled his startled face close and kissed him soundly. "Bye!" she yelled as she dropped out of his hold and ran back out the door again, the picture of his stunned, happy face and silly grin staying with her the entire way to work.

"You expect me to wear that?" Rano stared at the costume Bani had laid out on the Victorian sofa in Wallflowers with something akin to horror. "Bani, I thought Jai was Zorro. Are you sure you want me to match his costume?"

Bani grinned; Rano was one of the few people who knew about her hook-up with Jai. "Jai isn't going as Zorro. That was a smokescreen he threw up to keep Pia at bay. Trust me, you won't match Jai tonight."

Rano paled as Bani's slight emphasis on Jai's name registered. "Tell me Ranveer isn't going as Zorro."

"Ranveer isn't going as Zorro," Bani deadpanned, already inching her way towards the door.

"Bani!" Rano shrieked, totally horrified.

Bani stopped. "Rano, you've been dancing around your attraction for Ranveer for months, probably years! And you know what? I think he's just as attracted to you as you are to him! So, why don't you go for it?"

"You know the type of women Ranveer goes for! Hell, I know for a fact where he's been. You think I want to boldly go where everyone else has gone before?"

"Ranveer hasn't dated in months, Rano."

"That's a lie, Bani. He went out with Arushi just last week!"