I rushed after my aunt as she speeds through the clothing shop with her long legs to find some new clothing for her Christmas party in a couple of days. A few people threw her disapproving frowns as she nearly walked them down. I smiled with tainted cheeks as I passed the grumpy ladies but turned to peak at Rylan, who's on my trail. It didn't seem like this was on her list of things she wanted to do today. She was like this the last time we went shopping back in England, but she has a good eye when it came to finding the right dress. She might not say that she doesn't want to be here as it's her job, but her eyes say it all.
I stopped abruptly and Rylan almost crashed onto me as she didn't pay attention. She furrowed her eyebrows, questioning me.
"She does this every year, my aunt," Rylan tilted her head as she listened.
"She might have a thousand dresses in her closet, but each year she needs a new one for her Christmas party," I explained and she nodded.
"Come on!" My aunt shouted across the shop and I closed my eyes in embarrassment.
"She's really charming, your aunt," Rylan said and even though she didn't smile, I know it was a joke.
"You'll get used to it," I chuckled, but she watched me with disbelief.
"Come on," I smiled and I had to stop myself from taking her hand into my own as if it was the most natural thing to do. I shook my head as I turned and found our way to my aunt. She is already on her hunt for a dress as she swipes them aside one after the other.
"Oh, this one is nice for you," I froze in place as my aunt took out a dark purple dress, which is my favorite color and I bite my lower lip as I touched the softness.
"Go try it," She encouraged, but I shook my head.
"Come on," My aunt placed the dress into my arms, turned me around and pushed me in the direction of Rylan. She looked down at the dress in my arms with a neural look in her eyes that I couldn't read. With a sigh, I found my way to an empty dressing room and with one last look at Rylan, I closed the door. Slowly I brought off my pants and shirt as my red cheeks were on fire. I don't know why the sudden heat came up onto my face, whether it's the reminder of how it went last time I brought on a dress along with Rylan or if it's the fact that she is standing right outside while I'm undressing. I have a feeling it's both.
I pulled on the dress but then realized that the zipper is on the back of the dress and not on the side as the last one was. The dress is beautiful though as it's a bit short. It reaches down to my thighs and has short sleeves that go down half my upper arms.
"Crap," I muttered as I rubbed the bridge of my nose.
"Are you okay?" Rylan asked lightly on the other side of the door. Heat rushed onto the back of my neck as I wish I didn't have to ask this of her.
"I need your help," I closed my eyes as I laid my hand over my face.
"What?" Rylan cleared her throat and to know that it made her uncomfortable as well kind of came as a relief.
"I need your help," I repeated myself and I waited patiently until she opened the door carefully and stepped into the small room. I could immediately feel the tension arise as she stood so close to me.
"The zipper," I said and turned my back to her. I bite my lip as I stared up at the ceiling with warm cheeks. I almost jumped as she laid her hand on my waist.
"You need to stand still," She said so quietly that my legs went all wobbly. I took a deep breath to calm my trembling body and a few seconds later, she removed her hand from me to pull up the zipper at my back. The warmth of her hands made me close my eyes with a smile as her touch brushes my skin so gently.
"There," She said so low it sounded like a whisper. I turned to face her and that soft look in her eyes is to melt for. She does this all the time, pulling me in with her gaze as if I didn't have a choice. I tend to forget to breathe when she watches me like that. It takes every power in me not to touch her as I want to feel her skin underneath my hands. Never mind that, I wonder what it would be like to be touched by her. I froze entirely with the thought. I don't let people touch me, nor want them to.
"Are you okay?" She asked, which brought me back to reality as I nodded. I bit my bottom lip as I looked at her mouth with desire.
"You look beautiful," Rylan's words surprised me and my mouth slightly opened in shock.
"It suits your brown hair and eyes," She added and my skin tingled by the compliment.
"But I think," She raised her arms behind my head to take out the hair tie.
"It's better like that," She pulled my hair out and I gazed at the floor in shyness of her act. She breaks every border that I have built around me, but as I'm used to being in control, there's something that makes it so easy to lay it all down for Rylan. I brushed my hair behind my ear as I found the courage to look back up into her soft blue eyes.
"Hadley?" I rolled my eyes as my aunt called for me and Rylan quickly took a step away. She stood up straight and opened the door to step out and finally I was able to let out the breath that I held. Leaning against the wall, I closed my eyes to find my ground again.
The awkward conversation between Rylan and my aunt made me second guess about coming out of the dressing room as Rylan explained why she was in there with me.
"Let me see you," My aunt sounded excited and I opened the door for my aunt to see.
"It's perfect," She grinned as I stepped forward to her, but my gaze ended up on Rylan, who stood behind her. Yet, she turned around and walked away. The disappointment that struck me made me almost fall to my knees. I wanted her to watch me so that I could see the look in her eyes. I found her approval when we were alone, but I needed it again and I don't know why.