Page 27 of A Wanderer's Redemption
I hold out my arm for Jessica, and for once she doesn’t hesitate to take her place at my side. She walks beside me with her head up, only to hesitate when a woman’s voice stops us.
“Miss, that dress is stunning. The color is quite fetching on you.”
This is the same woman who insulted her when she walked in with me a little while ago. I expect her to be rude, but once again, Jessica shocks me.
“Thank you, that is quite the compliment. This dress has quickly become my favorite. You and yours enjoy the rest of your evening.”
I nod my head at the older lady’s husband, only to pull Jessica closer. Once we leave the dining car, I expect her to step away from me, but she stays by my side like that is where she belongs, and I will admit she fits perfectly against me. Every eye lands on her, and like a proud peacock, I could walk her all over this train, showing her off. I find us back at our own cabin too soon and sitting beside the door is a proper leather personal bag. I pick it up, and the moment the door closes, I watch her visibly relax. Walking to her side of the room, I place the bag on her bed.
“You shocked me back there. I thought for sure you would tell that old biddy off.”
“Maybe before the dress I would have, but after wearing it and seeing how people treat you differently, I decided right then that you can’t change people’s opinions, either right or wrong. But it’s very obvious how much you can hide behind well-made clothing.”
“Well, you really are stunning, dear. I had no idea that …” I point my finger up and down her body. “Was hiding under that brown, unflattering dress. You were already a pretty girl, but I do agree, clothes do help bring that out. Although you would not believe how many evil vipers hide behind pretty dresses and fake smiles. Honestly, I think I am glad I knew you before the dress, because I know the real you, just fancied up.”
“Reggie, I am not sure if that is a compliment or not. And I do know the true nature of the upper class, as they have never let me forget that I was not one of them. I will say it was nice to eat a good meal and wear something pretty while someone served me for a change. I do appreciate you giving me this taste of your world.”
I frown when she says that, as I keep forgetting I have no rights to her. She isn’t mywife, even though it doesn’t bother me to call her that or act like she is, no matter what clothes she has on. Her next words bring me out of my own thoughts.
“Thanks for this evening, Reggie. I won’t ever forget it.”
Before I can say a word, she slides the curtain between our beds shut, and I just stand there. My body wants to tear that curtain down and devour her and her innocence, but my mind reminds me this is all supposed to be an act. Shaking my head, I turn around, shrugging off my leisure coat, then the vest that I feel has been crushing my chest all evening. I’m just unbuttoning my shirt when I hear,
“Reggie, are you decent?”
“Yeah, for the most part.”
“Can you come help me? No matter how I turn, I can’t get the button on the back of this dress.”
I rush through that curtain like a kid promised his favorite piece of candy, only for my half-hard cock to instantly decide this is the moment to embarrass me. Untucking my shirt to hide the evidence, I walk up behind her. Half of her long, glorious hair has fallen out of the elaborate arrangement Victoria had put it in, and one shoulder is bare. It takes everything I have not to reach down and kiss that beautiful olive surface as my fingerswork slowly through the little buttons on the back. Each one opens the dress slightly more until I am practically gritting my teeth as it reveals the silky skin underneath, which I am the first to witness. I don’t miss the gasp that leaves her throat as my fingers slide along the inside of each one that comes loose. Before I want them to … they end, and she is holding the front of the gown up with her arms. I must clear my throat before I can say the next words. “Do you need me to untie the top of your stays?”
“Please, and I am so sorry Reggie, this is humiliating. I didn’t even think about how I was going to get this off when Victoria helped me put it all on. I promise I didn’t do this on purpose.”
“That thought never entered my mind, Jess, and there is nothing wrong with asking for help. I am assuming that Tyberius helps Victoria, as she doesn’t have a ladies’ maid traveling with them, and I’m sure she assumed I would be glad to do the same for you, and Honey, this is not a chore. No man in his right mind would object to helping you do this.”
“Well, it’s not proper. If you were my husband, it would be different.”
It’s like she smacked me when those words leave her mouth. I step back instantly, agitated with myself and the situation, as I have become comfortable with her way too quickly.
“You’re right, and I apologize if I have overstepped. Try to get some sleep, Jess. We will be up early in the morning. Everyone needs a few things, and we’ll only have a few hours to get them.”
“Is this our only stop?”
“No, but it’s the one with the most options.”
“Alright then, I will see you in the morning.”
The curtain closes, and the room gets quiet. I use the lavatory quickly, then strip down into the loose pants I prefer to sleep in before climbing into the cold, uncomfortable bed. Staring out at nothing, I watch as the moon’s light flashes across the ceiling as the train passes by trees and other things outside. Forcing myself to close my eyes, all I can see is her standing before me. A goddess in a dark blue dress with innocent green eyes. I am drawn to her like a moth to a flame, and I have a feeling that before this trip is over, one of us is destined to be burnt.
CHAPTER 11
REGGIE
Jessica is walking in front of me with Colby and her laughter echoes around me as he bends down slightly to talk to her. Both of them are pointing to some of the brightly painted storefronts and I’m having to fight the urge to keep from walking up beside them and pulling her into my arms in front of all of them. It’s like I want all her smiles to be mine and mine alone. I have no idea why my emotions are all over the place when it comes to Jess, but the only time they seem to calm down is when she is near me.
When she opened the curtain this morning with a huge smile on her face, wearing a simple day gown in pale green, which only made her eyes even more vibrant, I barely resisted the urge to pull her close when she twirled around, showing me the dress that Victoria had sent for her. One thing I have quickly learned is that she is extremely easy to please and overly grateful for even the smallest things. It has certainly made me realize how ungrateful I have been for most of my life and not appreciative of all the things I have been given.
The men met us at the depot as I instructed them to, and we are now making our way down to the market. How Colby managed to get Jessica away from me, I am not sure, but I am so caught up in watching her interactions with him that I’ve practically ignored the other two men walking with us.
