What you wish for

CHAPTER 3

Chapter 3

Jake

In retrospect, we haven’t had a themed night at Darkness in over ten years, and now a novel inspired my best friend to throw the biggest night anybody involved in the club had ever seen. So, because Horatio texted me and told me that my room was redecorated and that everything was in place. I had to bring my ends together and call in Becka the tailor from Cross and Foxes to help with the design of the clothing. Becka was ecstatic to hear from me, though she thought I blew her off after I never called after that one time. Upon her hearing I needed clothing for an event she quickly jumped to get everything while I spoke to her about what I had in mind. When she walked into my office three hours later, I just smiled and shook my head. Always on time and always willing to help. What a shame she was Bisexual and was currently seeing somebody. She was a thin scrawny woman with black hair and a body that would make men crawl to her if she asked. That was the perks of being a shifter like her, she just snapped her fingers and got what she wanted. Behind Becka, Lyda her assistant followed with a portable hang space with clothing hanging from it. Lyda bowed, blushed, and excused herself after placing the portable thing near my whiskey cabinet. Becka turned to me as the door closed and that was my cue to stand and greet her. As she walked my way her hips swayed seductively. Which didn’t turn me on one bit. Not even my bear lifted his head from the relaxed state it was in now. As she kissed both my cheeks making a big scene out of it, I tried and do the same, it was a business transaction, not a night in the club. Before I could step back, she slapped me hard. “f**k Becka what was that for” I growled at her, caressing my cheek from the sting. “For blowing me off, jeeze you are such an ass” She tsked as she watched me calm my cheek. “I told you my terms on that day, besides you could have told me no when I asked you for help” She turned and walked to the portable hang space. “You know I couldn’t, you’re one of my best male clients, and to help you dress for a party is good business” she smiled as she unzipped one of the covers, revealing a red and black shirt. “So, what do you have there?” I asked as I folded my hands behind my back and watched her pick stuff from her collection. “You will hate me for it, but I embroidered your family patterns into all of the clothing I brought with me. It’s such a lovely Celtic design I couldn’t resist. Here try this on” she handed me black pants, the red and black shirt, and an overcoat. I lifted my eyebrow in disbelieve but went behind a curtain I kept for reasons. Dressing in the clothing she handed was silly, I hated feeling like a doll being put through dress up. If I couldn’t pick my own clothing I would rather go without it. Today on the other hand was just a bit of an exception. When I finally came from behind the curtain Becka tapped her foot, meaning she was indecisive. I turned to the mirror; I now knew why she had that look on her face. “I look like a vampire.” I told her. “Not the look we are going for then I figure.” Becka said as she returned to her hell line clothing. “Keep the pants on, take off that jacket and shirt and try these.” She handed me a white shirt with an under jacket that was close to midnight blue with that pattern she was talking about, and a formal jacket. With the way she was grinning I knew if this didn’t work for her or me, she had to go to the drawing board. And that seldom happened. I undressed there in front of her, knowing that she has seen me naked before. I smiled at her showing her one of my fangs. I turned away from her, took off the shirt, and replaced it with the new one. “You are no fun” she pouted. “You are not here to have fun.” I told her as I turned to the mirror and saw what Alice must have imagined. The look wasn’t really me, but it suited the character. I might just consider keeping this. “Like?” Becka asked. “Yes, it’s not what I would normally wear, but it works.” Becka clapped her hands and sighed. “It’s a pity my time is up here, or we could have had some fun” her voice turned a little huskier than normal, this only happened when she was in the mood to play. I nodded, not really in acknowledgment but more in an that is enough way. “I know; you don’t do that anymore, but you can always call on me when you need a little fun” she walked to me and stared right into my soul. “Your bear is getting annoyed with being stuck in there, you must consider letting him run sometime.” She kissed my cheek, stood back, and exclaimed “My work is done, I shall see you again my lovely bear.” She blew me a kiss and walked to the door. “What about the rest of the clothing?” I called after her. “Keep it, it was made for you after all.” she said as she walked out the door. My bear didn’t bother standing up when she left, if he did, I would have known we still felt something for her. Turning to face the mirror once more, I crossed my arms and narrowed my eyes. This is who I was, a beast, a monster, and a shifter. Alice didn’t know me, and the fact that she wrote a story that was my life had me wonder if she didn’t have a few secrets of her own. There was only one way to find out, and it was high time to get back into the club and show Horatio that I still mean business.

Alice

Saturday rolled around and I was freaking out. The whole Friday night I rolled around, almost calling Lena twice. Succeeding on the third. "Hello?" A very sleepy voice of Lena came through. "I can't do this Lena. He will take one look at me and run" A shuffle was heard over the phone before Lena sighed. "If he didn't want to try it with you Alice, tomorrow...er" Silence. I looked at my clock "Dammit Alice it's past one in the morning" another sigh. "If he didn't want to be with you later, Horatio wouldn't have spent so much time and effort to arrange this." I knew she was right, still didn't make me feel more comfortable. "But" "No buts Alice...Butts are for sitting on or being slapped when you are a bad girl" I blinked. Jeez, this new Lena was spunky. "Try and get some sleep. Jekyll won't do anything unless you give consent." After another but, Lena finally told me the cold hard truth. "The only way you're going to heal from your past is by moving forward. Never let the fear of sticking out keep you from playing the game" I huffed "You had to go all Cinderella story on me" A small sleepy laugh. "Yup, now sleep. I will see you later" Lena disconnected the call and I went to make warm milk and honey. As I climbed back into bed my brain decided to pull one last trick. 'Jekyll was fictional, an image of somebody I would love to hate, but could never stay away from. And knowing that he looked like my Character was just coincidental' I hit the voice and laid down to sleep. Finally, the hot milk kicked in and I fell asleep.

Later that morning after a cup of coffee and a nice bath I started dressing and then undressing. this went on until Lena showed up to assist me with makeup and hair. As soon as I opened the door for her she pulled me back into my apartment. Keeping a firm hand on mine. “You’re not going anywhere.” she said closing the door behind us. I guess she figured I would try and make my grand escape. Like I could have, it was my apartment after all. But with the iron grip she had on me, there was no chance of escaping even if I could. “Like I have a choice. Look I don’t think I’m ready for something like this. I told you last night” Lena gave me a sharp look and I huffed. She pulled me down in front of the mirror and all the outside noise drowned out as Lena put on some of my favorite music. “You have been ready since the day you wrote that novel. So stop running away and embrace this wonderful thing called intimacy.” My cheeks heated up and I shook my head. “I can’t do this I haven’t met the man yet, even though he’s hot, who says I would be any good” I argued “Alice, stop trying to talk yourself out of this. You know it comes naturally. I told you everything you need to know. Or at least I think so” She bit her lip then shook her head, and shrugged. Three gestures of I wonder if I did tell her everything… Oh well. The hair and makeup went faster than I thought.  I tilted my head to the side looking at my reflection after Lena placed down the mascara. I didn’t look like myself. But I did like what I saw. My curvy body looked amazing in a corset and the heels really made me a woman. “See even a closet case like you can become a s*x vixen overnight” I laughed. “Shall we?” she asked. I swallowed hard “Do I have a choice?” She shook her head “No, no you don’t”

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