Just One Kiss, Please Daddy

Chapter 17

Livia’s POV

Ford and Nadine arrive early. Five minutes from the time they set.

When I wake up, David and Tyler aren’t home. Unfortunately. It seems that even Mom hasn’t come home yet. She must’ve taken another shift at the diner to cover more expenses.

Since I don’t have a phone, I just leave my mom a note saying that I will be out with a friend. I tape it to the inside of the fridge, knowing that those two men are too lazy to even try to make something to eat.

“What took you so long?” Nadine asks warily as soon as I step out of the door. “They’re not giving you any trouble, are they?”

“No,” I say. I glance at Ford, who hasn’t even looked at me yet. My heart sinks a little. “Good morning.”

He doesn’t return the greeting. “What were you doing in there? Why did it take you a while to come out?”

“I just had to leave my mom a note. I don’t have a phone anymore.”

“We’ll take care of that,” he says. Then he glances back at me from the driver’s seat. “You didn’t bring clothes for the party either.”

“My dresses are in the washer,” I just lie. “But I have some money here. We can get a dress.”

“Aww, yes! I’ve always wanted to go to the mall with you.” Nadine wraps her arm around me. “Now let’s go get some stuff!”

With that, Ford starts to drive.

It takes me a while to get over my embarrassment. It’s not everyday that someone just comes along and offers to pay for the things I need.

But they just act normal. Joking around and asking how I’ve been. Checking on me. Am I hungry? Am I in pain? Am I having fun?

It just feels good. New, but good.

By the time we reach the mall, we’re already fed by drive-through burgers. My stomach is so full that I feel sluggish, but when I see the hustle and bustle of the mall and the unique things on display, I find my energy again.

“So, a dress.” Nadine loops her arm through mine. “My theme is masquerade. Think Bridgerton. It’s going to be at our house, and it’s not really a sleepover. But I still want you to stay the night.”

“Well, that’s really lovely,” I say, feeling a rush of excitement.

“There’s gonna be dancing and romance,” Nadine continues dreamily.

Ford cracks a smile. “Just be careful with this romance thing.”

“You be careful!” Nadine teases back. “Okay, maybe don’t be careful. I want you to have fun and maybe dance with someone.”

“Don’t worry,” Ford days, winking at me, “I’m ready to bust out my moves.”

I can’t help but giggle. I point at the department store. “We can find a dress there.”

Nadine raises an eyebrow. “Oh, no. This is a special occasion. We’re getting a special dress.”

Before I can say anything, she takes my hand and leads me to a place called Saint Claire. I don’t have to go in to know that it’s a pricey, fancy place. It only gets reinforced when I see the actual dresses—all made from quality fabrics with beadwork and premium sewing. I pick up one tag and my stomach lurches.

One thousand dollars.

That’s ten times more than what I have.

“I don’t think this is my price range,” I tell Nadine. “I’m sure I can find a pretty one at the department store.”

Nadine ignores me and takes a dress from the rack. “This would look awesome on you.”

She holds it up against me. It’s a light lilac dress, flowy and sparkling with small beads down the skirt. Even just looking at it, I can tell that it’s low-cut.

“Try this on and I will get you some gloves,” Nadine says, hurrying away before I can say anything.

“But I need help putting it on!” I hiss at her.

Too late. She’s already talking to the staff in the shop.

Ford chuckles. “Here, let me help you put it on.”

He drapes the dress over his arm and leads me to a separate room in the shop. A part of me is curious as to why he knows his way around this place, then it occurs to me that he probably helps Nadine shop a lot.

The adjoining room is empty, apart from a little nook shrouded in dark curtains. There’s a huge mirror at the side.

The place feels… intimate.

“Here,” Ford says, handing me the dress. “Go change. I’ll call Nadine when you’re ready.”

Swallowing hard, I nod and scurry to the corner. I take off my sweater, examining my body. My bruises are not as obvious as I thought, apart from the one at the end of my right shoulder.

Stripping off, I work myself into the dress. But the zipper is at the back and I can’t reach it.

“Come on,” I hiss, trying to reach for it. “Work with me.”

I angle myself again and again, only to fail every single time.

“You okay?”

Ford’s voice jolts me out of my misery.

“Yes!” I say, but I sound exactly how I feel—tired and miserable.

I can hear him approaching. “You need help? Can I come in?”

“O-Okay,” I stammer.

Ford carefully draws the curtains back and enters the cubicle. His eyes fall on the open zipper, and slowly he gets behind me.

“Stand straighter,” he commands softly, zipping up the dress. “Relax. I don’t bite.”

His knuckles graze my bare skin.

Heat travels from my back all the way between my legs.

I swallow hard.

Ford pulls the zipper up all the way up my back. Goosebumps cover my skin.

“Perfect,” he whispers, his hands lingering at my shoulders as he spins me around and makes me face the mirror.

I close my eyes. “I don’t want to look.”

His laughter tickles my ear. “Come on. Do it. Look at yourself.”

Scared, I open my eyes.

The dress is pristine. The color blends nicely to my skin. The cut made it look like I have bigger breasts, almost spilling out of the neckline.

For the first time in my life, I feel like a woman. I feel pretty.

Ford smiles, our eyes meeting through our reflection on the mirror.

“You look beautiful, Livia.”