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“Yes,” I reiterate.

“You don’t have to, if this is too much too soon.” I don’t want to pressure her, but I sense there is something inside Gabriella that is begging to come out, and I’m here to guide it out of her.

“No, no, I want to, but why?” she asks, narrowing her eyes.

“Just trust me, it’ll be worth it,” I say, dragging my thumb over her bottom lip. I want to kiss her, but I realize from our last two encounters I am getting entirely too comfortable with kissing her so freely and I need to set some boundaries here. Touching her is one thing, kissing is another.

“So, baby girl, you up for it?” I ask, giving her a challenging stare.

She stares at the box in her hand and chews at her bottom lip. I think she will refuse, but to my surprise she stands a little taller, matching my stare she confidentially says, “Yes, bring it on.”

Chapter Nineteen

Gabriella

I must have lost my damn mind, left my senses and my panties apparently at home. When Brad proposed that I wear this thing to dinner, at first, I thought he was joking. But when I realized he was serious, I had two thoughts. I can do what I always do, run scared and say no, or take a risk and do it. After all, this is why I am doing this with him. I need to get out of my comfort zone, push the limits and boundaries, and open myself up to new experiences, grow in confidence, and I won’t do that if I stay within the lines I’ve drawn for myself. Sometimes we need to color outside of the lines, and today is one of those days. I’ve taken on the energy and confidence I have when I’m dancing at the club. The only difference here is that I don’t have the shield of my red mask. But that’s what I want. To merge my two worlds into one, but when you have been made to feel that who youreally want to be is wrong, that’s a hard mountain to climb and get over, but I have Brad now to help me, and it starts tonight. Maybe this is the push I need to break out of my shell.

But you can do this, Gabby.

After Brad left, I got ready and then opened up the box fully. I followed the instructions and clicked the on button before I slipped it inside me, making sure the tail part covered my clit as the step by step guide stated. I won't lie, I was very grateful for the illustrations. I was expecting it to buzz, or do something, but nothing, and there wasn’t time to figure it out. Ali came bursting through my door, and I had to throw the packaging under my comforter.

“Are you okay?” Ali asks, sitting beside me in the back of the cab. “You keep fidgeting.”

“Yeah, I’m good. It’s these pants. Just a little tight,” I say, adjusting the waistband of the leather pants I wore out a few weeks ago. I thought pants were a safer choice. I was worried the thing was going to fall out of me when I walked.

We arrive outside to find Jack, Ria, Harry, and Brad all standing outside the double doors that lead to the Italian restaurant.

We greet our friends and walk through the doors where the hostess welcomes us. I follow our friends, but a large hand wraps around my arm and pulls me back. I turn, and it's Brad.

“Over here,” he mutters. He leads me towards a corridor where a sign for the bathrooms is.

“What’s up?” I ask. He looks around and then zones in on me.

“Are you wearing it?”

“Yeah,” I say, holding my purse in front of me as if it is concealing what’s underneath my pants.

He gives me a pleased grin. “Good girl. How do you feel?”

“Full,” I say dryly. “I don’t know if I did it right.”

He leans his forearm against the wall and covers his mouth with his hands, but the way his eyes light up, I know he’s fighting to keep a laugh inside.

“Did you turn it on?” he asks. I look around to make sure no one is listening in.

“Yes, but it didn’t do anything,” I whisper.

“It will.” He takes my hands and guides me back, but we break hands as soon as we enter the main dining room and see Jack waving us down.

“Where did you go?” Ria asks as I take my seat.

“Oh, I needed the bathroom.” The lie slips off my tongue with ease, and I lift my menu to cover my face in case anyone detects it.

“What’s everyone having?” Ria asks. “Now the wedding is over and I don’t have a dress to fit into, I’m having pasta and a dessert, oooh and the bruschetta and…”

“Girl, just order one of everything.” Ali laughs.

“Have whatever you want, sweetheart. I don’t know why you insisted on being carb-free before the wedding. You’re perfect as you are,” Jack says, staring at his wife.