Forever Black by Sandi Lynn Read Free Book Online Page B

as I ran my hands down my body.
She snapped her fingers signaling the other women to pack up the other dresses.
    “Mr.
Black will be immensely pleased you chose his favorite,” Camille smiled as she
walked out the door. I stood in the middle of the room trying to figure out
what Camille meant by his favorite dress. Did he go to the store himself and
pick a bunch out for her to bring to me? Then I wondered if this was a habit of
his for all his women.
    “You’re
overthinking Elle,” Peyton said as she unzipped the back of my dress. “Go put
your other clothes back on; you do not want to ruin this before tonight. I’m
going to call Roger and see if he’s available to do your hair and makeup, he
owes me a big favor.”
    I
went to the bedroom and put on a pair of jeans and a tank top with a sick feeling
in my stomach. My phone rang, and that familiar number was calling again, I
ignored it and sent them to voicemail.
    Peyton
and I took a cab to Color Me Beautiful, a hair salon our friend Roger owns. We
walked through the doors of the luxury salon as Roger spotted us instantly. He
walked over and embraced me tightly.
    “Oh
girl, I heard about you and Kyle and I think he’s an asshole.”
    “Thanks
Roger I think he is to,” I lightly smiled. He turned to Peyton and gave her a
warm hug.
    “Now,
tell me where you are going tonight and with whom.”
    Peyton
jumped in, “She’s going to a charity event with Connor Black.”
    “ The Connor Black? Hot and gorgeous millionaire Connor Black?”
    I
rolled my eyes, “Yes Roger, that’s the one.” He looked at me seriously.
    “Elle,
you do know about his reputation right?” I looked blank because I didn’t know
anything about Connor except his one rule about sleepovers and that he didn’t
like relationships.
    “We
are friends, nothing more.”
    Roger
waved his hand in front of his face. “Girl, Connor Black doesn’t have female friends;
he has sex slaves, not friends.” I gulped and didn’t want to hear anymore.
Peyton could tell I was feeling uncomfortable.
    “I
don’t care what he has; I’m going to this benefit tonight as his friend and
nothing more.”
    “Come
on Roger, work your magic and fix up our girl so every guy at the event will be
begging her to take them home.” I smacked Peyton’s arm as we followed Roger to
his station.
    I
met Roger through Peyton. He used to work at the art gallery part-time while he
was trying to launch his salon. He was a handsome man with brown spiked hair
and just the right amount of facial hair outlining his oval face. He cut hair
and did makeup like nobody’s business. He once worked as a hair stylist for
Miranda Lambert, but gave that up to stay in one place and build a life with
his partner George. I sat in the chair while Roger worked his magic on my hair
and face. I never felt more beautiful as I did that day.
    I
stepped into my designer dress and Jimmy Choos and looked in the mirror at my
lightly made up face and elegant curly up-do. For the first time, in a terribly
long time, I forgot about all the bad in my life. I glanced at the clock, and
it read 6:00 pm. I rolled my eyes as there was a knock. As promised, he arrived
at 6:00 sharp. I opened the door as Connor stood there staring at me and taking
in a sharp breath. The butterflies in my stomach started to flutter, and my
heart started racing as I looked at him in his black tuxedo.
    “Were
you afraid I’d get mugged between my door and your car?” I smirked.
    “Very
funny Ellery,” he said.
    I
was surprised that he came to the door himself instead of sending Denny. I
bumped my shoulder against his, and he managed a small smile. We got into the
back of the Limo and Connor poured us a glass of champagne.
    “You
look beautiful Ellery; nice dress.” I looked at him, stomach still fluttering
and heart racing.
    “Thank
you Connor I was hoping you would like this one,” I winked as he smirked and we
held our glasses up to one another.

Chapter