Jack purred in her ear. "Try the gold one on next."

Cold air hit Solana's back as he receded, but the burning fire inside her didn't. He left her with an outstanding aching need and holding the bodice of her dress against her chest in a desperate attempt at modesty. Enough was enough, and she turned to demand he kiss her, or fling herself at him. She wasn't sure. It didn't matter. He was gone, the door to her dressing room closing with a click.

The fine material of the scarlet dress matched her cheeks as it fell to the floor along with her hopes. An appalling thought hit her. Maybe he was no longer interested. Maybe he did want to be her friend.

But friends can also be lovers. Abraham came to mind. Damn, was this how he felt around her? Always wanting more, never getting enough. Nausea stirred. This couldn't be happening. She closed her eyes and forced herself to take slow breaths.

The sensation of Jack's heart pounding against her chest as he carried her moments ago calmed her. Jack was in excellent health, fine form and transported her without breaking a sweat. No. He was interested in more than friends. He was simply respecting her request.

A silly grin broke out on Solana's face, and she covered her mouth with her hand. In a swift motion, the red gown flew from floor to hanger, and she got to Jack's request.

She wriggled into the tiny gold cocktail dress and laughed at her reflection. Even with her tiny stature, she doubted there'd be any sitting in this dress either, but for a very different reason. The beaded material barely hit the top of her thighs. Thin strips of itchy sequins tried to cling to the loose neckline, but her lack of chest made the task nearly impossible. She'd need some sort of miracle bra to make this outfit work or risk exposing herself to the members of the wedding party.

Jack had paired the outfit with barely there golden stilettos, he insisted completed the look. Fine gold threads held the soles of the shoes to her feet, yet felt remarkably comfortable. Solana opened the door to her spacious change room, amazed at how easy it was to walk the mile high sandals as well. No wobbling in sight.

With a little twirl, Solana checked out her profile in the three-way mirror. She'd say one thing for this dress—it certainly accentuated her behind.

"Those shoes are a must." Jack purred as he glided across the floor. His hand landed on her bottom, palming it like a pro. "And your ass rocks in this dress."

Ignoring the thrill that emanated from his touch, she eyed his outfit. The dark velvet jacket moulding to his lean muscles, the silk cuffs and lapels dusted with the faintest hint of silver, giving the illusion of diamonds. The jacket was conventional, yet had an edge to it, suiting Jack's dark hair. Her gaze raked down his body. "Speaking of butts, those are the wrong pants."

Jack kneaded her bottom, each flex both relaxing and exciting. "What's wrong with these pants? I had them custom made."

"They're boring."

"No way I'm wearing those velvet things. I'll look like Peter Pan."

She removed Jack's palm from her butt, taking it in hers. "But you need a pop of colour."

"What's with the obsession with colour?" The left side of Jack's mouth twitched, maybe trying to suppress a smile.

"I like colour. Not everyone is stuck in basic black like you."

His tall form bent and whispered in her ear. "Black is my brand, sweetheart."

That name. Once so abhorrent, a generic epithet she'd heard a million times from a thousand customers made her insides do somersaults now from his lips. An unrealistic desire to be his sweetheart tore at her. Even if only for a moment.

Solana threaded her fingers through the hair at the back of his neck and tugged him closer until their lips were a fraction of a hair's width away. "Admit it, sweetheart. You like colour too." She sealed his mouth with hers, giving him a taste of all the colours in the rainbow.

To his credit, there was no friendly attempt to push her away, halt the kiss. Instead, his hands caressed her curves, finding their way to his favourite part of her anatomy. Wildfire sizzled up her spine, and she basked in it. The feel of his hard muscles against her, the taste of his tongue in her mouth, the sound of his growl as he lifted her in his arms.

This time, thanks to the short dress, it was easy to wrap her legs around his waist. Cool air passed over her heated skin as Jack took her back into her dressing room. With all her might, she clung to him, refusing to let go, showing him with her mouth sealed on his, she wanted this. Wanted him.

The door slammed as he kicked it shut, and there was no attempt to gently place her on the chair or on the floor. Rather, her back struck the cold surface of the full-length mirror as he pinned her there.

Hands free from supporting her, burning fingers trailed along her thigh to her knee as he rocked against her, erasing any miniscule space left between them. His lips left hers but didn't go far. The groan of desire reverberated through her skin where his chest pressed against hers and at her neck where he sucked at a tender spot. Her stomach flipped in anticipation of other places he could suck. The fever took over, and she needed the antidote.

Those lips left her, and she almost yelped in disappointment. His forehead pressed against her temple. "You're amazing."

"You're not so bad yourself." Solana tried to sound non-challant but her sense of reality was slipping away, Jack invading every cell.

"I've wanted you since you spilled that red wine on your shirt." The pads of his fingers ran along the bustline of her dress. "Can I touch?" His voice was hoarse, like it hurt to speak.

"Yes." Solana practically screamed, desperate to remove the obstacle of material depriving her of his hand on her skin. Jack dipped his fingers under the golden hemline and tugged, the loose fabric easily giving in to his demand. He cupped her breast as his thumb found her alert nipple, making soft rotations, and the lava in her abdomen stirred. "Oh, yes."

Skin on skin, his touch didn't disappoint, and she squeezed her thighs together. Jack matched the motion on her breast.

"So soft." He pressed wet kisses along her jawline. "I want more."

"Take more." Solana arched her back as much as possible, constrained against the mirror. Take it all, she wanted to scream. Invitation accepted, he wrapped his lips around her exposed nipple, his tongue working more magic than his thumb and sparks burst inside her.

"Oh Jack. Don't stop."

She felt more than heard the pained, "Can't."

No way did he get to have all the fun. Her hands tore at his jacket, trying to remove the barrier between her and his bare skin, eager to feel him. The tight material fought back and if it wasn't for the flick of his tongue, she would have screamed in frustration. The moan she gave instead was low and drawn out as he repeated the action in slower and slower motions.

Abandoning the jacket, she attacked the buttons of his shirt instead, her mouth dry, thirsty for contact. The shirt gave way and her fingers found taut skin as she separated the silk material. A groan of delight emanated from both of them as she pressed her palms against hard abs. Caught between the ache to have him closer and the urgency to explore the body she'd only ever experienced through his clothing, Solana chose adventure over immediate pleasure.

The treasure hunt was a delicious tour, ridged abs bucking at her touch. One, two, three, four, five, six-pack indeed. Her fingers found downy soft hair and followed a happy trail, dipping into the waistband of his pants.

Jack shifted her on his hips, removing more of her dress and putting his attention on her other breast, giving it similar treatment as his hand kept a firm grip on her butt cheek. Her internal furnace roared to life at the sensation overload. Desperate for relief, she rocked against him in the limited space between him and the wall.

His belt restricted her access to the main prize, and she snarled in frustration. "Take off your pants."

Over-gelled hair tickled her skin as Jack released her breast and nuzzled her neck, breathing hard. "Demand much?"

"Yes." She bit his shoulder, the closest thing, and he swore under his breath.

"There's a condom in my back pocket."

She stretched her arm and dove into the small space, fishing out the foil packet. Black pools nearly drown out the sky blue of his eyes when their gaze met as she offered it to him.

"You do it." Hands on her waist, Jack disentangled himself from her grasp. It hurt to let him go as he settled her feet on the floor. Solana quickly sank to her knees, peeling her underwear off as she went. Ten fingers fumbled with his belt buckle, pant button and zipper. Her mouth was tight with anticipation at the prize she unveiled behind his black boxer briefs.

Hooded eyes watched as his finger traced her cheek and she had to focus on not leaning into his tender touch. She found his gaze and watched him bite his lip as she freed his erection, her heart pounding at the desire in his expression. One taste wouldn't hurt. His thumb caressed her lower lip, and she abandoned her idea of even a lick. Another time.

Teeth ripping the foil, Solana removed the cylinder. With effort she concentrated on the task of sliding on the condom, ignoring the glorious site of his manhood, eager to make good use of the appendage.

Like a gentleman, Jack offered his hand and helped her to her feet. Her lips sought his, and he didn't disappoint, taking her into a deep, deep kiss that left her legs wobbling. His tongue slid across hers and she squirmed in his hold, desperate for the fun to start.

But Jack hesitated, his mouth leaving hers. Hot breath caressed her cheek. "Tell me you want me."

"I want you." She cursed the words for flying out of her mouth.

His hand found her waist. "Tell me you trust me."

No one had ever asked her that. Ever. They didn't care about trust, they only used her, had their needs met and moved on.

Perhaps it was the heat of the moment. Or the way he looked at her, like he was desperate for her approval. "I trust you."

Maybe she did trust him.

Unlike a gentleman, he grasped her thighs, hoisted her up against the mirror, and hooked her legs over his hips. At last, relief beckoned as his erection rubbed against her most sensitive spot, nudged at the edge of her. She shifted, trying to speed up the slow descent, but he held her firm. Easing her onto him, giving her a taste of him, but not all. Not enough.

He receded, and she groaned at the loss, only to be filled again. More. Her fingers dug into his biceps, pulling him closer. Another retreat and she tried to follow, but he held her firm, until he surged again. Her world expanded, stretched, and stretched, taking everything.

"Solana." Again, her name from his lips burrowed into her, past her defences, pouring gasoline on the flames roaring in her. "At last."

Jack's pace quickened and her back slid up the mirror as he shifted her higher then rooted himself in her. Nothing separated them and the sense of completeness, of him giving her every inch, of her taking all of him, causing a spasm of pure pleasure. He covered her mouth with his, swallowing her mews as he found his rhythm.

Pinned against the wall, against him, was like a freedom she hadn't experienced before. He had complete control over her, the pace, the position, and he mastered every move. She let go, giving into the sensation of being with Jack. His toned body glided along hers, her shield from the outside world, cocooning her, not letting anything get by. Something electric crackled between them as the temperature rose at the friction they created.

The mirror shook on its supports as they ground against each other and Solana lost all sense of the world except for the man in her arms. Fingers crushed, mouths locked, hips rolled. Heat boiled over and stars exploded, her body seizing in a moment of ecstasy.

He didn't stop, riding out her convulsions, and another wave rose and crested. This glorious man held her in a trance, each lunge sending her higher and higher until she was among the stars. She sensed his loss of control from a distance, a small part of her cheering at his undoing. She did this to him. They did this to each other.

As she toppled, his fingers clamped onto her bottom, and he stiffened with his final plunge. Jack buried his face in the crook of her neck and bit the sensitive skin as he suppressed a cry. A rush of white hot bliss filled her with his ever twitch.

Pressed together, they struggled to regain their breath. Solana was unwilling to let go, desperate to hold on to this feeling as long as possible. As the heatwave of their motions cooled, the euphoria retreated, reality leaked into the minute gaps between her and Jack.

She'd resisted him for so long. Now he got what he wanted, fulfilled the fantasy: would Jack be done with her? Would he find an excuse not to take her to the wedding? Lose her number. Move on to the next challenge. Would she be the girl he had sex with in a change room story he told the boys at the club?

Jack's chest shuttered against hers, an aftershock at what they'd just done or out of exhaustion at holding her up for so long, she didn't know. Solana prepared herself for rejection, suddenly feeling exposed with the designer dress squished at her waist. She unclenched her legs, and he left her completely, letting her feet touch the ground again. Somehow, the golden stilettos had stayed on through their vigorous actions. She slipped down the wall and tugged at the limp material of her tiny dress, covering her breasts.

Jack's hands pressed against the mirror, caging her and not moving.

Time to end this. Make the first move. "We should go." She refused to give him the opportunity to hurt her.

There was a knock on the door. "Mr. Blackhorne." The long-limbed saleswoman's polite voice lilted into the room. She was a perfect physical match for Jack's tall form. Much more the woman he should be with. Might be with next in this very dressing room. Her feet itched to flee, to avoid what came next. "I found the other dress. Anything else you need?"

Jack nudged Solana's nose. He found her eyes, his blue irises aflame. "I have everything I want right here."

DL here. So that just happened. Good? Bad? Too much?

I know I've disappointed one fan with Solana's actions in this chapter, giving in to Jack. But I hope its a small consolation that it was on Solana's terms. 

I considered splitting this into two chapters but couldn't break up the "action". Hope it didn't drag on. I got quite... involved.

What do you think Jack will do next?