Chapter 41

Charlotte and Miney were no strangers to being pampered. Agnes and Amber, however, were another story. First they were given a full body massage, then they went to the estheticians for facials, underarm, upper lip, eyebrow, and Brazilian waxing. Then they were taken to the salon for manicures and pedicures, washed and styled, then makeup.

Agnes looked at Amber as they were leaving.

"Did you feel as uncomfortable as I did?" Agnes asked her.

"Kind of. It's not something that I would normally do. But, I have to admit, I like the way it feels. Although, I do like the idea of not having to shave for a while. That holds a lot of appeal to me." Looking at the older woman, Amber asked her, "How about you?"

"I've shaved a bikini line, but never completely. Let alone had anything waxed. I've always plucked my own eyebrows and just shaved under my arms and legs." Amber realized that the older woman was probably very conservative and the idea of baring herself, even in a private setting was unsettling.

"This was definitely unusual for you, wasn't it?"

Agnes could tell from the sound and tone of Amber's voice, that she wasn't trying to be condescending or demeaning.

"I grew up in a very conservative home and I didn't even get to wear makeup until I moved out. Self-expression was not considered a good thing. n fact, it was definitely discouraged. I'm surprised that underarm and leg shaving was allowed. No jewelry, couldn't cut my hair, no pants. You name it, it was not allowed."

Amber was astonished. She knew that there were people who believed that this would get you into heaven. However, the bible had been one of the few things that she had read growing up, and she had come to the realization that so many people wrongly interpreted it. She grew up in a 'church' home. Hers was loving and supportive and she was taught to study and understand. She just shook her head. She would never understand, well yes she would. Control was everything to some people. If they have to use rules to do it they would. Working in the FBI had taught her many things. But, the psychological aspects of human interactions were on such a broad spectrum, that the type of person you chose to be was widely varied.

"I'm sorry." Amber replied simply, not knowing what else to say to the woman.

"It's okay. I'm learning that just because I grew up that way, doesn't mean I have to live that way." Agnes smiled and ducked into the limo that was waiting for them in front of the spa. But, deep down, Amber couldn't help but feel that the most important thing was not said. But it wasn't her place to push. As a Psych major in college, she had learned to read people and what they were saying by not saying anything. What Agnes was telling her was that she was broken. she made a mental note to talk to Rio and Charlotte about it and perhaps to Graeham, as well.

The women were quiet on the ride back across town to their hotel. When they got there, the security team escorted them into the hotel and up to their suites. As Agnes entered the suite that she shared with Graeham, she noticed Jaxson, Rio and Anders in the sitting room along with two other people. A man and a woman. Both were tall and both appeared extremely confident. Then she recalled that Graeham had told her that he was going to be speaking to a couple of journalists that worked at his news station. He wanted to introduce them to Jaxson and Rio so that they would understand what they would be covering. After all, it isn't every day that you get to be the one to report on a whole new species.

Graeham looked up when she entered and smiled at her. He had been in an intense conversation with his guests and the shifters. When he heard the almost silent snick of the door shutting as she entered the suite, he looked up to make eye contact with her. Feeling relieved to see her back and safe in their suite, he smiled at her and waved her forward so that he could introduce her.

"Diane, Jasper, I would like you to meet Agnes. She's my companion, and hopefully, so much more." The two reporters stood and shook her hand as greetings were exchanged.

"You look lovely, of course." Graeham told her, causing her to blush.

"Thank you." She mumbled.

"Go get dressed for dinner. We'll be eating in the dining room. I want everyone to know that you are mine." He said, smiling.

She understood that he wasn't being misogynistic. Merely slightly possessive and proud to show her off.

Graeham ushered Diane and Jasper out of their suite with instructions for them to meet him in the formal dining room downstairs.

"You look radiant." He told her, while he stood behind her with his nose buried in her neck.

"Graeham, I ...." She stuttered.

"I know, Agnes. I'm sorry. It's just that the more I know you, the more I am certain that you are supposed to be mine."

She made a sound like a squeak.

"You are definitely meant to be mine, Agnes. I felt it the moment I laid eyes on you and the more I know about you, the more certain I am that it's true." He said, turning her to face him and smiling down at her.

"I ...I .. there are things that you don't know, Graeham. You may very well change your mind when I tell you." She said hesitantly.

"There is nothing that cannot be worked out. We will talk after dinner tonight." Smiling again, he left her to get changed for dinner.

Agnes went to her room and that's when she saw it. There was a black garment bag hanging on the closet door. Feeling a bit of trepidation, she walked over and unzipped the bag. What she saw caused her breath to catch in her throat and her eyes to go wide.

It was a beautiful emerald green dress. The faux wrap style gave her non-existing curve a boost. The neck was deep, but not too deep and the length was about to the tops of her knees. As she pulled it out of the garment bag a smaller bag fell out and she noticed a shoe box in the bottom of the bag. Bending over, she picked up the small bag and then reached in to take the shoe box. Walking over to her bed, she sat them on it and carefully opened the shoe box. The shoes were stunning. A lovely muted green with touches of silver on the heel and toe. The heels were not too high, thankfully. Turning to explore the contents of the small bag, she blushed deeply.

Lace and elastic. That's all it was. There was nothing to the material. Putting on the delicate lace bikini underwear, she adjusted the tie ribbons on each side to make them more snug. The bra was the same sheer lace and once on, lovingly cupped her breasts and somehow, managed to make them look bigger. Sliding the dress over her head, she was careful not to destroy the beautiful but simple braid that the hair stylist had done at the spa. Settling the dress in place, she tied the belt tie loosely, giving the illusion that the dress would fall open any second.

Agnes felt like a princess and felt tears prick her eyes. When had anyone, let alone a man, made sure that she was dressed so exquisitely? She couldn't ever recall a time in her life. Not even during her brief marriage...

Forcing the unpleasant thoughts away, she carefully wiped her tears and patted her face. Then she re-powdered her face to cover any tear tracks. All that was left was some jewelry. She was going to put on the costume jewelry that she had worn the first night. That's when she noticed the envelope on the dresser. It was sitting on a black velvet hinged box. In the envelope was a short note to her from Graeham about the box.

Please wear this as a token of my affection and commitment to you.

It was signed with Graeham's initials.

Opening the box, she really wanted to cry. It was a pendant made with small emeralds in the shape of wings. The matching earrings were on studs and was each a wing instead of a set.

Agnes carefully picked up the earrings and put them on. Looking at the necklace, she raised a shaking hand to pick it up and tried to fasten it. But her hands were shaking so badly that she couldn't. Finally giving up, she walked out of her bedroom into the main seating area where Graeham was evidently waiting on her.

"I" she swallowed, before continuing, "I need some help." She held out the necklace to indicate what she meant.

"Certainly. I would love to." He gestured for her to turn around.

Graeham stood behind her and put it around her throat so that it lay just below the hollow of her throat.

"Can I ask you something?" She said.

"Yes."

"Why wings, and why emeralds?"

"In ancient Rome and Greece, emeralds were considered to represent truth and love. Wings because, well, because I want you to soar as a woman." Was the simple reply. There was no guile, no pretense. Just a simple explanation.

Turning, Agnes looked up at Graeham and studied his face. What she saw surprised her. His expression was open and honest. His emotions on display for her and her alone. Doing the only thing that felt right in that moment, she reached up to pull his head down for a kiss.

She had meant it to be a small kiss, but when their lips met, something happened. She had heard women say that fireworks went off or that the ground under their feet moved. But, she had put it down to silliness. Until it happened to her.

Because that's what it felt like when their lips touched.

Gasping at the sensation, Graeham took advantage and swept his tongue into her mouth and enticed it to dance with his. Just as she moaned low in the back of her throat, Charlotte and Jaxson entered the suite.

"Granddad, can you....oh. Sorry about that." But Charlotte was standing there grinning, looking for all the world like she was very pleased to see this.

"Yes well...Let's go down to dinner, shall we?" Agnes, though embarrassed, took the arm that Graeham offered her and they strode to the elevator to join the others downstairs.

When they reached the first floor, all four couples walked to the dining room together. They were all very good looking and the men exuded the kind of power that only wealth and natural charisma could produce.

Men and women alike watched them as they strolled through the dining room. This time, they were taken to a private room off to the side with pocket doors and were seated. The server came and brought appetizers and took everyone's drink order, promising to return soon with them.

All throughout the meal, every time the pocket doors would open, people in the main dining room would do their best to get a look at the four couples and try to figure out who the three men were with Graeham Frazier and who was the female that was with him as well.

The group took their time and ate and conversation flowed around the table. By the time the dishes from their meal were cleared and dessert and coffee was brought out, the women were starting to show signs of their long day.

Realizing that it was getting late, Graeham called Hunter over to him.

Going to stand beside him, Hunter leaned down to listen to Graeham speak to him softly. "I wanted you to know that Caleb and another two teams of Elite Security will be here when we are getting ready to leave in the morning."