Chapter 6 More Than What I Bargained For
Sloane’s POV
“Mhm Mhm. Not quite the vibe we are going for.” Brenda shook her head while Malik just stared at me blankly, saying nothing.
Angrily, I turned around and walked back into the dressing room, the long floral gown I wore sweeping the ground.
This was the fifth dress I had chosen and it still hadn’t passed the vibe check.
I was exhausted.
Too damn exhausted.
If I had read the terms and conditions before signing the fake dating contract, none of this would have happened.
I reached for the zipper at the back of the dress, sliding it down.
Brenda stepped into the room with the stylist that had given me various options to pick from, but I kept picking the ugly dresses.
“What exactly are you trying to achieve, Sloane?” She demanded. Shocked, I looked around because I was genuinely confused.
“I don’t understand.”
“Are you trying to piss Malik off on purpose?”
Excuse you?
“Sorry?”
“Look, Sloane, I don’t know what exactly your deal is, but you better not try this again. Pick a nice dress and let’s leave here. Malik has a lot on his plate and dress shopping shouldn’t be what would delay him.”
“Well these hideous dresses are what are in my tax bracket. I can’t afford all of these other fancy dresses.” I threw my hands wide, needing her to understand me.
The sudden realization was visible on her face. I was expecting an apology.
Instead, she walked up to me, sliding the zipper of the dress down.
“Can we see the available options?” She asked the stylist who was holding a pile of clothes and standing not too far away from us.
“Yes,” she walked up to us. “I think this burgundy dress will fit well. It suits your body type and it’s not too revealing.” She informed us, handing Brenda a burgundy dress that looked like something my six-months rent could pay for back in London.
“It looks expensive, Brenda. I can’t wear that.”
“Worry not about the price, Sloane.” She shook her head, handing the dress to me.
I held it out, staring at it.
“Also, let’s try to get rid of the librarian look as much as possible. I know that’s your vibe, but let’s look a bit different.” Brenda smiled softly, stepping closer to me before she took off my glasses.
My eyes popped wide open in shock as everywhere became blurry.
“Brenda, I can’t see anything!” I groaned.
“There’s contacts babe. Let the glasses retire a bit.”
Angrily, I slipped off the floral dress that they called hideous—a dress I thought was very beautiful.
I was somewhat cautious about Brenda looking at me while in my bra and panties, and so very quickly, I slipped on the burgundy dress the stylist handed to me.
I turned quickly to look in the mirror, expecting to see something very horrendous so that Brenda could see reasons why the floral dress was the perfect one.
As soon as my eyes landed on my reflection, my jaw dropped.
It literally touched the ground.
I hated to admit it, but I looked amazing.
“This is exactly what I’m talking about, Sloane. Trust me, Malik is going to choke when he sees you.” Brenda smiled, holding on to my wrist before leading me out of the dressing room.
“What took you both so l—“ Malik paused mid-speaking as his eyes landed on me.
I watched him swallow. Twice.
“It’s….” He paused again. Like all the words disappeared from his brain.
Brenda walked up to me, her hand on the zipper when her phone pinged with a notification. Her attention left the dress immediately.
“Umm, Malik. The zipper of this dress is a bit complicated and it’s not one that Sloane can handle on her own. I think you both should go into the dressing room and work on that.” She informed us, walking away.
At the exit door, she paused, turning over to look at us both.
“Also, the paparazzi are coming here in a few minutes. Malik, I want you to be very gentle with her. Remember, we are trying to show everyone a side of you they’ve never seen.”
She winked, then walked away.
How bad could it get?
Being in an enclosed space with Malik was suffocating, but being with him while he helped me with something so intimate as zipping up my dress was intoxicating.
I stood there, wanting to argue with him that I could zip up my own dress myself.
“I guess we better get going.” He got up, leading the way.
Like a lost puppy, I walked with him into the dressing room.
Instead of shutting the door, he kicked it wide open.
As his fingers connected with the zipper of the dress, I swallowed a mass that formed in my throat.
I tried to imagine something else as I shut my eyes
Maybe Arthur telling me I looked beautiful while he slid up the zipper of my dress for me.
Or Arthur sliding the zipper of my dress down while he whispered all the naughty things he would do to me tonight.
“Oh God, yes please.” I muttered, and immediately, he paused.
“What is it?”
I froze.
“Nothing. Nothing. Just zip the dress up and let’s get this over with.”
“The zip is a little complicated like Brenda said. I can’t handle it with force, else, the dress gets ruined.” He explained, but I became so agitated.
“I don’t think so. I think it can handle a little force.” I stated, just wanting to be done and gone.
I didn’t know how long I could endure this further.
“You sure about that? It’s a really nice dress and it would be a pity if it’s ruined.”
“Just do it, Malik.”
“Okay,” he shrugged, tugging in the zipper with all his power and might.
The zipper remained stuck.
“Malik, I don’t think you’re giving it all you got.”
He stared at my reflection in the mirror, his frame towering above mine.
“Sloane, I’m a six foot nine power forward who is twice your size. If I can’t get this zipper up, then you sure as hell can’t.”
“I’m not saying… Please just try again.” I pleaded, staring at his reflection with needy eyes.
He took in a deep breath before his grip on it tightened. He zipped it all the way through and just when I was about to dance joyfully, the craziest thing happened.
From the front, the dress split open, baring my bra-clad chest to him.
“Oh shit!” His eyes flew open in shock.
I scrambled around, desperate to find something to cover myself, but the search was fruitless.
Just then, I could hear the voices of multiple people outside the dressing room.
“Sloane, they are here!” Malik said.
By now, my brain was literally fried eggs.
“What do you mean they are….”
Malik didn’t let me finish the statement.
He took off his jacket and tossed it on my back, covering my exposed chest.
Then, he gently shoved me down until I was on my knees.
“What are you doing, Malik?” I blinked.
“Shh.” He pressed his index finger against his lips.
Then, he went on his knees as well.
“Malik, I…” My words were cut off by his kiss.