Free Translucent by Erin Noelle Page B

situation with them, but I’ll get back to you shortly. What time would the car pick them up?”
    “Seven o’clock, and please let me know as soon as possible,” I answer and hang up with a victorious smile.
    I know damn well the only plans Blake had were to go to dinner with me, and I can’t decide if I want her feisty Asian coworker to attend or not. She may help Blake feel more comfortable, but it may also force her to keep a business distance from me.
    Ten minutes later, Mr. Thompson calls back to let me know that unfortunately, Ms. Liu is unable to make it due to family obligations, but Ms. Martin will be ready to be picked up at the office at seven o’clock. He also states that she declined the money for a dress, which irritates the fuck out of me. I know a twenty-two-year-old who’s fresh out of college, working an entry-level graphics job, and driving around a base-model Jetta doesn’t have the money for an evening gown. I will see she gets reimbursed.

    Much as I thought, the next few hours pass in the blink of an eye, and I’m scrambling to make it home in time to shower and get dressed. I call Sarah while I’m en route so she can get my tux out of the closet and make sure it’s pressed. As soon as I pull into the driveway of my Calabasas home, I jump out of the car and rush inside. Twenty minutes later, I’m clean from head to toe, and despite the need for a haircut, I look pretty fucking sharp. I thank Sarah multiple times as I scurry back out the door and make my way towards Burbank. If both ladies would’ve attended, I’d have sent the town car as I indicated to Mr. Thompson, but since it’s only Blake, I’m picking her up myself. I want to arrive there with her on my arm.
    Gratefully, traffic isn’t too terrible on the 101, and I pull up in front of Blake’s office building just five minutes late. I message her that I’m here and wait anxiously for her to come out. Having only seen her in business clothes, I can’t wait to see what she looks like dressed up in evening attire. My dick jumps with excitement at the thought. The girl has me thinking like an adolescent boy again.
    Minutes later, she appears from the left side of the building wearing a floor-length, black evening gown, looking sexier than I could’ve ever imagined. With each step she takes towards my car, my smile grows wider. Hopping out of the car, I open the passenger door for her and greet her with a half-bow, much like a chauffeur would. I stare at her unabashedly, taking in all that is Blake Martin. The sleeveless dress is simple, but opulent, solid black with an iridescent shimmer when the light hits it just right, but the best part is the back, which other than the tie around her neck is completely fabric-free until just above her ass. Her hair is piled into some sort of messy knot on top of her head, with a few loose tendrils framing her face, and her make-up—although heavier than I’ve seen before—looks natural, making her incredibly amazing eyes pop out more than normal, and her full lips beg for me to kiss them.
    “Good evening, Ms. Martin.”
    “Madden,” she replies curtly before sliding onto the leather seat.
    Once we’re both in the car, I continue to stare at her, unable to tear my eyes away.
    “Do I look okay?” she asks apprehensively.
    “You look perfect,” I reply as I grab her hand and bring it to my mouth, kissing her knuckles softly. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
    Glaring at me, she mutters, “I believe I was told it was non-negotiable.”
    I nod and chuckle. “I believe you were. I couldn’t wait another day to see you again. I’m sorry Jae couldn’t make it.”
    Driving off into the early evening before she can respond, I turn up the radio to the playlist I created for her, hoping she’ll sing along. After having her in my car on Monday and Wednesday, I’ve been looking forward to hearing her sweet voice again reverberating through the small space. The drive to Hollywood