Page 37 of Breaking Ties

She rolled her eyes, reached for the dress, and blinked. “Everything has been hooked or tightened.”

“Really? Fancy that.”

He grinned, walked over to his wardrobe, and began casually selecting clothing.

She fought the dress and had just gotten the last closure open when his arms wrapped around her from behind. “It appears you need assistance.”

Aubrey huffed. “You did not play fair.”

“Oh, I did. I played by Hmrain rules. I could have shackled you to the bed and taken my shower leisurely and then mocked you a little. However, I am in a very good mood and am good-natured by my history. My people will prove it.” He leaned in and whispered, “Your temple is already under construction, right next to my residence.”

“My... oh.”

She sighed. “So are you going to help with this, or are we having dinner here, standing up?”

He chuckled and began to move fast. He pushed her arms up, slipped the layers of fabric over her head, and when the front was all in place, he began to tie and fasten all of the small connections that gave the dress its shape. The floaty handkerchiefs were all connected but floated. When she moved, they lifted and slowly lowered.

Vress turned her and looked down. “Still covering too much, but lovely. Red and silver suits you.”

“Well, it’s a good thing. I think I am going to be wearing a lot of it.”

He nodded seriously. “The oracle is wise as well as beautiful.”

“Hm.”

He grinned. “Shall we?”

“Can I grab my tablet?”

“No.”

She grimaced. “I feel naked without it, like there is something I can do with it, but I don’t know what it is yet.”

“Not tonight. Tonight, you have your first dinner as my consort.”

She paused and looked at him with narrowed eyes as they left his quarters and went for a walk through the ship. She was five minutes out when she realized she had forgotten her shoes.

She sighed and shook her head.

“Problem, Aubrey?”

“Forgot my shoes.”

He asked, “Are you all right?”

“Yes, but remind me to wash my feet before bed.”

He laughed. “Your feet won’t touch the sheets.”

She blinked and blushed. “Ah. Right.”

“But a crewman will be sent to retrieve some shoes for you, and we will work out some form of penalty for the inconvenience of you needing a courier for your footwear.”

She looked at his smirk. “You could have set the shoes out with the dress. That’s what the dressers at the station did.”

“I am Overlord Vress, scourge of several systems, master of design, and lover of the oracle. I don’t have time to remember shoes.”

She blushed crimson. “So you forgot them as well.”