Page 79 of Pure Recklessness

‘Cool. Let’s meet on the events floor at six.’

‘Perfect. See you then. And thanks again.’

‘You’re welcome!’

A wave of happiness rippled through me.

I may have made a fool of myself, but things were already looking up. I still had a job, my boss was away so I wouldn’t have any awkward run-ins with him and now I was going to spend my evening trying on clothes for a fancy awards ceremony.

And like Dana said, there was a chance I could meet someone at the awards. Even if I didn’t, I’d just have to set up a profile on the app like I’d originally planned.

I didn’t need to throw myself at my boss like some sad cliché.

There were probably millions of single men in London. All I needed was to find one who didn’t work at the company, so my job wouldn’t be on the line.

And with that optimistic outlook in mind, I started writing the press release and didn’t stop until I’d finished the first draft.

31

ELLIE

‘Iknow the awards ceremony celebrates spicy romance books and erotica, but don’t you think a dress that will show my nipples and bottom is still too revealing?’ I asked Dana and Joe, as I scrutinised myself in the mirror.

I was in Sated’s in-house photo studio (where they did their lingerie and product shoots), wearing a sheer, metallic floor length dress which left nothing and I mean absolutely nothing to the imagination.

There was a tiny piece of mesh in the crotch area, but apart from that, it was totally see-through.

Naturally I still had my underwear on, but if I took it off, which apparently I’d need to do to get the full-effect, I’d have everything on show.

‘That’s the point,’ Joe said. ‘You’re supposed to see your nipples and butt. That’s why it’s called a naked dress.’

‘Maybe you could wear a nice sparkly bra and knickers underneath instead of your normal underwear?’ Dana suggested.

‘I’m pretty sure that all of the celebs have worn dresses like this on the red carpet without underwear. The Kardashians and Jenners, Emily Ratajkowski, Doechii, Daisy Edgar-Jones…’

‘I have no idea who they are.’ I shrugged.

‘Of course you don’t.’ Joe rolled his eyes. ‘I thought you’d like it because it’s long and you love covering your legs.’

‘But this isn’t covering them. The dress is completely see-through!’

‘I don’t understand.’ Joe blew out a frustrated breath. ‘I’m not into women, but even I can see that you have amazing tits, great legs and a killer body, so why do you insist on covering up? Please tell me you see what I’m seeing, Dana?’

‘He’s right. Most women would kill to have a body like yours. Obviously, you have to feel comfortable, but I think what Joe’s trying to say in his blunt, unfiltered way is if you’ve got it and believe me, hon, you have, why not flaunt it?’

‘Thank you!’ Joe said.

It was nice of them to say those lovely things, but I wasn’t sure if there was any truth in them. To be honest, I’d never really paid much attention to my body. My parents had always scolded women who showed too much flesh and had drummed into me that the only person who was supposed to see your intimate parts was your husband, so I supposed I’d just grown used to covering up.

And considering how much I’d already embarrassed myself by flashing more than my fair share of skin at my boss, I wasn’t in a hurry to repeat the cringeworthy experience by showing hundreds of strangers my bottom and boobs.

‘Thanks for your kind words, but I don’t feel comfortable being naked in public at a work event.’

‘Spoilsport!’ Joe said.

‘Will you be wearing a naked outfit?’ I raised an unimpressed brow.

‘Sweetie, the world isn’t ready for a body like mine. But if I looked like you, I’d walk everywhere naked.’