Drake Sisters 05 - Safe Harbor

just enough to enhance her natural looks, play up her eyes and mouth without overdoing it.
    She stood for a long time in her underwear, a lacy bra and matching thong of shimmering blue. What had been his fantasy? She reached for the flowing skirt, the soft sea blue swirled with midnight, and sprinkled with silver stars. She loved the feel of the soft, sensual material sliding over her hips and brushing her ankles. She wrapped a chain of silver stars around her left ankle and another around her hips.
    Staring into the bathroom mirror, she cursed herself for breaking her full-length one.
    She wanted to see if she could get away with no panties.

    Her breath caught in her throat and her heart thundered at the idea of being so daring.
    Just to see how it would feel, Hannah slipped off her underwear and walked across the room. Only she would know. She'd be so aware that she was naked and ready for him.
    Would he see it in her eyes? She made a small twirl and watched her skirt flow out.
    There was no hint, not even when she walked and the folds settled along the vee at the junction of her legs, but she felt sexy.
    She reached up and unhooked her bra. In the mirror, she caught sight of her bare breasts swaying as she turned slowly around. Dragging the peasant blouse Jonas loved so much over her full breasts, she took another look. She was covered completely, no hint that she was bare beneath her clothes, waiting for his touch.
    "Hannah?" Joley stuck her head into the room. "Elle gave me this file for you. She said it's the one you asked for on all the nutcases writing to you. Are you certain you want to read it?"
    She had been certain when she'd first woken up in the morning, but now she was not so sure. "Just put it on the dresser. I'll think about it."
    "Well? Are you going to turn around so I can see you?"
    Hannah nodded, holding her breath as she did so, waiting to see if Joley noticed anything different about her.
    "You look beautiful. Jonas will love that outfit."
    No sly teasing. Only Hannah was aware of her own daring. For some reason, that secret knowledge gave her courage. She picked up the scissors she'd set out and extended them toward her sister. "I want you to cut my hair."
    Joley stared at the scissors without moving. "What are you talking about?"
    "I want to cut my hair."
    "You have beautiful hair, Hannah."
    "Everyone else loves my hair, but I don't. I want you to cut it. You do all kinds of things to your hair. I'm not asking you to dye it pink or anything, just to cut it."
    Joley took the scissors reluctantly. "Are you certain?"
    "Absolutely. And while you're at it, tell me what happened when Nikitin showed up."
    She led the way to the balcony. The birds would appreciate her hair for their nests.
    "Sarah said Nikitin really turned on the charm. He asked about you and said how sorry he was about what happened. He said he was glad he and Ilya were on hand to stop the madman."
    "Ilya did the stopping. Was Nikitin anywhere close?"

    "I'm just repeating what Sarah said. He wanted to see me. Libby told him I was resting, that I was shaken up by what had happened."
    "Did he buy that?"
    "I don't think he had a choice. He told Sarah that he wanted me to be careful because the coast was filling up with Russians."
    "What does that mean?"
    "I have no idea, neither did Sarah. Apparently Prakenskii didn't say one word with Nikitin in the room. At least now I know how to shut him up. If I have to talk to him, I'll make sure his boss is around." She stepped back to admire her work. "This is really sexy. Sexy and sassy and more you than ever. Check it out in the mirror. See if you like the way I shaped it."
    Hannah held her breath until she looked. The heavy fall of hair was gone, leaving her curls falling to her shoulder and feathering around her face. It felt light and Joley was right. She did look different and she felt different, too.
    "I love it, thanks, Joley."
    "Well, I'm heading downstairs to eat. Jonas should be here any minute," Joley said as Hannah trailed her to the door to take the scissors. "Sarah thinks she's going to put me on restriction or something. She's afraid for me to go out for a while until we know the Reverend's reaction."
    Hannah stiffened, one hand on the closed door as she stared down at the sharp scissors in her hand. Someone hated her enough to try to destroy her . The realization hit her hard and she felt sick—panicked—her newfound courage turning to dust. She swallowed hard and looked