AUTHOR'S NOTE: Apologies for the wait. I've officially started teaching Kindergarten (hell of a time to start, I know) and this school year has been completely insane so far so…Here's some cuteness with Lonnie and Evie. Hope you all enjoy!

Lonnie blew her whistle, "That's it for practice, boys!"

She couldn't stop herself from grinning as a few let out a sigh of relief as they made their way to the locker room, with the exception of Jay, who had a small smile as well. Although, something told Lonnie she wouldn't like his reason, "What?"

Jay shouldered his bag, hands held up, "Now don't shoot the messenger."

Her eyes narrowed, "Jay..."

"I've been told your final...fitting was moved up to four."

She refused to blush at what he was insinuating and instead glanced up at the clock with a frown, trying to figure out why Evie would do something so last minute. She'd be lucky if she could shower and be at the cottage in the amount of time she'd been given. "Did she say why?"

"Beats me." Jay shrugged, "I tend not to question E when it comes to these things."

Fair point.

She gathered up her things, "Can you take care of the equipment then? I don't want to be late."

"Sure thing." That stupid smile was still on his face, "Have fun."

Lonnie decided his next practice would be his worst yet before she thanked him and hurried to the girl's locker room for a quick shower, knowing that the perks of being the lead designer's girlfriend didn't include tardiness.

…

Evie didn't look away from her project when the door swung open, "You're late."

Lonnie huffed out a laugh, "A minute, maybe. Forty-five seconds max."

Red lips twitched, golden-brown eyes sparkling as she turned to face her fully, the wide smile breaking across her face unbidden at her slightly disheveled appearance. She brushed off her skirt as she stood, already moving a hand over the rack of garment bags before plucking one out. "Here you are."

She took the hanger, "You've finished it?"

Evie shook her head, "Almost. I might have a few more final touches to make."

A few final touches usually didn't warrant moving her appointment up an hour but Lonnie went behind the screen without voicing her curiosity. I'll find out soon enough, she thought as she took off her clothes and folded them on the chair before unzipping the bag.

The dress, made for the upcoming Spring Festival at the Emperor's Palace, was a beautiful deep red cheongsam withgold lining the hems of the cap sleeves as well as the mandarin collar, complete with an intricately hand-stitched dragon winding down her left side.

While normally not one for dresses, this one was...

Wow.

She began the process of putting it on, slipping her right arm through the sleeve, then the left, and grabbed the front of the cheongsam, pulling it around and tightening the laces along her right hip. She went to button up her collar when the sound of heels came around the screen, hands stopping her.

Jay's words played over in her head as the princess' eyes gleamed mischievously and Lonnie's gaze was drawn to her mouth for a split second, stomach clenching as those lips curled upwards to expose gleaming white teeth and her hands settled on her hips, pulling her closer.

Evie titled her head thoughtfully, "You need some help with that?"

Lonnie swallowed as her mouth brushed the skin just above the collar, eyes slipping close as one hand skillfully undid the laces and pushed open the cheongsam, her lips firmer as they followed the line of her throat. "Evie…"

She hummed, hands finding her bare waist, "You look so good in my designs…"

Lonnie slipped out of English momentarily as teeth nipped at her pulse.

"But you look even better out of them." She whispered as she eased off the cheongsam off her shoulders, moving to put it back on the hanger. Her ruby red smile was absolutely sinful when she turned around, her eyes dark.

Spurred by her mother's stubbornness, she pushed back, moving to undo the zipper of her leather jacket. It fell to the floor and her fingers found the buckle of the studded leather belt hanging low on her hips and undid it. "I could say the same of you, Princess."

Evie let out a throaty laugh, "Flattery will get you everywhere."

Lonnie smiled, backing her into the wall, "Your next appointment's in an hour, right?"

The princess smiled, palms sliding up her neck. "I'm sure we can find a way to kill some time."

She grinned, closing the distance.