Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90009 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 450(@200wpm)___ 360(@250wpm)___ 300(@300wpm)
“I just wasn’t expecting it,” I say finally. “No one’s ever thought about me like this.”
“I do,” he says simply. “All the time.”
His tone is tender, but the words land like thunder.
I can’t move.
I can’t speak.
I just stand there with a dress in my arms and his gaze burning into mine.
And God help me, I don’t know what scares me more. That I feel something I’ve never felt before…
Or that I don’t want it to stop.
20
STEELE
I’m adjusting my cuff links when the sharp click of heels striking the wood floor catches my attention. I turn, ready to throw out some smart-ass comment about how she always takes too damn long to get ready, when I catch my first glimpse.
That’s the exact moment everything inside me goes silent.
Lilah stands in the doorway, wrapped in the silver dress that was delivered earlier this afternoon. It’s sleek, hugging every curve like it was made for her. The fabric dips low in the front, showing just enough cleavage to make my fingers twitch with the need to touch.
Her hair is pinned up with a few loose tendrils left to frame her face, and her makeup is subtle yet flawless, her lips painted a pale pink.
The woman is a fucking knockout.
Something tightens inside me, making it hard to speak. “Jesus, lucky charm.”
With a tilt of her head, her lips curve into a smirk. “Does it look as good as you remembered?”
My feet are on the move before my brain can catch up. Once I’ve closed the space between us, my hand finds the small of her back.
“Even better.”
She stills, her gaze dropping to my lips.
It’s so damn tempting to lean in and kiss her. But I’m trying to give her time to figure out what she wants.
I close the distance between us just enough for my lips to brush against the shell of her ear. “You have to be the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” My voice drops, turning rougher. “I’m proud to have you on my arm tonight.”
I’m standing close enough to feel the shiver slide through her body.
“Thank you,” she says.
“Ready to go?”
“Yes.” There’s a pause before she adds, “Thanks again for the dress. You didn’t need to have it sent over.”
I pop a brow. “After seeing you in it at the photo shoot? Like hell I didn’t. It was made for you.”
“I appreciate it.”
Even though her voice is steady, her fingers tighten around her clutch.
Good.
I want her to be just as affected as I am.
The way I’ve always been where she’s concerned.
I grab my jacket from the hook near the door before placing a hand on her lower back as we walk to the private elevator. Every step we take, the slit in her dress parts just enough to catch a glimpse of her thigh.
The elevator doors glide open and she steps in first before I follow, hitting the button for the underground garage. The second they slide shut, the small space amplifies the crackling tension between us. The scent of her perfume hits me. It’s citrusy with a hint of vanilla. I swear it’s something that’s been burned into my memory.
She doesn’t look at me, but her body is angled just enough that her bare shoulder brushes against my arm. The contact is light, barely there, but it short-circuits something in me.
It’s taking everything I have not to pull her into my arms and kiss her the way I’ve imagined for years.
But I don’t.
Because she’s not ready.
And once I lay my hands on her, there’s no going back.
“Steele?”
“Yeah?” I say, keeping my tone steady even as my pulse kicks up a notch.
She finally glances at me, and the tenderness in her eyes catches me off guard.
“Thank you,” she says. “For everything. Not just the dress, but for letting me stay with you and giving me a job. You’re always there when I need someone.”
I reach for her without thinking, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her gently into my side before dropping a kiss on the top of her head.
“I’ll always be there for you, Lilah. Always.”
She leans into me for just a second, and it sends a crack right through my resolve.
The elevator chimes, and the doors slide open with a quiet whoosh, spilling us into the cool, echoing space of the underground parking garage.
I click the fob for the Lamborghini, and the headlights blink. We walk side by side, our steps echoing on the concrete. Once we reach the car, I open the passenger door.
“Chivalry?” she teases, sliding onto the seat, her dress riding higher on her thigh as she settles on the buttery leather.
With my gaze locked on hers, I lean in. “You’re damn right. Only the best for my lucky charm.”
Even though she rolls her eyes, her smile lingers as I close the door and walk around to the driver’s side. The second I slide in, the scent of her perfume wraps around me again.