Picking up my red dress and sliding it up my body, I get it as far as my chest, which causes my head to turn, and he’s at my door watching me closely. His eyes roam my bare back.
How much did he see?
Did he see me naked?
Maybe he just got there?
“The car is waiting.” His eyes are still flicking continually over my body.
I pull the dress up all the way and walk over to him, turning so my back is to him and indicate for him to zip me up.
Women lose their minds at beautiful men.
Case in point—me, right now.
Because in reality if he weren’t so beautiful, I would never have let him stand there without me saying a word. But I want his lips back on mine, and more than that, I want his hands to touch my body. So, I stand in front of him with my back to him, asking him to do my dress up.
His hand touches my hip, and he slowly slides the zipper until it reaches between my shoulders and stops. I step away from his touch and walk over to my full-length mirror, while he stands there. Eyes on me.
Honestly, my heart skips a beat with the way his eyes roam my body.
If a woman said having an attractive man’s eyes watch her every move didn’t make her feel wanted and powerful, she’s damn well lying. It’s almost like having your own unique drug, one that has the power to provide excitement and gives you strength.
Pulling my dark hair free, I let it fall past my shoulders and rub some hair mousse through, to help bounce my curls back into place.
Grabbing my red lipstick, I apply generously then slide it in my purse.
“I’m ready,” I say, reaching for my heels with the ribbon across the ankle and carry them in my hands as I turn for the door.
Gunner opens his mouth to say something, but nothing comes out.
The car ride over was mostly silent, we exchanged a few words, and that was it. I wasn’t sure what to say anyway. He seemed happy with the silence and I needed to calm the fuck down. My fluttering belly and my heart that skips beats are crazy.
“I want you to come home with me afterward.” He offers me his hand as I get out of the car.
I’m taken aback at his words. “You what?”
“You heard me, Everly.”
I would say he is rude, but he isn’t. He quite simply doesn’t have a filter like the rest of the world. He’s straight. Honest. Direct. I like that about him. Well, of what I know of him, anyway.
“Can I think about it?”
“Of course. But that’s not the answer I usually get from a woman.”
“I’m not most women,” I reply, referring to the women he more than likely surrounds himself with. I saw a glimpse of that type hanging over him that first night I saw him.
“Of course, you aren’t.” His hand goes to the small of my back as we step up to a backdrop with people taking photographs before we enter the event. The touch of his warm hand makes my pulse quicken. My hands are holding my purse, so he doesn’t grab one and notice how sweaty and nervous I am around him.
“Gunner Reid, is that you?” A sex-laden voice comes from the side. It’s an Instagram-famous girl, I know that for sure because I’ve seen her before. She’s known for her provocative poses, and over time, her minimal clothing.
“Geena!” He dismisses her with a single look. She looks down to the ground, and only looks back up after we’ve walked past. As we do, she offers me a shy smile when I look back, but quickly averts her eyes as he looks over his shoulder to see what has captured my attention, and when he does, she turns away.
“You’re intimidating,” I say as we walk in.
I should know, he intimidates me.
I spot May straight away, but I make no move to step out of his grasp. It’s comforting, protective, and it feels wonderful having him touch me in any small way. I haven’t ever had a real relationship. Not that I’m a virgin, but once people know who my father is, they tend to head in the other direction. I’m twenty-five and never had anyone tell me they love me other than my family.
“Does that bother you?”
I shake my head, because it’s the truth. I find it, him, appealing. He, as a package, is extremely appealing.
“Good, because what I want from you would be an issue if you find me intimidating.” He starts walking again before I can question what he’s just said.
What he wants from me?
Gunner heads straight to the bar, orders me a drink, and places it in my hand but he has nothing.