She looked—in a word—stunning.
Harley felt his chest tighten as he stared at her. She was every bit the elegant lady he suspected she really was. She felt like she’d never fitted in, but he was certain that was only because she hadn’t grown up with the family she was meant to have. Even with her blond hair up in a clip, and her feet bare, she looked ready to walk down a grand staircase into the elegant party she was about to attend.
He would be more than proud to have her on his arm. In fact, he was more than a little worried that she’d be too beautifully conspicuous for them to attend the gala unnoticed.
And he wanted to whisk her into the dressing room and violate every rule the department store had. Being escorted out by security would be worth it if he could get his hands on her at that moment.
Clearly oblivious to his thoughts, Jade examined herself in the three-way mirror and finally looked up at him with concern wrinkling her forehead. “I’m not sure about this one,” she said. “What do you think?”
“I love it,” he said. And he meant it.
Jade narrowed her eyes at him suspiciously. “You’re just saying that because you’re tired of shopping. I could come out in a trash bag and you’d be ready to buy it.”
“That’s not true,” Harley argued. “That’s hardly a trash bag. The color is beautiful on you, and the cut is very flattering.”
“This is an Elie Saab,” the clerk said, as she swooped in to help Jade make her choice. “He’s right, it really does look lovely on you.”
“See?” Harley challenged.
Jade just shook her head and turned to the mirror again. When he saw the back of the dress, he felt as though his lungs had turned to stone in his rib cage. He couldn’t breathe as his gaze ran over the bare expanse of her skin and the low dip of the fabric. It begged him to run his fingertips down her spine.
He could envision them dancing at the ball together as she wore that dress. Her body pressed against his, Harley’s palm flattened to her bare lower back. He hated dancing. Had no interest in it normally. But that dress could change his mind.
“I don’t know,” Jade said. He could still hear the doubt in her voice. “It’s a pretty dress, but is this what I want to be wearing to meet what could be my family for the first time?”
Harley had been wondering if there was more to her indecision than just a fashion choice. They’d looked at twenty dresses before she chose a few to try on. Now it seemed as though they were closing in on the real issue. Jade would look lovely in anything she wore, but she wanted to make a good first impression.
With a sigh, he walked up behind her and pressed his palms into her shoulders. He looked at her through their reflection in the mirror with a sincere expression. “This party is just our chance to make first contact. We don’t have to tell them who you are if you’re nervous. But if they really are your family, Jade, they’re going to love you no matter what you have on. Whether you wear this beautiful dress or the trash bag you mentioned earlier, they’re not going to care, because you’re amazing.”
He watched in the mirror as Jade’s eyes started to tear up. She nodded slightly and then blinked them away. “You really like this one?” she asked, with a more confident smile painted on her face.
“I do. I’d be happy to buy it for you. I’d also be very happy to help you take it off.”
Jade turned to face him. “Well, if all goes well at the gala, you might just get that chance.”
He wrapped his arms around her waist, seeking out th
e bare expanse of her back. Her skin was cool to his heated touch, making a chill run through his whole body at the contrast. He took a deep breath to wish away the surge of desire suddenly racing through his veins. “You mean after dangling this tempting fruit in front of my face, you’re going to make me wait until after the Steeles’ party to taste it?”
Her dark eyes were focused on his as another smile curled her lips. “You won’t have to wait for a taste, but I’m not letting you mess up this dress before I even get a chance to wear it.”
“I’ll just have to get you naked then,” he said. “To preserve the dress.”
A loud “ahem” from the salesclerk distracted them both and severed the sexual tension building in the tiny dressing room lobby.
“This is the one,” Harley insisted. “Ring it up.”
Jade nodded and pulled away from his embrace. “I’ll change and be right out.” She gave him a sly wink before she rounded the corner and disappeared from sight.
Lord, he wanted that woman.
Harley had never experienced anything like it in the years they’d been apart. He’d met and wooed his share of beautiful women. Smart women. Strong women. Talented women. They were each appealing and alluring in their own ways, but not one of them held a candle to Jade. He was drawn to her on every level—chemical, physical...even on an emotional level. And it was dangerous. If he wasn’t careful, he could give himself up to this pull she had on him.
And then what?
He wasn’t sure. That wasn’t his plan when he’d first kissed her. He’d wanted to overdose and get Jade out of his system. Instead, he’d become an eager and willing addict.
No, he wasn’t sure what the future held for the two of them, but for the first time, he was anxious to find out.