“Thank you. This is…” I ran a reverent hand over the green silk. “Incredible.”
“Try it on. See if it fits.” Christian leaned against the wall, his eyes glowing with soft satisfaction. “I’ll be here.”
He didn’t have to tell me twice.
It took all my willpower not to run to my room. The second I shut my door, I slipped out of my robe and into the gown.
Wow.
I sucked in a sharp breath. The rich green color popped against my skin and gave it an ethereal glow while the tastefully low V-neck transformed my B-cups from modest to something more luscious. The skirt draped to the floor in graceful folds and would’ve been almost demure had it not been for the daring slit up one side.
The dress shimmered with subtle luminescence every time I moved, and when I turned and twisted my head, I could see the delicate straps crisscrossing over my back.
There wasn’t an ounce of excess fabric or a pocket of bad tailoring.
Christian had gotten my measurements exactly right. Every inch of silk clung to my body like it’d been custom made for me.
I wasn’t prone to dramatics, but I didn’t think I was being dramatic when I said I would die for this dress.
It was perfect.
I allowed myself an extra minute of gown appreciation before I finished getting ready.
Makeup? Check.
Heels and jewelry? Check.
Clutch large enough to hold my phone, keys, credit card, a small piece of agate, and lipstick? Check.
I added a shawl in case I got cold, checked my teeth for stray lipstick, and steadied myself with a deep breath before I returned to the living room.
Christian was still leaning against the wall, staring at a small object in his hand. I couldn’t make out what it was before he straightened and slipped it into his pocket.
Our eyes connected, and a fire lit in my stomach.
He wasn’t looking at the object or anything else in the room anymore.
Every ounce of his attention had redirected toward me, and I could feel the weight of it on my skin, like a lover’s rough caress.
Liquid electricity dripped down my spine and pooled in my stomach.
With a simple look, Christian lit me up from the inside out.
“Perfect.” Reverence weighed his soft assessment.
Perfect.
No matter how hard I tried, I had never been perfect, nor would I ever be.
Still, the single word set the caged butterflies in my chest free before I wrestled them back into their hold.
He’s talking about the dress, you idiots. This isn’t even a real date. You signed a contract stating so less than a week ago.
The butterflies fluttered, uncaring.
“You have a good eye for clothing.” I forced my legs to move until I stood less than three feet from him. His delicious, masculine scent flooded my lungs and edged out the soothing notes of my favorite lavender eucalyptus candle. “I’m impressed.”
“It’s one of my many talents,” Christian drawled.
The suggestiveness was subtle, but it was enough to send a rush of heat over my cheeks.
Laughter danced in his eyes when I lifted my chin and fixed him with what I hoped was an unimpressed stare.
Cool, calm, collected.
“Good to know.” I didn’t take his bait.