Rummaging through my purse for makeup, I take out my phone instead and decide to google him yet again.If Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde thinks he can dress me up like a puppet.My thoughts cease as pictures of deliciously sharp features load onto the screen. My sigh is soft and buttery. Okay, so I won’t wear the designer dress or shoes. Iamgame for dinner. After spending an hour straightening my hair, the silky tresses skim my shoulder blades. I pull my hair into a high ponytail, long, blunt, and the perfect complement to Victor’s sharp demeanor.
“Your gifts are in the car, Victor. Um, I appreciate the sentiment, but . . .”
“But?” Victor’s irresistible British accent, which I could listen to for hours, holds a steely note, cutting deep while he caresses the stem of his wineglass.
“Butas you can see, I’m perfectly capable of choosing my own clothing. I offered to bring the bags inside and personally return them. The driver said he’d handle it.” My gaze travels over a marble sculpture that might fare better on the ancient streets of Rome.
I shrug a shoulder. “I’m not a toy to be told how to dress. Speaking ofgetting dolled up.I spent an entire hour to look this nice, but if I don’t meet your standards, I’ll get my mealto go.”
There’s a huff. Then a shift. A ton of brick repositions itself.
See how I referred tohimas anit.I congratulate myself on that one.Nothing beats beneath Victor’s massive chest.
I snort, sipping my wine. The smooth Chianti sends my eyes fluttering closed, loosening the chip on my shoulder. I drink down the last drop. Once my gander lands on utter perfection, my wrath kicks up a notch.
Before I can start, his tone leaves me frozen. “You are an exquisite sight,regardlessof your inability to comprehend—”
“Comprehend what?”
“How a few adornments would’ve only enhanced your natural beauty.”
“Is that your version of a compliment? Because you can shove the ‘you look prettybut,’bullshit.”
“Factual,” he replies curtly. In the next breath, he’s asking our waiter for a single malt scotch as the guy refills our wine glasses.
I glance around Cut, a simple name for one of the most expensive and busy restaurants in Manhattan. I hadn’t taken in the plush white seats or the imposing wine towers because, at first sight, Victor consumed my attention. He’s traded in slacks and a button-down for a full-blown suit tailored over raw muscle. He’s a hypnotic allure that other women eat alive. I’ll gratefully hand him over.Have at this monster.
Candlelight flickers off Victor’s cold blue eyes as he watches me watch him. Everything about Dr. Finch sets my nerve endings on fire. He’s dissatisfied with my current look. Maybe even dissatisfied with me, but for mere moments four days ago, we hugged over the death of my mother.
There’s something about him.
Don’t get your hopes up, Lux. Victor said he’s not accustomed to genuine tears.
I give myself a game plan. Eat dinner. Then wrap up the night with a good book on the couch across from Dad as he laughs at long-retired television shows.
Oh God, that’s my life. Alright, I’m having no strings attached sex for once in my life with this gorgeous Adonis go—
“What are you thinking now?” Victor’s baby blues smolder in curiosity.
“Now?” I focus on the single word so as not to respond to the entire question.
“You considered a hasty exit. Maybe not too overly done; you’re not an impatient child.”
“Don’t be so condescending.”
“But you’ll stay. You’ll eat because, as you’ve said, you spent hours dressing.”
“Hoursmy ass. I saidone. Sixty minutes later, you’re staring at this beauty. You’re welcome.”Shit, I’ve never been so snarky in my life.I follow through by returning Victor’s glower. When his teeth drag over his bottom lip, my greedy pussy thumps.Alright, he won that argument without saying a word. Nevertheless, I could definitely use his body the way he anticipated manipulating mine.
“You smell divine.” He lifts a brow.
Victor’s screwing my mind. He mentions my perfume at the same time I percolate.
Alright, Lux, toss back a good one.
“Oh, a compliment. This one’s even more genuine than the last. I’ll stick around, see if it gets any better. FYI, I’m having dessert too.”
A waiter places down modern square plates of food, which I had no say in. Never mind prawnsweremy first choice, Victor assumed he could order for me. As he eats a massive porterhouse, I take a shrimp from its artistic pyramid and revel in the taste. I sip the wine Victor also chose all by himself.