Tonight, he needed to look the part.
They were heading into the West End to the Countess Theatre. He’d been there once for a tortuous play with his sister.
The doors of the building opened and all the air clogged in his lungs.
Fuck.
He opened his door and stood, never taking his gaze off Hadley.
The dress was black, but that seemed such a plain description for something so dazzling.
The V-neck showed lots of skin, and there were cutouts on each side showing more skin. It hugged her hips and arse before flaring out around her feet, making him think of a mermaid. Her hair was loose, all silky and sleek. She didn’t wear a necklace to interrupt the smooth skin, but she had small diamond studs in her ears, and a cuff of diamonds around one slender wrist.
She was holding a silky looking black coat in one hand.
Her gaze skimmed over his tuxedo, appreciation flaring in her eyes.
He strode to meet her.
“Nice car,” she said.
“You should be wearing the coat. It’s cold.”
“I wanted you to get the full effect of the dress.”
“Oh, I got it.” He took her coat and held it up.
She turned and Bennett groaned.
“Seriously?” There was no back.
She glanced over one slim shoulder and smiled. “You should see what’s under the dress.”
He groaned again.
“I see my shopping trip paid off,” she said smugly.
He wanted to run his lips over her bare back, trace down her spine.
She slipped into the coat and wrapped it around her. He held the car door open for her, and she sank into the passenger seat.
Bennett circled the car and got in. He didn’t start the engine. Instead, he pulled a small box out of his pocket. “I got you something.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Bennett, I don’t need gifts.”
“You said it’s important we blend in and look the part. This will help do that.”
She huffed out a breath.
He opened the box.
Her lips parted. The long dangle of earrings were made of a mix of diamonds—white, blue, and pink. “They’re stunning, but too much, Bennett.”
He wanted to see her wearing them. “A loan, then.” He had no intention of taking them back.
She hesitated, then took the earrings. It only took her a moment to swap out her studs for the pretty earrings. They looked beautiful on her.
Well satisfied, he smiled and started the engine.