Total pages in book: 113
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104820 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 524(@200wpm)___ 419(@250wpm)___ 349(@300wpm)
Every time they made love, it was better. Which was crazy, considering how great the first time had been. It was like she’d cast a magical spell over him. One he had no intention of breaking.
After a super sexy shower together—they simply couldn’t get enough of each other—she’d prepared breakfast and then made him complete his exercises as usual. There was no day off with Nurse Tessa. They’d worked on balance, because he had to walk down a carpeted aisle, then up some stairs at the theater. He’d walk with his new thrifted stick, absolutely refusing to go back to crutches. He was determined not to fall on his face. If anything did happen to make him lose his balance, however, Smith wouldn’t let him fall.
And now was the moment he’d been waiting for. It was time to start getting ready. He went to his bedroom and took out the dress, concealed in its protective bag, and the shoe box.
Smiling, he returned to the living room, and then the smile turned to a grin as Tessa looked up at him, confused.
“Is that your tuxedo?” she asked. “Do you need help getting dressed?”
As always, she was thinking of him and not herself. He swallowed, suddenly nervous. He hoped that this was going to go the way he’d planned. “No, this is for you… if you want it. No pressure.”
The confusion on her face deepened, and she wrinkled her nose adorably as she always did when she wasn’t quite sure what was happening.
“It’s a dress,” he said. “And some shoes.” He put the box down beside her. “I know you didn’t find what you were looking for when we went thrifting and that Mila lent you something, but I saw this in one of the local boutiques and thought it would be perfect for you.” He paused a beat, but when she said nothing, he added, “If you don’t like it, you don’t have to wear it. If you do like it, there’s a seamstress on standby in case it needs alteration.”
Tessa’s eyes widened. “Wow,” she said. “What a lovely thought. I don’t think anyone has ever bought me clothes before, let alone an evening dress. Thank you.”
“Wait to thank me after you’ve seen it.” Arch laughed, his nerves really kicking in now. He was so desperate for her to love the dress and feel special. He unzipped the bag and carefully took it out, his eyes on Tessa the whole time.
She gasped when she saw it, and her hand flew to her mouth. “Arch, I—I don’t know what to say.” She looked awestruck. “It’s the most beautiful dress I’ve ever seen.”
Relief flooded through him. “You mean it?”
In that moment, he realized there was literally no better feeling on earth than making Tessa happy. He now acknowledged that he’d been afraid she’d refuse to wear it, letting her pride get between them. But, thankfully, she was doing the exact opposite.
She got up and came to touch the fabric. “It’s exquisite. Classic but modern too. I love it. I can’t believe you picked out such a perfect dress. It’s so…” She trailed off, clearly searching for the right words. “I’m just speechless. You really didn’t need to do this for me.” She looked a little shy. “But I’m so glad you did.”
“You deserve it,” he said quietly but firmly. “And it’s just a dress. Something for you to enjoy and a way for me to say thank you for coming with me. You’re doing me the favor, remember?” He gestured toward the shoe box. “Open it,” he suggested.
She lifted the lid, and there was that delightful little gasp again.
“Gorgeous,” she breathed. “They’re a perfect match with the dress.” She turned the sandals over in her hands and then looked up at him. “How did you know my size?”
“Don’t get mad, but I snuck into your room the other day and looked in your closet. I hope you don’t mind. You nearly busted me, in fact, when you came in from painting. Mila helped me choose the dress and shoes.”
She laughed. “Ah, I remember! I thought something was up, but then you seduced me, and I forgot all about—” She gave a little gasp. “That’s how Mila knew my shoe size. She and Erin totally had me fooled.”
He grinned and asked her to try on the dress. “In case we need to alter it.”
She thanked him again, then kissed him, and in a move so bold and beautiful it took his breath away, she stripped down to bra and panties right there in the living room.
Arch let his gaze rove over her perfect body. “You’re killing me.”
“In a good way?” she teased.
“In the best way imaginable.”
She took the dress from his arms and seductively stepped into it. She turned around and asked him to fasten the zipper. He slid it up her back, enjoying the softness of her skin as he let his fingers brush against it. “It’s a perfect fit,” he said. “Come into my bedroom and look.”