Total pages in book: 65
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 58952 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 295(@200wpm)___ 236(@250wpm)___ 197(@300wpm)
“Stop staring at me like that,” he said in a gruff, tortured tone.
She jerked her gaze back up to his scowling face but did nothing to hide her unrepentant grin. “Sorry… not sorry,” she said, continuing their light-hearted banter from earlier. “It’s your own fault for walking around half naked,” she tossed over her shoulder as she headed toward the bathroom, then enclosed herself inside.
Still smiling, she jumped into the shower. Over forty-five minutes later, her hair was dried and lightly curled, and she wore more makeup than she normally did since she knew she’d be taking family pictures after the wedding. She strolled back into the bedroom, mimicking Chase’s earlier attire of just wearing a bath sheet wrapped around her body, the end tucked between her breasts to hold it in place.
He stood from where he’d been sitting on the small couch across the way, looking so gorgeous in a tailored, dark gray suit that fit his body to perfection. The sight of him stole her breath, and her stomach fluttered with awareness as she watched him approach, his gaze raking over her scantily clad figure before returning to her face.
He arched a dark, playfully accusing brow. “Oh, and you berated me for walking around in nothing but a towel.”
She blinked oh-so innocently at him. “I’d be more than happy to take it off.” She reached for the knot between her breasts.
“Don’t you fucking dare, because if you do I guarantee we will be late, and your hair and makeup will be ruined.” He leaned close, his lips near her ear as he unraveled her with even more dirty talk. “But know that later, when we get back to this room, I’m going to dishevel the fuck out of you.”
She shivered, feeling her nipples pebble against the towel. God, this man and his filthy mouth when they were alone was her undoing. This indecent side to him was such a contradiction to the gentleman he was in public, and she loved that she brought out this alpha, dominant side, and how desirable he made her feel.
“I’m going to hold you to that promise,” she said, and turned toward the bed to grab the clothes she’d laid out to change into.
Except they weren’t there. Instead, sitting on the comforter was a gray, glossy box with a pale pink ribbon wrapped around it.
Momentarily perplexed, she glanced at Chase, who still stood beside her. “Where are my clothes and what’s this?” She waved a hand at the package.
He pushed his hands into the front pockets of his slacks. “This is what you’re wearing tonight.”
Confusion slid through her, and she went ahead and untied the ribbon and lifted the lid on the box. Having no idea what to expect since there was no store name on the package, she peeled back the tissue and gasped at what she’d revealed—the beautiful lavender gown she’d seen in the window of Marie’s boutique earlier that day. Alongside the dress was a pair of gray heels with sparkly straps to match the crystals that accentuated the ones on the shoulder of the gown.
Her throat grew tight. She was so incredibly touched that Chase had gone out of his way to surprise her with something so special, and undoubtedly expensive. “You shouldn’t have,” she whispered.
“I wanted to.” He smiled, and lifting a hand, he gently caressed the pads of his fingers along her jawline, his eyes so warm and kind and caring she melted inside. “You deserve to have everything your heart desires.”
Including you? she wanted to ask, but swallowed back the words because she didn’t want to ruin this magical moment with such a serious question she might not like the answer to.
Instead, she ran her fingers across the silky, luxurious fabric, then met his gaze curiously. “How did you even know my size?”
“I have my ways.” He gave her a sexy wink.
She could only assume he’d probably read the label on the dress she’d planned to wear tonight, and did it even really matter? The gift was so indulgent and told her just how much attention he’d paid to her today. She couldn’t help but be overwhelmed by the thoughtful, sweet gesture and how this normally reserved, sedate man had gone out of his way to make her feel so treasured.
“Thank you,” she said, her voice husky with emotion. “This means so much to me.”
She closed the distance between them, and since she hadn’t yet put on her lipstick, she raised up on her toes, grasped the lapels of his suit jacket, and placed her lips on his, kissing him softly. His hands went to her hips, and after a few lingering seconds she could feel him reluctantly lift his mouth from hers.
“You need to get dressed,” he reminded her, the smile on his lips contradicting the spark of desire in his eyes.