“No, miss.”
“Of course not.”
“Will you tell me what that tattoo is on the side of your neck?”
“No, miss.”
“I didn’t think so.”
“Have a good evening, miss.”
“You too, Axel. Try not to kill anyone with your pinkie.”
“Never with my pinkie, miss.” He smiles, then turns and melts into the night.
I really want to introduce Chelsea to this guy and get her take on him. I bet she could crack his code in five minutes flat.
Hurrying back inside, I lay the garment bag on my bed and unzip it. Inside is a stunning red crepe dress. I peek at the label.
Valentino.
Breathless, I remove my robe and toss it onto the bed, then carefully take the dress off its padded hanger. It’s sleeveless and low-cut, with exquisite beaded detailing around the hem. When I slip it on and zip it up, it hugs my body like a second skin. I turn and look at myself in the full-length mirror next to my dresser.
Simple yet effortlessly glamorous, the dress hits mid-thigh, showing off my legs.
I love it.
Just as I’m stepping into a pair of strappy champagne heels, my doorbell rings. I glance at the clock on the nightstand to check the time. He’s five minutes early.
I close my eyes for a moment and inhale a deep breath to calm my nerves before heading to the front door.
Shay
Unsmiling, he stands on my doorstep wearing a perfectly fitted black suit and a white dress shirt open at the collar, no tie. His hair is tamed and shining. His blue eyes are dark and piercing. His energy is crackling hot.
He looks like a Grimm brothers version of Prince Charming, more dark and dangerous than Disney’s and sexier by a mile.
Feeling shy, I say, “Hi. Thank you for the dress. It’s really beautiful.”
“You’re the one who’s beautiful.”
He pushes the door open, kicks it shut behind him, pulls me into his arms, and takes my mouth like he’s been starving for it, kissing me so hard, I’m bent back at the waist. I break the kiss, laughing, but he doesn’t let me escape. Instead, he presses his cheek against my neck and hugs me tighter.
“Wow! I guess you missed me.”
Sliding a hand down my back, he squeezes my ass. His voice turns gruff. “I can’t stop thinking about you.”
“Lucky me.”
He turns his head and meets my eyes. “No. Unlucky you. But I’ll do my best to make up for it.”
My arms wound around his strong shoulders, I smile up at him. “I’m glad you’re here. Don’t ruin it by being obnoxious.”
“I’m never obnoxious.”
“The way you talk about yourself like you’re some kind of unnatural beast that should be locked in a basement is. I don’t like it.”
He lowers his head, gently bites my jaw, then murmurs, “I am an unnatural beast. Just because you don’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not true.”
“Don’t make me kick your ass. I haven’t even had dinner yet.”
He gives me a firm closed-mouth kiss, then sets me away from him and looks around my living room, his gaze curious and sharp. Before I can say anything, he stalks off toward my bedroom and disappears inside.
I prop my hands on my hips and call out, “Yes, I’d love to give you a tour, Cole. How polite of you to ask. We’ll start in the bedroom.”
He makes a pass by my open door then disappears again. I stand in the living room tapping my toe until he comes out, smirking.
“Why do you look so pleased with yourself?”
“I took a pair of your panties out of your laundry basket.”
Heat creeps into my cheeks. “Ah. How very psychotic of you. Do you always steal dirty laundry on a first date?”
“Never. But I want to be able to smell you when you’re not near me. I’ll keep them in my desk drawer at the office. And this isn’t our first date.” His smirk deepens. “On our first date, I fucked you all night long, princess.”
My pulse goes haywire. I look at him, so sophisticated in that suit, so distractingly handsome, and think his elegant exterior is so deceptive.
His true nature isn’t quite as civilized.
“I’m not a princess. I’m a queen. Get it right, stud, or I’ll give you one of those haughty looks you’re always throwing around.”
“Oh no,” he says with mock fear. “Not the haughty look.”
“Yeah. It’s pretty devastating.”
“You don’t seem devastated.”