"You can do this," I whisper to my reflection. "It's just dinner."
Just dinner. With my family. And Ethan. After his fiancée tried to poison me.
A soft knock interrupts my thoughts.
"It's open," I call, expecting Emily to hurry me along.
But it's Bash who steps through the door, and the sight of him steals my breath. He's dressed in a perfectly tailored black tux, the crisp white shirt underneath making his tanned skin more pronounced. His hair is styled just enough to look intentional rather than messy, and he's clean-shaven for the first time since we arrived.
He stops dead in his tracks when he sees me, his eyes widening before darkening with unmistakable heat.
"Holy shit, Shortcake," he says, his voice dropping to that low register that makes my stomach flip.
I feel a blush creeping up my neck. "Too much?"
"I don't think I want to let you out of this room." He closes the door behind him with deliberate slowness, his eyes never leaving mine. "You look incredible."
"You clean up pretty well yourself," I manage, my mouth suddenly dry. "Where were you hiding that suit?"
He takes a step toward me. "Packed it just in case. Good thing I did."
Another step.
"We have to be downstairs in ten minutes," I warn, but I don't move away.
"I can do a lot in ten minutes." His hands find my waist, pulling me against him. "This dress should be illegal."
His lips find my neck, and I tilt my head to give him better access, already forgetting my protests.
"Careful," I breathe. "Makeup."
"Don't care." His hands slide down to my hips, then lower, finding the slit in my dress. When his fingers touch bare skin, he makes a sound that's almost animalistic. "Christ, Charlie."
His mouth captures mine in a kiss that's pure possession—deep and demanding. I arch into him, my hands sliding inside his jacket to feel the warmth of him through his shirt.
"We can't," I gasp when we come up for air. "We'll be late."
His forehead rests against mine, his breathing ragged. "You're killing me."
"Later," I promise, pressing one-more quick kiss to his lips. "When we don't have an audience waiting."
He groans but steps back, running a hand through his hair. "Fine. But you're not leaving my sight tonight."
I laugh, smoothing his lapels. "Possessive much?"
"Only with you." His expression softens. "You really do look beautiful, Charlie. Not just sexy—though God knows you are—but beautiful."
The simple sincerity in his voice touches me more than his heated desire. "Thank you." I reach up to straighten his tie. "You're pretty devastating yourself."
"And?"
"And I might ask you to keep it on, later." I wink. "For a little while, at least."
He laughs, the tension breaking. "Deal."
We share one more kiss, gentler this time, before heading for the door. Just before we leave the room, Bash pulls me back against him.
His smile is soft and private, just for me. Then he offers his arm. "Shall we?"
