The meeting room still echoed in my mind as I walked back to my room. Ignoring Keith during the session had been harder than I'd anticipated, a constant battle between my resolve and the pull he exerted on me without even trying. Every time he'd spoken, his voice deep and commanding, I'd felt it like a caress down my spine, drawing my eyes to him despite my best efforts.
It had been almost a week, Keith hadn’t attended a single meeting since the first one. He’d vanished into his world of phone calls, private discussions with Victor. And still, I couldn’t stop thinking about him. His piercing gaze, the way his jawline tensed when he considered an idea, the subtle flex of his forearms as he gestured at the blueprints, it was all too distracting.
But if he wanted to keep things professional then so could I. I'd replied to his questions with clipped efficiency, focusing on the work, burying the flutter in my chest under layers of sketches and notes. He was the client, after all, the billionaire behind this paradise. I was here to design interiors, not to get entangled in whatever game he was playing. One moment warm and inviting, the next distant and abrupt.
Pushing open the door to my room, I sighed. But something felt different. A sleek black box sat on my bed, tied with a satin ribbon, a small envelope tucked under it. My heart skipped a beat, curiosity mingling with a twinge of apprehension. Who could have left this? No, it couldn't be. I approached slowly, picking up the envelope first. The card inside was cream-colored, the handwriting elegant and unfamiliar, but the words sent a shiver through me: "Wear this tonight and let the stars envy you."
A cryptic note, anonymous but not truly so. My mind flashed to Keith. Who else would orchestrate something like this? The thought brought a light smile to my lips, despite my resolve to keep distance. What was he playing at? One day ghosting me by the pool, the next sending mysterious gifts? I untied the ribbon, lifting the lid to reveal tissue paper folded over something soft and white. Peeling it back, I gasped softly.
The dress was breathtaking. A sleeveless white piece with a fitted bodice and an asymmetrical hem that flowed in soft chiffon layers. Elegant yet playful, it looked like silk spun from clouds, perfect for a tropical evening. I held it up, smiling despite myself. It was beautiful, thoughtful… and unmistakablyhim. Keith had chosen well. Sophistication with just a hint of whimsy.
But why? The question nagged at me as I laid the dress on the bed. Was this an apology for standing me up? I shook my head, deciding not to overthink it. The party was tonight, and if the note insisted I wear it, why not? It was gorgeous, and after the professional chill of the day, a little indulgence felt earned.
I headed to the bathroom, letting the warm shower wash away the day’s tension. The lavender-scented steam eased my thoughts, though keeping Keith at a distance had taken more effort than Icared to admit. By the time I stepped out, towel-drying my hair, I felt steadier. Ready for the evening.
Getting dressed became a quiet ritual. I curled my hair into loose waves, added pearl earrings, and slipped into the white dress. The fabric skimmed my body effortlessly, elegant yet freeing. Strappy heels, a hint of perfume with rose and jasmine and I was done. Confident. Composed. Almost convincing myself I wasn’t dressing for him.
Standing before the mirror, I twirled once, the dress's flairs catching the air in a delightful swirl. I looked ready for a party, but inside, butterflies danced. Would Keith notice? Would he say something? The thought sent a thrill through me, but I pushed it down. Professional, remember? Still, the smile on my lips was genuine as I grabbed a small clutch and headed out.
The party hall was alive when I arrived, buzzing with music. A lively mix of tropical beats and smooth jazz,l aughter, and the clink of glasses. My team was already there. The atmosphere was festive, a welcome break from the day's work, and I felt a spark of excitement as I stepped in.
I made my way to the food counter first, eyeing the spread. As I reached for a plate, a presence materialized beside me, his cologne giving him away before I turned. Keith, in a crisp linen shirt unbuttoned at the collar. His dark hair styled perfectly, his piercing eyes fixed on me with an intensity that made my breath hitch.
"I knew it would look good on you… but I didn’t know it would make breathing this hard," he said, his voice low and husky, the words hanging in the air like a caress.
I froze, stunned, my hand midway to the prawn. The remark was bold, flirtatious, sending a flush up my neck. "Keith..." I managed,turning to face him, my heart racing. What was this? After the professional distance today, this sudden heat?
He picked up two champagne glasses from a nearby tray, the bubbles fizzing softly, and handed one to me. Our fingers brushed as I took it, a spark jumping between us, igniting a fire inside me that spread from my fingertips to my core, warm and insistent. The touch lingered in my mind, electric, making my skin tingle. I hate how much I want him to touch me like he owns me.
"Thank you for the dress," I said, finding my voice, though it came out breathier than intended. "It's beautiful... but unnecessary. You didn't have to."
He stepped closer, his gaze tracing the lines of the dress, lingering on the asymmetrical hem and the way it flared. "Beautiful things deserve to be worn by someone who makes them even more so. And it was very necessary, if only to see that smile on your face."
The flirtation hit me like a wave, leaving me breathless. What was happening with him? One moment cold professionalism, the next this? My mind raced, was this an apology? A game? The fire from his touch still burned, making it hard to think straight.
Across the room, Riley stood near the bar, her expression tightening as she watched us. The laughter she’d been sharing with one of the junior architects faded, her wine glass frozen midair. Her eyes narrowed, following the subtle way Keith leaned closer, the champagne glass glinting between us.
Dinner passed in a blur of smooth conversation and delicious food. The team chatted animatedly, toasts raised to the project's progress, but I felt Keith's eyes on me throughout, a constant pull that made my skin aware of every glance. After the meal, as the music swelled and people began to mingle, I slipped away to thebalcony, needing a moment alone. The night air was cool, the lagoon below a dark mirror reflecting the stars, the party's hum a distant backdrop.
Footsteps approached, and I turned to see Keith, a glass in hand, his expression softer now. "Mind if I join you?"
I shook my head, though my heart raced. "No."
He leaned on the railing beside me, close enough that his arm brushed mine. "Thank you again for the dress. It's stunning. But... why the sudden change?"
He turned to face me, his eyes intense. "I owe you an apology, Aurelia. For leaving you waiting by the pool that night. An urgent matter required my attention back in New York. Family business. The kind that doesn't wait. I didn't want to go, but I had no choice."
The sincerity in his voice softened my resolve, the disappointment from that night easing a fraction. "I understand. Empires don't run themselves."
He smiled faintly, reaching out to tuck a strand of hair behind my ear, his fingers grazing my skin, sending shivers down my spine. The touch was tender, intimate, pulling me closer. Our eyes locked, the world fading, the party's noise, the island's breeze, all dissolving into this moment. He leaned in, his breath warm on my lips, and then we kissed.
It started slow, his lips brushing mine with a gentleness that defied his usual control, tasting faintly of champagne and something entirely him. My body shouldn’t respond to him… but God, it burns. My hands found his chest, the steady beat of his heart syncing with my own racing pulse. The kiss deepened, his hand sliding to my waist, pulling me closer until there was no space left to hide. His tongue traced the seam of my lips, a slow, burning invitation that stole my breath. The world tilted as I melted into him, fingers tangling in his hair, his low groan vibrating through me. When we finally parted, foreheads resting together, he whispered my name like a prayer.
Chapter 14
Keith
The balcony's cool night air still clung to us as we stumbled through the door to her room, our lips locked in a kiss that had ignited the moment our foreheads parted. Aurelia's mouth was soft and insistent against mine, her hands fisting in my shirt as if she feared I'd vanish again, just like I had after our first encounter. I kicked the door shut behind us, the click of the lock echoing like a final surrender in the dimly lit room. My back hit the wall first, the rough texture of the stucco pressing into my shoulders, but I spun us around in one fluid motion, pinning her against it instead. I deepened the kiss with a hunger that had been building since that first night, my tongue exploring hers, tasting the sweetness of the champagne we'd shared at dinner.
