I saw the movement of someone coming down the hall, but no one was more shocked than me when Axel appeared at the entrance to the kitchen. Every time I saw him, I was struck all over again by how gorgeous he was. Tonight was no different.
He was unfairly attractive.
Axel looked between Jordan and me, his jaw tight and his nostrils flared, almost as if he was holding back something.
“Hi.” I tried not to look as confused by his appearance as I felt.
“I have a dinner that I need you to attend tonight.”
“Tonight?” I looked out the window. It was pouring in earnest now, and it was already dark. I had homework, and I was already in my cozy clothes. The last thing I wanted to do was get dressed and go eat dinner with a bunch of strangers. “But Jordan’s made stew with his nan’s secret ingredient.”
He gave Jordan a pointed look. “You’ll pack it up so Mila can eat it tomorrow?”
“Yes, sir,” Jordan chirped.
“We leave in an hour.”
I frowned, stalling him. “Dinner with whom?”
“Some business associates.”
“I don’t want to go.”
“I wasn’t asking.” His eyes dropped to my sweats and my fuzzy slippers. “It’s a business dinner, so I expect you to dress appropriately.”
I felt my temper rise, but somehow I managed to control myself in response to his demands. “Is that so? What did you have in mind specifically in terms of my wardrobe?”
His eyes locked with mine, and I knew he’d have to be blind not to see the carefully controlled anger in my question. “Subtly sexy would work.”
I nodded and somehow managed to say, “You’ve got it.”
Axel looked over at Jordan, who was suddenly absorbed in a cookbook in the corner, and then he looked back at me, his eyes flashing with something I couldn’t interpret. “Come by my office before we leave. I’d like to see what you choose to wear.”
My heaving chest was the only indication of the flames of rage that licked inside of me. I hated being told what to do. “Of course.”
He checked his watch. “You’d better hurry.”
After he left, I looked at Jordan, who looked shocked.
“Don’t look at me like that,” I whispered.
“That was kind of hot,” Jordan prodded. “Is he always that bossy?”
“I don’t know what’s gotten into him,” I grumbled. “Now I have to go.”
“I promise I’ll pack the best lunch of your life.”
I stomped up the stairs,mentally cursing my bossy husband with every single step. How dare he come in at the last minute and demand I go out with him? And, worse, he looked stupidlysexy tonight with his five o’clock shadow and messy hair that needed a trim. The whole situation infuriated me. I wasn’t some doll that he could ignore for weeks and then dress up and take out.
Except I kind of was.
Because Axel had actually told me to dress sexy, and I was obeying him. What was even more infuriating was that he wanted to approve my choices before we went out. I stood in front of my closet with my arms crossed while I debated going to the extreme in either direction. I could dress like a conservative nun with minimal makeup, or I could go as big and sexy as possible, as if to mock his request.
I decided to take Selena’s advice and wear something low and tight. At the least, I would look like I was following his instructions and at best, he would find himself turned on against his will. And if he experienced any level of torture from that, it would be worth it.
I stoodin front of my mirror and nervously assessed the results of my effort. My anger had made me take sexy too far. My outfit was a wrapped bodycon dress that sat off my shoulder and ended halfway down my thighs. The fabric showed clear lines where my thong sat, and after a moment of hesitation, I decided to go without underwear. It wasn’t like me, but something about the dress made me feel daring enough to commit without second-guessing myself. I paired it with stiletto boots that came to my knee. I did a messy bun and a dramatically dark eye with false lashes.
I barely recognized myself. I’d been replaced by a woman whose outfit screamed sexual confidence and feminine allure.
