“I think you look beautiful,” he says, his voice low, gruff. “Made me speechless.”
Once again, my cheeks flame.
“Thank you,” I say, suddenly feeling shy. “And I hate that I’m going to have to give you credit, but I think this is the one.”
His eyes travel down my body and then back up again. “Your choice, but yeah, you look really fucking good, Blakely.”
“Thank you. Okay, I’ll get this one.”
“Good,” he answers, not moving, just staring at me, keeping his eyes fixed on mine. I feel my body shiver under the strength of his gaze.
What is happening?
This is not the Halsey I know. I’m used to the guy who’s quiet, maybe a joke here and there, but remains neutral most of the time. This Halsey, he’s unwavering, he’s demanding, he’s bone-chilling with those expressive eyes that he usually hides behind.
“Um, can you unzip it for me?”
“Of course,” he answers as he rests one hand on my hip, then slowly unzips the back, letting each zipper tong pop before the next one. It’s so slow that the energy between us grows, the tension becoming thick. My pulse picks up, my breath, my awareness that there is an extremely attractive man behind me, unzipping my dress, and if I were to turn around, he’d get more of a glimpse than he was probably looking for.
“There you go,” he says, breaking through my thoughts.
I hold on tightly to the bodice, keeping it close to my chest, then turn around to look up at him one more time. “Thank you.”
“Any time.” He moves his hand over the back of his neck before offering me the tiniest of smiles. It’s the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen. “Knew that dress was going to be the one. Should have tried it on first.”
“Where’s the fun in that?”
“Very true,” he says while casually wetting his lips. “The sweet feeling of knowing I was right all along is better with the upfront denial.”
“Cheeky.”
He smirks and then retreats to the couch where he drapes his arm over the back.
Yup, this is a different side of him for sure, and I’m feeling slightly out of breath. From his expressions, the subtle way hewet his lips, and his delicate touch as he zipped and unzipped my dress.
I offer him a quick smile before I shut the curtain to the dressing room and then lean against the wall, taking a few deep breaths.
You’re fine, Blakely.
Nothing to worry about over here.
Halsey just happened to defend your rights with your landlord, while holding your hand, and then state that you weren’t living in that apartment.
That’s fine, just a protective friend.
And sure, he took you dress shopping and patiently sat there while you tried on dresses and just so happened to pick the right dress for you.Because he knew what would look amazing on me.And maybe feeling his hand on your hip, unzipping your dress was a nice feeling, but that’s all it was, a nice feeling.
And the way he looked at you, that’s . . . that’s fine. It was just an expression. Nothing to it.
There is nothing to it at all . . .
Then how come I want to go back out there and have him hold my hand again? Or better yet, have his hands on me—because hell did that feel incredible.
Chapter Fourteen
HALSEY
Halsey:I’m fucking this up. I honestly don’t think I have a chance with her.
