The hem sits high on my thighs. The neckline shows more than I’m used to.
It doesn’t feel like it was made for me.
It feels like it was made toshow me off.
I force in a breath and head back downstairs.
Luke’s eyes light up the moment he sees me.
“There,” he says. “That’s better.”
My cheeks burn. “It’s… a lot.”
“It’s you,” he replies, stepping close enough that I smell his cologne. “You just don’t know how to own it.”
My throat tightens. “I don’t want to be stared at.”
Luke laughs softly.
“Sweetheart. With your curves, people stare whether you want them to or not.”
The words land heavy.
Curves.
He slides a firm arm around my waist. “I had to hunt for this in your size,” he says. “Not easy finding something exquisite for a body like yours.”
Exquisite.
Body like yours.
I swallow. “Thanks.”
Luke kisses my cheek. “You should be grateful I bothered.”
Something hot flickers behind my eyes.
I blink it away.
He’s teasing. Luke always has that edge, that playful arrogance that usually makes me laugh.
Tonight it doesn’t.
Tonight it leaves my stomach hollow.
He opens the passenger door of his car and watches while I climb in.
The leather seat is cold against the backs of my thighs.
Luke slides behind the wheel and pulls away from the curb like nothing happened.
The road out of town is dark, lined with trees and mountain shadows. Swoon Peaks fades behind us with every mile.
Luke drives with one hand on the wheel, the other resting on my thigh.
“You’re quiet,” he says.
“I’m fine.”
