Leave the house.
“In town?” I ask, wondering if it’s too good to be true.
“Yes, in town. Get ready. We’re leaving in thirty minutes. Wear the black dress I got you,” he says. There is something edged in his voice that sends heat spilling between my legs. The black dress he got me is insanely sexy. Not something I would ever have chosen for myself. Apart from the fact that the price tag is more than my full year’s rental. It’s so gorgeous, it’s the type of dress the girls from the magazines wear. It’s not something I would wear, mostly because I’d have nowhere to wear something so beautiful.
My first instinct is to snap at him.
Partly because I reallylikethe idea of him telling me what to wear. And partly because it annoys the hell out of me that I like it.
But…this place truly is a fortress. I’ve searched everywhere for a way out, and he wasn’t kidding. But if I play nice and he takes me out…Maybe I can escape from there. I’ll already have passed the first layer of security.
“Alright,” I sass. “I’ll be ready in a little while.”
He looks at me in surprise. “Good,” he says, clearly satisfied that I have chosen obedience.
The dress fits against my body and hugs every curve. My waist looks narrower and my hips wider, accenting every part of me in the glimmering hand-stitched sequined black lace and velvet.
Standing in front of the mirror with my hair up in a high bun and a touch of dark maroon lipstick on my mouth, I barely recognize myself. I lookgorgeous.
My heart does a strange somersault as I slip my feet into the red-bottomed stilettos he bought with the dress.
Walking down the stairs, I see him waiting at the bottom. He’s wearing a black suit with a white shirt. Black leather suspenders. The jacket is slung over the base of the stairs, and his sleeves are rolled up over his thick, muscular forearms. I can see more of his tattoo, and my lips part as my eyes trace the immaculate details of him.
He’s fucking gorgeous.
And in this dress, I look like I belong right next to him.
I bite my lower lip as I step off the last step, and he holds his hand out to me. Without thinking, I place my hand in his, and he slowly pirouettes me.
“You are a work of art, darling. I doubt anyone will be able to keep their eyes off you at dinner tonight,” he says darkly.
I wonder if he means himself as well.The idea of him finding me attractive is making my head jumble and my mind wander.
Tonight, we’re escaping. This isn’t a date. This is a plan!
But still, as I look up at him… this tall, gorgeous stranger that I hardly know… It’s difficult not to react to how utterly sexy he is.
It’s like all the other guys I’ve ever seen in my life wereboys,and he is aman.
Ugh, get a grip, Athena. He’s controlling, pushy, and bossy.
Adrian picks up a thick, soft black coat and holds it up for me so that I can slip my arms into it. “I don’t want you getting cold,” he says gently as he pulls it straight and makes sure I’m comfortable.
My stupid heart is somersaulting again, and I wish it would stop.
He picks up his own jacket and shrugs it on, then tugs the front door open and gestures for me to join him. “Shall we?”
The drive to the restaurant isn’t far, but the relief of being outside for the first time in days is immense. I didn’t realize how cooped up I felt in that mansion, even though it’s massive.
I needed the fresh air and different sights.
“The snow is so thick outside,” I muse quietly to myself.
“The resultant I chose for us tonight has a massive fireplace right in the center. It’s quite magnificent.”
“Sounds cozy,” I say, unable to hide the hint of sarcasm in my voice.This is not a date. This is an escape attempt.
We stop outside the restaurant. Somehow, there is a parking space reserved right in front just for Adrian. Maybe they know him here.
