‘Thanks,’ she croaked, conscious of the effect his admiring gaze was having on her body. He looked completely captivated by her, and although that made her feel wonderful, and sexy, and desired, it also made her feel nervous about where this might lead.
The dress had wide adjustable shoulder straps with a low, straight-cut neckline that revealed just enough cleavage to be attractive without looking cheap by exposing too much. The satin dress had a tulle overlay adorned with all-over star-shaped appliqués giving an impressive three-dimensional effect. The internal boned corset provided enhanced support making even more of Kate’s cleavage.
She knew she looked good. And he hadn’t even seen the lace-up detailing at the back, which she was sure he would want to undo, row by row, even if only in his imagination.
Not that it would do him any good. The satin laces were merely for show. The side zip was what enabled the dress to be slipped on and off with ease.
‘Hel-l-o!’ Granny Viv, called out.
‘Good bye!’ Kate called back, grabbing her coat, closing the front door, and stepping outside so suddenly that her body was almost touching his because he hadn’t moved an inch.
They stared into one another’s eyes for a moment before Kate stepped to one side and shrugged on her coat.
‘Shouldn’t I have said hello?’ he asked.
‘No,’ she replied. ‘Trust me. You’d be safer in a Lion’s den. I thought you’d wait in the car.’
‘Sorry. But I couldn’t do that. Here.’ He held out his crooked arm and she gingerly linked her arm through his.
The tingle of excitement made her gasp for breath as, their bodies touching, albeit through several layers of various materials, he led her down the steps and to the passenger side of the car. He held the umbrella over her until she was inside. He let it down as he got in, and in just those few seconds, his coat and suit and shirt and tie were wet.
Kate tugged at the hem of her purple mini dress, acutely aware that, due to its figure-hugging quality it had ridden up when she’d sat down and more of her legs were on display now than she’d have liked.
But when she spotted his sidelong glance, she left the hem alone, and basked in the admiration.
It had been a very long time since Kate had experienced this and she was determined to make the most of it.
He coughed and shifted in his seat then pressed the start button on his Volvo XC90, and reversed out of the drive.
If he spotted Granny Viv and Millie staring at them through the large bay window, he didn’t react as if he had, and she was pleased about that.
‘It’s really coming down,’ she said, stating the obvious.
‘I think it’s set in for the night,’ he replied.
‘Thanks for coming to get me.’
‘My pleasure,’ he said. ‘I’m really glad you called. As soon as I’d sent you that text earlier, I thought I might’ve crossed a line or something, so I was relieved I hadn’t. But patience isn’t one of my virtues and when, after a few hours, you hadn’t responded, I could’ve kicked myself.’
‘To be honest, I was with Granny Viv when it arrived, and you know I didn’t want her to think … well, anyway, then I forgot about it. Sorry. Erm. Do you normally expect a quick response to texts? You didn’t say you were waiting for a reply.’
He laughed. ‘No. Only when it’s something that … means a lot. Or when I’m unsure of myself, as I was today.’
‘Unsure of yourself? You don’t seem unsure.’
‘Believe me, I am.’
‘Sorry. If I’d known, I would’ve replied.’
‘No harm done.’ He turned his head and smiled at her.
‘I looked at your website. I was most impressed. But there isn’t a photo of you in the about us section, other than the one of you as a young boy. That’s a lovely photo.’
He cringed visibly. ‘I forgot that was on there. But my parents insisted. And it is a gorgeous photo of Hope.’
‘It is. But why isn’t there any other info about you?’
He darted her a look. ‘Like what?’
