“We should paint these,” he says, almost to himself.
I snatch the shoe and push my foot in, using my finger to pull the back up and over my heel. I wiggle my toes, but they don’t feel too tight. I grab the other one so I can walk around just to make sure, but they feel amazing, almost like I don’t even have shoes on, except I have padding under my feet.
“Wow, these are so comfortable.” I go up to my tippy-toes then back down, taking a few steps.
“Should you get a pair of heels too?” That comes from Ollie.
I gaze back at him and snort. “Only if you want me to break my neck.”
He picks up the two boxes of size eights, and lifts them in the air. “We’ll take both of these.”
* * *
“You guys hungry?”Rosa calls the moment the door closes.
“Always,” Dante replies, not bothering to take off his shoes. Milo has my dress bag and the little sack with both of my new shoes. After seeing the total when the girl rang them up, I wanted to leave and find something else, but Dante just ignored my protests and handed over his credit card again.
As we head toward the kitchen, the heavy scent of seared meat fills my nose. The kitchen is full, and Milo and Ollie’s parents are already here. The men are hanging out near the island or in the living room, picking at a couple of trays with small pieces of meat and cheese, chatting.
Linda, Carolyn, and Rosa are all seated at the island counter. Rosa is spinning the stem of a wine glass, while Linda has a mug in front of her.
I scan the room again looking for Ares, but I already know he’s not here. “How was your trip, find what you needed?” Linda spins to face our group. Dante is already heading over to the snacks laid out on the coffee table.
Milo holds up the two bags as an answer. “Here, let me put those away,” I offer, touching the bags.
“I can do it,” Milo volunteers quickly.
I shake my head in denial. “I got it.” Not only do I want to give them a few minutes to visit with their parents, but I want to find Ares too.
I excuse myself, by saying, “I’ll grab Ares and put these away, be right back.” I lean forward and Milo instinctually leans down so I can place a swift kiss on his lips, while I grab the bags. His cheeks have a rosy blush when I stand back, but he gives me a reassuring smile.
Making a quick retreat I head toward Ares’s office first, my bet is he’s still working. I hear the low thrum of his voice before I make it to the slightly open door. A thrill of excitement sends butterflies through my stomach. He’s close, I know I won’t really be able to sneak up on him, but I slow my steps and creep up the hall, nearing the door anyway.
“Laura’s home, I’m about done for the night,” Ares announces, and I hear a desk drawer close and the squeak of a chair.
“Just because she’s here you’re going to run off. Inever would have guessed Ares Costa would allow himself tobe leashed.” Mia’s voice holds a thread of teasing, but I hear the challenge as well.
Ares ignores her baiting ploy. “Scott said there was an issue with the Bennett job, but his message was vague. Let me know if he submits a complaint about the client.” The chair creaks again.
Finally reaching the office, Iuse my free hand to push the door open the rest of the way. It glides open on silent hinges. Ares is tugging the bottom of his vest down, standing behind his desk. Once my eyes land on him I don’t look away, he draws all my attention.
His eyes connect with mine and he straightens. “I was just coming for you,” he tells me, his voice somehow different than it was just moments ago when he was talking to Mia.
I lean against the doorframe. “I found you first.”
My words cause the corner of his lip to lift. “That you did.” He almost sighs as he rounds the desk and fingers the black garment back over my arm. “Please tell me this is the red dress,” he breathes against my lips.
I chuckle darkly. “You’ll have to wait and see.” Ares’s lips find mine. He kisses me sweetly for a long second, and then delivers one final nip to my bottom lip before pulling back. When I look up, his eyes are black with desire, and I love that he doesn’t hide that part of himself from me. That he lets me see just how much I affect him.
A desk drawer slams and I jolt, already having forgotten Mia’s presence. Ares straightens to his full height and takes the bag from my arm. “See you tomorrow,” he calls over his shoulder, guiding me out the door with his hand on the small of my back.
“I need to drop these by our room. I think everyone is waiting on you to eat, if you want to go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
“Are you trying to get rid of me?” There’s a teasing note in his voice.
Spinning so I’m walking backward, I playfully poke him in the chest. “Why would I want to get rid of you, Ijustfound you.” Ares snags my hands and pulls me against his chest.
“I was wondering the same thing?” His eyes search mine before he tucks my head under his chin and holds me close. The plastic bag crinkles but he doesn’t let me go. I melt into his embrace, loving the closeness between us.
