“Stunning,” Gabriel says.
I turn.
He’s standing now, hands in his pockets, his expression unreadable, except for the heat in his eyes.
“You look stunning, Thea.”
My throat tightens. “It’s just the dress.”
“No.” The word comes out with an intense finality, like he’s not open to any kind of discussion on the matter.
He crosses the room, stopping just close enough so that I have to tilt my head back to meet his gaze. “You’re beautiful in anything you wear. The uniform. An oversized t-shirt. In…”
He trails off, but I know the words on his mind.
In nothing at all.
Lara snickers. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Valentina smirk.
I can’t breathe.
He raises his finger. “But the right dress,” he goes on, “shows the world what I already know—that you’re the most stunning woman in any room you walk into.”
“Wow,” says Lara, a playful smile on her lips. “Thanks, cuz.”
“Gabriel…” I trail off, not knowing what to say.
“Do you know what I see when I look at you?” As he speaks, he reaches out, his fingers grazing my bare shoulder. I shiver at his touch. “Softness. Strength. Every curve exactly where it should be. You think you need to hide, Thea, but all I want is to show you off.”
There’s something odd about the way he’s speaking to me. It’s not only intense, but also a little hard to handle. It’s like he’s speaking to me as if he’s known me longer than just a few days, like he’s more aware of me than I understand.
Or maybe he’s just seeing something I’m not.
“Sorry, I’m just not used to this.”
“I know.” His hand moves to cup my face, his thumb brushing my cheekbone. “But you will be. Because I’m going to spendevery day reminding you of how fucking beautiful you are until you believe it.”
Valentina clears her throat delicately. “So the burgundy then?”
Gabriel doesn’t look away from me. “The burgundy.”
“Perfetto.” She starts gathering up the other dresses. “I’ll have the alterations done in an hour. Lara, you handle hair and makeup,si?”
“On it.”
They both slip out, leaving Gabriel and me alone.
I should step back, put some distance between us. I need to remind myself that this is all just pretend, that I’m still his property, still planning to escape the first chance I get.
But when he looks at me like I’m something precious instead of something purchased, like I’m something more than this whole insane arrangement would suggest, I forget all about escaping.
“Are you nervous?” His tone is quiet, careful almost.
“About tonight? You bet I am.”
“Don’t be. You’ll be with me. No one will touch you. No one will even dare to look at you the wrong way.”
“And if they do?”
