The Love From Vengeance

323: FASHION FLIRTATIONS

ARIEL’S POV

I stepped out of the shower, wrapped a towel around my body, and I was getting ready for work. Yesterday, Andre agreed with me to take my spot back at his company. He was such a wonderful friend. If it were some folks, they’d go ahead to do something that was not on the right side.

Luke was walking around the room, making a phone call. I just stood, watching him until he was done. He let out a sigh since his talk on the phone was more of an argument than a conversation. But staring at me, he smiled.

“Is it just me, or do you look absolutely pretty whenever you step out of the shower?”

He walked closer to me.

“Oh really, you think so?”

“You haven’t noticed?” he raised an eyebrow. Oh, right, I forgot. You can’t look at yourself unless you go and stand close to a mirror.

“There’s a mirror right there.” I gestured towards the mirror fixed on the wall in the

room.

“Go take a look at yourself then.” Luke grinned at me.

I sighed and moved towards the mirror. The cool air of the room contrasted with the warmth still radiating from my skin. Luke followed closely behind, his presence a

comforting fervor at my back.

Standing in front of the mirror, I caught our reflections. The contrast between my towel–wrapped form and his casual, everyday attire highlighted the intimacy of the

moment.

Luke’s hands found their way to my shoulders, his touch gentle. Our eyes met through the mirror; his gaze was soft yet intense, making my heart flutter.

“See?” he said quietly, his voice soothing to the fullest. “Absolutely stunning.”

smile that spread across my face, feeling

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

does add a special touch,” I teased, meeting his gaze in the

resonated through the small space between us. “It’s not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head was just over my shoulder. It’s you. The mirror just reminds you of what’s

in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial embrace. Our reflections in

capture more than just the physical aspect of us standing there. It was

connection, the silent communication and understanding that had grown between us.

to

air. The world seemed to narrow

casting a soft glow

mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands on my shoulders, I felt grounded, as if everything in my life had led me to this point of greatness

for the compliment but for the comfort, the love, and the shared

of his own–to be there, to

mirror was needed to see the beauty of what we had together. It was right there, in the way we stood,

work today, and guess what! It didn’t take

muttered, pulling out a dress and holding it

up for inspection.

and raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re

over his

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one more outrageous than

head in

a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But hey, at least you’ll be

at the office.”

of his hand. “I’d

for something more subtle, shall we?”

But where’s the fun

underneath the bag.

lit up as I took the dress from him, inspecting it with a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,” I declared, holding it up against myself in the mirror. “What do