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.”

that spread across my face,

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

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

in so his head was

around me like a

physical aspect of us standing there.

back the depth of our connection, the silent

our reflection to meet my eyes directly,

in the air. The world seemed to narrow down to just

the early morning light casting

I found a profound sense of peace and mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands on my shoulders, I felt grounded, as if everything in

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

own–to be there, to

was right there, in the way we stood, in the

I had to tell Luke about me trying to choose a dress for work today, and guess what! It didn’t take long before Luke rummaged through my bag, a

muttered, pulling out a dress and holding it

up for inspection.

me you’re not going to suggest that I wear that neon

chuckled, tossing the offending dress over his shoulder. “Not

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

search, pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one

I exclaimed, shaking my head in mock

as charged,” he admitted with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But hey, at least you’ll be

person at the

swatting the dress out of his hand. “I’d blind everyone within a

for something more subtle,

up in defeat. “Fine, fine. But where’s the fun in subtle?”

underneath the bag.

took the dress from him, inspecting it with a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,”