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.”

the smile that spread across my face, feeling a

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

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

through the small space between us. “It’s not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his

wrapped around me like a baronial embrace. Our reflections in the mirror–a snapshot of our

physical aspect of us standing

reflected back the depth of our connection, the silent communication and understanding that had grown between

our reflection to

seemed to narrow down to just this

the early morning light casting a soft glow around us.

in this small, seemingly inconsequential moment, I found a profound sense of peace and mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands on my shoulders, I felt grounded, as

compliment but for the comfort, the love, and the

was a gentle squeeze of my shoulders, a wordless promise of his own–to be there, to support, to cherish. As I leaned back slightly,

in the way we stood, in the way we looked at each other,

me trying to choose a dress for work today, and guess

he muttered, pulling out a dress

up for inspection.

leaned against the door frame, arms crossed, and raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re not going to suggest that I wear that

offending dress over

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

my lesson the last time.” He continued his search, pulling out dresses

I exclaimed, shaking my head

grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But hey, at

at

laughed, swatting the dress out of his hand. “I’d

something more subtle,

“Fine, fine. But where’s the fun in subtle?” he teased, finally

the

a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,” I declared, holding it up against myself in the mirror. “What do