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

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

a special touch,” I teased, meeting his gaze in the reflection.

not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head

coupled with the affection in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial embrace.

capture more than just the physical aspect of

mirror reflected back the depth of our connection, the

shifted from our reflection to

seemed to narrow

early morning light casting a soft glow

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

comfort, the love, and the shared life that seemed to promise so much

a gentle squeeze of my shoulders, a wordless promise of his own–to be there, to support, to cherish. As

what we had together. It was right there, in the way we stood, in the way we looked at each other, and in the silent promises we made for the

and guess what! It didn’t take long before Luke rummaged through my bag, a goddamn grin right on

what we have here,” he muttered, pulling out a dress

up for inspection.

crossed, and raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re not going to suggest that

offending dress over his

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

the last time.” He continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one more outrageous

exclaimed, shaking my head in mock

a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the

at the

of his hand.

Let’s aim for something more subtle,

up in defeat. “Fine, fine. But where’s the

underneath the bag.

it with a critical eye. “Now