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

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

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

insisted, leaning in so his head was just over my

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

the physical aspect of us

connection, the silent communication and

reflection to meet my eyes directly, an unspoken

in the air. The world seemed to narrow down to just this room,

with the early morning light casting a

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,

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

squeeze of my shoulders, a wordless promise of his own–to be

It was right there, in the way we stood, in the way we looked at each other, and in the silent promises we

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

let’s see what we have here,” he muttered, pulling

up for inspection.

raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re not going to

over his shoulder. “Not a chance.

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying

my head in mock dismay. “I think- you’re secretly

charged,” he admitted with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s

at the

of his hand. “I’d blind

Let’s aim for something more

But where’s the fun in subtle?” he teased, finally pulling out a sleek, black dress

underneath the

it with a critical eye. “Now we’re talking,” I declared, holding it up against