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.”

spread across my face,

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

confidence. “I suppose the mirror does add a special

so his head was just over my shoulder.

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

just the physical aspect

depth of our connection, the silent communication and

from our reflection to

The world seemed to narrow down

casting a soft glow

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

not just for the compliment but for the comfort, the love, and the

response 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, feeling

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

work today, and guess what! It didn’t

see what we have here,” he muttered,

up for inspection.

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

tossing the offending dress over his

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

time.” He continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying

shaking my head in mock dismay. “I think-

with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed

at the office.”

out of his hand. “I’d

aim for something more subtle, shall

where’s the fun in subtle?” he teased,

underneath the

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