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

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

a special touch,” I teased, meeting his gaze in

us. “It’s not the mirror,” he insisted, leaning in so his head was

in his voice, coupled with the affection in his eyes, wrapped around me like a baronial embrace. Our reflections in the mirror–a

aspect

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

shifted from our reflection to meet my eyes

seemed to narrow

casting

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

just for the compliment but for the comfort, the love,

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

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

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

he muttered, pulling out a dress and holding it

up for inspection.

raised an eyebrow. “Please tell me you’re not going to suggest that I wear that neon pink disaster again.”

chuckled, tossing the offending dress over

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

dresses of varying colors and styles,

shaking my head

a sequined monstrosity that seemed to glitter under the room’s fluorescent lights. “But

person at the office.”

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

aim for something more subtle, shall

dramatically throwing his hands up in defeat. “Fine, fine. But where’s the fun in subtle?” he teased, finally pulling out a

underneath the bag.

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