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.”

across my

523 FASHION FLIRTATIONS

a special touch,” I

through the small space between 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

than just the physical aspect of

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

gaze shifted from our reflection to meet my eyes directly, an unspoken

The world seemed to narrow down to just this room, this

the early morning light casting

sense of peace and mirth. With Luke behind me, his hands

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

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

was right there, in the

about me trying to choose a dress for work today, and guess what! It didn’t take long before Luke rummaged through my bag, a

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

up for inspection.

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

tossing the offending dress over his shoulder. “Not a chance. J

223: FASHION FEIRTATIONS

He continued his search, pulling out dresses of varying colors and styles, each one more outrageous than the

exclaimed, shaking my head in mock dismay. “I think-

as charged,” he admitted with a grin, holding up a sequined monstrosity that seemed to

at

dress out of his hand. “I’d blind everyone within a ten–mile

for something

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

underneath the

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