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“Three times in one day. It’s like you’re destined to fall.”
“Not when you’re around.” I smile.
“Then I’ll have to stay close.” His lips brush the shell of my ear. “Preferably very close.”
My phone buzzes just as there’s another knock on the door. Midas sets me upright as Monica hurries back into the room. “I’m so sorry. I put up the closed sign, but—”
“No, it’s probably just my sister.”
“Let her in,” Midas says.
Monica swings the door open, revealing Finley with her knuckles raised, poised to knock again. I grab her arm and pull her inside. She looks at me like she doesn’t recognize me. “What the fuck is going on?”
“Language.”
She rolls her eyes, but stops the moment she sees Midas. Her jaw drops open. Finley has never been great at hiding her emotions, and right now it’s clear she’s shocked by the handsome man behind me.
“Finley, this is Midas. We’re… well, it’s a long story. But the dogs are all ready to go.” I crouch down next to Charlie and scratch behind his ears. “Who’s gonna be a good doggie? You’re gonna be so good for auntie Finley, aren’t you?”
Monica mumbles something about the dress getting ruined, but I can’t hear her exact words. I probably shouldn’t get dog hair on the beautiful fabric, so I stand up and hand my sister the leashes. “These two are the ones spending the night. I’ll take them back to their owners tomorrow.” I point to Charlie and a Cocker Spaniel named Ray. “The rest will be picked up in a few hours. There’s dog food in the pantry. Make sure you feed them when you get back.”
“You’re not gonna tell me what’s going on here?”
Midas wraps his arm around my waist. “I invited your sister to a party. She accepted.”
“Ooookay.”
She still looks unsure about this whole thing, so I pull her into a hug and whisper, “I’ll tell you all about it tomorrow. Be ready with some ice cream and…” I look over my shoulder at Midas who’s watching us with an expression I can’t read, a softness I haven’t seen from him before. “Maybe some tissues,” I finish.
Whatever happens with Midas tonight, I’m guessing it’s going to affect me, maybe even change me. It’s highly likely that I’m going to need a good cry. I usually cry after parties anyway—too much stimulation.
“Alight.” Finley sounds tentative, but she nods.
“Hold up.” I run back to the dressing room and grab my wallet out of my purse, digging out two twenties. Then I run back, almost tripping over the dress again, but staying on my feet. I swear Midas’s lip tics up, but it’s hard to tell since he immediately schools his features into that gruff calm that’s starting to feel familiar.
I hand Finley the twenties. “I didn’t get to the store. You and Sora can order a pizza or something. But clean up after yourself. And no boys. And don’t forget to feed the dogs.”
“I got it.” Her tone has that typical teenager annoyance to it.
Midas steps forward. “Show some res—”
I flash him a glare that clearly communicates stay out of it, and he pinches his lips together. It’s intoxicating to know that this commanding, domineering man would obey my silent request. I don’t get the impression that he obeys many people.
I give her one more hug, then hold her out by the shoulders so I can look at her. “Be safe.”
Her attention shifts to Midas. “You too.” When she looks back at me, her eyes soften. “Have fun, okay? You don’t get out much, and you should.”
After she leaves, I can’t get her words out of my head. I intend to have enough fun to last a lifetime.
Chapter 4
Itry on dress after dress, an endless cascade of fabric and zippers and Midas saying, “No.”
The whole time, his gaze is like a touch. He never pulls out his phone, or picks up the magazine on the end table. His attention is entirely and completely on me. It’s incredibly erotic.
Finally, I pull on a dress I never would have picked out for myself, but as soon as I have it on, Midas stands up. He walks over to me, takes my hand, and twirls me in a slow circle. “This one.”
The dress is a shimmering gold with embroidered flames blazing up the skirt. The neck line plummets between my breasts, almost to my navel, and the back does the same, coming to a point at the dimple just above my ass. It’s a little too long on me, and a bit big in the shoulder straps, so Monica pins it for alterations and says we can come back to get it in an hour.
