Page 27 of Savage Little Lies

What I would give to run my hands over her curves. Feel the heat of her body. The softness of her skin.

She’s so damn close that it’s killing me.

Cara smiles and glances down at herself, swaying playfully on the spot. “It does look nice.”

“It does,” I agree, barely able to make my voice come out any louder than a whisper.

Cara reaches over and grabs the price tag hanging off the side of the dress and her eyes widen. “That’s ridiculous! There’s no way that I can let you buy this for me.”

I shake my head and take a step closer, lifting her chin with my finger so she has to meet my eyes. “Don’t worry about the price. Just wear the dress and show up on Friday. That’s all I ask.”

Delight lights up her eyes, and she doesn’t question me, even though I know that she wants to. “Okay then. I’ll wear the dress and show up on Friday.”

This time, for a split-second, with her so close I could claim her lips with my own, I consider withholding the words before speaking them aloud. But I like the effect they have on her too much to resist.

“Good girl.”

As I predicted, her lips part on a soft gasp, and her cheeks redden even more from the two words of praise.

Fuck, I want to kiss her.

I need to leave. Now.

“I’ll let you get changed,” I say, still lingering in the same spot.

Cara nods, a warm smile adorning her face.

I exit the dressing room and walk away to catch my breath, desire simmering under my skin. I’m toeing a line doing all of this, but don’t I deserve a sliver of damn happiness? Just a little bit of relief to get through all the tedious shit in my life?

Cara has given me the chance to break through the surface and steal a breath of air after feeling like I was drowning.

I need that.

“Okay, I’m done.”

I turn to see Cara back in her work dress, with the red gown draped over her arm. I take it from her to hold it straight up, not letting the bottom of it touch the floor. “Got any shoes for it?”

Her expression turns sheepish. “I have some black heels and little ankle boots. They’re not the fanciest, though.”

I hum under my breath in thought before shaking my head. “Strappy silver heels. With sparkling diamond embellishments.”

Her eyebrows lift with intrigue. “Really? That sounds expensive.”

“I think they would look good with the dress. Elegant. Sexy,” I reply with a casual smile on my face. “You’ll pull it off well.”

Cara purses her lips a little as her eyes narrow in determination. “Alright, let’s find some heels then.”

It looks like she’s accepted my challenge. She isn’t the type to back down from one, and that’s a big reason why I can trust her with so much. So much more than my last handful of assistants.

It doesn’t take Cara and me long to agree on a pair of shoes to pair with the dress since our tastes are so similar.

With her bags in my hand, I lead her out of the store, feeling her hand accidentally brush mine as we squeeze through the doorway. I almost grasp it out of reflex, but I shove my hand into my pocket instead.

“Back to the office?” Cara asks me with a lightness to her step.

“Business calls,” I tell her as I check my watch. We have a meeting to attend together in an hour. She’s been great at taking notes, relaying information to me quickly from our documents, and keeping me on time.

“You know that I’m not afraid to answer,” Cara replies, shooting me a wink that makes an automatic grin tease my lips. She walks ahead of me, a light breeze blowing through her hair.