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I stand in front of the mirror, staring at the beautiful stranger in front of me, until a soft knock startles me. “Nora?” Oliver calls out.
“Come in, Ollie!”
I turn, just as Oliver steps in the room and shuts the door behind him. His breath catches when he sees me. “Nora…”
He shakes his head as he struggles to find words. I’ve rendered him speechless. “You don’t look so bad yourself,” I say, willing my cheeks not to blush.
Oliver looks as if he was born to wear designer tuxedos all the time. I’ve never seen him more striking. His light-brown hair is sculpted stylishly for once, making it look a little darker. It really brings out the honey color of his eyes. And his tall, lean figure fills his tux perfectly. He’s positively dashing.
“Nora…” he whispers again. “You look…”
“Like I’m ready to walk down the aisle?” I tease.
He takes my hands. I’m instantly filled with his thoughts and feelings. I think he’s choosing to let me hear his thoughts right now because he can’t put into words how beautiful he thinks I am.
His feelings are overwhelming. My chest constricts, and my face heats up. I’ve never felt so adored. No,cherishedis maybe the right word for it. And again, Oliver’s feelings ring with a sincerity that no man has ever accomplished. I don’t have an ounce of fear with him. I’m not sure why, or how, but Oliver will never hurt me. Just like with Terrance, I know this. I can feel it. “Thank you, Oliver,” I mutter. My voice cracks with emotion.
His gaze suddenly falls to my mouth. It’s the briefest flicker, but it sparks something inside me. I suck in a breath, and my heart flutters. When my mouth goes dry, I realize that IwantOliver to kiss me.
I’d wanted Parker to kiss me, too, but my chest had pounded with anxiety the whole time. It was as if my intuition knew he was under the influence of my curse and wouldn’t be able to control himself. I have no such fear with Oliver. All that’s in me now is desire. It’s not a lustful want, but a hopeful curiosity. Can I kiss him? Would I be able to without breaking out into a panic attack?
The tension in the air becomes thick. As if Oliver knows what I’m thinking about, he finds his courage and steps so close our bodies meet. I don’t back away. I place my hands on his chest and meet his steady gaze with a shy one. When he speaks, his voice is so soft it’s almost a caress. “Is this okay?”
I can’t seem to find my breath. My emotions are spinning wildly out of control. I can’t look away from him. All of my strength is in those amber eyes. “I’ll stop you if it isn’t,” I say. It’s the best answer I can give him, because I honestly don’t know how this will go down. All I know is that I want to try.
Sucking in a breath, Oliver wets his lips. His gaze falls to my mouth again, and he lifts his hand to gently cup my cheek. He pauses a moment, giving me time to make sure I’m okay with his actions. When I don’t protest, he leans his face down to mine.
Our lips meet in the lightest of touches. His kiss is feather light. He very delicately presses our mouths together. Desire flares through me the moment we touch, and I lean into him, wrapping my arms up around his neck. Following my lead, Oliver slides his hands around my waist and pulls me closer. He parts his lips to make it an open-mouth kiss and hesitantly seeks out my tongue with his. It’s sweet, and delicate, and just demanding enough that it’s breathtaking. It’s a perfect kiss.
And then, without me having to end it, Oliver pulls back. He’s smiling softly, but there’s a question in his eyes. I know what he’s asking, but I can’t answer him. Not vocally, anyway. I’m too choked up. When my eyes mist over, I bury my face in his shoulder. He gently holds me while I try to compose myself. “You okay?” he asks.
I nod, still refusing to let him go, face still buried against his shoulder. “More than okay. Thank you, Oliver.”
His hug tightens, and he brushes his lips against the side of my head. “You’re welcome, sweetheart.”
With one more deep breath, I pull myself out of Oliver’s embrace and smooth out my dress. I’ve managed to stop any tears before they could leak from my eyes. I’m afraid to look at him, afraid it will be awkward, but when I meet his gaze and he looks at me with such an understanding smile, a weight lifts off my chest. He’s still Oliver. He’s still my best friend. He glances toward the door. “You ready?”
I pull my shoulders back with a sigh and stand up straight. “As I’ll ever be.”
Through the door comes Cecile’s muffled voice, welcoming everyone and thanking them for coming. I know that’s my cue, but I’d rather stay here. Oliver knows exactly what I’m thinking, and he smirks. “You’ll survive.”
“Maybe.”
“Come on. Your public awaits.”
Oliver has to drag me from Cecile’s suite. When we reach the stairs that lead down into the main room of the club, the first thing I notice is that I am the only person in the entire club wearing white. Everyone else is in dark or bright colors. I stand out big time. I’m sure that was Cecile’s plan. The second thing I realize is that no one is moving or talking as I make my way down the stairs with Oliver. All eyes are trained on me, my guests watching me enter with reverent awe. It’s quite the entrance. Cecile certainly knows what she’s doing. “I’m going to kill Cecile,” I grumble as Oliver and I descend the stairs arm in arm.
He chuckles. “Just don’t trip down the stairs, and you’ll be fine.”
“Don’t jinx me.”
Terrance is waiting at the bottom of the steps, with a scowl on his face. He looks me over from head to toe and grumbles, “I’m going to kill Cecile.”
I take that as a compliment and laugh. “You and me both. Stick close by and fend off any extra enthusiastic admirers tonight?”
He grunts, but he’s trying to hide pleasure behind his scowl. He loves playing my surly bodyguard.
Cecile finds me next and greets me with an air kiss. “Nora, darling. Come. There’s someone I want you to meet.”
