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I slipped into the nude Dior shoes, taking a few steps to make sure I felt secure before heading downstairs.
I held tight to the railing as I descended the three floors to the main level. I might be a vampire, but I could still lose my footing or break a heel and fall down the steps.
It might not kill me, but I would definitely want to die of embarrassment.
When I made it to the last flight, I caught sight of Julian waiting for me in the great room.
His gaze devoured me as I descended the stairs, traveling from the top of my head to the bottom of the dress and back again. I suppressed a shudder as his eyes finally locked on mine. He didn’t bother hiding the blatant desire in his gaze, or the lascivious smile on his lips.
I didn’t mind.
I was looking at him the same way.
How was itlegalto look that fucking good in a tux?
Jesus, my lady reactor was gonna have a meltdown!
But instead of babbling nonsense or maybe even drooling a little, I played it cool. “Why so formal for just a dinner?” I asked as I reached the great room.
In a blur, Julian covered the remaining distance between us. He stared down at me, cocky smile on his beautiful face. “Any meal with you is worth an elevated appearance, love.” He stroked a finger down my cheek before dragging his hand through my hair.
I braced for the delicious tension, the tug at my roots that he knew drove me absolutely insane, but it never came.
Instead, Julian swept my hair up, using both hands to pile it on top of my head. “Yes. An updo will work better,” he murmured.
“What?” I asked, breathless and disappointed.
He stepped back, letting my hair fall around my shoulders. “And that necklace is worn so it drapes down the back.”
Oh, that made more sense. I adjusted it and tried not to look as embarrassed as I felt.
He gave me another appraising glance and nodded. “Yes, I think this dress will do nicely.”
“Do nicely for what?”
“For your meeting with Titus.”
My hands balled into fists at my sides as his words rattled me. “Are you kidding me? All this is to please Titus?”
Julian nodded, confusion on his face. “Why are you upset, Eden?”
“I don’t know, Julian. Maybe it’s because every time I think you’ve done something nice, it’s actually for some ulterior motive that has nothing to do with me,” I said in a deceptively calm voice.
His brows pulled together as the green in his eyes flashed brighter. “What are you talking about, Eden?”
“Andthat!The shitty dismissive tone you use when you don’t like what I’m saying isrude!”
Julian let out a long breath and leveled a more neutral gaze on me. “I apologize. Eden, I have never tried to hurt your feelings. Please tell me what you mean, because I’m honestly at a loss.”
I couldn’t very well do that.
I couldn’t say that I thought he wasgivingme his priceless family heirloom and not just hiding it in my building. And I couldn’t admit that I thought he’d had the dress specially made for me because he’d discovered my favorite color was blue. Not without sounding like a boy-crazy middle school girl.
I huffed out a sigh and glided toward the dining room. “Never mind.”
Julian took me at my word and moved on. “I intended tonight to be a dress rehearsal for the incursion.”
I nodded my thanks as he pulled out my chair for me.
