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“I don’t even need a goddamn tie,” Caelan grumbles.
“It will be better with it. Hold still.”
But he does looksofucking good.
I head over to collect my shoes and join them. Elias finishes with the tie and leans back to scrutinize his handiwork. His eyes run slowly over Caelan, taking the time to drink in all of him. Then Elias reaches for the tie again, and Caelan looks like he’s about to say something utterly scathing, but Elias only grabs hold of it and yanks Caelan forward into a firm kiss.
I stand there dumbly, halfway through putting on my second high heel, and suddenly unable to tear my eyes away. I know how Elias kisses. I’m intimately familiar with that, but seeing it from the outside is fascinating. I watch the way Elias’ lips lock with Caelan’s, the flashes of his tongue between them, and I can imagine how he must be exploring Caelan’s mouth. And Caelan’s hands claw at Elias, but not so much trying to shove him off this time as dragging him closer.
The heat between them is palpable.
It almost makes me feel guilty for getting between them. That’s a stupid thought, though, and I shake it off immediately.
Both are flushed and puffing by the time they’re done kissing and I’m still just standing here staring.
“What?” Caelan says, turning to me, and my heart skips a beat as I realize the color of his tie exactly matches my dress. Elias must have picked it out especially, and that’s such a charming detail.
I bite my lip and grin at him. “You are so damn hot,” I inform Caelan.
“What, ’cause of the suit or smoochin’ Elias?”
“Both. I mean. You’re always hot, but…” I stumble over my words.Shit. “The suit looks good on you.”
“I’m wearing it just for the stupid gala. The second we’re back here, this thing is comin’ off.”
“Oh,please.”
Caelan snorts a laugh at that response. “All right, you little minx. Be like that.”
I turn to Elias, who is in his full suit as well—a step up from usual, with a brocade vest beneath his jacket too. God. Compliments on how gorgeous he is don’t do it justice. My mouth feels too dry to speak.
I finally drag my eyes up to meet his, and Elias’ expression makes me feel like I’m melting all over again. He’s looking at me the same way he looked at Caelan, with an appreciation and want that makes heat curl in my gut.
“You look beautiful,” Elias says simply, but there’s a weight of sincerity behind his words, making my heart ache. His hand slides around my waist, pulling me close. “One dance?” he murmurs. “Since I won’t be able to at the gala.”
His charm still manages to be thoroughly disarming, and my face heats up just from the compliment. “You’re going to make yourself late,” I remind him weakly.
Elias considers this with a low hum. “Afterward, then.”
I can only nod my agreement. Elias steps away, and a part of me strongly regrets speaking up. Forget the gala. I’d be happy to stay here with them.
But Elias has his part to play, and I don’t want to be so selfish as to drag him away from his obligations.
Afterward.
“One final touch. I know you dislike the social networking that comes with events such as these, Caelan.”
Caelan snorts quietly under his breath. “That’s an understatement.”
Elias casually twists his fingers, drawing a mask out from nowhere, out of the shadows, and offers it to Caelan. “It won’t do much, but you may be recognized and approached less with this.Tryto keep a low profile.”
“Pretty sure it ain’t a masked ball,” Caelan says, nose wrinkling.
“It is now.”
“What about if I had a mask, too,” I speak up. “At least we’d match. It’d be less weird than if Caelan’s the only one wearing one.”
Elias nods. “If you’re willing, dear.”
