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Simple diamond earrings sparkle in my ears, and other than my engagement ring, they are the only jewelry I’m wearing.
My make-up has been kept to an understated elegance, with slightly smoky eyes and a deep red matte lipstick.
Simona steps forward, passing me my silver, rhinestone-encrusted clutch bag, and it’s only then that I notice the rest of her team has filed out of my bedroom.
“Thank you so much. You’ve worked wonders.”
She shakes her head with a smile. “My job is always easier when the client is a natural beauty.”
I can feel my cheeks pinken under her compliment right as there’s a gentle knock on the door, followed by Alex’s husky baritone that makes my skin tingle. “Are you ready, Rey?”
My stomach dips even as I call out. “Almost. Just a sec.”
“Okay, I’ll be in the living room.” I can hear his footsteps as he walks back down the hall and eventually downstairs.
“He’s going to fall head over heels for you all over again tonight.” Simona begins to back out of my room, throwing me a wink before she slips out the door. “Mark my words.”
I blow out a breath, smooth my hands down along my ruffles once more, and leave my room on wobbly legs.
When Alex had mentioned a future event that we’d be attending whilst on our shopping trip to Bergdorf Goodman, I hadn’t realized that he meant the Spring Gala at the Koch Theater.
It’s a full red-carpet event, and to say that I’m nervous would be the understatement of the century.
He’d broken the news to me when we’d left Sunrise Harbor yesterday, stating that if we were to be getting married onDia de Juan Santamariafive short days from now, it would be a good idea to have at least one public appearance as a couple beforehand.
When I reach the top of the stairs, I slip my heels off, afraid I might fall courtesy of my knocking knees. I pick them up and carry them in my left hand, with my clutch tucked underneath my arm, while clinging to the wrought-iron banister with my right hand.
I am so focused on making it down without a mishap that I don’t notice a waiting Alex until I’m almost upon him.
Oh my God!
My breath catches on a gasp at the sight before me, and I stop dead in my tracks on the second to last step, taking a moment to appreciate his utter magnificence.
He’s wearing a black tux that was assuredly made to fit his too-perfect body. His hair is immaculately styled back from his face, and my palms itch with the sudden desire to mess it up. To run my fingers through those soft locks and trail my nails along his scalp.
Desire pools within me despite myself, and I know in this instant what it is to want to lose all control and surrender to my most baser desires.
His gaze is fixed on me. Stormy eyes rove across every inch of me, and I feel completely exposed, my nipples pebbling into awareness beneath my dress. His eyes caress my body as intentionally as the touch of a skilled lover, and I feel myself stand taller, more confident under his obvious approval.
Until I stumble as I hit the last step. A squeal erupts from my mouth as I fall forward, ramming my eyes shut as the ground rises up to meet me.
Except, instead of the hard marble surface of the penthouse, I feel strong arms wrap around my body, holding me in place before raising me back up to stand.
“I’ve got you, Sunshine.”
I bite down harshly on my bottom lip to stop the multitude of completely inappropriate words that flash through my brain from pouring out of my mouth.
Instead, I inhale through my nose before slowly blowing the breath out through my mouth. “Thank you.”
Having set me to rights, he lets go of my upper arms and steps back to ram his hands into his tux pants pockets. A lock of hair has fallen loose from his carefully styled hair, and before I know it, my hand has crossed the distance between us to oh-so gently set it back into place.
As my arm falls away, Alex’s hand reaches out to encircle my wrist. He smooths his thumb across the soft skin over my racing pulse, the simple move setting fire to my sex.
“I’ve never seen anything as beautiful as you. Right now. At this moment.” He takes a breath as I blink furiously, my cheeks heating under his stare. “You’re like the sun appearing from behind the clouds in the aftermath of a storm.”
He raises my hand to his mouth, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to the back of mine. “Voglio assorbire la tua luce e conservarla per sempre.”
My breath hitches at his gravelly tone. “What does that mean?”
