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I was always going to win this one. I had to buy the dress myself. I wanted him to know that he doesn’t have to fend for me. I needed him to know that I’m so proud of him, I want to look special for him.
Now, nervous as I am, I’m pleased I am standing in front of the most extravagant purchase I have ever made.
I draw the zipper down the back and step into the dress, lifting the silk and crystal woven straps up to my shoulders. Once I’ve fumbled with the zipper, I take my new silver shoes – the second most extravagant purchase of my life – from their box and sit on the edge of my bed to strap them around my ankle.
When I’m done, I can’t stop the smile that pulls on my lips. I move in front of the floor-length mirror. My reflection seems to waver as I bite my lip, my stomach in knots, my heart beating fast.
When my eyes clear, I see what I knew I would see. I am finally Cinderella.
‘You’re breathtaking.’
I spin quickly to see Drew in the doorway of my bedroom.
‘I let myself in.’ His dark-blond hair is intentionally messed with product, reminding me how much I love pulling my fingers through it. His dinner suit hugs that perfectly toned body just enough to tease me with the thought of what lies beneath. His shirt is buttoned up and a bow tie in place.
My mouth is suddenly dry. He’s like something out of a movie.
‘This can’t be real.’
I don’t realize I’ve said that aloud until he strolls, casual and so bloody sexy, toward me. He raises his hand to my cheek and looks at me as if I am the most special person in the world.
‘Sometimes I don’t think you’re real either, baby. How did I ever find you?’
I run a hand over his shirt beneath his jacket, unable to resist. ‘I believe it went something like, you were being an arrogant arse and couldn’t wait for me to order my bagel.’
His lips part into his devastating smile. It shows his perfect white teeth – Manhattan teeth – and lights up his irises. ‘You’re beautiful, Becky.’
My cheeks heat. I’m a little overwhelmed and a whole lot giddy to spend the night with this man.
‘I feel like I’m Cinderella and you’re my prince.’
He moves slowly and presses his lips to mine. My body melts against his. His touch. His hold. His taste. The assault of his scent on my senses. I’ve been waiting for the perfect moment to say what I’ve thought since I watched him sleep in my kitchen at work, just days after I met him. It hasn’t come yet. We both had things to sort out. I needed to close the door on my old life and start the life I used to lie in bed at night and cry for.
This life.
I pull back from his kiss and open my eyes to his.
‘I love you, Drew.’
He presses his forehead to mine and pins my body to his. ‘God, I love you too, Becky. So much.’
My eyes fill and I giggle. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever understood happy tears.’
‘They’re the only kind I’ll ever make you cry, baby. I promise.’
I kiss him again, pouring into the touch every single thing I feel for him. It’s so much, I could burst when I’m around him.
‘Shall we go, Cinderella?’
I nod and slip my hand into his.
‘Oh, before we do…’ He reaches into his inside pocket and pulls out a black velvet box. ‘I conceded on the dress.’
I take the box from him and open the lid, gasping when I see a fine chain with one large, gleaming stone.
‘Is that a…?’ My words get lost in my tight throat.
‘Diamond. Yes.’ He turns me to face the mirror and fastens the chain around my neck. The diamond falls perfectly into the sweetheart neckline of my dress.
