Page 62 of Until The Stars Don't Shine

She emerged from the bathroom and tugged on her jeans.

“Aren’t you ready yet? What’re you waiting for? Do you need help?”

She picked up his cargo pants and crossed over to him. He stopped her with a gesture of his hand.

“If you touch me, I will have your clothes off in one second STAT, I can promise you that.”

It was no idle threat either.

Her expression turned interested. She chewed on the corner of her lip, contemplating whether that would be such a terrible thing…

She threw the pants at him.

“Dress. Now.”

There was only one way to answer a command like that. He saluted her smartly.

“Yes, ma’am.”

But he didn’t move, staring at her with lust in his eyes. She looked exasperated, annoyed even. Then with a curse under her breath, she leaped into his arms, knocking him back onto the bed.

“Fine. But make this fast.”

“As you command,” he grinned, flashing white teeth at her.

In the end, their love-making took longer than either had planned, though neither would complain about it.

20

The night of the party loomed bright and clear.

Lexi had planned the guests’ arrival to coincide with the setting sun. The grounds were a stunning vista of orange and purple: everything had a magical sheen.

Round tables with crisp white linen were erected over the lawn facing a stage that had been built for both the auction that would be taking place and the guest performances.

All week long, celebrities had donated goods and services to be auctioned for the cause, from costumes worn on blockbuster movies, to a catered private dinner by their world-renowned chef, to a diamond Harry Winston wreath that had formed part of a bitter divorce settlement. The industry was turning up in spades and Lexi was grateful for each and every gift.

Lexi checked her appearance one last time in the full-length mirror situated in their grand hallway. Their guests would be arriving any minute now so if there was something that needed to be addressed, this was her last chance.

To match the elegant style of her white empire-cut dress, her hair was loose with a waterfall braid to one side. Eyes were dusted with a neutral powder that only hinted at purple while a creamy peach adorned her cheeks and lips.

The only jewelry she wore was a pair of pearl-drop earrings that were a family heirloom: she wanted to keep it simple to avoid any issues with the animals she was having adopted tonight — anything dangling might well get caught up with a panicked animal.

The few personal items she needed for the night, including that panic button Kane had given, she carried in a diamond-encrusted vintage Dior clutch.

She was regal and effortlessly beautiful, yet there was also something different about her, a glow that she could pinpoint to Kane’s influence. Her body still thrummed from his touch. Even now, only several hours after they’d first arrived back, she ached to feel his lips on her again.

“You look absolutely stunning, Sweetheart.”

She jumped at the voice.

Her mother had somehow glided up behind her without her knowing. She wiped the dreamy look from her face, not prepared for the questions it might bring.

For the festivities tonight, Amanda Gray had decided to go all out.

She wore a sultry platinum dress of liquid silk that skimmed every curve of her body and left nothing to the imagination. There was no room for a bra or quite possibly any underwear, yet her mother managed to pull off the entire look in her usual classy manner.

Her long chestnut hair — darker than Lexi’s by several shades — spilled down one shoulder in a glossy, twenties inspired flapper Marcel wave. Diamond bracelets, the exact same shade of platinum as her dress dangled around both wrists. She finished the outfit with a pair of strappy LV’s that flashed their red soles whenever she walked.

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