Page 114 of For the Sub

They disentangled, and he climbed from the tub first, then he offered her a towel.

When she refused it, he grinned. “Good girl.”

His expression turned to a frown when she wrapped herself in the robe again.

“I’d keep you naked if I could.”

“And chained to a wall?”

He drew his eyebrows together, as if seriously considering the idea. “That could work.”

She laughed.

While she dressed, Master Niles excused himself to the living room to answer a few emails.

Less than ten minutes later, he returned with the bottle of champagne and topped off her glass as she styled her hair.

“I’ll be honest,” he said. “I had more work to do, but I wanted to look at you.”

She tilted her glass toward him in acknowledgment. “Now, Sir, get out of here, otherwise we’ll keep your aunt waiting.”

“At this point, I’m willing to take the risk.”

Making a good impression mattered to her. “Out,” she said, closing the door behind him.

Half an hour later, she smoothed down the front of her dress then slipped into the stilettos and joined him in the living area.

From his place by the window, backlit by the setting sun, he looked up.

His jacket hung from one of the barstools, and the sleeves of his white shirt were turned back. The ends of his tie hung loose.

To her, in this disheveled state, he’d never looked more dashing.

“Turn around,” he instructed.

Slowly, she did so, her dress swaying with each movement.

When she faced him again, he said, “Stunning. Everything I imagined and more.” He held out a hand, and she went to him. “I know that you being here was a big ask. So please accept my sincere thanks.” With that, he kissed her hand.

She lowered her gaze then glanced up at him through her lashes. “I’m happy, if you’re happy. Thank you. For everything.”

“I have a gift for you,” he said.

“You’ve done too much as it is, Sir. I can’t possibly—”

“Indulge me.” After releasing her hand, he went behind the bar.

He returned carrying a jeweler’s box.

Her eyes widened.

Shaking her head, she took an instinctive step back. “Sir, no. Really, I can’t accept anything else.”

“Open it,” he said, voice brooking no argument.

“But—”

“I hope you like it.”

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