Page 97 of Burn With Me

Warmth fills my body like a warm picnic day as he crosses the space to place a chaste kiss on my lips. “Hi.”

“Hi,” is all I can manage as my insides turn to goo.

“What do you mean, it’smine? Are you serious?” she asks him, mouth gaping and eyes wide.

He chuckles and wraps an arm around me, thumbing through the dresses I’ve set aside to try. “Sure, why not? I’d invite you to come tonight, but the Kennedys are selective about who attends their parties, and I think it’s too late to run a background check on you.”

Lenni freezes momentarily, her eyes going blank as she goes somewhere else in her mind. I make a mental note to ask her what that’s about later. After a few seconds, she blinks and shrugs.

“I’m fine with wearing this beauty around my house, watchingPrettyWoman, and pretending that I, too, will one day find a billionaire boyfriend who will whisk me away from the dull life I lead.” Her tone is whimsical as she whirls away in the direction of my bathroom with a hand held to her forehead like she’s a damsel in distress.

When she disappears around the corner, Jackson whispers into my ear, “Is she always so theatrical?”

Laughing, I turn toward the dresses. “Always. Now, help me pick one of these out. I can’t believe you had them all sent over. It’s a little overkill, don’t you think?”

He shakes his head, plucking a deep navy satin gown from the choices. It has off-the-shoulder sleeves and a form-fitting bodice. The material looks like it hugs the body until the knees, where it flares out, but not so tight that it will restrict my movement. “This one. I have a suit to match.”

“Matching colors now, are we? Is there anything more official than that?” I tease and take the dress from him.

His eyes darken as he places a hand around my waist, drawing me into him. “I can think of something that ends with you wearing a glittering piece of jewelry on a very specific finger.”

I’m sorry, what?

My breath hitches as he kisses me. That was…random. Did he just make a comment about putting a ring on my finger? Or did I imagine it?

I don’t get the chance to say what’s on my mind because Lenni waltzes back into the room with a flourish. “I’ve simply died and gone to heaven. I’m going to live in this dress now.”

“I’ll see you in a little bit. I’m going to get some work done at the office.” Jackson pulls away and heads for the door, not even gracing Lenni with a look as he passes her.

“Thanks, bossman!” she yells at his back.

He raises his hand as he disappears through the open door that is propped open with another gown rack. Multiple others litter the hallway, and I pick up the phone to call the front desk to have them all sent back to wherever they came from.

“I think Jackson just made a comment about marrying me,” I say in a daze once I’ve ended the call.

“Uh, that’s a little fast. You guys just got back together.” Lenni sits on the futon and dramatically drapes her legs over the side.

“I know…”

But, if I’m being honest with myself. I don’t exactlyhatethe idea.

The party is at an event space close to Carnegie Hall. When Robert pulls up to the curb, anxiety races up my arms and down into my chest like a lightning strike. There are paparazzi everywhere, lights flashing from their cameras as guests enter the building. People are shouting and waving, trying to get the attention of whoever is ascending the stairs.

“What is this event for again?” I ask Jackson as I stare out the window, trying to ready myself for the inevitable frenzy that will happen as soon as the car door opens.

“Margo’s birthday,” Jackson says, voice dripping with amusement.

“Rich people are insane.” My words are said under my breath, but Jackson chuckles anyway, reaching over to slide my hair over my shoulder so that he can lay a kiss on it.

“The Kennedys are good people. You’ll like Margo.”

“I didn’t say rich people werebad,just insane.”

He’s quiet as I continue to watch the other guests walk in—women draped in lavish gowns and diamonds, the men inexpensive-looking suits with feline grins that screamup to no good.

“If you’d like Robert to take you home, he can. I need to make an appearance, at least. But I can be in and out within an hour,” Jackson offers softly.

My head swivels in his direction. He’s watching me with a guarded expression, which makes my brow furrow. “Absolutely not. I told you I would come, so I’m going in. Just nervous, that’s all. It’s a lot to get used to.”

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