Page 53 of Cold Heir

She ignored the question and worked my arm into a sleeve. On the opposite side? Hardly any material whatsoever, hence the reason she reached to tuck in the bit of side-boob it left exposed. It would be just my luck to be cited for indecent exposure. To say the thing was tight was an understatement. It hugged me from my waist, down to where it stopped mid-thigh.

“Here. Put these on.” She was having way too much fun bossing me around.

Eyeing her, I obliged, sliding my feet into the strappy, velvet heels she set on the carpet before me.

I was a good six inches taller, and … a little cold.

While I stared at myself in the mirror, a pair of silver hoops I could fit my hand through were pushed into my ears, and I guessed I was ready.

“It’s perfect.” That seemed to be her word for today.

Forcing a smile, I let her thrust a beaded clutch into my hand. Before shoving me toward the door to exit my suite, I was misted with perfume from a bottle I didn’t even see her grab along the way.

“Go, go, go,” she urged. “He’s waiting.”

Reaching the top of the stairs, it became clear Elle hadn’t told the whole truth. Not only wasJulianwaiting by the door, theyallwere. It was easy to see by Silas and Levi’s attire—both dressed down in t-shirts and jeans—that they didn’t plan to join us, but they did seem to have intentions to see us off tonight.

The way they stared as I descended—like I was a dessert tray being brought to their table—made me even more aware of there being a few yards of material missing from this dress. Their eyes climbed the length of my frame and I practically felt their stares.

The second I reached the foyer, Levi leveled a focused, thoughtful gaze my way.

“Exquisite,” he noted. With a single word, he made me feel like the most beautiful woman to ever walk the Earth.

Julian reached for my hand the next second, gently bringing me to him. The kiss that was placed on my cheek would’ve made me blush if I hadn’t been doing so already.

“You look stunning, as always,” he said flatteringly, sweetening the remark with a smile. I loved the way those words sounded leaving his mouth.

“Thank you.”

A hand placed at the small of my back brought my attention to Silas, and our gazes met as he stole me from Julian’s grasp. The look we shared was filled with a heavy dousing of the familiar heat that steeped between us. Even more so as he leaned in to embrace me. It was then that I realized some of the barriers between us had disappeared.

Being so close to him, beingtouchedby him, caused my imagination to get carried away. Suddenly fantasizing about how interesting things could get if I were to have all three who surrounded me … at the same time.

You’re kidding yourself if you think you could handle that. You’d be worn out within minutes, and walking like you’d ridden a horse across the continent with no breaks. But … wouldn’t it be worth it?

My arms stayed locked around Silas, greedily taking up his time. Upon finally releasing him, his eyes were heavy with lust when I looked into them again.

“Have fun,” he breathed against my ear.

I was barely alert when Julian turned, offering me his arm. “Shall we?”

My only response was to nod as I eyed them all—beautiful, wonderful, mine.

“I’m ready.”

***

It was difficult not to overeat, when everything Julian requested the chef to prepare came out so delicious. Dessert brought the entire meal together. Now, as we stared out from a rooftop with strict orders given to his security detail not to disturb us, I would’ve sworn this was all a dream.

The sparkling lights of the city had me mesmerized for a moment, but Julian’s cool hand to my chin as he turned it, made it so I only saw him.

This moment reminded me of the first night we met, standing on the balcony of Lord Wilford’s palace. Then, there’d been so much chemistry between us. Only, at the time, I was afraid to let it take over me. I wasn’t the same girl today I was then. In fact, I trusted he and the others with my life, my heart.

“What is it about you that leaves me feeling so undone?”

After the question left Julian’s mouth, I stared at him—looking devilishly handsome in a black suit. This feeling he spoke of, I often experienced something very similar when we were together. So, I had no answer other than the shy smile that broke free while he watched me. Suddenly, his gaze lowered to my neck, seeming to jar his memory.

“I nearly forgot. I’ve been given permission to return this to you.” He dug into his pocket with a smile, revealing a familiar piece of jewelry. “I believe this is yours.”

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