Page 82 of Guarding the Singer

She wanted him to say 'Yes.'

She wanted to-

"Help?"

Jessica gestured at Selene. "Out of her gown,"there was a soft smiling tone to her voice, "so she can leave."

Selene watched as William's throat worked.

The pulse in the side of his neck throbbed and Selene felt like her heart was near to bursting out of her chest.

"Where?"

William turned his head and looked Selene in the eye.

"Where do we go?"

Selene started to breathe again and looked at Jessica.

The elegant costume designer gave her a conspiratory smile and tipped her head toward the door.

Selene took William's hand in hers. "I'll show you."

As she walked him out of the door, she swore she saw Jessica give her a wink and hold up her hand.

William barely waited until he closed the door behind them to move. He'd seen Jessica hold up her hand and he'd seen the key in her hand.

Her mouth moved. And as much as he had blood roaring in his ears, he couldn't have heard her, but he could see her mouth move. 'Take your time.'

So he locked the door and turned to Selene. "What is it going to take to get you out of this?"

She bit into her lip and spoke. "A seam ripper."She looked around at the table and saw how clean it was. Earlier, Jessica's sewing kit had been out on the table. She moved toward it. "I... I'll have to look for it."

"Wait."

He saw her freeze a few steps from the table and smiled.

"We don't need it. Not just yet." He moved and closed the distance between them, turning her to face him. The look in her eyes was curious and a little confused. "What do you have on under this?"

She drew back a little, her brow furrowing. Then her eyes opened wider, and she pulled in a breath that made her tremble.

Almost as if she wanted to torture him, she licked at her bottom lip and spoke. "Not much."

It was like she waved a red flag at the bull inside of him.

William looked over her from head to toe and at the garment she was wearing.

It was practically a second skin for her. There really were only a few garments she could wear under something as tight as that dress.

And he wanted to see what was under it, like he needed his next breath.

He put his hands on her waist and picked her up.

Selene only had a moment to tense before he set her down on the wardrobe table.

He looked at her shocked expression and let go of her, placing his palms on the tabletop.

"It's a little higher than I expected."

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