Page 43 of Dex

We drove in complete silence for twenty minutes.

Interesting.

Now in something called The Midnight Lounge in thick, luxurious blue velvet seats.This place reeks of elegance and luxury.I find myself admiring the rich textures of the furniture and furnishings, the smell of money and something spicy, with notes of floral.

It has the same floor-to-ceiling windows as Paul’s penthouse.With sweeping views of the skyline.

“You didn’t have to impress me, Dexter.”

He barely lifts a shoulder.“We need to put on a front.I’m obeying my father’s orders.”

“Do you always “obey?”I find his choice of words interesting, but I’ve learned a lot about the Knight family dynamics in my short time here.Dexter flashes me a smile.Cold.Detached.It sends a strange shiver down my spine.

I study him, taking in the way his dark hair is styled.The slightly longer curls on top, styled just enough to have a natural wave.The dim lighting makes his sharp jawline more defined.And those eyes.Dark.Intense.Bedroom eyes.He’s good-looking.Frustrating as hell, but good-looking, and I find myself staring at him for longer than I should.I find it harder to look away.Maybe because he isn’t fawning over me, the way most men do.This man seems completely uninterested.

I just wish he liked me.It would make things easier.

A smart looking man comes over, all in black.He and Dexter shake hands and Dexter introduces him as his friend, Luke.“My fiancé, Daniela,” Dexter says, smiling at me with such warmth, it makes her skin prickle with goosebumps.He can be charming when he wants to.

I immediately hide my left hand, the one that doesn’t yet have a ring.

“You got engaged?Congratulations.”Luke looks at Dexter.“I never thought I’d see the day when you’d want to settle down, but I guess you found the right woman.”

Dexter flashes a wolfish grin.“I sure did.”

“And when you do, you never let her go,” his friend says, smiling at us both.

Dexter reaches across the table for my hand, making a show of our togetherness.

“That’s why I put a ring on her finger.I don’t plan to ever let this one go.”His words sent goosebumps running down my skin.He says it like he means it, but I know better.He’s so smooth.So charming.Such a good liar.I just pray his friend doesn’t ask to see the ring.

“I’ll leave you to enjoy your evening.Congratulations to you both.”

“Thank you,” we both say, together.

Dexter and I immediately withdraw our hands.Then a server brings over an ice bucket in which lies a bottle of champagne.

“With compliments, from Luke,” he says.

“Thank you.Jeez.He’s really pulling out the stops.”Dexter’s voice drops as he pulls out the bottle.“Cristal.This is one of the most prestigious champagnes in the world.”

I wince.“I hate lying to people.”

He grimaces like he’s in pain.“Me, too.Luke’s a good guy, but if we send this back …”

“We can’t.”

“I’ll make it up to him another time.”

“What would you like to drink?”he asks, scanning the menu.

“How about this expensive champagne?”

“We can open that later.I’m not really a champagne type of guy.”

I can see that about him.“I’ll have a cocktail.Something light and fruity.The Bluebell,” I say, opting for the signature drink.He orders scotch, and after the server has taken the order, he leans back, lacing his fingers together.

Dexter leans back and surveys me calmly.“I guess we need to decide how we met.”

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