Page 84 of The Protégé

I noticed he wasn’t wearing the necklace. Did he take it off to be cleaned? There was no way I could seduce him if he were still wearing that.

Stop the negative thoughts right now. Stop being too cautious. A courageous heart can conquer anything.

Courage dared me. “I’m going to have fun.”

With excitement, I lifted the lid to the box, and several lingerie sets were neatly folded in the box. I pulled out a black lacy thong with a matching bra. Nerves spiked in me at how tiny it was. Would my breasts fit into this bra?

Only one way to find out.

I slid on the bra and the thong, glanced at myself, and blinked. I’d never worn anything so revealing. The small patch covering my sex was sheer, with a single flower embroidered on it. The lacy edge along the upper cup just barely covered my nipples. If I bent over, he’d seeeverything. I’d never been this risqué. This waswayout of my comfort zone.

Elliot had told me to lure Orion out of his element. ButIwas the one standing in an uncomfortable terrain right now.

Despite that, a thrill coursed through me. I looked at myself, twisting my body from side to side, admiring my curves. The lingerie hugged my body beautifully, accentuating my ass and breasts, making me feel feminine, sensual, and desirable.

I had the power tocommandhim. But of course, this entire scenario was just in my head. I smiled as my imagination spiraled out of control. Just pretending that this intimate evening could happen brought a smile to my face.

I sprayed some perfume on because I felt like it. I wasn’t doing this for him. It was all forme. It was an exhausting day. No, it had been an exhausting couple of years. Tonight was just a reward for me for surviving and chugging forward.

Tonight, I want to feel . . . wanted.

I pulled on a pair of cotton shorts and threw on a T-shirt that read:I’m hot and I’m cold. Some call me bold when I make them jitter. What am I?

There had been a time when I had my riddles printed on T-shirts. I couldn’t afford that now. There was another time when I enjoyed blogging just for fun. But now I was too busy trying to make money.

I blow-dried my hair and walked out to the kitchen. I didn’t see him and assumed he’d left because I’d taken a while prepping myself. But then I heard a creaking sound from the back deck. I walked toward the deck as he was coming in.

“Hey . . .” He studied me. “Feeling better?”

“Yeah. Sorry I took longer than expected. What were you doing outside?”

“I kept busy.” He glanced at my shirt and arched an eyebrow. “Is it a fever or the flu?”

I smirked. “Nope. It’s coffee.”

He stepped closer, and my heart raced. The smoldering look in his eyes told me he was reading something provocative. “It could also beyou. Hot and cold. You can be bold, and you certainly make my heart jitter.”

“You’re good at manipulating words.” I looked toward the back deck. “What were you doing outside?”

What was wrong with my voice?

“I found a dandelion puff and made a wish.” His fingers brushed across my cheek and traveled down to my chin, tipping it up.

The admission surprised and delighted me. I didn’t know any man who would admit to making a wish like that. Most would probably think it was cheesy. But this man standing in front of me didn’t care what others thought of him. He was a man in a world of his own, and I wanted an invitation to explore it.

“Do you want to know what I wished for?” He pressed his thumb on my bottom lip.

I swallowed as the scenario that had played out in my head flashed through my mind.

Unable to speak, I nodded.

“I want to kiss you . . . andhaveyou tonight.”

My eyes immediately darted to his necklace. Still gone.

He noticed where I was looking and said, “I’m ready to move forward with you.”

He couldn’t have said anything better than that tonight.

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