Page 25 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two
“I—well, no, but you’re not the easiest to read, and—”
All it takes is a couple long, sure strides, and he’s towering over me. “Doyoulike it?”
That’s very muchnotthe answer I was hoping for, so I sigh. “I just want to know if you think it’s too girlish, or if you think I look silly, or anything like that.”
“Would you change if I told you I didn’t like it?”
“That’s not what I’m—it’s not—I…”
“I love the dress,” he says. “I was staringbecauseit looks good.”
I relax. “Thank you. That’s what I wanted to know. Okay, we can go get food—”
“Mm mm, no.” He shakes his head. “Would you have changed if I told you I didn’t like the dress?”
I can feel my whole body heating. My heart starts beating too fast, and I can’t hold Rhett’s gaze, so I look away.
“Answer me, sweetheart,” he says gently.
“I probably would’ve changed,” I mumble.
“And do you, just possibly, find that a touch ironic?”
“Um…?” I risk a glance at him, hoping his expression will hold some answers, but all I find is a hint of a smile.
God, why is he so damnattractive.
“Last night,” he prods. “Oliver.”
“What? Oh.Oh.”
“What exactly did you tell him?Don’t ever feel like you have to hide yourself from me.Something like that.”
“You heard?” I whisper.
His smile widens the tiniest bit. “Yeah. And I think you need to apply what you said to him toyourself.We like you just the way you are, sweetheart.”
I squirm, twisting my fingers into the skirt of my dress. “That’s easier said than done.”
“Yeah,” he says with a shrug. “Oliver’s been working on it since we were kids.”
“That’s a long time,” I mumble.
“The important thing is that you don’t have to change yourself to earn our affections. Got it?”
It’s a concept I’m not entirely familiar with, but I’m getting more used to it by the day. Honestly, I should be relieved. In this instance, the guys are the total opposites of Adam and my family. Instead of shaping me to be who they want me to be, they’re giving me room to be myself.
“Thank you.”
Rhett shakes his head. “Never thank me for doing the bare minimum, sweetheart.”
I take his hand when he holds it out to me. “I think you and I have different definitions of the bare minimum.”
“I agree,” he says, and I can’t help but notice the darkness that tinges his tone. “And I’m going to try my damndest to show you just how high your standards should be.”
Chapter six
Rhett
