Page 30 of Hot Blooded
He nods, tucking the phone into the pocket of his wool trousers. “I figured it was either see to his death, or start speaking to him again.”
I raise one eyebrow, not sure what to say to that. We haven’t yet navigated the minefield of that day with his brother… maybe we won’t. Maybe we’ll just pretend that never happened. It would suit me just fine.
“How was your evening?”
I can’t help but be drawn to his mouth as he says these words. The memory of what it’s like to kiss Reign comes bounding back to me. Hot and urgent and pleasurable. My toes curl in my suede flats.
I swallow and force myself to breathe. “It was nice. Good to get out, you know.”
He nods. “What did you do?”
“Lena and I went to town. She showed me where she works. We tried to visit the bookstore, but it was closed, so we got cake pops instead.”
He raises one skeptical brow in my direction. “What the hell is a cake pop?”
I laugh. “It's a little ball of cake stuck to the end of the popsicle stick. They're delicious.”
He looks unimpressed. “I'll take your word for it.”
“She asked me about the gala.”
He tilts his chin. “Oh?”
Fidgeting now, I have no idea why I brought this up. Maybe the prosecco made me bold. “She said it is the most exciting thing happening in this town.”
He considers this, still gazing at me. “I suppose it is. Would you like to go, Tressa?”
My heart thumps faster. Is he asking me out on a date? “With you?”
He nods. “A date. If you’re up for it.”
“I would love to.”
“Then it’s settled.”
Chapter 16
Tressa
Later that week, I walk into my bedroom after working in the library all day. It was a productive day and I’m feeling good about my decision to be here. The room is dim, and I stop to turn on a lamp, then I freeze suddenly.
Resting on my bed is a huge pink box. I do a double take before approaching slowly. It’s lavishly wrapped, and I have little doubt about who it’s from. Still, there’s a card tucked into an envelope resting on the top of the box and I gingerly pull the little card free before ripping into it.
Tressa,
Thank you for accompanying me to the gala.
-Reign
PS. Look underneath the dress. I thought you might enjoy this.
Reign’s handwriting is neatly scrawled, and I admire it for a moment longer, reading his note twice. His penmanship has an old-fashioned elegance to it, and I grin at that realization. Then, with eager hands, I pull the top from the box, and peel back crisp white tissue paper. Tucked inside is a satin gown in a beautiful merlot color. The fabric feels luxurious and undoubtedly expensive. I lift it carefully from the box and hold it up to inspect. It looks to be my size. There are spaghetti straps and a long slit up one side of the floor-length dress. It’s simple but elegant and completely beautiful. Also inside the box is alittle cinched velvet bag that contains teardrop-shaped earrings, and a box with a pair of crystal-encrusted high-heels.
Wow.
I’ve never had anything so nice. It’s an incredibly thoughtful gift. I’d been stressed over what I would wear and I had planned to text Lena and beg her to let me borrow a dress. I hadn’t brought anything formal to Colorado. Mostly because I didn’townanything formal. Now I don’t have to borrow or beg. Well, except for maybe a strapless bra… I hold the gown up to myself and turn to face the mirror. It’s a bit revealing, but it’s so soft and silky. I bet it will feel amazing against my skin. Maybe I’ll be bold and not wear anything at all underneath. It’s a thought that makes me feel reckless and sexy.
Remembering what the card said about looking underneath the dress, I peek back inside the box. At the bottom, under another piece of white tissue paper is a book. I lift it out carefully and fold back the paper.
