Page 76 of When She Falls (The Fallen)
My gaze snags on the shimmery yellow dress I picked out online for the party next week. It’s Rafaele’s aunt’s fiftieth birthday, and all of the Garzolos are invited. A dinner at a venue downtown followed by a party in one of Rafaele’s clubs, which means I need something that will work for both. When I checked the measurements, they were slightly too big.
I clear my throat. “Ras, he needs to mark the alterations for my dress.”
Ras glances at me, and I tip my head in the direction of the coffee table, where there’s a tray with measuring tape and a pincushion.
Benjamin halts, one foot already out the door and looking desperate to get out of here.
“Nah, I’ve got it,” Ras says, walking over to where I’m sitting and picking up the pincushion.
I cross my arms and press my fist to my nose as Benjamin bolts through the door.
Ras gives the cushion a toss and meets my gaze.
I sigh. “He’s going to need therapy.”
Ras shrugs. “Should have thought of that before he laid a finger on you.”
Warmth rushes over my skin. “I’m going to go change, and you’re going to use that time to Google how to use those pins. I’m not showing up to a party in a lopsided dress.”
He gives me an amused look. “Don’t worry, it can’t be that hard.”
I snatch the dress off the rack, walk into the change room, and draw the heavy curtain closed with a loud swish.
As I slip out of my clothes, my heart starts to dance to an awkward rhythm at the thought of Ras standing just outside with only a curtain separating us. I undo my bra and hang it off a hook.
“Yeah, this won’t be a problem,” Ras calls out, and it sounds like he’s right there. “I found a video on YouTube.”
A thrill runs up my spine. “Okay, great.”
I shimmy into the dress, and when the fabric drags over my curves, everything feels a little more sensitive than normal.
The dress is a smidge too long, and an inch or so of fabric pools on the floor. I bunch it up and decided that with a small heel, the length should do.
The chest area is a problem, though. The neck is a low-cut V, and it’s made for someone with bigger boobs. I do up the side zipper and step out of the dressing room, holding up the straps at my shoulders.
I stop in front of the mirror, and Ras looks up from his phone. He does a double take.
I feel a flush rise to my cheeks. “What?”
Sliding his phone into his pocket, he takes a few slow and deliberate steps toward me. I can feel my heart in my throat.
“I never told you what I think of you,” he says, dragging his thumb over his bottom lip while he stares at me like I’m something edible.
What is he talking about?
Oh. Right. My mind’s so focused on this moment, it’s forgotten all the other ones.
He stops right behind me, close enough for me to feel the heat of his body spread across my back. Our reflection makes nerves scatter over my skin. He’s so much bigger. Taller. While I was changing, he took off his suit jacket, and that shirt does nothing to hide the muscular lines of his shoulders and arms.
“Want to hear it?” The words rumble inside his chest.
“Sure,” I say lightly. I’m expecting I’ll get something about how I clean up well or how he likes my haircut.
Instead, his eyes darken. “You’re exquisite. The most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Suddenly, I’m breathless. I press my thighs together, trying to contain the heat that appears between my legs.
In the mirror, I see his gaze dip lower, noting the small movement. The air in the room presses down on me. I’m so thoroughly stunned, I can’t formulate an appropriate response, although I’m not sure such a thing even exists given the context.
