Closer

I touch the screen and see hundreds of books on it. Now that’s sexy. I grab the note I see sitting in the box.

Petal,

Something to read while you’re pampered today.

Yours,

L

I tuck the note into my purse then pull out my phone and text him.

Me: You have to stop. I already said I’m going tonight.

Lucas: I don’t think I could stop if I tried, and I don’t want to try.

Me: Thank you.

I drop back in my seat. I’m not even trying to fight with him on this. I may not have known him long, but I know he will likely win this battle, so why try? Especially when I’m loving it. My heart feels way too full right now. This is exactly like a fairy tale.

“So,” I say, trying to see what kind of information this driver is willing to give up. “Does he do this for a lot of women?”

“No,” he says simply, and our eyes meet in the rear-view mirror. “Never,” he adds, and for some reason I believe him.

I pick up the e-reader and scroll until we get to the spa. When I step out of the SUV I feel underdressed. This place is super nice. I’m lucky the woman who rushes out to greet me is a sweetheart and doesn’t bat an eyelash at what I have on. She takes me straight up and shows me around before asking me to change into a spa robe and explaining what she’ll be doing today.

I spend all day getting pampered like I’m a freaking princess. And on top of that, every hour Lucas sends me another gift with sweet texts and messages in each box. Every gift and note is sweeter than the last, so by the time I have to put on my dress, I think I’m in love with him. He is so incredibly thoughtful. No wonder his sister adores him so much. I can see why. I also don’t understand how his mom hasn’t already married him up.

When they bring the dress out, my mouth falls open. “I can’t pull that off,” I tell Emma, the woman who’s been with me all day.

“Oh yes, you can. Now come on. Your man is already here and we are having to hold him back from coming in!” she laughs.

I can’t see anyone holding Lucas back, but I take her word for it. I have her help me get into the dress because I want to get to Lucas probably just as much as he wants to get to me.

Eight

Lucas

I’m pacing as I wait for the elevator doors to open. I wasn’t supposed to be here for another hour, but I couldn’t stand it any longer. I’ve practically worn a hole in the plush carpet as I turn and walk to the other side of the room. For what has to be the millionth time.

When I hear the sound of the elevator, I can feel my heart beating in my chest. I stop and stare at the doors, willing them to open. Ever so slowly they part and out steps my beauty.

“Fuck me,” I mumble as my jaw hits the floor.

Ava laughs and looks down at the floor shyly as she walks towards me.

I can’t form words as my eyes eat up every inch of her. She takes a few more steps towards me, and the only thing I can come up with is that she looks like Jessica Rabbit. Her dress is red and cut low in the back with a high slit up her leg. Her breasts are pushed up and her thick waist is nipped in so her wide hips flare out. She’s sex on legs, and if my tongue could fall out like one of those cartoon wolves, it would.

“Do you like it?” she asks, holding her hands out and doing a little twirl.

She’s got on skyscraper heels that match her dress, and her hair is pulled into a low knot at the nape of her neck. So when I catch sight of her from behind, it’s nothing but bare skin all the way down to the crack of her ass. She’s practically naked.

“Lucas?” she prods, and I have to blink.

“You’ve literally taken my breath, petal,” I say, placing my hand on my chest.

She smiles and laughs softly as she steps closer and covers the hand on my heart with her own. I glance down and see the amethyst bracelet I sent her, and she’s wearing the matching earrings and necklace.

“You’re stunning,” I say and shake my head. “I’ve never seen someone or something more beautiful in all my life.” I bring the palm of her hand to my lips and kiss it. “If I live to be a thousand years old, I’ll never see anything more exquisite.”

“Thank you,” she says softly as I pull her closer to me and slide my hand around to her bare back.