Page 75 of Once Smitten, Twice Shy

“Dammit.” I bend over the dresser and thunk my head even harder than I did on the wall.

Here I was, so relieved that Juliet and I would have something to do after this romantic dinner I have planned, that there’d be no loaded silences as I drove her home, no temptation to walk her upstairs and past her door and give in to this terrible, consuming want. But now that I know she’s going to be dressed like this?

I brace my hands on the dresser and stare at my reflection in the mirror mounted to it. And then I tell my reflection the truth:

“You are absolutely fucked.”

•Twenty-Three•

Juliet

I’ve already buzzed him upstairs, and when Will’s knock on my door echoes through the apartment, I’m ready to go, fancied up, just like he asked me to be. My hair falls around my shoulders in soft waves, ready to be twisted up later for my dominatrix outfit. I smooth my hands down my ivory dress as I step back from examining myself in my bedroom’s full-length mirror, satisfied with what I see.

The dress’s warm white hue makes my fair skin glow; the neckline is a flattering scoop that sits wide at the edge of my shoulders. My gold stud earrings, heirlooms from Grandma Viola, sparkle with tiny diamonds. I test the backs, make sure they’re in tight, as I walk down the hall into the open concept living, dining, and kitchen space. Then I reach behind me, checking that the zipper that sits at the small of my back is all the way up. My comfy-footbed, low-heel nude pumps click softly on the wood floors.

“Come in!” I tell him.

After a second, I hear the door open and bang into the coat hooks on the wall, followed by a muttered curse, and smile to myself.

“Don’t worry,” I call. “I’ve been living in this apartment for years, and it still happens to me…” My voice dies off as I round the corner into the little entranceway. I freeze in my tracks.

Will stands in the foyer, wearing a deep gray suit, his jacket open, a crisp white shirt beneath it. He stares at me, mouth parted, eyes wide. A fierce blush creeps up his cheeks—cheeks that I can actuallysee.

The big, bushy beard has been shaved down to a thick, tidy scruff. Which means that, finally, I can see…all of him.

And he’s breathtaking.

Sharp jaw, faint hollows at his cheeks, the tiniest cleft at his chin. I stare at his mouth, now that it isn’t hidden beneath his beard. All I can think about is tasting that mouth, dragging his bottom lip slowly between my teeth, earning his groaning sighs.

“Your beard,” I whisper hoarsely. “It’s…not very beardy anymore.”

Will brings a hand to his face, seeming self-conscious as he scrubs it along his scruffy jaw. His eyes are dancing over me. He looks…dazed. “Uh-huh.”

“You look great, Will.”

“Uh-huh,” he says again. A thick swallow works down his throat.

I take a step toward him. “You okay, big guy?”

He shakes his head. “Nuh-uh.”

A soft laugh jumps out of me. I smooth my hands down the lapels of his suit. “What’s the matter?”

He’s peering down at me, his gaze heated. His jaw tightens. He shoves his hands into his pockets, and I wonder why. Is he trying to keep them to himself? Good for him. I, however, am not strong enough to resist temptation.

“Jules,” he says roughly, staring down at me still. “You look…perfect. Your hair. Your dress…” He drags his hands out of his pockets, rakes them through his hair, and blows out a breath. “Jesus.”

My cheeks heat. I shrug, smiling wide. “Aw, this old thing?”

“I…” He huffs out a laugh. His hands fall to his sides. “I’m speechless. Which I know probably doesn’t seem like it’s saying much, but…”

I clasp his hand and squeeze. “Thank you,” I whisper, smiling up at him. “Ready to bowl?”

A faint, rough laugh rumbles in his chest. He turns his hand in mine and gently squeezes back. “Ready when you are.”

I should grab my stuff so we can go to wherever we’re actually headed, but I can’t seem to move my feet. My heart’s flying as I stare up at him.

Will frowns. “What is it?”

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