Page 78 of Words We Didn't Say

He said, “A diamond’s still a diamond.”

Zach

“You’re so wriggly,” Edenhuffed from behind me. “Hold still!”

Smothering a smile, I squared my shoulders, standing tall, but I couldn’t help squirming when Eden’s fingers lingered a littletoolong on my behind. She’d said she needed to smooth out the creases in my tuxedo. Adorable little liar. She was just trying to cop a feel.

Her hand slipped lower.

Lower.

I wriggled.

“Zach,” my angry kitten growled.

“Keep your hands off my butt, and I’ll stand as still as you want.” A fair compromise. Announcing our arrival at this god-awful work function with a raging hard-on wasn’t exactly on my bingo card.

Eden straightened up, lifted her chin, and planted a no-nonsense hand on her hip. “Tonight’s important. We need to look our best. I don’t want us tagged on anyone’s social media with ‘should have taken the bus.’”

I arched a brow. I couldn’t imagine Eden climbing into a bus in her slinky black frock. My eyes dipped lower. Or wearing those sky-high heels.

Her nose scrunched. She didn’t appreciate my grin one bit. “It’s a saying my favourite fashion critic uses when she notices all the wrinkles and creases in people’s outfits. We need to look immaculate.”

“Are you sure that’s why you can’t keep your hands off me?” I teased. “I’ve recently learned you happen to like my butt.”

“As if.” Eden made a scoffing sound, her eyes bouncing everywhere but on me. “I’ve never noticed your stupid booty.”

She was too cute when she lied. “No?” I booped her on the tip of her nose. “I should probably tell you that the gossipy ladies at your salon spilled the tea.”

“Spilled the tea?You don’t say things like that!”

“Oh, yes, those ladies spilledallthe tea, Denny Dee. It was suggested to me you might’ve been gushing about how hot I am for quite some time.” Even the idea of it seemed ludicrous to say aloud, but I loved the way colour flushed to her cheeks.

She snorted. “As if I think you’re hot.”

“No?” I lowered my voice. “You didn’t imagine digging your little fingers into me…when I’m on top of you…making you feel good?”

She swallowed. “N-No.”

“You weren’t imagining me repaying you for how pretty you moan for me?” I ran my fingertips over the silky fabric hugging her hip. “Fucking you even harder?”

“Um.” She wriggled on the spot. “Def—definitely not.”

“No. Of course not. We’re waiting, aren’t we?”

“Y-Yes.” She cleared her throat.“Yes.”

She tipped a smile up at me. She enjoyed playing this game, but I hadn’t distracted her from her nerves. She stepped closer. Her eyes locked on my bow tie. Before her hands reached me, I captured them, warming her fingers on the spot over my heart.

“Eden, my bow tie is straight. My tux isn’t wrinkled, and your dress, hair, and makeup are all perfect. You look crazy gorgeous. Everyone’s going to love you.”

But no one could ever love you as much as I do.

My smile strained, suddenly too tight for my face, and I lowered my gaze to the safety of my shoes. There was no clowning around when those words were so close to spilling out of my mouth. I pressed my lips together to stop myself from scaring Eden away again too soon.

“Zach?” A soft hand touched my cheek.

“Let’s go inside.”

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