Page 31 of Tricking an Introvert

Dammit.

"Of course.."

"All right. What time do I have to be ready, again?"

"We have a couple of hours, I think." He glanced at his watch. "If we leave at six, we should make it in plenty of time."

"Great. Do you want to watch a movie or something?" she offered. "Oh, I guess you need to head home too, to get changed."

"I have a suit in the back of the car, I can get ready here. If you don't mind sharing your cast iron sink for ten minutes, that is. My mother will make a fuss if my hair isn't combed."

She snorted. "I think not. You can have the plain, boring porcelain sink in the second bathroom. I'm going to soak in a bath for a bit."

"Then I'll take you up on that movie, please."

He ran out to grab his suit, heading back in to find Tessa changed into a black silk kimono tied at her waist. Holy shit. The fluid fabric clung to her delightful curves, and she was entirely bare underneath.

Cole was stuck in place, incapable of moving, thinking, speaking.

"The bathroom's there, left door in the spare bedroom," she said, waving toward a closed door.

He cleared his throat. "Thanks."

His voice sounded hoarse to his ears.

"You know how the TV works."

And the coffee machine. And most of her kitchen. In one week, he'd familiarized himself with every part of her place.

"Yeah, sure. Shall I make you a latte?"

"Maybe in twenty minutes, so it's still hot when I'm out of the bath?"

Out of the bath, naked and glistening.

Get a hold of yourself, Cole.

"You got it."

After watching the beginning of a familiar movie, he glanced at his watch and started her salted caramel latte just as she emerged in the same kimono, a white towel wrapped around her head.

Wet. So wet the fabric was glued to her, revealing every outline this time. A translucent dress might have been less sensual. Shit, he could see her freaking nipples.

It took some effort, but Cole looked away, fixing his gaze on the TV screen.

He had to come to terms with the fact that he'd always be hard around her.

"Oh gosh, I definitely need that coffee unless you want me to fall asleep in the middle of your gala."

He lifted the drink as she approached. "You may very well fall asleep regardless."

"Unlikely. You underestimate my love for people-watching. I forgot to ask, how upscale is this thing?"

Oh, fuck. He definitely should have said something about that. While it hadn't occurred to him that the restaurant would require a specific dress code the previous evening, he knew the galas were excessively posh.

"Very. Sorry, I should have brought it up earlier. Do you have any fancy dresses? If you don't, we might have time to head over to Saks or whatever."

"I'm not that pitiful, Cole. I own a dress or two."

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