Page 129 of Love Among the Ruins
Moments passed before, “Eleni!” Sharper, louder, the urgency in Dominic’s voice panicked her.
“I just need another five more minutes!” She slipped her arms through it then froze as her hands went to her back to do up the hooks. With horror she realized she couldn’t do them all the way up. At the boutique the store assistant had helped her.
“I hate being late. How long?”
What was wrong with the man? “I’m coming!” She rushed to the door and shouted for Xenia. With no response forthcoming, she rushed into the kitchen in her bare feet, with her corset half hanging off. “Xenia?”
“She’s not here.” She heard Dominic’s voice around the corner before she saw him, and then it was too late to hide. Panicked, she turned around, so that he couldn’t see her bare back.
“But…but she said she was coming today.”
“She’s been and gone…” A sound, something between a gasp and admiration fell from his lips. Dominic stared at her as if she were the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. “You look ...”
“I need her …”
“For what?” His heated gaze traveled slowly up and down her length.
“For … something.”
“I’m here.”
“But I needher,” she whimpered. Her heart missed a couple of beats, maybe ten, as she took in his appearance. He was dressed in the inkiest darkest blue suit, with a white shirt, cufflinks, and tie. He stole her breath away and she, she was in danger of swallowing her own tongue, of hyperventilating if he moved any closer.
Why was it that this man took her breath away just because of the clothes he wore? They both mirrored one another’s awe. Reflected back in his expression was the sure sign that she had dazzled him, as he had her.
“What’s the problem?”
How could she ask him? She had no choice. “I can’t … I can’t do my back up.”
“Let me help you.” He moved towards her, and her heart leapt into her mouth.
“No.” The idea of Dominic doing up her hooks at the back set fire to her already heated skin.
“We need to get going, Eleni. I don’t want to be late.”
He was angry, and impatient, and concerned about the timing. She was concerned about her body and how she might just fall into him. “I have another outfit I could—”
“This. I want you in this.” His eyes were a liquid, shimmering darkened blue and there was something about his voice. Something strong. As if he’d issued an order. As if she had no choice but to wear this. For him.
An electrical pulse charged through her. Angry Dominic was one thing, but this, him being commanding and sexy, he turned her into a wanton wreck. She moved so that her back was to him, and her breath hitched in her throat when his fingers grazed her skin, slowly moving down.
“These things are fiddly ...” He sounded different. Not as assured and as confident, and he seemed to struggle with the hooks, his breathing heavier than normal, his fingers clumsier than usual.
“I shouldn’t have worn this—”
“This is the perfect dress. It is so very you.”
She was tempted to ask him what he meant, but she couldn’t string a sentence together. Dominic unleashed in her a torrent of emotions, flooding her already overloaded senses. With one touch he had turned her molten.
She swallowed, trying to still her breathing. Every time he was around her, the air became scarce, and she struggled to fill her lungs.
“That should be it. You’re good to go.”
“Thanks,” she managed to say, as she turned around and thanked the heavens that her strapless bra was padded. That he wouldn’t see the way her breasts had peaked, just because of his touch.
His gaze raked over her slowly, causing her to clench her pelvic floor muscles, her stomach, and hold in her breath while her body—already a tingling, vibrating mess—absorbed his heated stare.
“You look … you look …” The expression on his face told her more than mere words ever could have. She put a hand to her French twist, praying that it would hold, her fingers gingerly touching the hair slide. “You like it?”
