Page 59 of His to Possess
“Good. I made our dinner reservations quite early so we wouldn’t be rushed before the theater. Is an hour enough time for you to get ready?”
“More than enough.”
He turns to leave the closet but stops in the doorway, looking at me over his shoulder. “A dress will be arriving for you shortly.”
I frown. “You bought me dresses yesterday. At least five of them.”
A flash of mischief comes to his eyes just before he turns away again. “This dress is special.”
Before I can argue about his over-the-top spending, he strides out of my room, leaving me alone and only slightly less overwhelmed than I was before he came in.
* * *
I thoughtthe dress Philip had delivered the night of his business dinner with Harper and Nate was gorgeous, but this one is another level. The bodice mostly consists of sheer netting, with glittering crystals scattered to cover everything important. The sheer fabric matches my skin tone perfectly, making it look like I have shards of silver dancing across my flesh. The skirt is full, hitting just below my knees. The entire effect is classy and sexy at the same time. I don’t think I’ve ever worn anything more beautiful in my life.
But it’s the expression on Philip’s face when I walk out that really makes me feel amazing. His eyes darken, heat swimming in their depths as his eyes travel over my body. “Breathtaking,” he mutters, so low I’m not sure if he’s talking to me or himself.
“You’re one to talk,” I manage, even though the sight of him standing there in a black tuxedo has literally stolen my own breath. It should be illegal for a man to look that good.
“Spin for me,” he says, and I blush but comply.
“Perfect,” he says, his voice rough.
“Whoever you have shopping for you has exquisite taste,” I say as I walk to his side. “I didn’t think that first one could be topped but this is the prettiest thing I’ve ever worn.”
“The dress is only lovely because of the woman wearing it.” Then he frowns. “And I chose it. Both of them. You thought I let the shopper choose those gowns?”
I open and close my mouth several times, not sure how to respond. Of course I thought the shopper picked them. The idea of Philip Matthews looking at dresses is preposterous. Isn’t he way too busy for that kind of thing?
He leans in and my belly dips at his nearness. “I have very strong opinions when it comes to you,” he murmurs. “You should remember that.” My face flushes and Philip’s grin turns downright predatory. “When one is trying to impress a woman as lovely as you, one doesn’t leave the details to someone else.”
Before I can do more than gape at him, an alarm buzzes on his phone. “Car is here,” he says, holding out an arm for me to take. “Shall we?”
Suddenly, a swell of giddy excitement rushes through me. Philip is trying to impress me.Me. The clothes and the dinners, this trip—he chose these things specially for me. And the realization of that fills me up with warmth.
I give him my best flirty smile as I take his arm. “Let the impressing commence.”
* * *
Impressing was an understatement.Philip pulled out all the stops—champagne in the limo, private table at Le Bernardin, drinks at some rooftop bar overlooking Central Park. And when Philip shows our tickets to the usher at the opera, the man leads us to a private box.
“Oh,” I whisper as we step through the red velvet curtain. The location is so good it feels like we’re practically right on top of the stage. Down below, people are filling in to long rows of cramped-looking seats but there are only two chairs in our box. A quick peek at the boxes to either side show that’s not the typical set-up—each of them seat at least six people.
Correctly guessing the subject of my curiosity, Philip leans in. “I booked the entire box for us.”
When I turn to look at him, he’s standing much closer than I expected. I’m hit right in the face with his proximity—his masculine scent, the heat from his body, the piercing blue of his eyes.
“I thought we might like the privacy,” he murmurs and my stomach erupts in butterflies. He slides my chair back slightly and nudges me to sit down. The moment he’s in his own seat, he slides it an inch closer to mine, not giving my senses any break from the overwhelming nearness of this man.
I try to make conversation, even though my heart is pounding and my skin is feeling oddly tingly. I’m afraid if I give into these feelings, I’ll end up jumping on his lap and kissing him before the lights even go down. “This theater is gorgeous,” I say, wincing when I hear the slight tremor in my voice. If Philip notices, he doesn’t mention it.
“It is beautiful. The real accomplishment here is the acoustics though.” He opens his glossy program then casually rests his free hand on my knee. “If you want to be really wowed by an opera house, I’ll take you toPalais Garnierin Paris someday.”
“Um, okay.” I know it’s a lame response for someone casually offering to take me to freaking Paris, but I can’t focus on anything except the feel of his hand on my knee. It should be a completely innocent gesture—who gets turned on by their knees? But his hand is so big, his palm so very warm, and all I can think about is what it felt like when he touched me in other places earlier today.
Before you freaked out and pissed him off,I remind myself. It’s definitely stupid to go down that road again. Nothing has changed since this afternoon. I still want him so badly it hurts. And I’m still not ready to ruin my chance at the contract.
“Lilah?”
