Page 71 of The One
I bite my lip, letting my gaze sweep over him, head to toe. Damn, he’s a fine specimen of a man. The finest, actually. I could stare at him all day.
“You’ve outdone yourself,” I tease softly.
He chuckles, running a hand through his hair. “I’ve got you to thank for that.”
Not really. He’s always dressed to impress. The man needs no help at all.
Still, his comment makes me blush even hotter. God, I really wish I could stop doing that.
He turns to me then with a quizzical look on his gorgeous face.
“Hmm, something isn’t sitting right about this…”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mariella
Mateo steps closer, his voice low. “It’s not right that I’m having all the fun. Let’s get you something in one of the other shops. Pick whatever you like. My treat.”
“What?” I blink up at him, my heart hammering in my chest. “No.” I shake my head, but the rush of adrenaline is undeniable. “No, I couldn’t.”
“Let’s at least have a look.” He steps even closer, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “I saw your excitement in the car when I told you where we were going. You know you want to,” he teases, his voice warm and persuasive.
“I do,” I admit, unable to hold back my smile. “I really, really want to.”
Mateo chuckles, his soft laugh wrapping around me like his aftershave.
His hand rests at the small of my back as we step out of Zegna, and I’m hyperaware of the heat from his touch, the solid presence of him.
We stop in front of Gucci, the polished windows reflecting the luxury inside, and I swear, I’m floating.
This is Gucci!
A place I’ve dreamed of setting foot in. I’m breathless at the sight of it all, the rows of finely crafted garments, the aura of elegance and history.
I glance over at Mateo, grinning like a cat who got the cream, and he smiles back, clearly enjoying my reaction.
“This is unbelievable,” I whisper, as I take it all in.
I’ve pored over Gucci designs in magazines, studied every cut and stitch, imagining one day walking through these doors.
And now, here I am. Mateo made this dream come true.
I walk through the store, my fingertips brushing lightly against the soft fabrics that line the racks. “Wow, each piece is more beautiful than the last,” I murmur more to myself as I move deeper into the store.
Something catches my eye. A silver, shimmering dress.
It’s displayed on a mannequin, lit in a way that makes every stitch catch the light. Simple in its cut, yet thoughtful in every detail, the dress is elegant and striking, a quiet masterpiece.
Wow!
I step closer, admiring the care that must have gone into creating something so beautiful. I can almost feel its softness against my skin, imagining how it would move with every step.
Mateo comes up behind me, his gaze on the dress, then on me.
“You like it?” His voice is low, tempting.
I nod, unable to tear my eyes away.
