Page 124 of Finally Mine
Her phone pinged.
Harper: Where is he taking you???
It pinged again.
Sophie: I want a detailed timeline of everything you two do tonight! With pictures! And video!
Another ping.
Mom: What shoes are you wearing?
Her lady posse was on red alert tonight.Gloria turned her phone off and dumped it on the table inside the door. “Um, come in. You look like James Bond. Only hotter.” And she was doling out awkward compliments like she was a shy sixteen-year-old.
Aldo took her hand and twirled her once more. “You take my breath away.”
There went the swooning again. Gloria had to lock her knees in place so the traitors wouldn’t give out on her again.
“Thank you.” She managed to get the words out without choking on them. “Could you help me zip my dress? I couldn’t quite reach.”
He took his time turning her away from him, and she melted at the decadent touch of his palm gliding over bare skin. Slowly, he tugged the zipper up, holding her by the waist with his other hand. Every touch was a seduction. And Gloria was more than willing to be seduced.
“We could stay in,” she suggested, running her hands over his lapels.
Who knew she had a thing for tuxes?
He grinned at her, and her panties went up in flames. She couldn’t wait to get into the dress, and now she was ready to beg him to take it off of her.
“I didn’t lint roll my pants three times to get all the cat fur off of them just to stay in tonight,” he said, dipping his head. His lips brushed hers gently. The sound that came from the back of her throat was positively carnal.
Aldo took a deep breath and a step back. He scraped a hand over his jaw, his erection straining at the front of his trousers. It was the sexiest thing Gloria had ever witnessed in her life. Impressive, considering she’d seen the man naked on multiple occasions.
“Where could we possibly be going dressed like this?” Gloria laughed, fluffing her skirt.
“Ah, but you’re not quite dressed yet,” Aldo countered. He produced a small box from his pocket and with a quirk of his lips, popped the lid.
Diamonds glittered on satin. At least she thought they were diamonds. Glass didn’t shine like that. Earrings, each with five spokes that wrapped around and under the ear from a single point.
“Oh, my God,” she breathed.
“Do you like them?” he asked.
She nodded, eyes wide, not sure words would do her gratitude justice.
“I saw them, and they reminded me of you. Cool, classic, with a lot of sparkle.”
“Aldo, I don’t know what to say. No one’s ever…” Of course no one had ever given her anything like that. They both knew it.
“It’s too much. I don’t want you bankrupting yourself to give me things.”
His snort caught her attention. “What?” she demanded.
“Glo, money isn’t an issue.”
“I know you have your business,” Gloria said. “But you don’t need to be spending it all on me.”
“I’m a partner in a comfortably successful business. Luke and I happen to hold the patent on a fancy little joist system that turns a decent profit.”
“Decent profit?” But she was waving her hands. “Never mind. I don’t want to know. It’s none of my business.”
