Page 95 of Feeling the Heat: Part One
Ambrose is going to be here any minute. I ended up staying way too late at work, and then my building’s elevator was out, so I had to climb eleven flights of stairs. I was a sweaty, frizzy mess by the time I got into my place, so I showered as quickly as I could, but I’m still rushing around in my panties and ratty robe trying to put myself together.
Dammit, why didn’t I pick out an outfit before I went to work?
Under any other circumstances, I would’ve called or texted to ask if we could reschedule, but I couldn’t bring myself to do that after River’s insistence I don’t back out.
The intercom by my door buzzes.
“Shit, he’s early!” I race over to answer it, almost tripping over the heels I’d discarded by the front door in my hurry to get inside and ready for our date.
“Ambrose?” I wince at how out of breath I sound.
“Hey, sweetheart.” His buttery baritone washes over me,sounding far too alluring even over the shitty intercom speakers. “Sorry, I know I’m a few minutes early.”
“Oh no, that’s okay!” I squeak, even though it is most certainly not okay because I’m not even dressed yet. But that’s not his fault and if I’m being honest with myself, it would’ve taken me more than a few minutes to pick something out and put it on.
“I’ll, uh, I’ll buzz you in.”
“I can wait down here if you’d prefer. Whatever you’re comfortable with.”
God, he’s so damn considerate. I take a deep breath, reminding myself that Ambrose doesn’t seem like the type of guy to be an ass about me running late.
“No, please come up. It’s going to take me a bit to finish getting ready, and I don’t want you to have to stand out on the street for fifteen minutes. Or maybe twenty. Fair warning, I’m a bit of a mess right now because I got home a lot later than I’d planned.”
There’s a soft, low chuckle from the other end. “I’m happy to wait however long you need, Camille.”
I appreciate the sentiment, but if we’re going to make the dinner reservation he booked, we need to head out of here in the next twenty minutes.
“Oh crap, the elevator might still be out. So if you don’t want to climb up to me, there’s, uh… there’s a cafe across the street that has free Wi-Fi.”
Ambrose chuckles again. “It’s fine. I could use the workout. Just don’t judge how red my face is when I get up there.”
I smile to myself. “As long as you don’t judge how red I’m going to be from you seeing my current disheveled state.”
“Deal.”
I let him into the building, then mentally calculate if I have enough time to at least throw a dress on before he gets up here.It won’t take him more than five minutes, so I decide to do a quick tidy of my living room and kitchen instead. I’m shutting the dishwasher with my hip when my doorbell rings.
My heart leaps up into my throat and I make myself take a moment to breathe before heading over to the door.
The sight of the man in the hall as I open my front door threatens to knock me off my feet.
Wow, he cleans up nice.
Ambrose has traded his usual patterned button down and slacks for a fitted charcoal suit that makes his matching gray eyes pop. His warm smile doesn’t falter at all when he sees me, even though I’m sure he’s wondering why the hell I’m standing in front of him in a robe. If anything, his smile grows brighter, the corners of his eyes crinkling with genuine happiness. His cheeks are a little pink from the exertion of climbing the stairs and if I’d known he was so dressed up, I wouldn’t have asked him to make the trek.
Not only does he look incredible, he’s also holding a damn bouquet like the quintessential gentleman he is.
“Hello! Please come in.” I say, self-consciously clutching at the neckline of my robe as I step back for him to enter.
“Hi beautiful,” he murmurs, his scent washing over me in a rush as he steps in the door. My nipples harden and warmth pools in my stomach, and my omega couldn’t care less that I’m practically undressed. Easier access for this silver fox alpha to put his hands all over me.
Heat floods my cheeks at my dirty thoughts and I barely resist the urge to rub myself against him when he leans down to kiss my cheek, his citrusy scent causing my own to flare.
I step back with a sheepish smile. “Sorry I’m not even dressed! I swear I’m not usually this late. I normally like to be ready early, but life conspired against me today.”
Ambrose reaches out and gives my arm a gentle squeeze. “No apologies necessary, sweetheart. I’m just thrilled to see you again.”
“I’m so happy to see you, too. You look really handsome.”
