Page 12 of Hook

Slowly, I make my way toward the fitting room entrance, where I stop and peer inside. Gwen sits alone in the waiting area with a bridal magazine open, which means that she not trying dresses on today.

The shop assistant clears her throat behind me and I straighten, turning my head and studying her for a moment. She’s young and doe-eyed. “Can I help you, sir?”

I flash back one of my most winning smiles. “No, I’m simply waiting for my fiancée and her friends,” I tell her.

Her cheeks flush, but she smiles. “A real shame. If you weren’t taken, I’d ask you out.”

I chuckle under my breath. “Well, nothing is ever set in stone until the wedding day.”

Her brow creases as she sizes me up. “Men like you are too dangerous,” she says quietly before moving to straighten clothing on a mannequin nearby.

As soon as she leaves to assist another customer, I move back to the opening of the dressing rooms to watch my prey from afar. The little princess fidgets nervously while flicking her hair back from one side of her face to the other. She glances around the room as if sensing me watching her, so I dart out of sight.

“Gwen,” I overhear her friend say her name from inside the dressing room. Peeking back through the doorway, I see Gwendolyne standing there with one other girl.

“What do you think?” She asks, strutting about in a powder blue dress and twirling around.

“I love it,” Gwen replies, nodding. “It’s definitely my favorite.”

The other girl comes out wearing the same dress, confirming my suspicions. These girls are Gwen’s bridesmaids. I don’t know who they are as my research on Gwendolyne suggests she doesn’t have friends, not by choice, but because of her father’s rules. Perhaps they’re family members.

“Agreed,” the first girl says cheerfully. “Let’s get this one. It’s perfect.”

My pulse quickens as Gwen stands up, handing over her credit card to one of her friends. “Pay for them both. I need to use the restroom.”

Jackpot.

My blood burns with desire as I’m presented with the chance to speak with her again.

Eagerly, I move away from the entrance of the changing area and creep around a mannequin so Gwen doesn’t notice me. The opportunity I’ve longed for since we last met—a moment alone where her attention is on me only.

Gwen walks toward the restrooms, her hips swaying tempting. She has the most tantalizing curves, making me want her with every fiber of my being.

She cluelessly strides into the restroom. A few moments pass before I enter, crouching to glance beneath each stall to make sure no one else is in here. I lock the main door shut, my heart racing hard and fast like thunder crackling between two clouds.

She steps out of her stall and her emerald eyes instantly flare wide in shock when she spots me standing by the door.

Panic engraves itself on her features. “What are you doing in here?” she finally says.

I smirk at her, “Not pleased to see me, princess?”

Her eyes narrow. “Certainly not.”

“Why?” I ask, my voice low and gruff. “Because you haven’t been able to stop thinking about me when you’re engaged to another man?”

Her gaze drops to the floor, her eyes unable to meet mine. “I haven’t thought of you at all,” she whispers.

I step forward as if compelled by a supernatural force. My fingertips brush against her chin, coaxing her face to meet my gaze. “Liar,” I say, shaking my head. “You can deny it all you want, but I know it’s true. I can see it in your eyes every time you look at me, you want me.”

Gwen shakes her head. “You’re delusional if you think I want you. It’s clear that you’re following me like an obsessed stalker.”

I move closer to her, shortening the distance between us. “How many times have you thought about our kiss last week?” I demand.

She sighs heavily. “Zero.”

I laugh, because she’s so adorable when she lies. “I bet you’ve played with yourself picturing me, haven’t you?”

Her face turns red and her eyes betray her shame before she speaks.

---