Page 45 of Heal Me

“Noted.” I tap my phone and check the time. “If we’re getting a new suit, we’re going to have to make that happen quickly. We should get a move on.”

With a flirty smirk, he drapes his arms over my shoulders. “We could save time and shower together.”

I smack his ass. “Don’t start with your seductions. Go.” I point to the bathroom. “I’ll round up some food. You can eat while I shower, and then we’ll get going.”

“Fine.” In a final attempt at seduction, he stretches his arms over his head, arching his slender, toned body against me.

I stifle a groan and pull on a pair of sweats. “You have a beautiful body, Joce.” I smack his ass again. “But get in the shower!”

23

Gunnar

Jocelinstepsupbehindme and wraps his arms around my waist. “You look edible in dark gray. Thank you for buying this.”

I lean back against him and kiss his temple. “You’re welcome. You have exceptional taste in clothing. And boyfriends.” Jocelin snorts. “Would you hand me my cufflinks, babe?”

He gives me one more squeeze and walks to my dresser, pulling the sterling silverÆgishjálmrshields from their velvet box, depositing them in my hand. I roll them around my palm. “Thank you for these as well. I love them.”

“You are welcome. How could we not get them? It’sÆgishjálmr.”

I slip them through the French cuffs of my sky-blue dress shirt and reach for my tie. “Since you are the expert, would you like to help me with this?”

Jocelin smirks, takes the offered plum-colored silk, and stands in front of me. With minimal effort, he wraps the fabric around my neck in an intricate knot. “This brings back fond memories.”

I settle my hands on his hips and squeeze gently. “Good ones.” The warm, citrusy smell of his cologne and his soft breath against my skin calm the nervousness I was beginning to feel. He steps back, and I survey the tie in the mirror. “What’s this one called?”

“A Balthus knot.” He helps me into my jacket and smooths the fabric over my shoulders. “You look incredible.” I smile at him in the mirror. “Are you nervous?”

I shrug. “Maybe a bit. I’m not used to dealing with parents. I haven’t had much practice.” Guillaume and Livia are important to Jocelin, and that makes them important to me, like it or not.

“Just be yourself. Everything will be fine.”

I look at my reflection in the mirror and shake my head. “Your tailor truly deserves the title of best in the city for altering this so beautifully and so fast.”

Jocelin nods. “He does amazing work. I’ve known him for years. He’s good people, and I’m always happy to send whatever business I can his way.”

I stand next to Jocelin and admire us in the full-length mirror. “I’d say we look quite dashing together.”

He beams. “We do. Your dark gray complements my dark plum beautifully.”

With a quick wink at him in the reflection, I turn to ogle him from behind. “Mmm. I’m going to have trouble keeping my eyes off your ass. The cut of those trousers is perfect. Reminds me how good you look out of them.”

Grinning, he adjusts the collar of his paisley dress shirt, making sure the oriental knot of his black, narrow tie sits properly. “I think we’re ready.”

“Not quite.”

Jocelin looks at me in the mirror. “What’s left?”

I drag my hand through my hair and bite my lip. “I got you something.”

He turns away from the mirror and looks directly at me. “Gunnar, you didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. But I wanted to. And when I saw them, I thought of you and, well, I had to buy them.” I pull a small box out of the top drawer of my dresser and offer it to him, glad that my hands aren’t shaking too badly.

His eyes sparkle with excitement, and his grin is adorable. I hold my breath as he slowly opens the lid. When he stares at the contents, not moving or saying anything, I clear my throat and run my hand through my hair again. “If you don’t like them, I can take them back.” Jocelin looks up, wide-eyed, and blinks rapidly, shaking his head. His sweet smile gives me hope that I chose well. “Do you like them?”

He wraps his arms around me and pulls me down, pressing his forehead to mine. “I love them. I absolutely love them. They are beautiful and will remind me of you. Thank you.” I huff a sigh of relief and hold him tightly until he sniffs and steps back, futzing with my collar. “Look, I’ve rumpled you.” I shrug but keep my arms around him. Nothing else matters because Jocelin loves his gift, and it made him the good kind of emotional.

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