“You ignore me when I’m helpful.”
“I put the dress on, didn’t I?”
Gillian let out a blissful sigh. “That was the best present I ever gave you.”
“It’s too tight.”
“It’s not.”
“It’s too short.”
“It isn’t. It’s sexy as hell on you. Besides, it’s not my fault you never took it out of the closet for a spin. I’m just glad you finally came to your senses and put it on.”
Allison ran a hand over her hip. She definitely looked…different. Thanks to a heaping amount of magical products she’d put into her curls, they actually had a decent bounce to them. Her makeup was a touch more dramatic than her usual neutral-day regime, and the dress…
The dress made her feel like a temptress.
Though it was sophisticated enough that she hadn’t given back the present, it was definitely a far cry from her usual clothing that helped hide her curves rather than put them on display.
There was no hiding in this dress.
“Not only does that dress make you look sinfully curvy, it makes your legs look longer,” Gillian’s voice said. “You can thank me tomorrow after Darian has spent the evening panting over you.”
There was no stopping her smile. She quite liked the idea of her controlled boss panting over her.
“Besides, it’s kind of like a first date, right? The object is to knock his socks off.”
Gillian wasn’t wrong. Her invitation to their last dinner had been because of work, and ever since then, when Darian showed up on her doorstep, it didn’t take them long to get to the bedroom.
This was the first time since they started their sexual relationship that Allison could spend time with him as neither his assistant nor his booty call.
She could simply be a woman.
“All right, I’ll wear the dress,” she said.
A muffled cheer rose from the phone. “I demand details as soon as you kick him out tonight. And remember, you’re mine tomorrow.”
Shaking her head, she reached for her clutch. “I very much doubt I’ll make it.”
“Think you’ll have another date?”
She paused. “I don’t know.” Would one date lead to another or was this just an offer made while endorphins were rushing through Darian’s brain?
Might he want more than just a sexual relationship with her?
Her heartbeat kicked up a notch at the thought. It shouldn’t make her so happy to think about and yet, there was no denying the pleasure coursing through her at the idea they could be more than just partners in bed.
“I’m heading out now. Thanks for the pep talk.”
“What are friends for? Have fun tonight, and remember, details!”
She disconnected the call with a smile. Time to go meet her man.
As if conjured by her thoughts, the doorbell rang.
Dashing from her room, she smoothed a nervous hand down her dress. She was as ready as she’d ever be.
“Hello,” Darian greeted when she opened the door.
She caught her breath. As always, he was impeccable in his tailored suit. This time, however, he’d chosen to wear all black. The only color on him was the blue of his scarf. While the dark shade might have overpowered a lesser man, Darian appeared even more commanding than usual. She had no doubt he would turn every female head when they walked into the restaurant.
A thrill raced through her at the knowledge that, for tonight at least, he was hers.
“Hi,” she replied, clutching the door.
His eyes swept over her. “You look amazing.” Reaching beside the door, she grabbed her coat and purse from the waiting hooks.
“All ready?” he asked as she pulled the door shut behind her.
“I think I’ve got everything.” She peered up at him to see him watching her with equal parts amusement and hunger.
“What?” she asked.
“I’ve been careless.”
“How so?”
“That wasn’t a proper greeting at all.” Not giving her a chance to protest, he crowded her up against the door before his lips descended onto hers.
Allison melted into his arms, more than willing to follow his lead. Her hands slid over his shoulders to pull him closer. He kissed her as if they hadn’t seen each other in ages, instead of the few hours it’d been since their last encounter in his office. When he touched her this way she was tempted to forgo the dinner she’d been looking forward to and simply invite him in. Thai takeout in bed sounded like a worthy substitute, right?
With a last brush of his lips over hers, he pulled back. “Now that,” he said, “was a hello.”
“You have my whole-hearted agreement. Good thing I invested in some kiss-proof lipstick.”