I thought she looked better than the models.
I never found aging quite so beautiful as when I looked at her. Gravity had taken its toll and her skin wasn’t as tight as Alessia’s was, but like a fine wine, she got better with age. There was no doubt she had been exceptionally beautiful in her prime. As time passed, beauty naturally declined. But as a society, we shouldn’t think that way. Our appearance changed, but not in a bad way.
I realized I hadn’t said anything for the past minute, ignoring her polite greeting because I chose to stare at her instead. If we were alone together, it probably wouldn’t have mattered. She knew I wasn’t big on talking.
But we weren’t alone. “I’m very happy to be here. Shall we begin?”
“Yes.” She moved back to the rack and selected the first piece. “I know you have places to be.”
I was free for the rest of the day, but I didn’t tell her that.
She handed me the first suit, a deep navy blue with a smooth fabric that didn’t possess the appearance of silk. It was stiff and well made, but it had a special touch against my fingertips. “Put this on, and we’ll begin.”
The photoshoot was held entirely on the floor with different backgrounds and changes in lighting. Scarlet’s original idea was to take these photos in an exotic place, but she obviously had selected a different look.
She focused on the suit more than the background.
She stood behind the photographer and yielded the direction to him. She watched with her arms crossed over her chest, and sometimes she smiled when I changed my pose. Her eyes were glued to me the entire time. She could have stepped away and attended to the other tasks that were probably sitting on her desk, but she chose to stick around.
After two hours, we were finally done. I put my suit back on and felt the noticeable weight difference in the fabric.
Perhaps I’d have to buy some of those suits for myself.
The photographer cleared the space, and I met Scarlet by the door. She was placing every suit in a special plastic bag, protecting the fabric from the dust that filtered through the central ventilation system.
I eyed my watch before I walked up to her. “I hope the photos turned out well.”
“Oh, they did,” she said with confidence. “I saw them on the screen as Tony was working. They’re beautiful. I can already picture the spread in the magazine. And I think I might put you on the cover.”
“I’m not sure if I’m cover material.”
“Oh, you are, Vincent.” She smiled then zipped up the final bag. “The designer wants you to keep these as a thank you. I’ll have them sent to your office.”
“That’s generous. Thank you.”
“It’s not that generous,” she said with a chuckle. “If the world sees you wear these, it’s great advertising—great free advertising.”
No one else flattered me as much as she did. But her compliments seemed genuine, not hollow because she wanted something. My eyes focused on her movements, staring at her without restraint. Her motions were mesmerizing. The way her eyelashes flicked as she shifted her gaze was hypnotic.
She lifted her gaze up to me again, a soft smile on her lips. “I’ll walk you out.”
“Unnecessary. I’m sure you’re busy.”
“Then let me walk you to the elevator.” She went first, passing through the door and into the hallway.
It was the perfect opportunity to look at her, but I didn’t.
She walked me to the elevator then hit the button on the wall. “I’ll send everything over once I have it. I want you to see it for yourself.”
“Thank you.” I adjusted a cuff link before I slid both hands into my pockets.
She stared up at me, keeping her professional stance even though it was just the two of us standing there. She kept her hands in front of her, her fingers locked together. Her shoulders were back, and her neck was straight. Despite her calm appearance, I could tell she was nervous around me. “Have a good afternoon, Vincent.” She smiled at me before she stepped away, her heels clapping against the tile.
Without preemptive thought, I felt my hand shake as it ached to grab her as she stepped away. I had to control myself and keep my hands to myself. Touching her was inappropriate, especially while we stood inside the Platform building. I got her attention with my voice instead. “Have dinner with me tonight.” I hadn’t planned on asking her to do anything, but watching her walk away filled me with dread. I didn’t like it when we parted ways. She brought me a sense of comfort no one else could replicate.
She turned back to me, her eyes reflecting the same excitement that Times Square held on New Year’s Eve. She had a natural smile that was easy for her to show, but she went the extra mile whenever I said the right thing. Without telling me how she felt, I knew she wanted to see me as much as I wanted to see her. “Just tell me when and where.”
Chapter Four
Diesel
“What’s up?” Brett walked into my office with a package under his arm.
I glanced up from my laptop. “Just working.”
“Bullshit. We both know you don’t work.” He grinned before he fell into the chair facing my desk. “How’s your lady?”
My lady. I liked that. “She’s doing well. Gets stronger every day.”
“I’ve been waiting for her to kill you, honestly.”
“Why?”
“She must be going crazy staying at home all the time. And if you’re her only company…” He shook his head. “That’s gotta be brutal.”
I grabbed the pen off the desk and considered throwing it right in his eye. “You gotta death wish today, Brett?”
“I just like pissing you off.”
“So yes?” I teased.
He set the box on my desk. It was wrapped in black paper with a black bow.
I eyed it without touching it. It wasn’t my birthday or
