his nose grazing her chin as his voice

wning in moments ago vanished unde

ded up far too close, the cramped space forcin

t remote, icy composure in front of others, shed every trace of it whenever he stood this

anymore, didn't he? Maybe that was why

ed the instant something co

erald necklace resting against her skin, the g

s she murmured, "Wh

ng dress flawlessly," Henry stated, his tone so calm it sounded as th

ze exceptional craftsmanship. One look was enough to tell her

ered gesture. "It's far too

, his voice dropping into

e assessed the fit, a faint cre

fully everywhere except at the midl

ick, "It can be altered," hoping to ease whate

hesitation. "Or you could just

delicate angle before pausing deliberately on her chest. A faint squint

d an arm to shield her chest, her voice small and fluste

an instant. "All guys?

Caiden. He had always adored women

g every meal, whittling down curves she once h

silence, sharp enough that she felt h

"Men who only admire delicate, breakable women aren't men at all. That's insecurit

in her chest, leaving her

ck by how profoundly different he was

.

outique, Henry casually proposed retu

asked f

of her mother's closest friends-but the Dixon family had banned her from interacting with her mother's circle. Worse, she feared Tobias, with his gambling

a cold reception, certain

d into the Shaw family's residence, Ab

e message with careful emphasis. "Mrs. Shaw

Henry, betraying a hint

put in the bedr

hed on the edge of the bed, finger

ere was no real bond between them, and jumping i

oor swung open, and Henry stepped out wit

ders still damp, every line of muscle shifting with effortless, predatory confidence. He mov

unmistakably like the p

Irene's mind flicke

, proudly showing off his

is shoulders less commanding, his presence missing tha

, she forced herself to speak, her voice soft

bing his hair dry, his mouth tigh

her phone vibrated sharp

e moment she picked up. "Where's the meal for

punch-she hadn't even

aky breath and forced herself to answer, her voice

. You're jealous of Paulina and pulling these pett

e as Henry cut him off. "Irene's busy and d

ound of another man's amused cont

hit him hard-s

ith, go ahead and keep listening," Henry w

the phone from her hand and tossed

nd vanish beneath her. Warm, stron

Henry lifted her. His ridiculously good-