Page 54

“But… beautiful. There are few opportunities I have to wear this. Why would we stock up now?” I asked as I smoothed down the invisible wrinkles on the navy blazer I wore over the slate gray knit shirt that felt like velvet against my skin.

He paused with an eggplant v-neck sweater held onto the tips of his fingers before he draped it over the chair and strode forward to cup my face.

“Am I getting carried away?”

Rather than waffle about what I wanted to say, I decided being direct was the best form of communication between the two of us.

“No, you’re not. I’m not used to these prices. I’m more of a grab anything that’s cheap and covers me, but some of these,” I leaned close and whispered, “the cost… it’s outrageous. As much as this feels like heaven against my skin and makes me lookfantastic, it’s not worth, well, close to a thousand dollars. The suits I understand, but I can’t justify spending this much money on a cardigan.”

Then it hit me, and the words were out before I could stop them.

“Oh… is it embarrassing for you to be seen with me because of the way I dress? I guess I should have thought about that?—”

I gasped when his mouth slammed down on mine and for several minutes, my brain turned to mush as I held on, kissing him back. My entire body melted when his thumbs ran up and down my jaw, the caress causing a shiver to overwhelm me, and I leaned closer, giving him everything he wanted.

“Fucking hell, Ollie. You drive me insane whenever I have you in my arms. But to answer your question. No,cariño mío, you do not and have never embarrassed me. This isn’t about changing you. I wanted to treat you, and I suppose since it’s natural to get anything I want, whenever I want it, I expected you’d like it just as much.”

As I swallowed the lump in my throat, I admitted, “I adore the clothes.”

“But?”

“Um, because we’re in a relationship, it’s important to me we are equal?—”

My words stuttered to a stop when his eyes fluttered closed.

“Ollie, my love. You are my equal, my obsession, my everything,” he paused and opened his eyes, his stare intense, before continuing, “and no amount of money or fame would sway me to change my feelings for you. Just like with my family, I want you to have every single thing you want in life. And if I can provide it, I will. You’re not taking advantage of anything, since I’m willing to give you the world.”

And with those words, the fight left me. If Connor wanted to spoil me, I’d let him. But I’d also find ways of spoiling him right back.

With the near constant smile etched on my face from the time we admitted our feelings, I hadn’t predicted my life would turn out quite this way when I’d set off for Los Angeles all those months ago. But tonight, I planned a special surprise for Connor. His birthday was Saturday, but he’d been busy with edits, working twelve to sixteen-hour days, and mama wanted to plan a party for that day. So tonight was for us.

I found a cute outdoor patio restaurant for dinner, asking for a corner with a view and after, well, that was a surprise I hoped Connor would love.

“Ollie?” Connor called from the bathroom.

With a smile on my face, I strode around the corner and stopped dead in my tracks. The love of my life stood there with a towel wrapped around his waist showing off his broad chest, along with all those delicious muscles, and a growl of pure need escaped.

The corner of his mouth tipped up. It happened whenever my control was close to snapping and I wanted him to take me apart until he became the center of my universe.

“What should I wear? Since you won’t tell me where we are going, I think it’s only fair you should pick.”

Closing the distance between us, I pressed my palms against his stomach and slid them up. The smooth skin sent a shiver down my spine and when I leaned closer, he closed the distance as the chaste kiss soon bloomed into more.

Several minutes later, we pulled back, both of us heaving in deep breaths as my gaze never wavered from his face.

The soft expression as he looked at me meant everything.

There was no need to mask his emotions around me, and I’ve learned to savor all the nuances, from the sparkle in his eyes to the dazed need as he met my gaze.

With one last peck on his lips, I turned toward the closet and picked out a white silk slim fit shirt. The white against his olive skin made the man irresistible and being paired with dark denim jeans emphasized Connor’s slim waist and killer thighs. And to complete the ensemble, his favorite dark blue laced canvas shoes. I hung up the shirt and dug into the drawer where he kept his underwear, and matching the blue theme, pulled out tight navy boxer briefs. Turning, I handed him the boxers, watching in avid fascination as he dropped his towel.

“Are you appreciating the view?”

“The day I don’t find you sexy as all get out is the day you bury me. It’s not my fault you’re gorgeous, funny, loving, and generous. When they said the clothes make the man, it’s because they had someone like you in mind.”

He paused with his briefs halfway up his legs and blinked at me, the shy smile on his face punching me right in the chest. He then shook his head before he finished dressing. I let out a sigh as he reached for my hand and pulled me close for a kiss.

“You are good for me, good for my heart.”