Page 76 of Forbidden Kisses

"Our date."

My eyes widened. "No. Why would you think that?"

"Because you seem nervous."

"No, it's just that I was hoping that the first time I’d see you tonight was when you picked me up from home and I’d be wearing a knockout dress."

He smiled before starting to laugh. "Sometimes I forget how adorable you are. You’re gorgeous just as you are."

"We should hurry up. I don't have too much time to get ready."

"Or," he said, coming closer and splaying his hand around the back of my neck, "we can just go directly there."

I gasped. "No way! I mean it. I look terrible."

"You look gorgeous," he said.

"I want to dress up."

He grinned reluctantly, straightening up and lowering his hand. "Right," he said. "Okay, then. Let's go." He pointed toward the door. "After you."

As we headed to the elevator, I realized that Duncan was walking a few feet behind me. "What are you doing?" I asked.

"Keeping my distance. Who knows what will happen otherwise."

Guess where he couldn't keep his distance, though? In the elevator.

I was making a concerted effort to stay away, leaning against one of the walls. It took all I had not to tempt him. What on earth was happening to me? After all, I’d been the one who insisted that I wanted to change, yet now I wanted to entice him.

Good Lord. I was terribly confused about what I really wanted.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Riley

The drive took longer than usual because there was a lot of traffic. I was starting to get anxious; I wanted to wash my hair and style it, but now it looked like I’d have to cut corners.

I’d kept my fingers crossed the whole way that my roommates wouldn’t be home because they were for sure going to pounce on Duncan while he waited. But then I groaned when I stepped inside the house. Both of them were here.

"Hey, Riley," Julia said, and then her eyes widened. "Duncan."

"He's going to wait for me while I get ready."

I pinned Julia with my gaze, trying to communicate silently that she had to behave. I wasn't sure if I'd succeeded, though. There was no way I could pull her and Christine to the side and warn them without Duncan overhearing, so I had to hope for the best. I knew I should have texted them.

"Don't worry, we'll keep you company," Christine said.

Hell, this was going to be a bloodbath, but still, I had full confidence that Duncan could hold his own.

I hurried into the shower. I usually liked to take my time—I was like a frog in the water—but right now I washed my hair at top speed and decided to forgo the conditioner because I was supposed to leave it in for five minutes, and I absolutely did not have the time. However, I regretted it the second I started to comb my hair. It had so many knots that I lost as much time detangling them as I would have if I’d simply let the conditioner do its work.

Then the hardest part came. I’d spent half the day thinking about which outfit to wear tonight. I’d decided on wearing a white-and-pink dress and white sandals, but now of course I thought that was a completely silly idea. I needed something to make a statement.

I took out a red dress that I hadn't worn in forever. I'd bought it once at a sale, figuring that eventually I'd have a reason to wear it. Tonight was definitely that reason. I paired it with black sandals that had straps. They looked 100 percent sexy. The dress had a heart-shaped décolletage and fit snugly on my body. I accessorized it with half-moon earrings and a matching necklace, then sprayed on my favorite perfume, Hugo Boss Seduction, before heading out of the room.

"So, Duncan, you want to do shots?” Julia asked.

I closed my eyes.Oh, Julia. Way to scare him away and think we're a bunch of sorority girls or something.