Page 76 of Risky Obsession

CHAPTER 16

Lacey/Tory

Kane’s fingers lingered on my skin, and a silent beat crossed between us that was so loaded with suggestion that I had to force my legs to shift away.

I turned to him. “So will you let me out of that dare?”

His Adam’s apple bobbed. “Of course.”

“Cool.” I stepped back into the cubicle. “I’ll try on another one.”

I yanked the curtain closed and turned to the mirror. Tears swam in my eyes again, and my chest clamped so hard my bruises damn well hurt.

Sniffing back my stupid emotions, I yanked off the dress, returned it to the hanger, and reached for the next dress.

“Tory.” Kane’s tone had a pleading lilt. “Try this one on.” He pushed a black dress between the curtain.

I added the hanger to the hook on the wall. The long black dress looked brand new and was made in a delicate lace subtly decorated with sequins. Clenching my jaw, determined not to break down, I tugged on the dress.

The cool satin caressed my skin, clinging to every curve, and the lace fabric was so smooth it felt like liquid against my body. A daring V-neck plunged toward my navel, stopping just short of scandalous. Slender straps snaked across my bare shoulders and attached to a delicate band around my waist. The ankle-length flowing skirt featured a thigh-high leg split that played peek-a-boo with my left leg which would make walking easier without revealing the massive bandage on my right calf. This was the kindof dress I’d only ever seen on glamorous movie stars. The kind that screamed ‘red carpet’ not ‘dusty antique shop.’

The tag swung beneath my armpit, and bracing to be shocked, I checked the price. My jaw dropped. Just eighty-five euro.

“Do you need my help?” Kane asked.

“No. No.”

Hesitantly, I stepped out of the changing room, running my hands down the sides of the dress, feeling absurdly self-conscious. “So?” I mumbled, averting my gaze from Kane.

He was silent, and a nervous flutter clenched in my stomach. When I finally peeked up, his eyes were locked on me with a dark intensity that stole every thought from my mind.

“Wow,” he said, his voice a husky murmur. “Tory, you look . . .”

“Ridiculous?” I blurted.

His gaze swept down my body and back up again, sparking embers within me that could ignite an inferno.

“No. Tory, you look—” He reached for my hand. “You look exquisite.”

My cheeks burned as the words hung in the air, heavy and unexpected.

“And sexy,” he added, a slow smile curving his lips.

The word slammed into me like a physical blow.

Sexy? Me?

I playfully slapped his chest. “Stop it.”

He stepped closer, his eyes never leaving mine, and placed his hand on my hip.

“You do,” he said simply. “You’re breathtaking.” His eyes were intoxicating.

And a little bit terrifying.

I was feeling things for him that had never swirled in me before, and I hated myself just that little bit more. I stepped back, putting distance between us. “Thanks. And it only costs eighty-five euro.”

“Amazing.” His stunning eyes pierced mine, taking my breath away.