The day had been long. Meetings, phone calls, more numbers than faces. My assistant had asked twice if I wanted lunch, but I'd refused both times. Work usually cleared my head. Not today. Every time I looked up from a contract, I caught myself thinking about the woman who now carried my last name.
The Mason Charity Gala was tonight.
Evening had already fallen, and I sat within the quiet walls of Flora's Boutique, surrounded by racks of elegant gowns while a staff member held up yet another dress for my approval.
I'd completely forgotten about the promise I made to arrange something for Mara to wear. It wasn't until I was driving past the boutique on my way home that I remembered and told Larry to stop.
"No. Too revealing," I said as the woman displayed a black, backless, sequined gown with a cowl neckline.
She had shown me nearly twenty dresses, and none of them felt right. Every time she lifted one, I pictured Mara in it, and each time, something felt off. Too exposed. Too flashy. And none of them were red.
"How about this one?" she asked again hopefully.
I shook my head.
This was becoming more than a matter of picking a dress so she'd look polished like a proper Mrs. Voss. It was… something else—something I didn't want to name.
A woman approached, smiling warmly. "Excuse me, sir. I noticed you've been struggling to decide. Is it for your wife?"
"Yes."
"Ah, I see. You want her to look absolutely breathtaking. What a thoughtful husband."
I gave a polite nod.
"I'll help you out," she said cheerfully. "Your wife hit the jackpot, by the way."
"Thank you," I replied, tone even.
"Can you describe her for me? Maybe I'll know what would suit her."
I pictured Mara. "Brown hair. Green eyes. She loves long dresses and silk. Something red," I added after a pause.
"A romantic. I like that," the woman said with a grin.
A few minutes later, she returned with a red floor-length gown that had a low back, thigh-high slit, and a daring neckline. Elegant yet dangerous. I stared at it for a long moment before nodding.
It would do.
I paid, thanked her, and left. By the time I arrived home, I instructed Selene to deliver the dress to Mara and tell her to get ready. We'd leave by seven.
Upstairs, I stripped and stepped into the shower, hoping the scalding water would wash away the thoughts that had been invading my mind lately—thoughts about her.
Afterwards, I picked a navy-blue suit and matching tie, slipping on my Rolex. I glanced in the mirror. Even at thirty-two, I barely looked it. I adjusted my tie, studying the man in the mirror. Controlled. Composed. That was who I'd become. But lately, that composure cracked in ways I didn't like. Especially around her. I sprayed on my cologne then headed downstairs.
It was almost seven. Mara wasn't there yet. I figured she needed more time. Women and their ways.
A few minutes later, a soft fragrance drifted through the room—sweet, feminine—cherry and strawberry. I turned toward the stairs.
My breath caught.
Mara was descending, one hand lightly brushing the rail, Selene walking beside her. She was saying something, smiling faintly, unaware of my gaze.
Damn it.
I shouldn't have accepted that dress.
The gown clung to her curves in all the right ways—too perfectly and the slit revealed more than my sanity could handle. Yet… I couldn't bring myself to regret it.
As she reached the bottom of the stairs, I finally saw her face clearly. Soft waves of brown hair fell around her shoulders. Her makeup was light, natural. A delicate silver necklace rested against her skin.
"Good evening," she greeted, clutching a small silver purse. There was a hint of nervousness in her voice.
I nodded, allowing a small smile. "Shall we?"
She smiled back. "Yes."
"Enjoy your evening," Selene said brightly, clearly as dazzled as I was.
Outside, I offered my hand to help her down the steps. She hesitated, glancing at me in surprise.
"We wouldn't want you twisting your ankle again," I said evenly.
After a moment, she placed her hand in mine. I helped her down, like a gentleman.
A gentleman— to Richard Kensington's daughter.
"Thank you," Mara said softly, smiling. Her glossed lips, slightly shimmering caught the light, and I felt an unwelcome pull.
Steady yourself, Daniel.
"Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Voss," Larry said as he rushed forward, opening the car door.
As we drove out of the estate, I stared out the window, my reflection barely visible against the dark glass.
No matter how hard I tried, my thoughts kept circling back to Mara. Her laugh. Her eyes. That damned dress.
I couldn't afford to let myself feel for her.
Not her.