23. Princess Davina
Chapter 23
Princess Davina
“He looked at her the way all women
want to be looked at by a man.”
— F. Scott Fitzgerald
A cream-colored lace corset sundress.
It’s utterly perfect.
Slowly, I glance up at Cole. “It’s beautiful.”
“I’d say it’s just the right amount of stunning to match the person wearing it.”
His words linger in the air, and it’s disarming, this sudden kindness. There’s something about his voice that feels different from his usual teasing. It makes me wonder if there’s more to him than the aloof exterior he usually wears like armor. I don’t know how to process this shift. It’s not just the compliment that’s thrown me off; it’s the fact that I can’t quite read him anymore.
His gaze is steady, waiting for my reaction.
I give a small, unsure smile. “Stunning,” I manage to echo. “The dress, I mean.”
His gaze narrows, almost angry. “Put it on.”
I glare at him before heading to the bathroom.
Holding up the dress, I study it in the dim light before carefully slipping it over my head. The thin fabric glides effortlessly over my skin, hugging my curves perfectly as if it were made just for me.
I catch my reflection in the mirror and pause.
The dress is both flattering and revealing, and something about the way it fits—the way it makes me feel—sends a ripple of uncertainty through me.
When I return, his eyes trace every inch of me without a hint of shame. He takes his time, letting his gaze linger as if he’s savoring every detail.
His eyes meet mine, a smoldering intensity burning behind them. “Come here.”
I arch a brow at his command and cross my arms. “I hope you’re not planning on setting anything on fire with that look of yours.”
“If I were, I’d start with that attitude of yours.”
“If you can’t handle it, you’re in for a long, frustrating time?—”
He moves quickly, his fingers wrapping around my wrist. “I can handle every bit of you.” He pulls me toward him with a firm tug. “In fact, I think I’m the only one who can.”
His words hang in the air as he guides me toward my dresser until I’m standing right in front of the mirror.
“You’re sure about that?” I finally ask, a snort escaping me.
Positioned behind me, he rests a hand on my waist, his eyes locking with mine in the reflection. “Look at you,” he orders. “Take a good look and let me hear you say it—tell me how stunning you look.”
For some reason, I can’t bring myself to look in the mirror, so I drop my gaze to my feet, overwhelmed by a flutter of self-consciousness.
“I said look at you,” he repeats, his hand reaching around from behind, gripping my chin and lifting my head so I’m facing the mirror again. “Say it.”
I swallow before finally managing to look in the mirror.
“I—” I clear my throat, my reflection staring back at me.
“I can stay here all day and wait for you to say it, if that’s what you want.”
“I look stunning,” I say, barely able to hear myself.
“I didn’t quite catch that.” He grips a handful of my ponytail. “Try again, darling.”
“I look stunning,” I repeat, raising my voice, though it wavers.
“Still can’t hear you,” he says and tugs on my ponytail, enough to make me gasp, but not to make it hurt.
“I look stunning,” I almost scream, the sudden urge to please him stronger than the fear of embarrassing myself.
“There you go,” he murmurs into my ear.
With that, he releases his grip on my ponytail and turns on his heel.
I let out a shaky breath and watch as he walks out.
“Oh,” he adds, glancing back over his shoulder, “can’t wait to gawk at you all day. I won’t be able to take my eyes off you, and I’m not the least bit embarrassed to tell you that.”
“Glad to know I’m your personal entertainment for the day,” I reply, my voice dripping with sarcasm. “And if you’re going to gawk, maybe try not to make it look so desperate.”
“You know, Princess, I have a feeling you’ll fall for me eventually. There’s something about the way you roll your eyes at me that tells me you’re not as indifferent as you pretend to be.”
I can’t contain a dry laugh. “That’s wishful thinking, Prince .”
“Just wait and see. Sooner or later, it’s inevitable.”
“Keep dreaming!” I shout as he disappears out of sight.
“I will,” he shouts back, “and you’ll be a part of those dreams.”