Chapter Twenty-Seven
On Saturday afternoon, Shae breezed into my recently cleaned house, a whirlwind of energy and colour, her arms ladened with cosmetic cases, curling irons, and various sprays.
“The glam squad has arrived!” she announced, dropping her bags on my bed and sorting through them like a general planning a campaign. “You’re going to steal the show.”
“More like steal an artifact from an internationally renowned museum,” I said, grimacing nervously.
“True. But you might as well look fabulous while doing it.”
We had decided to get ready for the gala at my place since it was more spacious than Owen’s. Spreading our makeup and hair products across my bathroom counter, we laughed and chatted, the air around us tinged with excitement.
The day before, Shae and I had gone shopping for dresses, and the men had rented tuxedos then tagged along as we went from shop to shop.
Standing in dark jeans and a black shirt, Owen had looked completely out of place amid the pastel fabrics, like a panther in a flower shop.
Hands behind his back, he wore an austere expression, his eyes darting between me, the store attendants, and the other customers.
Every time I stepped out wearing a new dress, a smile had tugged at the corners of his mouth.
My pulse quickened when I caught his gaze in the mirror, lingering on the exposed skin of my back or the way a neckline would fall across my breasts.
I was conscious of every change in his expression as he watched me adjust a strap or smooth the fabric over my hips.
By the time we left the shop, we were both hot and bothered.
“That was the most erotic show of my life,” he’d murmured in my ear as we left, his hand finding the small of my back.
“I thought you were supposed to be my bodyguard. I’m not sure lusting after your client is professional.”
“Oh, there was absolutely nothing professional about my thoughts.”
“Which was your favourite dress?”
“None. I prefer you naked. Sooner rather than later.”
I laughed and shook my head. Good thing I had Shae helping me.
“Owen, I was thinking that after we find Charles, I want…”
“What?”
I blushed. “I’m done with slow.”
For a heartbeat, he stilled.
“I know you like to plan,” I said, “so, I’m letting you know in advance—”
His lips had settled over mine, the kiss full of barely leashed desire.
“Owen is going to ravish you tonight,” Shae gushed now, bringing me back to the present. “You look incredible.”
I blushed yet again, but as I studied myself in the full-length mirror, I had to admit she was right.
Inspired by my vintage gown, Shae had styled my dark hair into glamorous waves that tumbled over one shoulder.
The silky black fabric of the dress caught the light with every step and clung to me in all the right places before cascading into a graceful sweep around my legs and strappy heels.
But I had a feeling Owen would be more focused on what the plunging neckline and high slit accentuated.
I hadn’t shown Owen this dress, preferring to keep it a surprise. I couldn’t wait for his reaction.
I had missed my high school prom—my foster family hadn’t felt the need to shell out money for a dress and, besides, no one had asked me—and I hadn’t had the opportunity to attend a formal dance since.
I couldn’t help but think of my younger self, the girl who had pretended to not care when her classmates had gushed about their prom experiences.
I knew she would be delighted and maybe even a little awestruck if she saw me now, stepping into a moment we had been denied.
I’d spent most of my life on the edges of other women’s lives, too afraid to get close. We had been friendly enough for conversation but never close enough for late-night confessions or inside jokes. But now, with Shae’s warmth and laughter surrounding me, I realized how much I’d missed.
In an emerald-green silk chiffon gown that highlighted her auburn hair, Shae looked like she had just stepped out of an enchanted forest, a faerie queen in a sweetheart neckline.
Jace was going to lose his mind when he saw her.
We’d see if he held to his no-long-term-commitments policy after tonight.
The men waited for us at the bottom of the stairs. I peeked around the corner as Shae descended first, and my breath caught at how handsome both men were. But I only had eyes for one.
Owen stood tall in a classic black tuxedo, the sharp lines of the jacket hugging his broad shoulders and tapering neatly at the waist. His posture was relaxed and confident as he adjusted a cufflink at his wrist. I tried to calm my racing heart and stepped into view.
Owen looked up, and I knew instantly I had chosen the perfect dress.
My world narrowed to just the two of us as I descended, my dress whispering around my legs.
My cheeks heated at his expression of wonder, and my pulse thundered as each step brought us closer.
When I reached the last step, Owen closed the distance between us.
He pressed a chaste kiss to the back of my hand, but his eyes—dark and possessive—told a different story.
“You’re absolutely stunning,” he finally whispered.
“You’re not so bad yourself,” I said with a smile, smoothing his jacket.
“I’m keeping you, Kira.”
I arched an eyebrow. “Keeping me?”
His lips found my cheek as his hand settled on my waist. “You’re mine.”
“Only if you’re mine, too.”
He tucked my hand into the crook of his arm as we left the house. In the driveway, I could see Jace holding the car door for Shae.
“I’ve been yours since the night we sat in the park, and you asked me to tell you my stories about Gran. I knew then.”
“Knew what?”
He paused, turning to face me, his gaze steady and certain as he cupped my cheek. “I’d been grieving for a long time—Ava, my mother, the old me, Gran. It felt like all anything ever did was end. But that night…that night felt like something else.”
“What?”
He smiled. “A beginning.”
The gala was in full swing by the time we arrived at the museum, and the four of us paused for a moment at the entrance, taking in the beauty and grandeur of the transformed space.
Chandeliers with soft golden light cast a warm glow over the ancient statues and priceless artifacts.
Cocktail tables, placed throughout the atrium and draped in burgundy tablecloths, held flickering candles nestled within fresh floral arrangements.
As a violin quartet played, guests headed to the dance floor, a parade of silks, sequins, and tailored tuxedos.
“Can I interest you ladies in some champagne?” Jace asked. “We still have about fifteen minutes before the tour starts.”
“Actually, I was hoping for a dance first,” Owen said to me.
My heart sang with happiness as he led me onto the dance floor, spun me to face him, then slid one arm around my waist and pulled me against his chest. He bent his head so he could whisper in my ear. “This okay? My dance moves are a little rusty. Possibly nonexistent.”
Oh, it was more than okay. It was absolute heaven. I felt almost dizzy from the warmth of his breath on my skin, the sensation of his solid body against my own, his masculine scent surrounding me.
“Yeah,” I finally whispered back.
We moved together in a gentle sway, the gala fading to soft shadows and distant music. When Owen pulled away and kissed my hand, his thumb continued to caress my knuckles.
“Kira, are you sure about wanting to take things further? I don’t want to move too fast. Not with you. Never with you. I’ll go as slow as you want. You know that, right?”
I shot him a teasing grin. “Worried you’ll scare me off?”
“Yes.”
I dropped my smile and gave him a gentle, reassuring kiss.
“I’m sure, Owen. More than sure.”
He searched my face for a long moment, then finally nodded with satisfaction before lifting my hand and guiding me into a twirl.
My dress flared as the gala blurred around me, and for a second it felt like I was spinning into empty space.
But Owen’s hand on mine was steady and sure, and when I returned to him, he caught me effortlessly.
My next words came out slightly breathless. “I thought your dance moves were nonexistent.”
“Possibly nonexistent. Turns out the right partner makes all the difference.”
My cheeks heated even as I smiled and Owen twirled me again.
“So, after we save Granddad,” he said as I returned to him, “you’ll keep dancing with me?”
I ignored the usual sinking feeling in my stomach at the mention of commitment and reminded myself that Owen was worth the risk.
I gave him a playful smile.
“I might stick around. For a while.”
“How long is a while?”
“How long do you want it to be?”
Owen’s lips parted then closed just as the song ended.
“The tour will start soon,” he said, his voice gruff. “We should go.”
I nodded, but I wasn’t ready to end the romance of the evening and switch to magic and portals.
Who knew what trial waited for me with the Emberstone?
Then there was the matter of saving Charles…
Owen kissed me again, deeper this time, telling me without words that he would be with me every step of the way.
When he finally pulled back, I had the courage I needed.
“Let me freshen up,” I said. We weaved through the crowd, and Owen stopped at the hallway leading to the restrooms.
I continued to the door, then turned back to see Jace and Shae approaching Owen. The second his eyes shifted to them, a hand seized my arm and pulled me off balance. The world around me tilted, then vanished.