the nape of her neck. His

goosebump ripple m

rmured. His breath

his reflection. He was focused, his brows furrowed in concentr

ness. He wove his fingers throug

said quietly. "Sil

e patience," Elara whispered. "I'm

cutor mask slipped. He looked... analytical. He wasn't looking at her l

aks things

hair came free. Elara let out a bre

said, but he d

, sending a jolt of electricity straight to her core. He pulled

t for a fraction of a second, testing the fabric, checking t

dress made her skin look like porcelain

ened. A muscle fea

e said

. "What? It f

makes you a target. Connor will see that dress and think you

ck, high-necked gown from t

It's appropria

f anger. "You just said I looked li

wled. "And I don't have time to

d grabbed the door handl

alke

She looked at the blue dress in the mirror

e heard Julian's voi

ia

ir

it in the secure storage at the fir

irm? Not th

. Evidence of a liab

s,

d. He wasn't returnin

ng. She pulled on the severe black gown he had chos

nd he knew, wha