chest, and she didn’t even try to stop the grin that tugged at her mouth. “That’s good.”
“Yeah?” He drew a lazy shape on her skin. “Why?”
Taking his huge hand in hers, she brought it close and kissed the back of it. “Because I’m definitely falling in love with you.”
Cipher’s grin matched her own as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her. There were so many things she wanted to ask him, but right then, in that moment, she was content to press her cheek to his chest and just listen to his heartbeat. There would always be time to talk, but moments like these, quiet, gentle moments, were the ones to cherish.
Chapter Seventeen
“Ci, we’re going to be late if you don’t put that down and get ready,” Brook gently chided from the doorway of his workspace.
He glanced at his watch and grimaced. “Sorry. I lost track of time.”
“It’s okay,” she assured him as she swept into the room looking so beautiful she took his breath away. Earlier that day, Dizzy had sent over a bright pink dress that fit Brook to perfection. The color made her eyes seem even greener, and her hair looked so rich and dark against the fabric.
“You look amazing, Brook. Pink is definitely your color.”
“You think?” She shyly brushed her hands over the fabric. “It’s not too much?”
“No. It’s just right.” He rose from his drafting table and crossed the room. Cupping her face, he leaned down to kiss her. “You are going to be the prettiest woman at this dinner.”
“I don’t know about that,” she modestly replied. “Ella was a muse back on Calyx. She’s so gorgeous.”
“She is, but so are you. Especially in this dress,” he added, sliding his hand along the curve of her back to rest on her pert little ass.
“No.” She flicked his chest and stepped away from his hand. “We don’t have time for any of that.”
“Fine,” he grumbled, “but we’re leaving early to make time for that.”
She playfully rolled her eyes. “Go. Change.”
“We’re going four doors down,” he pointed out as he left his office. “It’s a twenty second walk.”
“All the more reason to be punctual.” She closed the door to his workspace. “I want to make a good impression.”
“Brook, they’re all going to love you.”
“Well, I bet they’ll love me even more if I’m on-time the first time I meet them.” She shooed him with a wave of her hands. “Go.”
“Yes, dear,” he grumbled sarcastically. She stuck out her tongue at him, and he smiled, deciding he would give her an enjoyable punishment for that later.
In no time at all, he had changed out of his lounging clothes into the uniform required any time he was outside his quarters. He found her waiting near the entryway, nervously wringing her hands and fidgeting. It finally occurred to him that this was probably her first time to ever go to a dinner like this. She was about to meet so many new people and that had to be daunting for someone who had spent most of her life in a secluded cabin.
Sliding his arm around her waist, he dragged her close and cupped the back of her head. “Brook, look at me.”
She lifted her gaze to his. “Yes?”
“You are smart, beautiful and brave. I know it, and my friends are about to learn it, too.”
She offered a little smile and toyed with a button on his shirt. “I don’t want to embarrass you.”
“Don’t think like that,” he urged. “You could never embarrass me.”
“I really could,” she insisted. “I still haven’t learned all of the rules about social interactions, and I’ve never even been on a date. This is all so new to me.”
“I’ll be right there with you.” He traced her jaw with his thumb. “And I mean it this time. I’m not leaving you alone like I did with that asshole Reckless.”
“That wasn’t your fault. You were following the rules.”
“Fuck the rules,” he said harshly. “Especially where that bastard is concerned.”
She reached up to stroke his face. “They were just ugly words, Cipher. It’s not the first time someone has been nasty to me.”
“It damn well better be the last.” He turned his face to kiss her palm. “No one will disrespect you like that ever again.”
“I’m sure they won’t if they see you scowling like that,” she teased.
He smiled and took her hand in his. “Ready?”
She nodded, and they left their quarters. They reached Raze and Ella’s door as Vicious and Hallie came off the elevator.