Magical Midlife Love (Leveling Up #4) - K.F. Breene Page 0,105

actually tried. Nathanial stood in a plain black suit and tie, the shirt and jacket elegantly tailored to fit around his wings, his hands at his sides and his “cape” draping down his back. His wide shoulders and robust body carried off the look. Ulric waited behind him, his fuchsia suit and blue tie matching his two-tone hair. The only muted parts of the look were his black shirt and shiny black shoes.

“Wow,” I said. “The eighties called; they want their suit back.”

“He looks like a clown show. Kingsley will get a fright,” Mr. Tom drawled. “Why doesn’t Ulric carry a doll around with him, too? Maybe a puppet. They’ll think he’s your jester.”

“I’m in if you are.” Ulric laughed.

Jasper’s look was similar to Nathanial’s, but he’d gone with a cream tie and a matching pocket square. Edgar skulked last, his suit, shirt, and tie all black. Someone had clearly helped him, because the clothes were expertly made and fitted. If he weren’t hunching, he’d look almost normal.

“Okay. Just need one more.”

The door opened as if on cue. Austin waited there with one hand tucked into his trouser pocket and the other down at his side with a glittering silver watch on his wrist, accented with diamonds. He had on a black suit with a white shirt, accented with a ruby-red bow tie and matching pocket square. It fit him perfectly, and he had the ease and confidence of a lord, full of swagger and zero concern. He looked like the owner of this world, just renting it out to those who’d come to visit.

I let out a shaky breath, feasting my eyes on him, letting my gaze trail down that fitted suit.

“Hey, baby, you look lovely,” he said softly. “I brought something over for you earlier, if you’ll honor me and wear it.”

Mr. Tom picked up a long package off the table by the wall, wrapped in white with a red bow. He brought it to me on two flat palms, his nose up, his demeanor at its stuffiest. That meant this was an occasion.

I flashed Austin a smile before gingerly taking the gift and peeling off the paper to reveal a black velvet box. I opened the lid slowly, gasping when I saw the necklace nestled within it: an intricate design of rubies, diamonds, and pearls, the stones smaller on the outside and bigger in the middle, which would hang against my chest. There were earrings and a bracelet to match.

I pushed it at Mr. Tom, thinking about dropping it and backing away.

“No, Austin.” I shook my head, unable to take my eyes off the set. “I can’t accept this.”

“Of course you can.” He stepped into the house and took the box. “It’ll go perfectly with your dress.”

I shot a suspicious look at Mr. Tom. He’d told me not to wear any jewelry because he’d known this was coming. The sneaky dog. Austin had even matched the crimson with his tie and pocket square.

Austin extracted the necklace. “An alpha’s lady must look the part.” He laid the necklace against my chest and hooked it in the back. “Every time you wear a nice set of jewelry, you can’t stop touching it to make sure it’s still there. I figured this was better than flowers.”

“It’s too much,” I whispered. “This is way too much.”

Austin fastened the bracelet before handing me one earring at a time. “Nothing is too much for you. I will give you the world if it will make you smile.”

Tears clouded my vision. My lower lip trembled.

He softly brushed his thumb across my throat. “It suits you.”

I threw my arms around his neck and kissed him, knowing I’d get lipstick on him but not able to help it. Instead of backing away, like my ex might have, he deepened the kiss. By the time he backed off, I was breathless and my heart ached with wanting.

“Thank you,” I murmured.

“It is my infinite pleasure, milady,” he responded, his eyes so deep and blue.

“Mr. Steele, let me just allow you to…” Mr. Tom stepped forward with a tub of baby wipes he’d retrieved from God only knew where. He opened the flap for Austin to grab one out.

“Thanks.” He wiped the lipstick from his lips and asked me, “Good?”

A tear slipped down my cheek. My ex had liked seeing my face done up, but he’d always refused to kiss me when it was. And if I forgot and kissed him anyway, he’d get cold. This easy, no-big-deal approach