Say When - Micalea Smeltzer Page 0,66
dark lipstick on, my heart races with nerves.
Slipping on the dress almost feels like sliding into another persona. One who’s confident and sure of herself. When I look at my reflection, I feel beautiful, even more so than the day I got the dress.
Grabbing a black clutch, I picked up on a separate trip to the mall, I slip some cash, my debit card, and my phone inside. The last thing I do is spritz some perfume onto my neck and wrists.
The clock reads a quarter until six, but I’m not surprised when Hayden knocks on the door five minutes later.
I open the door, the sound of his breath catching at the sight of me making my heart do double time. He looks incredible. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought about it before, what he might wear, but nothing could’ve prepared me for the indulgent sight of Hayden in a tuxedo.
It’s tailored perfectly to his wide shoulders and narrow waist, the pants accentuating his muscular thighs.
“Wow,” he murmurs, his eyes taking in every inch of my body.
I never quite understood the term, undressing someone with their eyes, but I got it now.
“Wow, yourself.” I reach out, unable to stop myself from touching his sleek black tie. “You clean up nicely, Professor.”
“Fuck,” he growls lowly, “I shouldn’t like it when you call me that.”
I smirk, pleased to know my words have an effect on him. “Shall we go?”
“Yes,” his voice is raspy, and he skims a finger over my bare arm, “because if we don’t there’s no telling what I’ll do.” I go to grab my keys, but he stops me. “Wait, I forgot to tell you to bring a change of clothes. The gala ends well past midnight so I got a room for us there.” My eyes widen in surprise. “I don’t expect anything, Emilia. It’s just for sleeping.”
“What if I want more?”
His breath catches and he toys with his tie, making sure it’s in order. I think he’s not going to acknowledge my question but then softly he says, “Say when.”
I nod, trying to hide my smile.
I grab an overnight bag and toss in some pajamas, a change of clothes, along with my hair and toothbrush.
“I’m ready. Where’s your bag?” I eye Hayden’s empty hands.
“I already put it in the car.” He reaches for mine, slinging it over his shoulder and takes my hand. He brings our joined hands to lips, placing a gentle kiss on my knuckles. “Let’s go, beautiful.”
The Conrad is bustling with activity, fancy cars and limos pulling up to the front letting out people dressed to the nines for the event, but none I recognize.
Hayden must sense my rising nerves because he takes my hand in his, twining our fingers together and giving me a reassuring squeeze, a reminder that he’s here and I’m not walking into these uncharted waters alone.
The valet walks up to his side and Hayden rolls down the window, procuring some sort of pass from the pocket of his jacket and handing it over. The guys nods and motions for us to get out.
“What about our stuff?” I hiss to Hayden when he steers me to the entrance.
“They’ll bring it to our room.”
Our room. That sends a shiver up my spine.
The hotel is a sleek contemporary design on the outside, reflecting everything around it, and on the inside it’s just as stunning and magnificent. I try to not let my awe show so plainly on my face, but I’m certain I fail. I’ve never been inside a hotel this beautiful before.
We hop on an elevator with several others dressed elegantly. I hold my breath the entire time, clinging to Hayden’s side. Nerves assault my stomach and I pray I don’t get sick. That’s the last thing I need tonight.
Stepping off the elevator, Hayden bends to whisper in my ear, “Breathe, Emilia. There’s nothing to be nervous about. I’ll be by your side all evening.”
I jerk my head in a nod, forcing a smile that he doesn’t believe for a second.
His hand settles low on my waist where the dress dips down in the back, his thumb rubbing slow soothing circles against my bare skin.
We almost make it inside the event space when he spots someone he knows.
“Parker Williams, is that you?” His voice is jovial as he steers me toward a tall man with dark hair and unique gray eyes. He’s tall, taller than Hayden, and has an intimidating air but when he smiles in greeting it’s friendly and