Chapter 27 Dressed up ♥️🔥

Chapter 27 Dressed up ♥️🔥
Nora’s POV

I hang up with my heart beating fast.Daniel opens the door just enough to lean in.
His hair is still damp from a quick shower, curling at the ends.“They’re setting up in the guest suite down the hall,” he says. “Take your time. I’ll be in my office if you need me.”
I nod.
“Okay.”He looks at me and really looks like he’s memorizing the way I’m sitting on his bed in his shirt, legs bare, hair wild. Something dark and hungry flickers in his eyes before he forces it back.
“You okay?” he asks quietly.
“Yeah.” I force a smile. “Just… processing.”
He nods once. “Good. I’ll see you soon.”
Then he’s gone.Two women walk in minutes later both in sleek black, carrying garment bags and makeup cases like they’re on a mission. The taller one,smiles warmly.“Mr. Hawthorne said you’re a vision already. Let’s make sure the dress knows it.”
They work fast and gentle. Hair first–loose waves, pinned half-up with tiny diamond clips that catch the light like stars. Makeup next–soft, glowing, smoky eyes that make the green in mine pop, lips a deep rose that feels dangerous.
Then the dress.Emerald silk. Floor-length. Off-the-shoulder neckline that drapes low enough to show the tops of my breasts without screaming for attention.
A slit up one leg that flashes thigh with every step. It hugs every curve like it was sewn onto my body. When they zip me up and turn me toward the full-length mirror, I stop breathing.

I look… expensive. Powerful. Like someone who belongs on red carpets and in boardrooms and in Daniel’s bed all at once. My collarbones look like art. My waist looks tiny. My legs look endless. I don’t recognize myself. And I love it. The tall lady steps back, smiling. “You’re stunning.”The shorter one hands me strappy gold heels. “These will make your legs look sexy.”I slip them on. The height shifts everything.
I feel taller. Bolder.
Like I could walk into that restaurant and make every head turn.
There’s a soft knock and Daniel steps inside.He stops dead for a long second he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. Just stares like I’ve stolen every molecule of air in the room. His eyes drag from my face to the neckline of the dress, down the silk clinging to my waist, over the slit that shows a long, bare leg, back up to my face.
“You…” His voice is rough as he tries to find his words. “You look…”
I raise one brow, teasing. “Good?” He walks slowly toward me. His hand lifts for a while and hesitates then he cups my cheek, his thumb brushing the corner of my mouth.“Ravishing,” he says quietly. “You look like every fantasy I’ve ever had and every one I didn’t know I was allowed to have.”
Heat floods my face. My chest. Everywhere.
As I blush so hard. I'm pretty sure my cheeks are red now.
He leans in, kisses me softly. Then he pulls back, offers his hand.“Ready?”I slip my fingers into his. “Ready.”
He leads me down the grand staircase, through the foyer, out the side entrance where the black car waits–sleek, tinted, discreet.

The driver opens the back door without a word. Daniel helped me in first and he was careful of the dress, careful of me then slid in beside me.The door closes with a quiet thud. He turned to me in the dim interior light, his eyes dark and intent.
“Are you nervous?” he asks softly.“A little,” I admit. “
About the restaurant. About tomorrow. About… everything.” He lifts my hand to his lips. Kisses my knuckles.“Then let me make one thing very clear,” he murmurs against my skin.
“Tonight isn’t about the scandal. It isn’t about the board. It isn’t about anything except you and me. I want to sit across from you, watch you eat something ridiculous and expensive, listen to you talk about books or pickles or whatever the hell is in your head. And when we get home…” His voice drops.
“I want to take this dress off you with my teeth and remind you exactly how much I want you. Every single inch. All night.”
My breath catches.
He smiles--slow and wicked.
“So tell me, Nora,” he whispers, leaning in until his lips brush my ear. “Are you ready to let me spoil you rotten tonight?”I turn my face, catch his mouth in a kiss.“Absolutely,” I breathe against his lips. “Spoil me, Daniel. I’m all yours.”