Chapter 134 The moment he walked in
IRIS
I’m perched cross-legged on the bed, phone balanced precariously in my hand, trying not to drop it as Daisy paces her living room behind the screen like she owns the place. “Seriously, Iris, your face is a blank canvas. We can’t have blank canvas vibes tonight. You’re supposed to be a goddess on a date, not someone who looks like she’s preparing for a nap.”
“I’m trying!” I protest, though the brush in my hand pauses mid-stroke as I examine the small, shaky movements of my own hands. “I’ve never been good at this.”
Daisy tilts her head, lips tugging into that mischievous grin that usually precedes some kind of cruel tease. “Never? Really? Iris, you’ve been taking selfies since you were twelve. I’ve seen the evidence. You can contour like nobody’s business. You’re just… nervous.”
I roll my eyes but can’t stop the small smile creeping across my face. “Nervous, maybe. But I’m not—well, I mean—this isn’t like…”
“Not like a date with Darian? Yeah, we know,” Daisy says flatly, gesturing wildly at the camera. “You’re glowing. The world is glowing through you. But let’s make sure everyone else notices tonight too, yeah?”
I bite back a laugh. “Fine, fine. Step one: eyes. Step two: cheeks. Step three…” My hands fumble with the little container of blush Daisy handed me, her instructions echoing through the speaker. “Step three: what exactly?”
“Step three is making him fall in love with every single detail. Eyeshadow, blush, lip gloss. And if you want, the secret weapon?” She leans close to her own camera, voice dropping to a mock conspiratorial whisper. “Mascara. Lots of mascara. He won’t even see straight.”
I snort, brushing the mascara carefully across my lashes, trying to keep my hand steady. “Lots, huh? You sure he won’t think I’m overdoing it?”
“Overdoing it? Honey, the man has been planning a date for you for days. He’s expecting a goddess. Trust me, you’re doing him a favor.”
I glance at my reflection in the small vanity mirror, barely able to recognize the woman staring back. My cheeks are flushed with the warmth of blush, eyes defined just enough to be noticeable without screaming attention, and lips softly tinted a rose that somehow feels more like me than anything I’ve ever worn.
“Okay,” I murmur, leaning back on the bed. “Makeup… check. Now, jewelry. That’s the part that actually terrifies me.”
Daisy claps her hands together, making me flinch slightly. “Finally! I was waiting for this. Jewelry can make or break an outfit. Or, in your case, it can make Darian want to crawl across the room and… well, you know.”
I laugh softly, a blush creeping up my neck. “You’re terrible.”
“And fabulous. Don’t forget fabulous.” She leans closer, pointing at the screen. “Okay, hold up that bracelet. Yes, that one. Now the necklace. No, no, no, the smaller one, the delicate one. Layer it if you want, but don’t go full chandelier. He’s not ready for full chandelier yet.”
I fumble with the pieces she’s suggested, trying to follow her instructions to the letter while my fingers tremble slightly. “I feel like I’m playing dress-up for royalty,” I mutter, more to myself than anyone else.
“Exactly,” Daisy says cheerfully. “Now, you look regal. Glorious. Dangerous.”
I giggle, shaking my head. “Dangerous?”
“You radiate it,” she says seriously, then instantly smirks. “You know, the type of dangerous that makes a man lose all rational thought. In other words… perfect for Darian.”
I bite back a laugh, feeling heat creeping across my cheeks. “Perfect, huh? I suppose that’s better than disastrous.”
Daisy cackles. “Much better. Now, let’s talk finishing touches. Hair. You can curl it, straighten it, braid it, whatever. Just make it look effortless.”
I glance at my reflection, fingers brushing over my hair. It’s long, soft, and cascading in natural waves. “Effortless,” I repeat, running my fingers through my hair. “Easy for you to say.”
“Not easy,” Daisy corrects, eyes twinkling through the screen. “It’s magic. You’re magic. Just add a touch of effort and watch him crumble.”
I laugh again, brushing a final streak of mascara across my lashes and adjusting the last piece of jewelry. “I think that’s… it.”
Daisy leans back, nodding approvingly. “Look at you. Stunning. Gorgeous. Absolutely devastating. I expect a full report after the night. And make sure it ends with you two making babies. Got it?”
I blink at the screen, jaw dropping slightly. “Wait, what?”
“You heard me!” Daisy shouts gleefully. “I don’t care if it’s metaphorical or literal, but make sure he doesn’t leave without knowing he’s officially, like permanently yours. Got it?”
“I… Daisy! I can’t,” I laugh, cheeks burning hotter than before. “I’m not even sure what the date is yet!”
“Doesn’t matter. You look fabulous. Go get him. And remember my final words: babies. Babies, Iris!”
I roll my eyes, still giggling, and shake my head. “Fine, fine. Message received.”
We hang up, and the room feels suddenly quiet. My heart is still racing with excitement. I set the phone aside, standing slowly to retrieve the red flowery sundress Darian had gifted me earlier.
I slip it on, feeling it hug my curves in all the right places while falling gracefully to mid-thigh.
I twirl once in front of the full-length mirror, the flowers catching the light and making the colors pop.
I tilt my head, smiling at the reflection, and suddenly feel… confident. Strong. And, dare I say it? Desired. For the first time, I think, I feel like someone actually sees me. All of me.
Then the sound of the door clicking catches my attention.
Darian.
He steps into the room, pausing as if he’s afraid to move further, and I freeze mid-twirl. My chest hammers. The sight of him, solid, golden-eyed, powerful yet somehow gentle and it takes my breath away.
And then he smiles.
It’s slow, deliberate, and it stops my heart entirely. I’ve never seen a man look at me like this; not just desire, not just affection, but like I’m his most precious, treasured thing in the world.
Every part of me seems to hum under his gaze, vibrating with my own awareness of him, and I feel my pulse quicken in response.
“You… you look…” His voice falters slightly, which is rare for him. “Breathtakingly beautiful.”
I bite back a laugh, cheeks heating, and shake my head. “That’s… a lot. For someone to say.”
“It’s not a lot,” he says, taking a step closer. “It’s everything.” He pauses, gaze lingering on my lips for just a heartbeat too long, and my stomach twists deliciously. “I promise, it’s taking everything in me not to kiss you right now. But we might not even make it to the date if I do.”
I laugh, shyly, fondling with my fingers.
I swallow hard, heat coursing through my veins, and feel a flutter deep in my chest. “I… I don’t know what to say.”
“Don’t say anything,” he murmurs, gaze intense, fingers brushing against my hand briefly. “Just let yourself feel. Let yourself know what this is.”
I nod, still trembling slightly, and a small laugh escapes me. “I think my wolf approves,” I whisper.
“Good,” he says softly, lips quirking into that signature half-smile. “Because I do too. And if we survive the night, maybe… she’ll approve even more.”
I glance at him, startled, before laughing properly this time. “Survive the night? Are you threatening me, Darian?”
“No,” he replies with mock innocence, voice low and teasing. “I’m promising an adventure.”
I take a deep breath, feeling my chest lift and my wolf stir under my skin. I smile at him, head tilting slightly. “Then I guess we’re ready for it.”
He grins, that slow, lazy, utterly infuriating grin, and I feel my stomach flip. “Good. Because I’m not letting you out of my sight tonight. Not for a second.”