The door opened, and I heard him stop. Actually stop mid-step, his breath catching in a way that was extremely satisfying.
“Jesus Christ,” he said quietly.
I turned to face him, watching his eyes track over me with an appreciation that was both flattering and slightly overwhelming. “Too much?”
“Not even close,” Maddox replied, and his voice had gone slightly rough. “You look… Alina, you look incredible.”
Heat flooded my cheeks despite my best efforts to stay composed. “The dress is doing most of the work.”
“The dress is just leather,” Maddox said, stepping closer. “You’re the one making it look like that.”
We stood there for a moment, the air between us charged with something I didn’t want to name. Then Maddox cleared his throat and stepped back, breaking whatever spell had been weav
