Chapter Ten
Ariana finished fastening her earrings and smoothed out the silver dress. She regarded her reflection with a critical eye, not wanting to give Hayden the wrong impression but needing to give him the respect he deserved. The dress she'd chosen that night was one of her favorites. Its spaghetti straps supported a low, draped neckline, and it fell nearly to the floor in a shimmering column. It had just the right touch of elegance for dinner. She might have chosen something a little more conservative if it were just dinner with a friend, but she was wearing the dress as much for Alec as she was for Hayden.
A soft chime echoed throughout her living quarters, and she walked over to the door. Hayden's eyes warmed at the sight of her, taking the time to slowly peruse her from head to
