Page 71 of Shadows of Obsession
"I'd like you to come with me tonight," he says, taking my hands in his.
Okay. It's a party. How bad can it be?But you don't react well in crowds.Ugh...
"Sure," I tell him and attempt a smile .
I don't want him to know how stressed I am about the idea of being surrounded by so many people. I feel like at any moment I'll see Aidan appearing from around the corner.
"I promise we won't stay long. I just need to make an appearance," he tells me, as if reading the anxiety in my eyes.
"How fancy is this party?" I ask because the last thing I need is to embarrass him at a public event because I look like I haven't left the house in years.
"Black tie, but don't worry. I'll send Sofia to help you with a dress. I'll come home at seven to pick you up," he tells me and kisses me before leaving.
It takes me five seconds to process because all I can think is: who is Sofia?
I hate this feeling. I've never been jealous. Aidan always made remarks about how he could have another girl in his lap and it wouldn't affect me. It would have bothered me because of the lack of respect, but with Roman, the idea that there could be another woman...no. I don't even want to think about it.He promised he'd tell me if anything changed. Then why does it bother me so much that he has a relationship with another woman, one close enough that he'd send her to help me?
A few hours later, a petite blonde woman enters the office, where I'm sitting with my laptop, and introduces herself as Sofia, Niko's assistant. And she's actually really nice. The kind of person that seems willing to help you move all your furniture at 3 a.m. if you need it.
"Thank you so much for the help," I tell her because the poor thing came with more than ten dresses loaded in her arms.
And they all seem to be my size.
"Since Roman forgot about the event and Felix didn't know at that time that you'd be coming too, we had to improvise. Roman gave me your approximate measurements, but I think I got it right," she tells me, looking me over from head to toe.
She's wearing long, tapered pants, boots with a heel that help her reach five foot five, and has just enough makeup to be professional yet somehow stand out.
I don't overlook the fact that Roman gave her my measurements although I've never been completely undressed in front of him. And again it frustrates me that I'm not brave enough to tell him I want more intimacy.
After trying on five dresses, at the sixth I stop because it's...perfect. It's a dark blue with small sequins that make the dress look like the starry sky. It has quite a deep neckline, but for this occasion I don't think it's too much.
I ask Sofia to help me with my hair because the only way I know how to style it is the typical bun on top of my head. After forty minutes, my hair is pulled back in a loose bun with a few elegant hair pins. A few strands are left loose, and when I look at the final result, I'm left speechless.
Wow. I should dress up more often.
"You look gorgeous," Sofia tells me, her blue eyes shining brightly.
"Thanks to you," I answer, because it's true.
If she hadn't come with the dresses and if she hadn't helped me with my hair, I wouldn't have achieved this final result.
"Luna, Roman is downstairs," I hear Anuska call from the other side of the door.
"I guess it's time to leave."
Did I overdo it with the neckline? What if he says I'm trying to attract attention? What if he's ashamed of me?
I shake my head. Roman isn't Aidan.
When I see him waiting by the stairs, I forget how to breathe. I didn't think he could get any more gorgeous than he already was, but his black suit and bow tie give him an even more regal air.
Earth to Luna.
His eyes turn a dark gray when he looks over my outfit, and I feel the need to fidget under his gaze, but I resist. I look good. I know this. Rationally at least.
"I'm seriously wondering if it wouldn't be better to stay home," he tells me, and his voice is low and hoarse, like it is in the morning.
At that moment I almost yell to forget the damn party, to take me to the bedroom, but even I know that a senator's invitation shouldn’t be ignored. Especially when you need all the political support you can get.
