“I did a little research on Rajesh and his startup. Fortunately for you, the color doesn’t just complement your skin tone, it matches the deep purple of their logo. Subconsciously, you’ll grab their attention.”
“A nice touch.”
He had a plethora of black and navy suits. Not the best option if he wanted to stand out. Then my eyes traveled to a grey plaid suit complete with a vest. The trendiest thing he seemed to own. The vest gave it that classic vibe that matched his personality. “This could work.”
He chuckled and sipped his brandy. “I’m not so sure about that one.”
“You bought it.”
“On a whim. I’m not sure why… maybe it was the vest?” He leaned against the door frame. “I just never found the right place to wear it.”
“Has it been tailored to you?”
“Yes.”
“That’s your biggest issue. We don’t have time to shop for a new suit and then get it properly tailored. Your suitmustfit perfectly.”
“How about a classic black and let the tie speak for itself?”
I grabbed the grey suit and handed it to him, then fished out a classic white oxford. “Try it on and let me see it.”
He set down his brandy on a wall table near the closet and looked down at the suit, uncertainty weighing down his expression.
“It doesn’t mean you have to commit now,” I said. “I’m just asking you to give it a try.”
He let out a deep breath. “Alright, let’s do it.”
Justin took the oxford from my hand and headed into the master bathroom. I sipped my wine with my back to the wall, imagining him stripping down. I wondered if he was a boxers or briefs man… or maybe boxer briefs. Considering his classic style, I was betting on boxers.
Justin walked out, and my jaw dropped. The suit was tailored perfectly to him and looked as if the designer had him in mind when he created it. His oxford was unbuttoned at the collar, and I almost wanted to say, “Skip the tie.”
“Wow,” I finally said. “This is it.”
He ran a hand through his dark blonde locks. “You think?”
I set down my glass next to his and unhooked the purple tie from the rack. “I don’t think, Iknow.” I walked over and handed him the tie. “Hold this.” I began to unbutton his vest. When I reached up to button his collar, and lift the flaps, our eyes met… and a big ol’ dose of dopamine shot through my bloodstream at the realization of how close our lips were. I cleared my throat and slipped the tie from his fingers, then slung it around his neck. Avoiding those intimidatingly sexy and very intense eyes, I focused on tying a Windsor knot. My fingers fumbled a bit while buttoning his vest, and he took over, our hands touching. I looked up to find a side smile forming around the corner of his mouth.
I turned away and grabbed my wine, taking a healthier gulp than I usually would.
He held out his hands like he did that night at Longfellow. “So, what do you think?”
I backed away for the full view… and he wasdelicious. “Stylish, trendy, yet classic. It speaks to both you and their startup. Trust me,thisis the one.” I looked down at the black leather oxfords he had worn with his Levis. “Your shoes, on the other hand, will need some help.”
I headed back to the closet to scan his shelves full of footwear. There were one or two that would go nicely with the suit, but I had an idea of the perfect shoe that would really speak to his classic style.
“How would you feel about a more modern two-tone saddle shoe?” I asked.
His eyebrows rose, and I could tell he liked the idea. “That would definitely work.”
I smiled. “You should take off the suit before you wrinkle it.”
He undid his tie and slipped it out of his collar in one long, slow pull. The whole display kicked my heart into gear. He held the tie out to me. “Would you mind hanging this?”
“Not at all.”
His eyes pierced through mine as I took it from his hand, being careful to avoid his touch.
“Thank you.” His voice was a bit huskier, and that euphoric feeling I knew to be dopamine was making me dizzy. Or it could be the wine and the fact I didn’t eat dinner. Either way, I was thankful to have some space between us as he headed into the bathroom to change. I walked out of the bedroom and into the kitchen area. I left my glass on the counter and grabbed my purse.
