Chapter 128


    “I wasn’t expecting this.”


    Aaron smiles.


    After I delivered several orders of food to the AI team, I came back down to find Aaron waiting for me in


    the lobby. He led me outside to his SUV.


    When I climbed into the backseat, there were a dozen gownsid


    out.


    444


    And these aren’t some Macy’s special or prom knockoff.


    !,,,:


    They’re stunning eveningwear that probably costs hundreds of thousands.


    “Aaron, I don’t know what to say.”


    I’m blown away by the gesture.


    “You don’t have to say anything,” he tells me. “Pick one.


    He climbs into the car beside me and I scramble to move a few


    of the dresses. I don’t want to wrinkle them, or God forbid, tear something.


    “We’ll swing by the hotel so I can change too.” He nces at his watch. “We don’t have much time


    before our reservation.”


    “Hey, Leah,” James says.


    I was so fixated on the expensive gowns, I didn’t notice him at the wheel. “James! Long time, no see.”


    He grins in the rearview mirror. Something of Aaron’s words when west argued and he used me


    of having feelings for James because James sticks up for me, has me looking at James a bit differently.


    “You doing all right?” he asks.


    This may be the first time he’s actively engaged me in conversation. “Uh, yeah. No


    “That’s good.”


    James pulls out into traffic and Aaron tugs a seatbelt around me and buckles it.


    James drives us to the same hotel I’ve been staying at and I try not to make a big deal about it. It’s one


    of the few five-star hotels in the area and it makes sense that Aaron would want to stay at the best.


    “How did you know I was staying here?” I ask him.


    “Coincidence.” He looks away. “Best hotel in this town.”


    I look at the gowns and debate how to scoop them up and carry them in without dragging them or


    dropping anything.


    “Leave them,” Aaron says.


    He palms what looks to be a hundred dor bill to the valet. “See that my wife’s purchases are brought


    up to the Penthouse Suite.”


    “Of course, sir,” the young man replies.


    He nods and holds out his hand to help me out of the car but he avoids making eye contact with me.


    Aaron waits a few steps ahead. When I join him, he puts his hand on the small of my back and guides


    me into the hotel.


    Normally, I schlep it back here after a full day’s work and retreat up to my hotel room. No one says


    hello or takes much notice.


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    But with Aaron beside me…


    People stop what they’re doing and look at us. They murmur greetings and nod or smile, and I find


    myself fighting a blush.


    “You getting shy now?” he whispers.


    I’ve always been shy.


    He threads his fingers through mine and we walk hand and hand to the elevator.


    He swipes his card to gain ess to the penthouse suite.


    “I’m on the fourth floor,” I tell him.


    “You’re cute.”


    Oh. I guess it amuses him that I’d be thinking of going to my own room instead of with him.


    “I want to take a quick shower, Aaron.”


    “Who’s stopping you?”


    I try to tug my hand away but he’s not letting go of me. “A shower means clean bra and panties.”


    His dark gaze traces over my body like he’s visually undressing me. “Go without ’em… for me.”