Evaline:
The moment the cloth dropped to the floor, his lashes fluttered open.
And then he saw me.
His breath left him so abruptly that I almost stepped back.
His eyes widened.
Darkened.
Roamed over me with a stunned, aching slowness.
"Evaline…" His voice broke... literally broke... into a rough, disbelieving whisper.
Heat flooded my cheeks, but I held my ground and lifted my chin. "Surprise."
His eyes traveled down the curve of my shoulders to the necklace, across the shimmering black gown, lingering at the slit, and then returning to my face with such intensity my knees almost gave out.
I had wanted to leave him breathless.
And I had succeeded.
He took one step forward.
Then another.
His gaze never wavered... like he couldn't look away even if he tried.
"You…" He swallowed hard. "You are breathtaking."
I smiled, my heart fluttering. "You have seen me in this dress before."
He shook his head slowly. "Not like this. Not… like you."
