He wasn’t sure just what he’d been expecting, but when he saw her in a glistening midnight blue dress that fitted like a dream, and silver stiletto heels accentuating her slender calves, his brain just about went into sensory overload, the sight of her rendering him almost paralysed.

Look, he already found her attractive. That much was painfully apparent. But having only ever seen her look good in more casual day-to-day attire, he wasn’t at all prepared for what a godamn heartstopper she was when she decided to go all-out.

‘Jesus,’ he muttered, under his breath as he moved to the Plaza entrance to catch up with her on the steps. ‘I really am in big trouble here.’

Chapter 44

HANNAH

The moment Hannah saw the expression on Ward’s face, she knew she’d made the right choice.

Back at the apartment she’d tried on and discarded a floral Kate Spade midi dress she’d initially thought might work, and while the print was fun, it just wasn’t sophisticated enough for a night at the Plaza. Nor was anything else in her minuscule collection of more lowkey workwear. Especially when her plus one was going in Armani.

Then, recalling that there was an incredible closet full of couture right in the room next door, and that Courtney herself had encouraged her to go nuts …

Even though the dress felt like liquid silk on her skin, Hannah already knew she’d still worry for the entire night about damaging this glistening Vampire’s Wife number. She was still marvelling at the fact that the dress had actually fit considering the size-difference, a testament to the designer’s flatteringly fluid choice of material. It was a shame the brand was now no longer in operation, so wearing such a gown was a rarity in more ways than one.

Ward was just staring at her as she went towards him, watching her every step in her silver heeled sandals, and when she finally stopped, he looked her up and down with a glint in his eyes that was unmistakable.

What Hannah hadn’t expected though was how incredibly gratified his reaction made her feel. Given the circumstances, she thought he’d be entirely focused on the night ahead. To say nothing of the fact she was supposed to be here in a professional capacity. So the heat in his gaze raised all kinds of uncomfortable questions that she’d have to examine more closely at another time.

Right then, though, she kind of wanted to just stand there and relish watching him try to form a coherent sentence.

‘This OK?’ she asked, unable to keep from smiling. ‘I needed to look the part.’

He cleared his throat then and said, ‘You look … incredible.’ There was a raw huskiness to his voice that made her pulse quicken and she shook her head as if trying to banish any unwanted thoughts.