Chapter 48: Ready to fall
Ella stood in front of the full-length mirror in the private suite, the emerald gown hugging her figure like it was made for her. The fabric shimmered in the soft lighting, catching the deep green of her eyes. She smoothed her hands over the bodice, feeling out of place and overdressed, wondering how a girl like her ended up in a fairytale like this.
Before she could say anything, she heard it—a long, appreciative whistle.
She turned—and there he was.
Nicholas sat back lazily on the plush velvet couch, arms stretched along the top, one ankle crossed over the other, looking like he owned the world. His eyes, those impossible stormy gray ones that always made her breath stutter, were locked on her like she was the only thing in it.
"Do you have to look at me like that?" she asked, trying and failing to sound stern as warmth bloomed on her cheeks.
He didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he stood, moving toward her with that slow, confident grace that always made her heart skip. Each step of his felt deliberate, like he was closing the space between them with more than just distance—like he was peeling away the walls she kept around herself.
When he reached her, he gently turned her back to face the mirror.
"I’m looking at you like that," he said softly, his voice a low hum in her ear, "because you look like trouble—and I like trouble."
Ella rolled her eyes, but her lips betrayed her with a smile.
Nicholas smirked, clearly pleased with himself. He turned to the counter nearby and picked up something wrapped in soft black velvet. With a small flourish, he unwrapped it, revealing the emerald necklace Clara Richards had thrown a fit over just moments before.
"I knew this would be perfect on you," he said, stepping behind her. "Do you trust me?"