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A rough twenty minutes after Braden left, there's a knock on my door. I double check the clock to be sure I still have time, because Braden said an hour and a half, but I still fear that he might change his mind and he's here again.

I go open the door, holding my breath, but it's not Braden.

''Miss Warren?'' There's a sophisticated young woman there with a big box in her hands.

I furrow my eyebrows. ''Yeah, that's me,'' I say carefully.

''I have a package for you. Sign here,'' she says with a bored voice that shows this is her job and it's her mantra.

Do I sound like that when I'm asking people for their orders at the bar? I shudder. I hope not.

I sign my name on the paper and she hands me the big box then leaves straight away, not even saying a goodbye.

I sigh and close the door, taking the box inside. There's a bow on it and a small piece of paper with my name on it.

I place the box on my bed in my room and open it, removing the papers aside and gasp at what reveals to my eyes.

It's a black dress, a very short one with lacy short sleeves and a white bow in the middle. There in the box are also high heels laying to match the dress. They're sparkly black. I also find a note and see it's handwritten. I open it with shaky hands.

Rory,

when I saw this dress, my first thought was: I want to see you in it.

Please, make my wish come true and wear it for me tonight. It'd make me a very happy man.

- B. C. x

I sit down on the floor with his note in my hand, my eyes getting damp. This impossible, infuriating man. He keeps surprising me.

My tears fall down my face because I hate and love him more than I ever think I could both hate and love at the same time any other person in this world.

***

Exactly on time, there's a knock at my door. My heart skips a beat as I take one last look at myself, take one more deep breath and go open the door. It's not Braden standing there, it's his driver.

''Miss Warren, good evening. Are you ready to go?''

I grab the coat from the hanger and my purse. ''Good evening. Sure, let's go.''

As we walk down to the car and Braden's driver opens the door for me, I hold my breath thinking that maybe Braden is waiting in the car, but I'm hit with disappointment again when I notice the car is empty.

I go inside and the door closes. The driver goes around, sits inside, and start the car.

I sigh and close my eyes as I watch the night city through the window. I'm already falling for his tricks. The history is repeating, but I'm like a moth that can't stay away from the fire.

But how can you stay away from the person that you're aching to be with?

I need to hear what Braden has to say to me and maybe then I'll say goodbye to him easier. Or that's just my wishful thinking ...

When we drive for quite some time, I decide to pick the conversation with his driver so I stop nervously tugging at my dress and twirling my fingers around. I lean forward in my seat. ''Can I ask what's your name?''

The driver's eyes find mine in the review mirror. ''It's Jeff, Miss,'' he responds respectfully.

''You don't have to be so formal with me,'' I tell him, uncomfortable with all the formality.

''It's okay, I'd like to do my job if you allow.''

I furrow my eyebrows in disbelief. ''Your job is to be formal with people?'' I ask just to be sure I understand him correctly.

Jeff's eyes find mine again. ''Among other things.'' He nods.

Okay then, Mr Formal. ''Can I ask where we're going?'' I try in hopes he can tell me.

''We're going to Mr Campbell's, Miss.''

My mouth hangs open. ''Like at his home?'' I ask dumbly.

Jeff nods. ''Yes, Miss.''

''Oh.'' I'm going to Braden's place. The second time. After he told me he doesn't bring women to his place.

My heart speeds up under my will.

''How long have you been working for Braden?'' I ask Jeff, eager for information.

Jeff looks a bit uncomfortable at my question. ''For some years now,'' he says and I realize he's not going to tell me much.

I stare out of the window for the rest of our drive, my mind going to different places. I can't help but be nervous and also anxious at how this night is going to turn out.

When we arrive, I can't help but stare open-mouthed at the flat complex. Jesus, it's enormous! My neck hurts from looking at it all the way to the top where it seems it's reaching the sky. The last time I was here, I couldn't enjoy the outside beauty of it, because I was sleeping when Braden took me here.

What a shame, though.

Jeff leads me inside, taking us straight to the elevator where he puts in a key and up we go.

I awkwardly wait in silence until the doors open and I'm straight to his suite. Looking around, a sudden ache settles inside of me.

''Enjoy your evening, Miss,'' Jeff wishes me and goes down.

''Rory?'' I hear Braden's voice call out before he comes to stand in my view. Oh, wow. I stop breathing at how exquisite he looks with his jeans and a simple blue shirt. He has a kitchen towel placed over his shoulder, making him look homey.

I don't know what to do, so I just stand there awkwardly and follow him with my eyes as he comes to stand in front of me. He has a big grin on his face as he leans down and kisses my cheek.

He picks up a lock of my hair. ''You look absolutely stunning,'' he compliments me, making me blush. ''Can I take your coat?''

I take it off me and hand it to Braden, but he doesn't take it. I doubt he even notices me holding it for him to take it, because he has his eyes down, on my legs, and he slowly moves them up, up, until they stop on my chest.

He stares at it for long moments. He clears his throat but is still unable to move his eyes away.

''Braden?'' I call him back to reality and he swiftly turns his eyes to my lips firstly and then my eyes, coughing a bit.

''Sorry, uh ...'' His eyes fall down on my chest again. ''Have your, err, breasts grown? They seem bigger.''

My eyes bulge out. I cross my arms in front of me. ''Braden!'' I scold him, my whole face turning red.

Braden grazes his brow with his index finger, looking away. ''Sorry. You really do look lovely,'' he comments and he seems uncomfortable. ''Come,'' he says, taking my hand, but when I freeze in place, he releases it as if he got burned.

He looks at me with sad eyes but swiftly turns his gaze away. ''Follow me,'' he simply says and walks in front of me while I follow behind.

This already started out awful and now there's an awkward silence between us as we come to the kitchen. I don't want it to be that way between us tonight. I want to hear what he has to say, not spend it in despair.

The instant I step into the kitchen, the amazing smell hits my nostrils. I now realise that I'm very hungry and that I haven't eaten much today. Which is actually no surprise.

''It smells good,'' I comment politely. ''What are you making?''

I've seen Braden cooking before, but the sight of him behind the stove will never not amaze me. He looks awesome doing literally anything and he makes even cooking look sexy.

I bite my bottom lip. Uh-oh, I'm so not going there with my thoughts right now.

Braden smiles shyly at me and it takes me aback how handsome he looks smiling. Not that he doesn't look good when he's not smiling, but when he smiles that real, amazing smile, his whole face lights up and his eyes glint.

''Nothing big. It's just spaghetti with sauce.''

My lips water and my stomach growls. He narrows his eyes at me, all traces of his smile gone, and I know he wants to say something, but he changes his mind and turns right back to the stove.

I follow the amazing smell and it leads me to the sauce cooking slowly on the stove. I peek at Braden and I see he's already watching me in amusement. ''Do you want to try it?'' he offers.

I nod eagerly. His lips perk up at the corners and he comes stand behind me. He reaches with his one hand around of me, stepping a little bit closer, so he's touching me everywhere. My heart stops in my chest.

He carefully brings the wooden spoon all the way up to my lips, willing them to open.

I wrap my lips around the wooden spoon and when the delicious taste hits my tongue, I can't help the moan that escapes me. My eyes widen as I realise Braden is painfully still behind me and I don't think he's even moving.

But then I feel him. I really feel him, first it's his fingers brushing back my hair, then his hot breath against my neck, and then his amazing lips which start to make out with the soft spot on my neck.

My head subconsciously falls on the right, giving him more space. I moan again at the feel of his tongue, licking the skin he was previously kissing.

''God, Rory,'' he groans into my neck and my eyes fly open. I jump back, but I only crash into Braden's hard body. He puts his hand on my side and twirls me around. Before I have a chance to say anything, his lips are on mine, hot and demanding.

My mind goes completely blank. There's not a thought left in it, only how good it feels kissing him again. I fall into a state of pure lust, of pure need for him.

But that little common sense I have left in me, makes me put my hands on his hard chest and push him away. I don't push him hard, but he steps away with a disagreeing growl.

''Braden, don't ...'' I trail off, breathing hard. My heart is beating a mile in a minute.

''I know,'' he says. ''I know. We need to talk first.''

I look at him from under my lashes. What does he mean by that? ''What?'' I shake my head at him, confused.

He puts his hands in his jeans pockets. ''We need to talk first. There's going to be more of this later.'' He shows with his hand between us.

I raise my eyebrows. ''This? There won't be anything like this between us anymore,'' I reject him.

Braden goes with his hand through his hair and ruffles it, making it messy. He looks even better like that. Damn, he's literally perfect.

I turn my eyes away because it's getting really painful for me. To watch him. To be near him. To feel him. All of that, when I know I can't have him anymore.

My lips are still tingling from our kiss, my skin is still burning where he touched me. But I'm not going to repeat the same mistake again. I'm not going to cave into his charms that easily. I know now what he's capable and more than anything, I now know that he's capable of breaking my heart with a smile on his face.

''We'll talk,'' Braden insists and I see he's getting nervous. I turn my eyes back to him while he composes himself and stands up straighter, looking me straight in the eyes. ''I won't apologise for kissing you, Rory. Never for that. God knows I'm not sorry.''

Oh, my.

I stay without words and watch him with my mouth hanging open. His eyes fall on my mouth and I close it quickly, rolling my bottom lip inside. His eyes darken before he turns around and goes to the refrigerator, opening it.

He takes out a bottle of wine and turns to me, but a frown falls on his face and his eyes drop to my stomach. He stares at it for quite some time and I think I see a trace of a smile. He looks me in the face and when he sees my lifted eyebrows, he does smile – apologetically. ''Sorry. I forgot,'' he murmurs, putting the bottle back. ''Would you rather have water or juice?'' he asks.

''Water would be good, thank you,'' I respond quietly, politely. I hate how weird it is talking to him and not knowing how to act around him. We're making this small conversation where a heavy layer of our past lies over our heads.

But on the other hand, it feels good just to be near him and have a small talk. I missed him. I'd accept anything I can get from him. But I have to be careful not to show that to him. He shouldn't know. I shouldn't give him more material to hurt me, he already has enough of it.

''You can go sit down, the food will be ready soon,'' he tells me and I follow him when he places two bottles of water on a perfectly set table. The candles, the flowers in the middle, lights dimmed in the room ... It all feels so romantic.

Not even five minutes pass when he comes with the food. It smells so good I want to moan, but I hold myself. I don't want a repeat of what happened earlier. I get hot just thinking about it.

I'm glad it didn't change that he can get me all hot for him with just a touch or a kiss, I think dryly.

Braden waits for me to fill my plate first and he doesn't have to wait long because I eagerly fill it to the top. I flush when I see him staring at me with self-satisfaction and a small smile.

I don't start eating until he fills his plate and we both start in silence. But then I put my fork and spoon down and stare at him. At the feeling of my eyes on him, he quickly lifts his own, looking me from under his lashes.

''Are we going to talk?'' I ask although I don't want to spend a minute doing anything else but eating. But this is important and I can't wait. I'm too nervous.

Braden's smile grows bigger. ''Always so impatient,'' he comments, cocking his head on the side.

I bite my lip in anticipation when he just continues looking at me, not saying anything. I fidget in my seat when his eyes fall on my lips again and I immediately release it from my teeth, licking it after. Braden closes his eyes, exhaling harshly.

''Eat now, Rory. We'll talk after,'' he says calmly when he reopens his eyes.

''You really expect me to eat right now?'' I sputter out disbelievingly. Doesn't he see I'm a ball of nerves?

Braden shakes his head, becoming all serious now. ''You've lost a lot of weight. This dress is in your size, I made sure of it, but your beautiful curves aren't filling it like they should because you almost lost them. So, please, give me this satisfaction and let me feed you.''

My mouth opens and stays open again. Is he going to do this the whole night – throwing me completely off guard with his words? Because I don't think I'll be able to survive it then. He's scrutinising me until I finally cave in and focus all my attention to empty that plate.

Thinking about it now, I regret that I took so much food. I'm never going to eat it that much, not in this state.

We eat in a comfortable silence, but there's still a heavy weight of tension wrapped around us. We give each other occasional glances, but we don't say a word. I don't know what to say to him and I don't know how he'll react to my words.

So I stay quiet and eat my dinner. Braden finishes his plate first and then he just ... stares at me. He doesn't take his eyes off me and I get all fidgety and clumsy. I'm afraid to even take another bite under his eyes, let alone look at him.

I don't look at him until I take my last bite, put the fork and the spoon down and wipe my mouth. Braden grins hugely at me. He takes both of our glasses, filled with water, and stands up, motioning me to follow him.

I draw my eyebrows together in question, but I go after him in his luxurious living room where we can see the whole city outside, the lights of a life outside greeting us. It's impressive. But this sight has nothing to do with the man standing beside me, having my heart on his platter – or so it feels.

''Come sit,'' Braden says, pointing at the couch with his chin.

I take a deep breath and walk to it, my heels clicking on the floor and it's the only thing I hear, besides my heavy breathing.

I sit down and he follows me, but he doesn't sit beside me as I expect him to. He sits on the other end of the couch, putting the glasses of our water down on the table in front of each other.

My heart is beating faster and faster by every second that passes and anticipation is growing inside of me.

I jump up when I feel Braden's warm hand wrapping around my calves and putting them up on his legs.

I watch him with big, questionable eyes when he starts taking off my heels. I try to pull my legs back, but he grips them tighter. ''Braden, what are you doing?'' I voice my question now, willing myself to start breathing again.

Braden smiles reassuringly. ''Just relax, darling.''

My eyebrows shoot up. There's something very wrong in this situation.

When he has my feet bare, he puts his hands on them and starts to lightly massage them. I throw my head back, my eyes roll back and a moan escapes me.

I clamp my mouth shut when I realise what I did and I peek at Braden only to see that he's now very still, his hands are unmoving and he watches me with his eyes wide open.

I don't know what to say or if I should just apologise, so I stay quiet. I try once again to pull my legs back, but this time, I touch something. Him. In other words, his hardness that is felt through his jeans.

''You're hard,'' I say quietly with a croaked voice. My stomach almost falls down on the ground when I realise that I really said that out loud and to him.

Is there any hole I can climb in and stuck in it so I can never come back out?

Braden's mouth opens slightly. ''I'm always hard around you,'' he says simply.

I gulp down the sudden lump in my throat, which feels very dry suddenly. My breathing is also getting shallower. ''You want me?'' It comes out like a question.

Seriously, is there any duct tape so I can put it over my mouth? It's like the words are coming out by themselves.

Braden takes a deep breath, his eyes are unmoving on me and I can't take my eyes off of his either. ''I've always wanted you, Rory,'' he says gently. ''I've wanted you since I first laid my eyes on you in that tiny towel and I'll want you until I take my last breath in my lungs.''

My mouth falls open, but this time for a different reason. He left me speechless, for the nth time this evening. His words ... His damn words. What is he trying to tell me with them?

''Braden ...'' I say and pull my legs down, this time successfully. I straighten down my dress and use this moment to calm myself down and put my mind in the right order. When I feel ready, I look at him again, but I almost fall down from the couch because of his burning eyes on me. ''Please tell me the reason for this dinner tonight,'' I tell him. I can't play in circles with him anymore.

He leans forward, puts his elbows on his knees and traces his bottom lip with his thumb, distracting me. ''I won't beat around the bush,'' he says suddenly after moments of silence.

I sit up straighter now and patiently wait to see what he's going to say.

''I want another chance with you,'' he casually drops the bomb, his voice vain of any emotion while I almost get a heart attack.

''You want – what?'' I choke on my words, staring at him with wide eyes. My hands start shaking. Did I hear him right? Did he say what I think he did?

Oh, God.

I can't breathe.

''Rory,'' comes his calming voice. He sits closer to me now, putting his hand on my face and makes me look at him.

I feel like there's just not enough air in the room anymore.

I stand up swiftly and start walking forward and turn back. And then forward and back again. Braden is silently watching me the whole time, probably contemplating what to do with me.

''Are you joking right now?!'' I ask him and stop in front of him with my hands on my hips.

Braden looks as calm as ever while I'm ready