“Don’t look at me like that,” she says with a chuckle as her gaze meets mine in the mirror.

“Like what?” I answer innocently, schooling my features to match my tone.

She gracefully slides from the small stool in front of the vanity. As she turns to face me, I get an eyeful of the delicate lacy undergarments that seem to cover so little, yet way too much at the moment for my liking. She raises her eyebrow, amusement painted on her beautiful face.

“Like you have been starving for a solid week, and I’m a juicy hamburger.”

My eyes wander hungrily across her body before they land on those incredible irises of hers. Her eyes are so expressive, I swear they change color with her moods. They are anywhere from dark brown to pitch-black, depending on what emotion drives her at the time. Currently, they are a smoldering dark chocolate color. I like this particular shade in those eyes—as long as I am the one putting it there. I take a step toward her and cannot help the tingle of excitement that washes over me as I note her reaction to my impending nearness. The subtle widening of her eyes. The way her breath catches in her throat. How she catches her full bottom lip between her teeth. I swear I could almost explode in my pants right here, right now, like a damn teenager.

“Oh, Sweet Pea,” I tell her as I close the distance between us. “I think that if I would resort to comparing you to food items, I’d describe you more like a piece of Kobe steak…” I lean in and brush my lips across her collarbone. “And I could really go for some steak right now,” I add suggestively. A soft moan escapes her perfect lips, and that singular, small sound almost causes me to burst out of my pants. I press myself against her, letting her feel what she does to me. A sly smirk spreads across her face.

“Mika James Kingsley,” she says as she lazily lets her hands slide from my chest to my stomach. “As much as I want to…feed you some prime Kobe steak…we are running late as it is.”

I groan. “Nobody will notice if we are a little late.”

She chuckles that sweet laugh of hers. Raeva wraps her arms around my neck and pushes herself onto the tips of her toes. Her mouth finds mine, and she kisses me sweetly. When I try and deepen the kiss, I feel her lips bloom into a smile.

“Uh-uh,” she admonishes me. “I promise that I will be all yours when we get back later on tonight, Mr. Kingsley.”

“You’re already all mine, Ms. Ray,” I grumble, admittedly somewhat disgruntled.

Raeva presses her lips against mine once more. “That’s a fact,” she says with a wink. “But Jillybean’s opening is important to her, and I don’t want to show up late, especially since she has postponed the opening of Serenity because of me. And she’s not too happy with your involvement in that situation as it is. If you make us late to her opening…let’s not give her another reason to be annoyed with you.”

I cringe when I think about the reason why Jill postponed the opening. She had to pick up the pieces after what happened only a couple of months ago. I have come so close to losing the only woman who has ever made me want…more. I am not ready to share her with the rest of the world yet. I want to keep her with me as much as possible, which has been hard since she refuses to quit her job at the Hillcrest Clinic. Stubborn woman. And of course I also have to work and have been working less than ever, even if I still work more than most. This event tonight is the last place I want to be. But she’s right, of course, and it’s not like I don’t have the rest of my life to enjoy every inch of her. I also can’t deny that I am also really fond of Jill; she is Raeva’s best friend, and the two of them are as close—if not closer—than sisters. Besides that, she has allowed my twin sister to help her replan this whole shindig, which has helped her tremendously. Mikaela has been in her element, and even though I am very sure that Jill is heavily benefiting from Mik’s involvement, I also know that she only agreed to let my sister help her because Raeva asked her to do so. And for that, I am grateful.

“And you know that Mikaela will have your neck if you show up late to this event. Jill and Mikaela have been working their butts off to get this event together in such a short time.”

It’s pretty impressive how well Raeva already seems to know my sister. I am not sure if I should be elated that they get on so well or terrified. I watch her step into a deep red, silk gown, and I know I am going to enjoy peeling it off of her. She smiles as she glances at me over her shoulder.

“You mind zipping me up, Captain Caveman?”

I will never admit to her that I am quite fond of her nickname for me; it has grown on me. I stride toward her and can’t resist the urge to kiss her shoulder as I tug on the zipper.

“You look spectacular in this dress,” I murmur in her ear. “I cannot wait to rip it off you later.”

She leans into the kiss, putty in my hands, and I cannot help the smugness that washes over me. The sound of someone clearing their throat startles me. I turn and find my twin sister standing in the entrance to the walk-in closet, and although I am slightly annoyed at her interruption, the feeling of complete elation at the sight of her is undeniable. She looks amazing. Her long blonde hair is twisted up in a half bun, and the silk gold gown she is wearing perfectly complements her eyes. My annoying little brat of a sister cleans up well.

“Step away from the beautiful lady in the red dress,” she says sternly. “So help me God, Ivy League, if you make her late to this I will be forced to unleash my wrath onto you, and dear brother, you know better than to poke the bear.”

I sigh. “Good evening to you too, little sister.”

Mikaela breezes past me.

“Rae, you look breathtaking,” she exclaims. “Let’s do your makeup.”

Raeva smiles sweetly and takes the hand Mik’s holding out for her.

“You finish getting dressed while I put the finishing touches on my future sister.”

Raeva’s eyes snap over to mine, a look of shock painted on that beautiful face of hers. I can’t help but chuckle.

“Breathe, Sweet Pea,” I whisper in her ear.

I lean in and kiss her temple. “I will be back shortly ladies,” I mutter as I turn and stride out of the walk-in closet.