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I made my way to the restrooms, following the sign, and pushed open the door to the women’s room. The lighting was moody, dimmed by sconces along the walls. There was a lounge area before the actual bathroom, complete with mirrors and velvet-covered stools.

Before I could rest my feet for just a moment, I used the bathroom. When I finished, I returned to the vanity area.

Taking a seat on one of the stools, I gave my feet a brief reprieve. I’d worn these heels before, but not while standing this much.

After collecting myself, I turned toward the mirror to check my makeup. The red lipstick was still perfectly in place, framing my pouty lips. I ran a finger along the bottom edge to ensure there were no smudges, then gave myself a final once-over before deciding to head back out.

Although I did need to use the restroom, my real reason for stepping away was to escape Colton, even if just for a minute. My mind was racing, my feelings stronger than I’d anticipated. It had to be the way he was dressed—so polished, his hair perfectly styled, the fabric of his tuxedo hugging his frame just right. It was becoming harder to resist him.

Add to that the fact we were getting along better than ever tonight? As much as I loved our usual banter, there was something special about simply existing together, enjoying each other’s company without the usual back-and-forth. It was a different kind of connection, one that made my heart ache with a bittersweet longing.

Heading back to the gala, I navigated through the tables and quickly spotted Colton. He was seated at a table for two, adorned with candles and a single white rose in a clear bud vase. Simple yet elegant.

As I approached, Colton stood and pulled out my chair.

“Wow,” I remarked, a teasing smile playing on my lips. “You’re tapping into every ounce of chivalry you have tonight, aren’t you?”

Colton scoffed, waiting until I was seated before pushing the chair in. “Don’t act so surprised, Sunshine. I just don’t show it often.”

“What a shame,” I sighed, resting my elbows on the table and cupping my chin in my hand. I admired him like one of the paintings earlier—the brush of facial hair that dotted his complexion, the dark brown hair just starting to gray, giving him a distinguished edge. His chiseled jaw and those piercing blue eyes, deep enough to lose myself in.

“You’re staring,” he noted, but it didn’t stop me. I only gazed deeper.

“I can’t help it,” I admitted. “You’re infuriatingly handsome.”

Colton leaned forward, resting on his forearms, his gaze fixed on me. The intensity between us was palpable, a current neither of us could ignore. The world around us faded, leaving just us in this charged space.

“Keep talking to me like that, Eleanor, and we may not make it through dinner.”

If he kept that up—looking so damn handsome—I might just skip dinner altogether.

Biting my lip, I leaned in closer, my voice a sultry whisper. “I can be your meal, Mr. Stone. Eat me instead.”

Colton’s breath hitched, and he brought his knuckle to his mouth, biting down as if to contain himself. His canines peeked through, and a part of me wanted to run my tongue over them, to let them pierce my skin as he claimed me.

“Oh, Miss Stewartt,” he murmured, his voice a low growl that sent a shiver down my spine.

“Good evening,” a new voice interrupted, shattering our moment. I was the first to break eye contact, turning to the server who now stood beside us, holding two plates.

“I have two chicken marsalas with wild rice,” the server announced, placing the dishes in front of us.

The aroma stirred my appetite, momentarily distracting me from Colton’s intense gaze. “Thank you,” I said, offering a polite smile.

The server asked if we needed anything else, but we declined, eager to dive into our meals.

As we ate, I couldn’t keep my eyes off Colton, each bite doing little to quell my hunger.

Chapter 25

Colton

ELEANOR WAS THE most stunning woman I’d ever laid eyes on. The soft candlelight cast a warm glow on her face, subtly highlighting her freckles, making her even more captivating.

The dress I’d chosen for her fit better than I’d imagined. It hugged the slopes of her curves perfectly, the fabric clinging in ways that would bring any man to his knees. I had nearly been one of them.

When she’d stepped through the doors of the resort, her hips swaying toward me, it’d taken every ounce of my self-control to keep my mind from racing to thoughts of having her strip just for me. The intrusive desire to throw her over my shoulder and take her somewhere private was almost too strong to resist.

Now, sitting here with her, sharing this moment at the gala, I knew bringing her here had been the right choice.