THE FORGOTTEN HEIRESS-Chapter 383: This Is Torture!
You’re very beautiful," Kate complimented with a genuine smile. "And Dr Rosse... he has good taste, but he also listens. Most guys would have gone for something flashy, but this... " she gestured to the gown, "this is elegant."
Lauren smiled at her reflection and a quiet warmth bloomed in her chest.
The gown was indeed perfect for her. It struck a balance between classy and sophisticated while still feeling youthful and fun.
It was as though Steffan had seen a side of her she didn’t even know she wanted to show.
A knock on the door brought them back to reality. Steffan had arrived, and from the glimpse Lauren caught through the window, he looked as dashing as ever in a crisp black suit.
Her heart did a little flip when she realized how much effort he had put into making her feel special tonight.
Celia and Kate exchanged pleased looks as they packed up their things, clearly satisfied with their work. "You look stunning," Celia said, giving Lauren’s hand a reassuring squeeze. "He’s going to be blown away."
With one last deep breath, Lauren made her way downstairs.
When she opened the door, Steffan’s head was bowed, probably checking out something on his phone.
Steffan’s breath caught as he raised his head and saw Lauren before him, framed in the soft glow of the hallway light.
For a moment, he couldn’t speak. His normally sharp mind seemed to falter as he took in the sight of her.
The gown clung to her in all the right places, highlighting her graceful curves without being overly revealing.
As he already envisaged, her beauty was undeniable, but it was the way the dress perfectly reflected her elegance, strength, and charm that struck him hardest.
Steffan felt an almost primal urge stir within him, a heady mix of admiration, desire, and something deeper he couldn’t quite name.
His gaze traveled from her neckline to the delicate embroidery at her waist, and he swallowed hard.
The gown was stunning, but it was Lauren wearing it that made it impossible to look away.
Her lips, painted a deep, inviting shade, curved into a soft smile that held both confidence and a touch of shyness. She was captivating, and the effect was almost more than he could bear.
"Wow," he finally managed to say, his voice low and sincere. He stepped closer, the air between them humming with tension. "You look... incredible."
Lauren’s cheeks flushed at the intensity of his gaze. She could see the struggle in his eyes as he fought to maintain control over the raw hunger that sent a shiver down her spine.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper.
Steffan’s hand moved to the small of her back, his touch light yet electric. His gaze flicked to her lips, and for a heartbeat, he considered abandoning all decorum.
He leaned in slowly, drawn irresistibly toward her. The warmth of her breath mingled with his, and he could almost taste the temptation that shimmered in the air between them.
But just as he was about to close the distance, Lauren gently placed a finger against his lips, her eyes dancing with amusement. "Careful," she teased, her voice soft but firm. "You don’t want to mess up the lipstick we worked so hard on."
Steffan groaned in frustration as he stared at her inviting lips. His muscles tensed with the effort of pulling back when every instinct urged him to dive in. "You’re killing me, you know that?" he muttered, his voice thick with desire.
She laughed softly, the sound rich and melodic, only adding to the magnetic pull between them. "You’ll survive," she teased.
With a resigned sigh, Steffan settled for pressing a kiss to her forehead, the gesture tender but laced with barely restrained tension.
Even that brief contact sent a thrill through him, his lips lingering longer than necessary. He drew in the scent of her, something floral and sweet, mingled with a warmth that was distinctly her.
Reluctantly pulling away, he offered his arm, and she looped hers through his, allowing him to lead her to the car waiting outside.
Inside the quiet cocoon of the vehicle, the atmosphere was thick with unspoken tension.
This was the first time they were together alone after Lauren revealed their relationship and he didn’t know how deep their relationship was in the past so he was unsure of what to do that Lauren will not think his new version was a pervert.
The silence was charged, crackling with the energy of words unsaid and emotions held tightly in check. Every brush of their arms, every accidental touch as the car shifted, only intensified the current running between them.
Steffan gripped the steering wheel a bit too tightly, his knuckles white as he tried to focus on the road instead of the intoxicating presence beside him.
Lauren sat close, her dress cascading around her like liquid silk, her hand resting casually in her lap. He could see her out of the corner of his eye—the elegant slope of her neck, the soft curve of her shoulder where the fabric dipped slightly. Every detail seemed designed to torment him.
He shifted in his seat, clearing his throat, desperate for some kind of distraction. "You really do look incredible tonight," he said, his voice rougher than he intended.
"Thank you," Lauren replied, turning her head to glance at him. Her eyes were bright, teasing, as though she was fully aware of the effect she was having on him and enjoying every minute of it.
The look she gave him sent a rush of heat through his chest, pooling low in his stomach.
He was usually so composed, so in control, but something about Lauren, especially tonight, was unraveling him in ways he hadn’t anticipated.
He clenched his jaw, forcing himself to focus on the lights flickering by outside the window.
But then Lauren’s hand brushed lightly against his arm as she adjusted herself in her seat, and the contact sent a jolt through him. He couldn’t stop himself from glancing at her again, catching the subtle curve of her lips, the knowing smile that played there. Was she doing it deliberately?
"This is torture, you know," he murmured, his tone low and edged with humor, though there was an unmistakable undercurrent of longing.
Lauren’s laugh was soft, almost a purr. "It’s just a drive," she replied innocently, but her eyes sparkled with mischief.
"Only because you won’t let me kiss you," Steffan muttered, half to himself.
She leaned in slightly, just close enough for him to catch the faintest hint of her perfume. "There’s plenty of time for that later... if you behave yourself now," she whispered, her voice a sultry tease.
’If you behave yourself now.’ What does that mean? Had they crossed the last line in the past? Most likely, since they were almost married.
Steffan’s grip on the wheel tightened, and he forced himself to focus on the road, fighting the urge to turn the car around and forget all about the dinner.
But this was Lauren’s special day and he wouldn’t want to ruin it with his selfish desires. Besides he was sure Lauren was only teasing him, considering her past escapades and how she would suddenly stop him just when things were getting heated up.
