Chapter 27: I Can't Help Myself

Roman's words echo in the air between us: "Do you want it?"

I let out a shaky breath. Yes. Yes, I want it. But I can't seem to say even that. After a couple of seconds, I only manage to echo, "It."

"The dress." His voice is rough.

For a moment, I don't understand. "Hm?"

"Do you want the dress?"

Oh. When he said "it," he meant the dress, not... not...

I'm speechless. And still trembling, still tight and nervous and flushed from head to toe.

"Y-yes," I finally manage. "I want the dress."

"Good." The word is like a caress.

"That... that settles it, then," I say, because I can't seem to do anything but reiterate it to myself over and over again. "This is the dress." He meant the dress, the dress, the dress...

"Yes. This is most definitely the dress."

There's something in his voice - an appreciation, maybe - that makes me look up, to seek his eyes out in the reflection in front of us. I've spent most of the conversation watching his hand, fixated on the movements of his finger an