Read Online Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell - Free Book Online Page B

foot while trying to make the other side match with little success.
    “Here, let me.” Reid took the silver shoe from her and lowered himself to one knee. She stood holding onto the bedpost, mesmerized by his hands as they helped slip the shoe on her foot. The warmth of his fingers as they grazed her ankle sent shivers up her leg and spread through her sex as though he’d touched it directly.
    He held her foot on his thigh with one hand while the other opened, releasing a silver chain he’d been hiding in his palm to dangle from where he held the end. Surprise left her speechless as she watched him wrap it around her ankle and clasp it in place.
    The delicate chain was practically weightless, and she wondered if she’d feel it at all if it wasn’t for the charm and beads attached to the small links. In the front, a small silver bird in flight hung from the chain. Crystalline beads of sky blue dangled every inch or so, completing the piece with a classic beauty.
    “It’s beautiful,” she said. “But you’ve gotten me so much already, Reid. You don’t need to keep getting me things.”
    “I know, but as soon as I saw it I thought of you.”
    “Really? Why?”
    “This is a sparrow.” He looked down and fingered the bird charm. “Unlike most birds, when a sparrow finds its soul mate, they stay together until the end of their life.” Raising his head again he met her gaze. “Making them the symbol for finding one’s true love.”
    Finding one’s true love. Lucie merely wanted to find her one true companion and wasn’t holding out much hope for the love part anymore. Regardless, the sentiment was the sweetest thing she’d ever heard, and knowing he’d thought of her when he saw it touched her deeply.
    He carefully placed her foot back on the floor and rose to tower over her at his full height. She tried thanking him but the words got stuck somewhere in her throat as her gaze traveled up from the open V of his shirt revealing the tan skin at his neck, past his freshly shaven jaw and full lips, until it was trapped by his eyes. They changed colors depending on his outfit or his surroundings or even the lighting. Now they were a light green shot through with streaks of caramel, reminding her of a taffy apple.
    Reid Andrews was an absolute enigma. In Vegas she knew he lived the life of a rich playboy fighter, spending the majority of his time either training or casually “dating” more women than she cared to think about. But since he’d moved in with her for this truly crazy deal they’d struck, he’d been nothing but charming, supportive, and thoughtful. Just like she remembered him to be when she was young and hopelessly crushing on her big brother’s best friend. If she’d thought he was fantastic back then, he’d grown to be even more so now.
    She cleared her throat and gave the whole speaking thing another shot. “Thank you, Reid. I love it.”
    “You’re very welcome. Now let’s go. I can’t wait to see that doctor’s jaw unhinge when he sees what he’s been missing out on.” When she scrunched up her nose in doubt he kissed it and said, “Trust me,” and grabbed her hand to lead her out of the room.
    Thirty minutes later they arrived at the restaurant and the hostess escorted them back to the rented-out room where the shower was being held. Lucie placed her gift for Lizzie on the designated table by the door and then nervously scanned the sea of people.
    “Stop fidgeting,” Reid said in her ear. His hand at her lower back helped to ease her, but not by much.
    “I’m not fidgeting.”
    “Yes, you are.”
    He was right. She was practically hyperventilating, which was likely to come next. She couldn’t seem to stop. Why did she feel like she was stepping into the lion’s den? These were people she’d known and been comfortable with for years. But what if they didn’t like her new look? Or what if they thought poorly of her for changing her appearance?
    She barely managed to keep