Chapter Nineteen: No Wasteful Moment
Ella’s POV
I hesitated, the thought of going to the event with Keith stirring up a mix of emotions. But as I looked at him, standing there with that gentle, encouraging smile, I realized that I didn’t want to be alone tonight. Dorian had left me, but I didn’t have to spend the rest of the night wallowing in that hurt. I could do something different, something that might actually bring me a sliver of happiness.
“Okay,” I said softly, nodding. “It wouldn’t be such a bad thing.”
Keith’s smile widened, and he took my hand, leading me out of the hall. “You won’t regret this,” he said, his voice full of promise. “Tonight, we’ll make it special. Just for you. So what do you say, Ella. Be my date?”
‘Just for me‘ I thought. I never knew those words could sound as pleasing from anyone else, and two dates in one night? Dorian’s had made me polygamous.
Keith’s eyes held a kind of intensity that made it hard to look away, a deep blue that seemed to draw me in, pulling at the edges of my resolve. He had just suggested that he would be especially happy if I agreed to be his date tonight, I felt a slight tremor in my chest. There was something about the way he looked at me–so sincere, so focused- that made me falter.
Chapter Nineteen No Wasteful Moment
I didn’t want to be alone tonight. The thought of spending the evening by myself, my mind spinning with images of Dorian and Jessica, gnawed at me. I knew what would happen if I stayed in my head, playing out scenarios that would only make me feel worse. I’d start questioning everything, replaying every conversation, every moment, and finding all the ways I had failed.
Nancy was away on one of her spontaneous trips, not due back until tomorrow. There would be no comfort in her familiar banter, no distraction in her endless stream of gossip. My only option, the only solace I could find, was standing right in front of me. Keith. And that scared me more than I wanted to admit.
I sniffed, the sound breaking the silence between us, and Keith, ever attentive, reached into his pocket for a tissue. But instead of handing it to me, he leaned in and pinched my nose gently, an action so unexpected and tender that it caught me off guard.
I pulled back slightly, aware of the quietness of the room and how loud my sniffle must have sounded in contrast. Embarrassed, I took the tissue from his hand, turning away to wipe my nose discreetly.
“Don’t feel dirty,” Keith said softly, his voice warm. “I know you aren’t at least. I’ve seen every inch of you, and I love all of it. There’s nothing to be shy or embarrassed about.”
His words, spoken so casually, made my checks flush with a tiny bit of anger and something else–something I wasn’t ready to name. He had a way of saying things that could both disarm and provoke me in the same breath.
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Chapter Nineteen: No Wasteful Moment
I shot him a look, half–annoyed, half–amused. “Can’t you be more serious, Keith? If you keep talking like that, I might just reject your offer.”
A flicker of calm passed through his eyes, and his playful look disappeared. “That’s the second time today you’ve said ‘reject.‘ I don’t like that word, Ella.”
His sudden seriousness caught me off guard, leaving me feeling slightly off–balance. “Is something wrong?” I asked, my voice softer now, tinged with concern.
Then, just as quickly as the sadness had appeared, it was replaced with a bright smile. “Nothing’s wrong,” he said, his tone light again. “I’m just happy you finally agreed!”
I shook my head in disbelief, a smile tugging at my lips despite myself. “Agreed? Is the man standing in front of me really a billionaire? Is this how you make your businesses work by assuming and concluding uncertainties?” I teased.
Keith laughed, a rich, genuine sound that filled the room. “You’d be surprised,” he said with a wink. “But the event doesn’t start until nine, so we have a couple of hours to get ready.”
Within minutes, Keith had a room booked right across the diner with the cover that we needed a place to dress up. Truthfully, I had accidentally smudged his clothes and he needed a change of cloth. I watched in surprise as Keith started to undress right in front of me, his
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Chapter Nineteen No Wasteful Moment
movements casual, as if this were the most natural thing in the world for him.
I felt a warmth spread through me, something more primal. “Should I tell him that he’s seducing me?” I thought to myself, the words almost slipping out.
Keith seemed to read my thoughts, his eyes twinkling with mischief as he asked, “Is it working?”
I didn’t answer, but the look I gave him was enough. He grinned, clearly pleased with himself, and I couldn’t help but roll my eyes at his
antics.
The makeup artist Keith had arranged, Vivi, arrived shortly after. She was a warm and lovely woman, her presence immediately putting me at ease. But it didn’t take long to realize she was also something of a perfectionist. She inspected my face with a critical eye, noting the faint dark circles that had begun to form under my eyes.
“You should stay up less,” she advised, her tone kind but firm. “Beauty is the most important thing for a woman. And you,” she said, her voice softening as she looked at me, “you have such a beautiful face. It would be a shame to let stress and lack of sleep ruin it.”
I smiled, appreciating her concern, though I couldn’t help but feel a bit self–conscious. “Staying up late is a man’s worst enemy,” I joked, trying to lighten the mood.
Chapter Nineteen. No Wasteful Moment
Vivi chuckled, shaking her head. “No, darling, staying up late is
everyone’s worst enemy. You should learn to enjoy life, see the good in everything. It makes all the difference.”
She was so good at talking, her voice soothing and full of wisdom. I was grateful that she didn’t pry into my personal life though–like asking me if I had slept with Keith, even though it must have crossed her mind. Instead, she focused on her work, making sure every detail was perfect.
When she finally finished, she stepped back, her eyes shining with pride. “You look as beautiful as a masterpiece,” she said, her voice full of admiration.
I stood up, feeling a little awkward under her gaze, but also a bit flattered. When I turned around, I saw that Keith was standing in the doorway, watching me. His eyes were intense, full of something I couldn’t quite name, and it made my blood run cold .
He walked toward me slowly, his gaze never leaving mine. When he reached me, he stopped, observing a calculated distance where his eyes took all of me in. “You are stunning, Ella.”
His words hung in the air between us, heavy with thousands of ideas playing in my head. My breath caught in my throat, the room suddenly feeling too small, too warm. The look in his eyes was so raw, so full of desire, that I could feel my knees go weak.
With a snap of Keith, Vivi left.
Chapter Nineteen No Wasteful Moment
Keith’s fingers stopped on my lips. He said with desire, “I want to kiss you, Ella, so Hard like there’s no tomorrow”
Chapter Twenty Keith For Auction
