Thorneless (Rose of Thorne Series) by Mia Michelle Read Free Book Online

work closely with him every day. Even working in close proximity with each other, he remains the perfect gentlemen and hasn’t once tried to blur the lines of our friendship. Part of me secretly wishes that he’ll push them and the other part of me wants nothing to do with taking a chance on getting hurt again.
    Staring down at the envelope in my hands, my chest immediately starts to pound.  Sebastian still has a hold on me regardless of my desperation to be free from him.  Right now I should just put myself out my misery and see whatever is inside, but instead I slide it back into the side zipper of my satchel and try to steady my erratic breathing. Why do I torture myself like this?
    The buzz of my phone brings me out of my thoughts and I can’t help but grin when I see Lucas’ smiling face come up on my screen. Just the sight of him makes everything in me relax. How does he do that?
    “Hey , gorgeous! I just came downstairs. I’ll be waiting on you in the lobby when you’re ready,” he says sweetly over the phone. His voice rushes over me and leaves me with goose bumps.
    “I’m almost ready. Give me just a few minutes and I’ll be right down,” I tell him as I grab my clutch and slide my feet into my new Louis Vuitton stilettos that he bought me.  Before I make my way downstairs, I check my reflection in the mirror once more and drop the lip gloss and room key into my purse. I hope I look all right, I don’t even recognize myself tonight.
    While I have attended many of these events since coming to work for Lucas, this event will be much more formal than the others that I have accompanied him to.  I wasn’t certain what to wear tonight and had spent most of our flight to Monaco contemplating if I needed to go shopping once we arrived.
    As if he had read my mind, a huge box and garment bag had been waiting for me in my hotel suite when we arrived. Inside the bag was a beautiful long red silk dress by a famous European fashion designer.   Damn, this man has exquisite taste!     
    I can’t help but chuckle at the note he had attached to the dress because he knows that I would protest to this kindness.  
    No argume nts! I bought the dress for me, gorgeous.
    Lobby. 7 pm .
    -L
    The dress fits as if it had been custom made for me and I don’t know how that’s possible, especially with my curvy figure.  The red strapless number tightly clings to my every curve, exposing my back as it scooped down extraordinarily low on my waist. So low, in fact that it almost exposed my now silver faded scar. I had styled my hair putting it up with diamond pins and allowed my deep curls to fall to one side.  Smokey eyes and lipstick the same shade of deep red as the dress I am wearing completed the look.
    As the glass elevator makes its way down, I peer down below at the busy lobby. Even though Lucas’ back is to me, I spot him immediately in the crowd of people.  He’s talking to several other men who also wore tuxes and are facing me. Judging by the smile on their faces, they find my appearance pleasing.  Turning to see what has captured their attention, Lucas’s emerald eyes find mine through the glass elevator wall.  Our eyes lock in an intense hold as he watches me make my way to the ground level.  I can’t help but sense there’s something very different in his gaze tonight.  This look is filled with desire and admiration. His eyes slowly roam my body as the elevator begins to halt. He beams as he greets me at the door with an arm extended. Once I place my arm in his, he brings me close to him and it causes me to lose my breath.
    “Skylar, you look absolutely . . . breathtaking,” he whispers in my ear. I smile and feel the blush fill my cheeks.  He takes my hand and he leads me to the group of smiling men. I could feel him tense at their reaction to me and he immediately pulls me into him, possessively wrapping his hand around my waist.  After he makes the proper introductions, Lucas entwines his hand