His reaction, however, gave me pause. The way his metallic eyes widened, his nostrils flared, and his mouth dropped open, I knew he liked the dress on me even more than I did. Given the tent in his jeans, there was no mistaking he enjoyed seeing me in something so beautiful.
My period had started on Tuesday, just as I’d expected it to, so we hadn’t had sex since Monday. But by tomorrow, I would be off my period, and I was going to jump him again as soon as I possibly could.
Swallowing hard, he ran a hand down his face, and I wondered if he was groaning. “You’re getting it,” he signed after another few moments of just standing there looking at me. “I’ll probably end up killing someone tomorrow, but burying a body will be worth it if I get to look at you in that all night.”
I grinned. He was joking about killing people. It was kind of adorable. My sweet Max was a gentle giant. He wouldn’t hurt a fly. It was one of so many things that I loved about him.
“Fine,” I gave in. “But only because I like the way you’re looking at me right now.”
“Shoes,” he said, pointing over his shoulder. “Nothing with a tall heel. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”
“You are so bossy,” I complained, hiding my lingering smile as I walked past him in search of a pair of flats. He didn’t need to worry, I’d never even been given the chance to wear shoes with a high heel to them, so I wasn’t going to embarrass myself by trying the first time I met his parents and risk face-planting right in front of them.
I found a pair of black ballet slippers that I figured would go with anything, and I tried them on. When Max gave me a thumbs-up in approval, I went back to the dressing room to change back into the jeans and T-shirt I’d been wearing.
Of course, he wasn’t done spoiling me, though. We didn’t leave the store until there were a few more outfits added to the pile. Then he was pulling me into Victoria’s Secret for a few pretty bras, some sexy panties, and even a hoodie and some sweats in my size. I didn’t complain about how much he spent in that particular store because it seemed like the more intimate items were just as much for him as they were for me.
Afterward, we walked around a little more, but outside the bookstore, I paused when I caught sight of a figure in the window. Whipping my head around, I looked to where I thought I’d seen a familiar face. But by the time I turned my head, the person was gone, a small group of teenagers in his place.
My heart was pounding against my ribs, but I tried to tell myself I was seeing things. It wasn’t likely that my uncle’s second-in-command, of all people, would be walking around window-shopping at the mall. I kept telling myself that, and when I didn’t see him again, I pushed it completely from my mind.
If I thought our shopping adventure was over, however, I was mistaken. After we picked up the package for his sister on the first floor of the mall, he guided me into a jewelry store.
“No, Max.” I glared up at him. “This is too much.”
“Hush,” he commanded and dropped the many bags in his hands as a woman dressed in a black skirt and red top walked over to us with a bright smile on her face.
“How can I help you today?” she asked, her gaze bouncing from Max to me expectantly.
“Earrings, necklaces, bracelets. Whatever she wants,” he told her as he signed the words so I could understand since he was facing her and not me.
Her eyes lit up even more. “Of course,” I read her lips. “Let me show you a few of the pieces we just got in.”
As she walked over to a case a little farther away, Max started to follow her, but I stayed where I was. When he realized I wasn’t beside him, he turned back and took my hand in his, pulling me over to where the sales rep was already removing several pieces of beautiful jewelry from the case she was standing behind.
“This set will go nicely with your dress for tomorrow,” he observed, taking the necklace from the woman’s hand and holding it up to my neck.
“Lovely,” she agreed. I glared at her, but she only winked.
He took the earrings next, holding one to my ear and nodding. “Beautiful.” His mouth formed the word, his eyes glittering hungrily down at me.
Turning back to the woman, he said something, but I couldn’t read his lips and he wasn’t signing so I could know what he was saying. She nodded and moved over a few cases before coming back with two more pairs of earrings. He pointed to the pair of diamond hoops.
I tried to protest again, but he ignored me, buying the necklace and earring set as well as the hoops. Max gave her his credit card, and she started boxing up the jewelry. I didn’t even see the prices of the items, but I knew each one of them must have been expensive. I didn’t like him spending so much money on me.
Less than two weeks ago, I was homeless. My meals had been out of dumpsters, and I’d smelled just as horrible as the trash I picked through in hopes of finding something edible. Now, this guy was spoiling me with new clothes and diamonds.
But what could I possibly give him in return? He was so amazing and kind, and I had nothing to repay him with.
Swallowing the lump that filled my throat, I turned away as the woman placed the boxes in a fancy bag with cloth handles. Max took it, grabbed the other bags, then guided me out of the store, and thankfully, the mall itself.
I felt his gaze on the top of my head, but I kept mine trained on the ground as we walked through the parking lot to where he’d parked his brand-new Tahoe. Tuesday, he’d come home from work, showered, and then left after promising to bring home dinner. When he returned, he had the Tahoe he kept saying was now ours.
I didn’t understand how it could belong to both of us. I didn’t even have a driver’s license. Heck, I didn’t even have a diploma. I had been only months away from graduating when Marta urged me to run away.
Realizing just how useless and pathetic I really was, tears filled my eyes, but I tried to blink them back.
The liftgate of the SUV rose with a press of a button on Max’s key fob, and he placed all the packages in the back. The press of another button had the trunk lowering on its own, and he scooped me up, carrying me to the passenger side, where he placed me in the seat and then made me look at him.
“Are you angry with me?” he asked, his eyes troubled.
I shook my head. How could I possibly be angry with him when he’d just spent the last few hours spoiling me?
He turned me in the seat, spread my legs, and stepped between them. He had to practically bend in half, but he put his face close to mine. “I don’t like it when you are upset. Talk to me, treasure. Tell me what I did wrong, so I can fix it.”
“All you do is spend money on me,” I exploded, my hands shaking as I signed each word.
He caught my hands, his beautiful face turning stormy. “I enjoy spoiling you, baby. Seeing you in pretty things that I know I bought for you makes me happy.”
“People are going to think I’m only with you for your money.”
Max shrugged. “Who cares what other people think? The only person’s opinion that matters to me is yours.” He skimmed his lips over mine, making my brain shut down at the first contact. My arms went around his shoulders, holding him closer, wanting to deepen the kiss. But he pulled back without giving me what I wanted. “I’m going to be honest with you, okay?” He waited for me to nod before continuing. “I’m not a millionaire, but I have saved up my money, and I can take care of us without having to worry about paying bills or keeping food on the table.”