Katherine’s mouth drops open, and her head rears back as if I’d just informed her I’d been diagnosed with the black plague. “Cheaper? This dress was made for you,” she scolds.
Marcus stands, signalling for me to come closer.
I do.
“Katherine, give us a minute,” he commands, and she lets out a small huff before making herself scarce.
Marcus wraps his arms around my waist, leaving a minuscule gap between us. “What did I say about not looking at price tags?”
My head drops, but is quickly lifted by Marcus, who is holding my chin. He gazes with all seriousness into my eyes.
“It’s too much. I don’t need clothing this expensive. Please, let’s just go somewhere cheaper.”
“I don’t care how much the dress is. I told you no looking at price tags. I should put you over my knee for the humiliation you continue to cause me.”
“Pardon?”
“You heard me. That dress on your body is perfect. You worrying about the cost makes me want to throw you over my knee and caress your arse before smacking it hard with my hand.”
My breath quickens. I clasp my bottom lip between my teeth.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” he says, sexy as hell before his finger removes the hard bite-hold I have on my lip.
“No,” I reply breathlessly.
He grins. “Be a good girl and go try on something else before you make me mad. You’re getting this dress and that’s the end of it. Do not look at another price tag. Understand?”
“Okay.” He’s so bossy.
Turning back towards the dressing room, I can’t resist a glance over my shoulder to take in that look of power he displays once more. My mouth forms an oversized O when I see him adjusting himself inside his pants.
Oh my word.
Before long, bags are overflowing. I don’t dare peek at another price tag. I just try the selections on, twirl for my audience of two, and move on to the next department. The last items I need are lingerie, and I’ll be fucked if Marcus thinks he’s getting an eyeful of at any of that.
Katherine helps me out of a stunning navy cocktail gown—apparently there is a dinner we’ll be attending this week, and this is the type of dress required. It’s probably a blessing my luggage has been lost since I didn’t pack anything dinner wear worthy.
“Katherine?”
“Yes?”
“I just need lingerie now, yes?”
“Yes. We have not made any selections for you there. That’s your preference.”
“Um. Will Marcus be there?”
“Not if you don’t want him to,” she says, hanging the delicate straps back onto a coat hanger.
“I don’t.”
“Then he won’t. Leave it to me.”
“Thank you.”
“It’s my job. However, I must say, I’ve never seen Marcus like this before.”
“Like what?”
“I don’t exactly know. This happy, content maybe. He definitely has a soft spot for you. It’s nice to see him smile. It’s been a long time coming.”
“What do you mean?”
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing. Let me go talk to him.”
I’m left standing there dumbfounded when she leaves. She’s known Marcus a long time by the sound of that.
Why hasn’t he been happy? What happened to him?
SIXTEEN
But a Dream
“Thank you for everything, Katherine.”
“It was my pleasure. So lovely to meet you.” She bats her eyelashes as she smiles.
“Ditto,” I reply.
“Abigail, who says ditto nowadays?” Her eyebrows furrow.
“Apparently me.”
“I better be locking up. Be kind to Marcus. He’s a good man.”
She regards me knowingly. Did he tell her what we did?
“We’re just friends.” I rush out.
“Nevertheless, be kind.” And with that she closes the door.
The shop darkens just as quickly as it lit up. I turn in a circle when I realise I’ve walked out without any bags.
“Just great,” I mumble under my breath.
“Miss McMillian. Are you coming?”
“Huh?” I twist and spot Grady standing a metre from me. When did he arrive? Shit, he’s sneaky.
“Have you forgotten something?” he asks, cheekily.
“Well, yes, my bags.”
“They’ve already been put in the boot. Mr Klein is waiting for you inside the car.”
“Oh.”
“Please allow me to help.” Grady opens the door, and again I’m assisted into the back seat.
“Did you get everything you need?” Marcus says from the shadows.
“Yes, thank you. You really didn’t need to do all this. I promise I’ll return the items back to you when my luggage arrives.”
“They’re yours. I don’t wear ladies’ clothing, so thank you, but no thank you.” He smiles.
“Oh.”
A dim light turns on above us. Marcus has a bag I’d not seen until now resting on his lap.
“So you’re rich, huh?”
He smirks. “I’m comfortable. Rich, no.”
“You just had a whole shopping complex open up for us. I’m going to go with insanely loaded.”
“You definitely call things how you see them, don’t you?”
“It’s pretty obvious you’re Mr Money Bags.”
“I know Katherine well. She did me a favour. It had no price tag attached.”
“How well do you know her? Was she another one of your beautiful opportunities?” I feel guilty the moment the words leave my mouth.
“No.” He shifts uncomfortably in his seat, but why I’m not sure.
“I see.”
A beat passes.
“Katherine is my sister’s best friend. Well, was my sister’s best friend. I’ve known her most of my life.”
“ I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
I twist my fingers together.
“It’s okay. Victoria, my sister, had a happy life. Katherine was a big part of that. I guess sometimes she’s a reminder of what we lost. It’s hard to see her, but I’m glad I did.”
Why did I have to open my big mouth?
The car becomes quiet. The gloom-and-doom look in Marcus’s eyes is heartbreaking. I need to think of a diversion. Eyeing the bag in his lap, I think of the perfect way.
“Been doing a little shopping for yourself, I see. Anything fun in there?” I try the act of playfulness.
“If women’s perfume, toothbrushes, and other feminine products are fun, then yes.”
I swallow hard. “Excuse me?”
“I went to the chemist down the street and grabbed a few things you might need. I’m guessing you didn’t pack toiletries in your carry-on?”
How did he know that I hadn’t? I could have. It would have been smart to do such a thing. I didn’t. “Well … no. Thank you,” I reply, shyly, as he passes the bag over.
“Check the contents before we go, in case I forgot something.”
“I’m sure you nailed it.”