30 Days (Lost Love Trilogy #1) - Belle Brooks Page 0,42
rooms, hopefully on different floors. Different hotels would be even better.
“Well, are you going to show us?” Katherine enquires.
“Um. Okay.”
“Put the black heels on with it first.”
“Black heels?”
“Yes, they are in the shoebox on the seat.”
“Yep. Okay, found them.”
Opening the door, I’m scared, mainly because I peaked at the price tag and this one dress alone costs nearly six hundred dollars. As beautiful as it is, it’ll remain on the shelf for someone else to purchase.
“Ta-da … hey, where are you?” I say when nobody is there.
“In here,” Katherine calls, and I follow the direction of her voice into the store. Marcus looks relaxed, sunken into a sofa, one I hadn’t even noticed was there. He has his arms outstretched along the top of it. Katherine stands like a trophy behind him.
“Well, that’s stunning.” She smiles. “What do you think, Marcus?”
“Breathtaking.”
“The green is brilliant against her eyes. I knew it was perfect when I saw her. Grady didn’t exaggerate on how unique her eyes were.”
“Um. What?” Shock has my mouth go slack.
“Never mind. Run along, we have plenty to get through before you leave.”
“I can’t have this dress.” My head shakes. “It’s beautiful, but way too expensive. Can we maybe look at something a bit cheaper?”
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