were. There is a dress that just came in last week that will be amazing.” Isabella typed quick notes into her phone as she talked.
When had Madden planned all this? It was only last night that I agreed to come with him. He must have sent instructions right after that. Did he do this with all the women he brought here, or was it obvious that I would have had nothing appropriate?
Heat climbed into my cheeks and I turned to look out the window. How many others had Isabella taken shopping? Get a grip Skylar, does it really matter? In two days I would be paid and I could put more distance between me and Maine. This was a way for me to ensure my own safety. If Madden wanted to play Pretty Woman, then why the hell not. It wasn’t like I’d ever have this chance again.
“Champagne?” Isabella asked. She held out a fluted glass filled with tiny bubbles.
After only a second's hesitation, I took the glass.
“Cheers.”
About two hours and many sips of champagne later, I was almost a new woman with a new wardrobe.
“I think that’s the one,” Isabella said and Katya, the owner of the boutique, nodded in agreement.
I had tried on five dresses and it had become clear very quickly that my opinion didn’t really matter. The two women conferred over every detail, from the hem line to the bodice cut and dismissed every one.
Though to give them credit, the dress they were now agreeing on was amazing. It was as if the dress had been made just for me. The neckline plunged down to reveal the inner edges of my breasts and tapered in at the waist. The material had been gathered and sewn into pleats that ran diagonally along my ribs and then fell in cascading waves to the floor. The green was a soft mint that changed the color in my eyes. They were softer. Brighter. The shoes that Katya brought me fit like Cinderella’s glass slippers. They were the same shade of green with straps criss crossing over the top of my foot and they fastened around my ankles. Unlike Isabella's five inch heels, these were a more practical three.
Isabella stepped behind me and gathered my hair up and away from my neck. “Definitely up. We need a delicate necklace, something that doesn't take away from the dress.”
Katya was gone and back in a flash and she fastened a necklace around my neck. It was as simple silver chain with a teardrop shaped diamond pendant.
I stared at my reflection. I was dressed for a walk on the red carpet, not dinner at a resort.
“This is too much,” I argued.
Neither woman acknowledged that I had spoken.
“This and the necklace then. I think that the cream colored one will work for tomorrow evening, so that and the shoes we picked out. You can change back into your clothes now, Ms Kinsey.” Isabella ticked off items from the list she had on her phone as I walked back to the dressing room. Katya’s assistant was waiting to help me undress. By the time I had my own clothes back on, the pile of boxes and garment bags waiting had grown enough to clothe a small army.
“I don’t need all that.” Two dresses were fine, but whatever was in the other boxes? I was only there for two days. That had to be enough stuff for a week.
“Have these delivered right away please.” Isabella looked at her phone. “We need to run. Are you ready?” For the first time in two hours, she waited for me to reply.
I was about to say yes when I remembered something. Katya was still standing there so I looked at her. “I would like something in black lace.” Heat climbed into my face.
Black lace drives me fucking insane.
“A nightgown maybe?” I asked, my chest tight.
“Ah. Yes, I have the perfect thing.” She clapped her hands and her assistant disappeared into the back, only to return holding a slip of a nightgown. At first look, it seemed to be almost demure. But then the assistant held it up. The entire thing was sheer except for a faint pattern of lace shining through. Absolutely nothing would be left to the imagination.
“It’s perfect,” I said. If Madden wanted to play games, then he was going to get a taste of his own medicine. I wanted him to ache this time.
“Thank you Katya. A pleasure as always.” Isabella ushered me out the door and