Heir Untamed - By Danielle Bourdon Page 0,34

tour guide, Chey discovered, eager to introduce her to Latvala's history. Charmed by the striking architecture and the quaint feel of the shops sitting right at the edge of the street, Chey indulged every whim to take photos.

When the limousine came to a stop outside a two story, older structure, Chey immediately reached for the door handle. Mattias rested a hand on her wrist to stay her.

“Leave the camera this time, hm?” he asked.

“What for? That's a beautiful building--”

“You'll see. Trust me.” He smiled with just his eyes.

Chey set the camera on the seat between them. “All right.”

“Excellent.” After the driver opened the door, Mattias exited the limousine and extended a hand down.

Chey took it, charmed all over by his chivalry. Of course, she wondered if it was all for show. For the cameras, even if there weren't any on the sidewalk right at that moment.

“Thanks.” Once she was out, she released him.

The security team flanked the front doors to the building on all sides, leaving a swath of sidewalk for Mattias and Chey to navigate. One of the employees, a manager perhaps, opened the door with a broad smile, cheeks flushed, head bowed.

“Welcome to Kesska's, your Highness,” the man said, gesturing grandly.

Mattias inclined his head and gestured for Chey to precede him.

Stepping inside, she understood why Mattias asked her to leave the camera behind. This wasn't a historical landmark but a retail store. A store for the affluent, judging by the quiet violin music spilling over from a small stage in the corner, the remarkable displays, and the ultra-sleek layout.

Chey fretted over the prices even before she saw a price tag. Although she'd been paid well for this trip, she didn't want to spend seven or eight grand on an outfit. Too embarrassed to admit this shop was out of her price range, Chey looked for the rounders that she thought would have the least priced articles rather than the ones on more prominent display.

“Get whatever you like. This trip is on me. Oh, and pick something on the formal side,” Mattias said near her ear. He split off from her, wandering along the walkway between sections of clothing toward a table set up with the fixings for coffee.

“But...I--” Too late. He was already gone.

All Chey could think was that if her attacker heard Mattias fronted the shopping trip, they might make another visit to her room just to hack and slash the clothes while they planted torrid evidence that would land her in jail.

She groaned. Maybe no one would find out.

After a half an hour, she warmed to her task. She found much of the designs to her liking and tried on a handful of different outfits. Unsure why she needed something 'on the formal side', she chose a demure suit of the palest gray with stunning embroidery on the collar, cuffs and hemline of the jacket. It all but screamed elegance.

Several times she caught Mattias's gaze on her, watching while he sipped coffee and lounged in a chair situated close to the coffee bar. The employees didn't bother him, nor did his security.

Just when she thought she had what she wanted, Mattias was there at her ear, having crossed the store unseen.

“The gray is nice,” he said. “But think state dinner or formal ball for the dress, hm?”

“Formal ball?” Chey glanced over her shoulder and up at his eyes. “Who's having a formal ball?”

“You ask many questions. Choose something longer.” He winked and stepped away.

And so the shopping began again. What she settled on, finally, was a snug fitting mermaid dress in palest blue that accentuated her curves and left her shoulders completely bare. The color highlighted her eyes and offset her dark hair. She added nude heels that spiked her height up a modest three inches.

Mattias, in conversation with the manager, apparently paid for it all with a gesture and a smile. Chey never saw a credit card change hands. The entire Royal family probably had carte blanche at any of the shops in town, with the bills sent to their accountants. It was all overwhelming and enlightening and Chey tried not to fret about the thousands of dollars she'd just inadvertently spent.

The retinue swept out like a tide, surrounding the limousine while she and Mattias embarked.

“That was excessive,” Chey said as the doors closed.

“Not unusual,” Mattias replied. “One would think you don't enjoy shopping. Perhaps the only female on the entire planet.”

Chey laughed and glanced aside as the limousine pulled away from the curb. “It's