Judge Me Not - Maggie Cole Page 0,19

to change. Your housekeeper told me the dress was in the closet. I didn't know you would be in here."

"You don't need to apologize."

She stays frozen but takes shorter breaths.

"You look beautiful." Her hair is in long, black curls. Her hazel eyes pop, and her cheekbones are a creamy mix of tan porcelain and rose.

Those pouty red lips...oh fuck.

My dick starts to harden. I step closer to her. "Are you going to be scared of me all the time?"

"I'm not scared of you."

"No?" I arch an eyebrow and focus on her hands, which are still trying to hide her breasts.

"I'm half-naked right now if you haven't noticed."

"That, you are." Like a pervert, I slowly take in every detail of her. When I get back to her face, her cheeks are scarlet red, but I catch her checking out my chest tattoo.

I step closer, take her hands, and wrap them around my neck.

She inhales sharply.

"Don't move," I order her.

She obeys.

I slide my hands down her arms, and her eyes flutter. When I get to her shoulders, I move one hand down her back and palm her ass. I tug her tight to me. My other hand cradles her head. Her warm breasts push against me. I lean down to her lips. "Did you have a relaxing day?"

Confusion fills her face.

"Shopping? The spa?" Her confusion turns to anger. I suddenly get the impression something went wrong.

My heart beats faster. "Did someone not treat you right?"

She shakes her head. "No. Everyone was fine."

"You didn't like my gift?"

She turns away and takes a shaky breath.

"Look at me," I growl.

She turns back.

"You didn't like it?"

"I was not required to be there? If it was a gift?"

My head jerks back. "You didn't like my gift?" I repeat.

How can she not like my gift? Every woman I've ever dated loved to shop and go to the spa.

"You made it sound like I didn't have a choice whether to go or not."

Was it her choice?

What am I doing with her?

She continues in an angrier tone, "So I could have been home? I could have come here and gotten ready and not been gone all day?" Her body shakes, and her heart beats harder.

Or maybe it's my heart.

"You don't like to shop? Or hang out at the spa?" I ask in disbelief.

"How often will I have to go for upkeep? Is there a way to get all my outfits at once so I don't have to spend my hours and multiple days shopping?"

"Upkeep? What are you talking about?"

"The spa. All the things you wanted them to do to me so I could look however you wanted me to."

"That's not—"

She holds her hands in my face. "Like these nails. It's an entire hour of my time. And during that time, I can't text or..." She turns away.

"You think I had you go to the spa because I wanted your appearance changed?"

She clenches her jaw. Her eyes are full of fire. "Didn't you?"

"No. You didn't enjoy it?"

"I had to keep my phone in my locker."

"So? It's good to turn it off every now and then. Forget about life and whatever the hell is going on."

Her lip quivers harder as well as her voice. "I don't have the luxury of forgetting about what is going on in life. If you would please let me know in the future what is a requirement and what is not, I would appreciate it." She turns her head, and a tear falls down her cheek.

I don't understand how I hurt her by sending her for a day at the spa. But something is tearing at her, and my protective instincts kick in. I pick her up and start walking toward the bedroom.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh." I sit on the bed.

She tries to get away from me, but I don't release her.

"Stay still for a minute."

She finally stops moving and keeps her head on my chest. I stroke her hair. "I sent you to the spa to relax. You were stressed out last night. I didn't mean to upset or insult you. I apologize. You don't have to go again if you don't want to."

She lifts her head. "That's why you sent me?"

"Yes. I told you, you're perfect as you are. I'm sorry if I insulted you."

She squeezes her eyes shut then looks down. "I'm sorry. I ummm..." She puts her hand over her face. Then she completely breaks down.

I sit up straighter and tighten my arms around her. "Shhh." I hardly know this woman. But my