Would she watch Danica spank her, too? “All right. Well,” Alicia turned around, keeping an eye on the bodyguard over her shoulder. “I’m going to change. Then we’ll… go somewhere.”
“I’ll be right here if you need anything.”
Alicia wasn’t sure what she thought about that.
Two hours later, she was amid a deep-tissue massage whilst gazing at another splendid view of Lake Michigan. The masseuse was a quiet woman who lit strong incense and played ambient music… and ignored the bodyguard standing in the corner of the room. This is so fucking weird.Alicia would have to tell Candice about it. She was going to have to tell Candice about a lot of things, but the bodyguard was at the top of the list!
Danica never texted to check in. Alicia assumed she was fine, that she would be back at the time appointed.I’m assuming she knows all about this bodyguard. Couldn’t she have said something about it, though? Why leave Alicia to be shocked that a strange woman wanted to follow her around all day? All week? Alicia Colbert did not need a bodyguard. She was an everyday woman, trying to get by. Dating a billionaire, too, but that was beside the point.
Life with Danica really was different, huh? Really, really different.
After her massage, Alicia put her clothes back on and checked the time. When did Danica say to meet her by? Six? Was that enough time to go down to the boutique and clean it out? Would have to be!
If Dee was bored with the prospect of shopping for the equivalent of high-society prom dresses, she never made Alicia feel that way. The whole time they were together, the bodyguardremained silent, only speaking when directly spoken to or whenever she felt the rare need to touch Alicia – mostly to direct her away from crowds or, Heaven forbid, walking on the street side of the sidewalk when they briefly went outside. At some point, Alicia would have to get out and explore some of the city. At least she wouldn’t have to do it alone?
“Ms. Colbert,” greeted a middle-aged woman standing outside the hotel boutique. What, was she expecting her? “So nice to meet you.” She extended her hand, lightly shaking Alicia’s. “Ms. Moreau explained everything earlier. She said that you might be stopping by, her treat.”
Clearly, such a prospect made the boutique manager a happy woman. Why not? If Alicia said,“I’ll take two of everything,”then her girlfriend could afford it. She may not be too impressed she went that far, but… oh, who was she kidding? The woman lived in eternal excess!
“She asked me to dress in black this evening.” Alicia had brought a black dress with her, but why not buy something new? Again? “I’m inclined to give in to her suggestion.” Dee stiffened behind Alicia. “Don’t mind her. She’s with me.”
“Of course.” The manager barely registered Dee in her eyes. “We have plenty of gorgeous black dresses in many styles.” She gestured to the boutique entrance. “My partner Tina will help me style you for the evening. Come. Let’s get started.”
While this wasn’t Alicia’s first time being tossed about by personal stylists, this was the first time it felt sodecadent. Last time was an uncomfortable whirlwind of catty remarks and snubbing noses. This time, Alicia really felt like Danica Moreau’s girlfriend. The two women working in the boutique brought her over to a comfortable couch, served her champagne, and asked what kind of styles she preferred. Thus began a long parade of delicate black cocktail dresses, sometimes in other colors, but always subscribing to Alicia’s tastes… and Danica’s, to besure. More than once, she was shown a dress that she would never consider wearing, until the manager said, “Ms. Moreau mentioned this type of dress to me.”
Eventually, the dresses were narrowed down to two for the evening. One, a lacy mini-dress that was conservative without losing its sex appeal, and two, a sparkling black halter-dress that completely exposed Alicia’s back. Both were too expensive to even consider. At least Alicia learned to stop looking at price tags.
“We can do several things with your hair and makeup with either of these dresses.” Tina, the hair and makeup stylist, presented Alicia with two sets of diamond jewelry, each one interchangeable with both dresses. “It ultimately depends on how you want to look tonight. How do you want to express yourself on your date and to the world? What message are you trying to send when you step out of the car?”
Alicia glanced between both dresses, then to the sparkling diamond earrings, bracelets, and hairclips. No matter how she looked at them, all she saw was a message that she never once in her life dreamed of.I’m on another planet right now. I’m not even sure who I am.Who was she, indeed? Was she Alicia Colbert, an everyday girl-next-door looking for her place in the world?
Or was she someone else? Someone… greater?
The way Danica treated her went beyond a devoted girlfriend. They had only known each other a short time, but everything had felt so delicious right from the very beginning. They went together like gold and silver.I’m the gold. Alicia fingered her blond hair and thought of Danica’s silver cufflinks.She makes me feel like I’m worth more than all the gold in the world.She shyly smiled to think of how much she was already falling in love with Danica.
She often spoke of their potential future together. The woman had scared Alicia with marriage talk on their first real date. Danica believed in signs. In fate. In passion and desire leading to true love.
Alicia turned to the boutique manager. “I want to look likeMrs. Moreau.”
The manager grinned. “She was hoping you would say that.”
Chapter 5
“Alicia.” No matter how Danica said her name, whether with an edge, a softness often misconstrued for boredom, or a tone that implied she was in big, big trouble, Alicia never tired of hearing Danica Moreau say her name. Especially if they hadn’t seen each other for a whole day.
“Hi.” She smiled at Danica as she approached, hand extending to wrap around Alicia’s head and bring her in for a lingering kiss. For a moment, Alicia forgot that they had an audience. Not only was Dee still in the room, but Danica’s own bodyguard did his customary sweep of the apartment and nodded in approval. A few quiet words were exchanged between him and Dee, but otherwise, they did not acknowledge each other’s existence. “Did you have a good day?”
“It was what it was.” Danica stood back, both hands still on Alicia’s shoulders.Does she like my outfit? My hair?Alicia was in the lacy mini-dress. The lace was so soft that it didn’t itch at all. Which was great, because that was the only thing coveringher shoulders, chest, and upper arms. “You are absolutely stunning. They took great care of you downstairs, I see.”
Blushing, Alicia tucked a stray hair behind her ear. After debating hairstyles with Tina earlier, they both agreed they should follow Danica’s request for her to wear it up. Now it was in a stylish high ponytail, held together by a sparkling band that clasped firmly in place. To give her hair more lift, Tina inserted short silver rods that Alicia barely felt against her scalp.If I tried to do this myself, it would be so painful.She was getting way too used to this kind of pampering.
“By the way,” she dared to say. Dared, because it was quite likely she would ruin their nice mood. “You didn’t tell me I would make a new friend today.” Alicia nodded toward Dee, who was on break and checking her phone.
“Ah.” Danica dropped her arms. “Sometimes I forget not everyone has a bodyguard 24/7. Don’t worry, lovely. There’s nothing to fret about. Just a precaution. I hope she was agreeable.”
“She’s been very nice, yes.”I don’t want to get Dee in trouble. Well, Dee hadn’t done anything. Wrong, anyway. It wasn’t her fault that Alicia didn’t know how to deal.
“She’ll be relieved from duty as soon as we go. No need to worry when I’m around.”
