I take a fortifying breath and quickly change into the yellow gown first, specifically because Rafael favors the royal purple. The empire waist ends with a row of diamonds and the hem gathers in a pool around my feet. I take the material in hand to enable me to walk without tripping, and step outside the room.
Rafael stands off to the side of the waiting area, listening to the saleswoman. He nods absent-mindedly and fiddles with a thick, long ribbon or string. The female employee is animated when it’s her turn to speak and gradually closes the distance between them. Her midnight-colored hair is down about her shoulders and sways whenever she tilts her head.
I brush off their interaction and head toward them.
Rafael glances in my direction and then turns to face me fully. “That one is nice, but I’m thinking the purple suits you better.” He looks at the woman and gestures to me. “What do you think, Jessica?”
She zips her gaze to me and back to him so quickly I doubt Jessica even saw me. “I think you’re right. Your sister should try the other one before deciding.”
I’m pretty sure men don’t try to fuck their sisters, but maybe it’s just me.
Without wanting to hear the rest of their exchange, I make my way back to the dressing room.
“Carina is not my sister,” Rafael says, his deep voice reaching me from where he stands. “She’s my fiancée.”
Jessica’s tone, once sugary sweet, morphs to sickly sweet. “Oh, congratulations.”
I roll my eyes and step into the dressing room. Then I hurriedly strip off the yellow gown and replace it with the purple one. Not because I’m interested in obeying Rafael. It’s so I can leave and get away from him.
And back to Dusty.
The lazy cat is probably fine with the leak providing him water and his near-full bowl of cat food, but I don’t want to leave him alone for too long. Violetta will love him and it’ll be her first pet since our father never allowed us any. I’m determined to give her some sense of a normal life once we get away from here.
The next time I step out of the dressing room Rafael is nowhere to be found. I continue to the waiting area and then further into the boutique, scanning the place for his bright blue dress shirt and black slacks. I locate him easily because of his height, but it’s not only that. There’s a presence about him that’s magnetic. It commands attention, yet encourages confidence in his authority, despite how much you want to rebel against it.
I head in his direction and once I’m close enough, I find Jessica with him. She shows him various clutches and shoes, to which he nods or dismisses with a simple shake of his head. He keeps his hands in constant motion by tying different, intricate knots in what is actually a miniature rope.
“Which pair do you think she’d like?” Jessica holds up a pair of six inch ankle-tie stilettos and runs her finger along a heel in slow motion. “These can be fun and flirty. Or you can buy them for other events later.”
I blink at the audacity. Rafael is not mine and I don’t want him as a husband, but Jessica doesn’t know that. With backstabbing women like this in the world, it’s no wonder I don’t have any girlfriends.
Rafael flicks his hand in a declining gesture. “My fiancée isn’t into those, so find something more comfortable.”
“That’s a shame,” Jessica purrs. She wets her lips and gazes up at Rafael with lust that’s so blatant I’m stunned. “I notice your fiancée didn’t have an engagement ring, so how’s the wedding planning going?”
He opens his mouth to respond, but then turns his head in my direction. That’s why I’m able to see his gaze flare with intensity. And it’s more than lust. In his dark eyes there’s desire, wonder, and tenderness.
Rafael holds out a hand to me and beckons me over. At my hesitation, his eyes narrow. “Come here.”
I lift my chin and walk over, refusing to be intimidated by either of them. Jessica wants him and I’m not sure how Rafael feels, but the two of them can do whatever they please. As long as it’s not in front of me.
Which reminds me that I’ll need to have a discussion about this with Rafael. There can’t be anyone who witnesses him with another woman during our temporary engagement. The imagery bothers me and the fact that it does, makes me want to call off the whole affair.
But I won’t unless Rafael becomes more of a danger to me than just my emotions.
Once I’m within range, he slips an arm around my waist and leans close to whisper in my ear. “This dress is perfect. I told you so.”
I purse my lips and make a face at him. In return, he just laughs. I can’t stop the urge to look at Jessica. All traces of humor have fled her face and her eyes are little more than slits when they shift to me.
“So, when’s the big day?” she asks. Jessica grabs my left hand and squeezes the shit out of it. “And where’s your ring?”
My fingers throb with pain, but I won’t give her the satisfaction of reacting. Instead, I look to Rafael and tilt my head in a docile manner as though he’s in charge of this situation. In reality, I want to see what he does.
I wish Rafael would’ve let me bring my pistol.
That’d get Jessica to shut the fuck up.
“Her ring is in the shop being sized,” he says smoothly.
