We parked the car at his apartment and walked the short distance to Magnificent Mile. I was no stranger to nice things—despite Bill’s aversion to spending money, I’d spent my own money on quality over quantity—but for some reason, I felt nervous and out of place. It was a lot to take in, this new life. I learned quickly that if I didn’t follow David into a store that seemed far too expensive, he’d leave me out on the sidewalk. It wasn’t that I didn’t love to shop, but I was uncomfortable spending someone else’s money. He insisted on it, though, threatening to give the salesgirls free rein if I didn’t participate.
By the third store, a medium-sized boutique with collections by various high-end designers, I’d begun to loosen up and picked out a few things on my own.
Despite the fact that David wore jeans and a zip-up hoodie that didn’t exactly fit in at these high-end stores, salesgirls flocked to him like flies to honey.
“We’re looking for a new wardrobe,” David said to one as she approached.
“David,” I scolded. “We’re only supposed to be getting a few things for work.”
“Oh, right . . .” He gave the woman a conspiratorial look. “Bring the wardrobe, though.”
She smiled at him brightly, no doubt thrilled to be in the presence of such an extremely handsome man who’d basically just handed over his credit card.
“Size zero?” she asked me.
“Probably—”
“We’re aiming for higher,” he said, rubbing my back. “But we can come back when that happens.”
I agreed that I’d lost too much weight recently and needed to put some back on—but then buying new clothes seemed a bit pointless. “Maybe we should wait to shop until—”
“Here, put these in a fitting room,” David interrupted, handing the salesgirl what I’d already chosen, “and pull whatever else you think she’ll like.”
“Yes, sir,” the woman said. “Champagne while you shop?”
“Of course,” he said.
I smiled. “Now we really are Edward and Vivian, but that puts me on the verge of prostitute territory.”
“We haven’t even slept together yet,” he pointed out. “As a couple, anyway.”
“So you’re not doing this to get in my pants?”
“Hmm.” His arms found their way around my waist. He ran his hands down my back and over the seat of my jeans before pulling my hips against him. He kissed me chastely on the cheek and then a little less so along my jaw. “That would certainly be a perk,” he whispered in my ear. “I want to take you in my bed tonight like the first time.”
“Why wait?” I asked, aroused just by his breath on my skin.
The salesgirl’s voice cut into our moment. “You’re all set up, if you want to follow me,” she said, directing me into a full dressing room and David to a chair just outside of it.
Locked in the small but immaculate room, I stripped down quickly.
“Come out,” David instructed.
“Okay, but I’m not dressed yet.”
“Olivia, there are other men in this store,” he admonished. “Come outwhen you’re ready.”
“Do you really want to see? It’s boring work stuff.” It wasn’t at all—the pieces she’d picked were so beautiful, they could pass as art. Fine wool, silk, lace, chiffon—to me it was heaven, but to a guy, I knew—it was boring work stuff.
“I want to see everything,” he called.
“If you say so.” I dressed myself in a red, long-sleeved silk blouse with delicate gold buttons and two hanging fabric strips that I tied into a bow. A fitted, navy wool skirt stopped just above the tops of my knees.
When I exited, David leaned forward in his chair and set his elbows on his knees. His eyes scanned me head to toe. “Damn.” He blew out a breath. “That looks sexy as fuck.”
I laughed. “I’m all covered up. You act as if it’s lingerie.”
“Come here,” he said. I sat in his lap, and he leaned me back against one arm. He skidded his other hand down the fabric of the skirt, stopping at the hem. “You just reminded me. There’s something I’ve been wanting to tell you for months.”
