My mother had a weakness for designer shoes—a weakness I fully intended to exploit. Lo and behold, nestled deep in the sea ofJimmy ChoosandManolossat a pair of?—
Oh my god ... she hadChristian Louboutins?
The woman could be so insufferable sometimes, but her closet was to die for.
“Hmm, maybe just these,” I muttered, snagging theLouboutins. Then I spotted it: a brand-newDiorlipstick in the exact shade of red I usually wore. It was as if it were made for me, so I snagged that too.
Okay, that’s enough.
My trembling legs felt like jelly. I’d overdone it today playing tennis with Daisy, and I’d still lost the match. In a haze of exhaustion, I blindly turned the corner at the foot of the stairs, my head colliding against something solid with a thud.
Ow.
A strangled cry escaped my lips as I stumbled back, my heels catching on the uneven marble floor. Large, warm hands reached for my wrist, holding me still. I recognized the touch.
My head fell back.
Max.
He stood there with a lazy smile playing on his lips. “You’ve changed.”
Hello to you too.
He would only know I’d changed if he’d been watching me before. “Well, yes,” I managed. “Valentina couldn’t keep her drink to herself.”
He crossed his arms. “Ah, did she dump it on you?” he asked, raising a brow.
“Yeah. Margarita too.”
“Bummer,” he drawled sarcastically. “Seems like it worked out in your favor though. Do you plan on keeping it?”
I shrugged. He was aware of my inability to stay out of my momma’s closet. “Yes.”
Max’s dark eyes swept down the length of my body possessively. His gaze lingered.
“It suits you,” he admitted.
“The dress?”
“The dress,” he confirmed, still staring at me.
My cheeks were starting to burn. “Thank you,” I said softly.
He frowned. “It’s short.”
I smiled. “It is.”
“It really shows men what you have to offer.” His voice dropped to a husky murmur that sent goose bumps erupting across my skin. He leaned closer. “Wear it around your father’s men again, and I’ll hang you in it.”
I blinked. “You’re one of my father’s men.”
“I am.”
His arm brushed mine ever so slightly as he stepped to the side. Then, just as abruptly as he’d appeared, he was gone.
CHAPTER 9
ROSALIE
