I gulped and lowered my eyes.
Lifting my hand, Vincenzo twirled me slowly. “Bellissima.”
The note of praise warmed me.
Lowering my hand, he stepped back and climbed down the dais. “We need more clothes.”
At his bark of command, the associates jumped to attention. Half a dozen people crowded him with garments in their arms. He crossed his arms, jaw set hard, and nodded in approval to most, dismissing others.
“Any males, out,” he snapped.
Those associates scattered.
“It’s their job to dress customers, Enzo,” I teased, but kept my tone serious.
“I catch any man watching you change, and I’ll carve his eyes out with a spoon.”
I fumbled with the zipper, shooting him an amused look.Oh, shit. He’s serious. “Where are you going to get a spoon?”
I expected him to pull one out of his pocket, but he only frowned at me.
“Thought so,” I laughed. “Now, are you going to help me out of this dress or not?”
I was enjoying this. Enjoying it far too much. After the bombs that had dropped on my life, it was the perfect distraction. Ilikedhaving this monster’s undivided attention. The urge to leave lessened with the intensity of his focus.
Vincenzo approached. I drank in that scent.
Leather and sin.
He reached around me and pulled the zipper down. The tips of his fingers grazed the material of the dress, but otherwise, he didn’t touch me. It was maddening. I was right here, tempted to let him take me. To make me forget, if even for an hour. When he first began stalking me, we were fire. It was there. Oh, hellyes, it was still there. But whereas I was now willingly giving in to the temptation, Vincenzo held back.
The next outfit was a full floral skirt. It was bright, vivacious, and twirly. Crinoline gave it body. It was paired with a fitted cropped tank, with scalloped edges on the hem. The barest strip of skin flashed when I moved.
Vincenzo held his chin as I adjusted the pieces. His thumb rubbed his bottom lip, distracting me.
“Well?” I swished the skirt and took in my appearance in the mirror.
That wet, hard thumb lowered. It brushed against the scallops on my belly.
“Decadent.”
That one word made me shiver.
“Another,” he barked, and his fingers snapped.
The associates quaked.
His contrasting attitude was going to give me whiplash. Gentle only to me. Grouchy, bordering on mean to others.
We tried on outfit after outfit. I allowed myself to crave the beautiful things. Clothes I wouldn’t dare let myself wear. The style might have changed, but the feeling of the items made me reminiscent of the old Amanda. The one who existed before she tried to shape herself into someone acceptable to others.
I lost myself along the way.
Tears prickled in the corner of my eyes as I stared at the breezy crimson maxi dress. The soft cotton material was dotted with eyelets across the whole thing. The arm-holes were fringed with scrunched material right before my bare shoulders showed.
Vincenzo liked the blood red colors. While I adored yellow, it was fun to see the hunger in his eyes as he stared at me in the garment.
“I think that’s a good start,” the voice of darkness murmured behind me.
