“Derrick Jones?” he questions.
“Um, yes. That’s me.” I’m surprised that they have heard of me all the way over here. The gentleman explains that he worked in the Paris store and comes here for the winter season, that he has seen me at fashion week, but has never met me personally. Aw. I feel like a celebrity. He then comes back and explains that management has said that the suit is complimentary. Now I really feel like a celebrity. Best day ever. I never use my connections in the fashion world to get anything free, but I sure as hell appreciate the five thousand dollar suit they just comped me. I’m easy when it comes to shopping, I know what I like andwhat I don’t, so I take a seat and watch my man twirl around for me in suits while trying not to get a stiffy in front of everyone because he is so fucking hot.
“I will divert all decisions to Derrick,” Charlie says, giving me a smile.
“I like the first one,” I tell him.
“Okay. We will take the first one,” Charlie says.
“Just like that? You don’t want to try on anything else?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “No. It’s a suit. You liked it, and now I’m done.” He leans over and places a kiss on my lips.
“Next stop, the girls.” Caroline smiles. The shop is packing up our purchases and organizing them to be sent to the hotel. I love this service so much. We spend the next hour shopping until it’s time to head back. I do not want to know how much was spent this afternoon, but everyone is happy.
86
DERRICK
By the time we get back to the penthouse, my feet hurt and my brain is buzzing in that post-shopping high.Designer high.
“Okay, boys, you have one hour,” Caroline announces, already halfway to her room with her garment bags. “Shower, shave, moisturize, whatever it is you do. I want you looking sharp.”
“I always look sharp,” Charlie calls after her.
Faith snorts. “Only since you started dating Derrick.”
Charlie flips his sister off, which makes me laugh.
I love this family so much.
Charlie closes our bedroom door behind us with a soft click and exhales like he’s just finished a marathon. “I don’t know how you do it. Shopping is exhausting.”
“It’s exhilarating.”
“Watching you in your element is hot.” Charlie grins.
“Don’t you look at me like that, you heard your mother, we have an hour to get ready,” I warn him as he gives me hungry eyes.
“I can be quick?”
I roll my eyes. “Fine, in the shower, I’ll bounce on your dick while you clean me. Deal?”
“Deal.” He chuckles as he slaps my ass and demands I get undressed.
I lay the pieces out on the bed. Black velvet jacket. Crisp white shirt. Slim black trousers tailored within an inch of their life. I slip into it all carefully, savoring the fabric, the weight, the way it all sits perfectly on my body. I do up my last button and glance toward the mirror. For a moment, I don’t recognize myself. I look … expensive. Like I belong in this world of penthouses and Michelin stars and frozen lakes and family trips to Switzerland.
Charlie appears behind me in the reflection, tie in hand, navy suit hugging his broad shoulders. “Oh,” he murmurs, eyes dragging over me slowly. “Yeah. This was a mistake.”
My stomach flips. “Why? You don’t like the suit.”
“Oh no. I love the suit. Except now I’m going to spend the whole night trying not to drag you into a bathroom and fuck you because you look so fucking hot.”
“I could say the same thing about you.” I turn and step into his arms, I grab the tie from his hands and loop it around his neck. “You …” my eyes meet his, “are incredible.”
Heat flushes his cheeks. “As are you.” My hands finish tying his tie, and I pat his chest, but he stops me. “Thank you for being here.”
“Hate to break it to you, Charlie, but it’s not a hardship being here with you.”
