Fiona finally glanced up at him and gave him a half smile. “That’s sweet but I’ll be fine. It’s gotten better over the years. I think with just everything going on these days and now a mall, it all just came crashing down.” She shrugged like it wasn’t a big deal.
She was holding herself together pretty well all things considered. He admired her bravery. She came from a strong-willed family. Despite how sheltered she’d been raised, she was a brave and courageous woman.
Vincestuffed his hands in his pockets as they walked side by side into the mall. He motioned to the first clothing store he saw and guided her in, wanting to get the shopping over and done with. “Get whatever you need.”
“Thanks, Dad,” Fiona mumbled under her breath as she looked through a rack of tops.
Vinceignored her, instead scanning the occupants in the store. He didn’t think there was a threat but he wasn’t leaving anything to chance. Ortiz had entrusted him with his sister’s safety. It had nothing to do with what he felt for her. What did he feel? He had never felt it before so he didn’t even know what it was. Lust, sure, but there was something else.Something he couldn’t name just lurking beneath the surface.
“Hi, I’m Chasity, how can I help?” a young attractive woman asked, coming up toVince.
Her red hair was big and curly, it didn’t even move when she walked, telling him how much hairspray was used to hold it up. Her dress was skintight and pulled low over her chest. If she sneezed, she might pop out of it. Judging by the fluttering of her eyes as she eye-fucked him, that might be her plan.
Vincewasn’t interested. He preferred brunettes with golden eyes. He preferred natural beauty to pounds of makeup. This woman didn’t hold a candle to Fiona. A woman he shouldn’t want. He needed to get laid; that would help cure his desire for Fiona, but the thought of taking this woman home made him shudder.
“My friend here needs some clothes.” He pointed to Fiona, wanting her focus off of him.
“Oh,” Chasity said in mock shock of just noticing Fiona, when the woman had passed her to get to him. “What are you looking for, dear?”
“Everything. Bras, underwear, the works.”
“Right this way.” Chasity guided her like a professional sales lady.Vincefollowed behind them silently, hoping this wouldn’t take long. The openness of the store and mall made him uncomfortable. He should have opted for a smaller store, but Fiona needed clothes and this had been the closest place he could think of.
Within moments, Fiona’s arms were stacked with clothes. “Now try those on, dear. If you need another size, let me know.” Fiona looked between him and Chasity, her expression unreadable, but he could guess. Did she honestly think something was going to happen between him and the sales lady? Not a chance.
“How about you, sir?” Chasity’s voice turned sultry.
“I’m good,” he said gently but firmly. He didn’t want to give her the impression he was even a hint interested, because he wasn’t.
“Are you sure?” Chasity didn’t take the hint. “Your daughter’s occupied, and these changing rooms are pretty spacious.”
Vincestared at her open-mouthed. He had never met such a forward woman before. He’d heard some come-ons in his life, but never like this.
Fiona chose that moment to step out of the changing room before he could tell the woman off. Judging by the stiffness of her shoulders, she had heard the sales lady’s come-on and snide remark about herself.Vincewasn’t any happier about it. Fiona was younger than him, but not young enough to be his damn daughter. Dear god, how old did she think he was?
“Come on, Daddy.” Fiona grabbed him by the arm and dragged him across the store, away from Chasity.
Chapter 6
Vince smiled broadly at Fiona’s upset over the woman’s attention, his earlier irritation with Chasity forgotten. Fiona was so cute when she was jealous, though she was trying hard to act like it wasn’t a big deal.
“I can’t believe the nerve of that woman.”
“You can’t be jealous of her, baby girl.” Fiona was ten times more beautiful than that woman could ever be.
“I’m not,” she said quickly.
“Good, because there is nothing to be jealous of.”
“I was talking about her calling me your daughter,” Fiona gritted between clenched teeth, staring at the clothes rack in front of her.
“That was uncool. Do I look that old?”
Fiona stopped looking through the rack of clothes and glanced at him irritably. “That’s what you’re concerned about? How old you look? What about me? She thinks I look young enough to be your kid.” Fiona slid more clothes across the rack, hardly looking at them. She was obviously upset, but she shouldn’t be.
“That’s a compliment to how youthful you look. I mean, look at me, I don’t think I look old enough to be your father. I don’t even have gray hair yet.”
Fiona didn’t bother to respond.
