Page 28 of The Billionaire's Vow

Chapter 11

“Iapologizeforthedressissue,” Dimitri announced, walking over to lift the second cup of coffee she’d poured.

Giselle lifted an eyebrow, surprised at the shift in his tone.Dimitri De Luca did not seem like the type who apologized often, or ever.In fact, he looked mildly uncomfortable, like he’d rather be doing anything else than this.

She watched as he exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulders back before taking another sip of his coffee.His jaw tensed for a moment before he continued.

“I wasn’t saying you needed new clothes,” he muttered, staring into the cup of coffee in his hands rather than at her.“You seemed self-conscious in your outfit yesterday and I have a good friend who designs clothes.I suspect that they will help you feel more comfortable in your new role.”

Giselle blinked, not expecting that answer.

He rubbed the back of his neck, clearly not used to explaining himself.“And I might have… presented it poorly.”He finally glanced at her, his expression guarded, like he wasn’t sure how this was going to go.

She stared back at him, letting the silence stretch.

This was a man who made decisions without hesitation.He gave orders, and people jumped to follow them.He wasn’t used to having to justify his actions or, heaven forbid, acknowledge that he had offended someone.

And yet, here he was, struggling to say the words.It was almost amusing.Almost.

Giselle shifted her weight, her fingers tightening around the coffee cup as she considered his words.“So, let me get this straight,” she began, keeping her voice even.“You weren’t trying to insult me?”

“No.”His answer was immediate, sharp, as if the idea genuinely annoyed him.

“But you think my clothes are hideous?”

Dimitri sighed, his head tilting back slightly before leveling her with a look.“That blue skirt is an atrocity, Giselle.”

Her lips twitched.

“I wasn’t trying to replace your wardrobe,” he went on, still looking slightly uncomfortable.“I just thought you might appreciate something new.”His fingers drummed against his mug, and then, almost as if he couldn’t help himself, he added, “And because you’re beautiful, and the way you dress doesn’t do you justice.”

Giselle froze.He said that so matter-of-factly, as if it wasn’t a compliment, just a statement of fact.Heat crept up her neck, and she looked down at her coffee, unsure of how to respond.

“However, I could have handled it better,” he admitted, shifting his stance, as if he was ready to be done with this whole awkward moment.“I don’t ever ask for permission, and I don’t explain myself.But I can see how you might have—” He stopped, frowning slightly as if he didn’t quite know the right words.Finally, he settled on, “Misunderstood my intentions.”

Giselle let out a slow breath, shaking her head.“That wasn’t exactly an apology.”

Dimitri scowled, then glanced away.“I don’t do apologies.”

Her lips twitched again as she fought to keep her expression neutral.“I noticed.”

He sighed, rubbing his beard, his irritation building as he stared off into the distance.A moment later, he turned, his eyes fixing on hers.“Fine.I’m sorry I threw the dress at you like a command.”

Giselle bit her lip, barely suppressing a smile.For a man who didn’t apologize, that was a very pretty apology.

“Well,” she said, tilting her head, “when you put it that way, how could I possibly stay mad?”

Dimitri smiled faintly, the tension easing slightly.“Good.Now, drink your coffee.”

She rolled her eyes but took a sip, feeling the warmth seep through her as she realized something.For all his arrogance, all his dominance, Dimitri De Luca was trying.And for some reason, that made her heart race even faster.

Furthermore, Giselle was so startled by both the way she’d stood up to him as well as the apology that she wasn’t sure what to say.First, she’d never challenge anyone like that.She was the person that conceded everything.Need money?She’d transfer it.Need a ride?She would adjust her schedule to help out.

This was definitely a first and it felt… empowering!She’d actually thrown the dress back at him!

And then, he’d apologized to her!

No one had ever apologized to her before.Not once.Her parents had never acknowledged hurting her feelings, too wrapped up in their own selfish needs to consider that their actions had consequences.And her brother—well, he was either too high or too focused on finding his next fix to notice anyone else’s emotions, let alone care about them.