Page 53 of In Love and Revenge

‘You have a driver?’ I ask, watching the man walk around the car.

‘I’m a busy man. I don’t have time to wait on cabs, or ... the Tube,’ he says, flicking a cool gaze in my direction. ‘I pay people to wait for me, so I never have to wait on them.’

The arrogant way he says it has one word pushing to the front of my brain.Prick.I can’t believe I’m stuck in a car with him and his irritatingly mesmerising cologne. I only agreed to take notes in his meetings this afternoon because I hoped spending time with him might afford me the opportunity to find out when Dominic Ainsworth’s next visit will be. What a waste.

Crossing my arms, I stare out of the window instead of making small talk with him. What’s the point? He’ll only use it as an opportunity to swing his dick around and tell me how rich he is, or how valuable his time is again.

‘I’ll be here once you’re ready, Mr Fairfax,’ his driver says after pulling up alongside a fancy storefront.

‘Thank you, Kyle.’ Rafael nods.

Kyle exits the car and is at the door moments later. Rafael climbs out and then offers his hand for me to take. I stare at it in horror.

‘We’ve got fifteen minutes. I suggest you don’t waste any by making yourself too comfortable in my backseat,’ he snips.

I grab his hand, offering him a ‘thanks’ through gritted teeth. His fingers curl around mine and I hate how strong and confident his grip is. Like a man who knows he’ll always get what he wants. I bet he’s never been anxious over anything in his life.

The moment I’m out of the car I extract my hand from his.

‘I’ll be quick,’ I say, making a beeline for the store.

I reach for the tall brass handle on the elegant door, but long fingers curl around it above mine. The heat from his body is like a force slamming into me from behind as he leans closer. His breath hits my temple as I incline my head over my shoulder.

‘I’m not waiting in the car, Aurora.’

My stomach drops to my feet. I thought I was about to get space to breathe, but I should have known better. I search his darkened eyes as I scrabble to think of a reason why he should wait outside. ‘Because I think you’re an egotistical dickhead’ probably won’t go down well.

‘Fine,’ I say instead, letting him open the door for me.

The place is beautiful, and I can’t stop the way my stomach dances as I admire the racks of beautiful new season designs.

Rafael’s already got his phone to his ear on a business call, so I wander around, lovingly running my fingers along racks of silk, cashmere, and linen. I subtly check the price tags. My stomach knots. I can’t afford a single thing in here.

‘Excuse me.’ I catch the attention of a sales assistant. ‘Do you have a clearance rack? Or ...’ I give her a friendly smile. ‘... any damaged items?’

I can fix holes, remove stains. That doesn’t bother me.

‘Oh.’ She looks taken aback by my question as her gaze flits to Rafael, who’s pacing on the other side of the store. ‘Of course. The sales items are over there.’

I leave her admiring Rafael and walk to the sales rack. There are some smart dresses in my size. Lifting one from the rack, I check the tag, and my stomach constricts like there’s a whole tangleof knots inside it. Even at fifty per cent off, I’ll still struggle to afford one.

‘Try it on.’

I turn at his gruff voice, my fingers tightening around the hanger. ‘I—’

Rafael extracts the hanger from my grip, his gaze dropping over the black dress with disinterest. ‘Can you put this in a fitting room, please?’ he says into thin air.

As if by magic, two sales assistants appear, throwing him dazzling smiles. ‘Of course, Mr Fairfax.’

They whisk the dress away, and he’s back on his phone on another call. He flicks his fingers at me in a shooing motion towards the fitting rooms.

I escape into them. Sliding the dress on, I fasten the gold zipper that runs from the hem all the way up to the base of my neck. Turning to the mirror, I smooth my hands over my hips.

And grin.

This. Thisis what I love about fashion. The way an outfit can make you feel. The dress is a simple fitted shift style, but the gold zipper on the back, and the way the fabric sits, accentuating every feminine curve, makes me feel both elegant and powerful.

I’ll have to worry about how I’m going to pay for it after I get my credit card bill. And I can always re-sell it – I’ve been doing that with brand gifts for the last three months. It’s the only way I can cover my rent.