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“This isn’t… we’re not… um… are you expecting me to have sex with you?”
Taking hold of my shoulders, he spins me around to face him so fast it makes me dizzy. “I'm not expecting anything. You owe me nothing, Jeslyn. Nothing. You understand?”
“You’re about to buy me a dress that will probably cost more than my annual income. I just want to be sure we’re clear on what that means.”
He lets go of my shoulders and steps back, which is exactly what I don’t want him to do. It’s more and more obvious to me that I want more from tonight than some socializing and a free meal. But I also don’t want to feel manipulated into anything. I want to be sure anything that happens won’t be out of obligation. I want to make those decisions for myself, not because I feel pressured into them.
His gaze is intense, and I drop my eyes. But he doesn’t let me look away. He lifts my chin with his knuckles and directs my attention back to him. “I won’t force anything on you or coerce you into anything beyond what we’ve agreed to—a party, wearing what I choose.”
He’s so serious. So earnest. I believe him.
I lean a little closer. “Okay. Good.” My throat feels tight. Mouth dry like my tongue has turned to cotton. “But, um, if I wanted to… would… would…” I can’t finish the sentence, cheeks burning with embarrassment. Clearly, I don’t get out much. I can’t even suggest what I want without feeling like an inexperienced teenager. Which was the last time I had sex with someone.
The heat radiating off his body intensifies. His fingers open, curling around my jaw, tipping my head up, pulling me so close our lips are mere inches away from each other. “Just so we’re clear, Jeslyn, I would love nothing more than to fuck you right here against this mirror. If that’s what you want, say—.”
“Midas!” A woman’s voice breaks our intimate bubble.
He steps away from me, completely composed, as if he didn’t just say the hottest words anyone has ever said to me before. And the most inappropriate.
I should be appalled at his audacity, shouldn’t I? But instead, I’m thinking about him pulling down my leggings and screwing me right here with my ass against the cold mirror. I shake away the thought.
“Monica,” he says, greeting the petite woman who just entered.
She places her hands on his biceps and kisses both his cheeks, completely ignoring how cold and stiff he is. Is he always like this with her? Or has she seen the same fire I just saw?
“What brings you in?” She straightens his tie like she’s done it so often that it’s instinctual. She hasn’t even glanced at me.
“My qu—friend needs a dress.”
I tilt my head and study him. It’s clear he was going to say something else, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what it might have been.
Monica looks at me for the first time, barely concealing her scowl before she turns her attention back to Midas, grinning flirtatiously. “You need new pants and a coat, too, by the look of it.”
“Yes.” He takes a tiny step away from her and slips his arm around me. It feels like a victory, even though I have no right to feel that way.
She pauses, like she’s waiting for him to say more, but he doesn’t.
“Well, when will you need the dress?” She’s looking at him rather than me—even though I’m the one who needs the dress. If I wasn’t so out of my comfort zone here, I’d be offended.
“Tonight.”
Monica pales. “Tonight?”
Midas just looks at her.
“Um, well, what kind of dress?” She finally gives me her attention, sizing me up with a once over. “I don’t know that—”
“Bring out everything suitable for one of Jethro’s parties.”
Monica’s gaze bounces from Midas to me, her brow furrows.
“And, Monica.” Her name is all blunt syllables and firm tones—completely different from how he says mine. “Close the store. We’ll require your full attention.” He looks down at his watch, ignoring the way her mouth drops open. “I expect this to take less than an hour.”
She finds her gumption and crosses her arms. “I hope you’re willing to pay. A request like this won’t be cheap.”
“I know.” He levels her with a sharp look that subdues her as quickly as it did the dogs. She bites her lip and scurries off to the back rooms.
“You could have been nicer to her,” I say the moment she’s retreated.
