Her hands slide from my hair to my shoulders, my chest, and I'm about to do something extremely inadvisable when I hear it.
Footsteps.
We break apart like we've been electrocuted. Harper's eyes are wide, her lips slightly swollen, her usual composure completely destroyed. I probably look worse.
"Mr. Kade?" Simone's voice from the other room. "I found the matching shoes!"
Harper smooths her dress with shaking hands. I step back, putting a professional amount of distance between us, and try to remember how to act like a functional adult.
Simone rounds the corner, holding a pair of strappy heels, and stops. Her gaze flicks between us, and something alert crosses her face.
"The lavender, then?" she asks, perfectly composed.
"Yes," I say, my voice remarkably steady considering my heart is trying to escape my chest. "The lavender.”
"Excellent choice." She sets down the shoes. "I'll have everything sent to your residence this evening. Harper, the shoes are a size seven, yes?"
"Yes," Harper squeaks, not looking at me. "Thank you."
"My pleasure." Simone's smile is neutral, but her brown eyes are laughing. "Mr. Kade, I assume you'll be collecting your wife this evening for the event?"
"I'll pick her up at seven," I say.
"Wonderful. Harper, you can change back into your clothes. Take your time."
Simone disappears again, and Harper and I are left in the awkward aftermath of whatever the hell just happened.
“I shouldn’t have—“ she starts.
"We don't have to talk about it."
"We probably should."
"Not here. Not now." I straighten my tie, reaching for the control that's been slipping since the moment I walked into this boutique. "You have everything you need? Car service? Access to Gina if you need anything?"
"Yes, but?—"
"Good." I pull out my wallet and hand her my AmEx. "In case you need anything else. Simone will put the dress and accessories on my account."
Harper stares at the card like it might bite her. "I can't?—"
"You can. You will." I meet her eyes, and I can see the same confusion I'm feeling reflected back at me. "This is part of the arrangement. I’ll handle the logistics."
"Is that what we're calling it? Logistics?"
"Harper."
"Fine." She takes the card, her fingers brushing mine in a way that definitely isn't accidental, before I pull away.
“Good, then. Seven o'clock," I say. "Wear the lavender dress. Simone will send jewelry options. Choose whichever you like."
"Victor—"
"I'll see you tonight."
I step forward, kissing her hard and fast.
Her hazel eyes are dazed when I pull back, leaving before I can do something else stupid, like kiss her again. Like tell her that the dress doesn't matter because she could show up in a paper bag and I'd still think she was the most captivating woman in the room.
