Page 32 of Niall

“I should make him something.”

“Pardon me?”

“Bake him cookies or something.”

“I don’t think Roman likes cookies.”

She looked confused. “Why would you say that?”

“He doesn’t seem the type. A thank-you is sufficient.”

We crossed the lobby, and I opened the car door for her, sliding in once she was settled.

“I like cookies.”

She turned from looking out the window. “What?”

“I like cookies. If you feel like baking, the kitchen in the hotel is fully equipped. I can get you anything you need.”

“I see. But you don’t want me making Roman cookies.”

I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her close. She gazed up at me, her eyes dancing.

“No, I don’t.”

She cupped my cheek, her fingers soft on my skin. “Okay, then. A thank-you for Roman and cookies for you.”

I couldn’t help it. I kissed her.

And I didn’t stop until we got to the mall.

CHAPTER NINE

NIALL

“Idon’t need all this,” Anna murmured, looking at the hangers in front of her.

“You need clothes. I’m buying you clothes.”

She laid a hand on my arm. “A few things. I agreed to a few things.”

“That’s what this is.”

I had brought her to a store I liked to shop in. I had called ahead, and my personal shopper, Liz, met us at the door, seemingly pleased to be headed to the women’s section for a change. After a few moments, she suggested that Anna look around, then told me she thought Anna was uncomfortable. “Let her look so I can understand her likes,” she murmured. “I won’t be far away.”

I walked behind Anna, pulling a wardrobe rack. I found myself watching her closely. I figured out quickly when she liked something. Her eyes would widen with excitement, and that dimple I adored appeared briefly. But most of the time, she would walk past, and it took me a moment to realize she was checking out the price. After that, I simply hung the garment on the rack. Liz swapped out the rack, placing it in a dressing room for us. She checked out the items and added a few more. I added some I liked as well.

Anna looked shy as we walked through the lingerie department, so I decided which items I would enjoy ripping off her the most and added those.

At some point while we shopped, I had accepted the fact that my plans had gone awry and I was giving in. She wouldn’t be going to my mum’s room. She was staying with me—at least for now. What the future held, I had no idea, but right now, I wasn’t letting her go.

“This is more than my entire wardrobe back home. Certainly more than what was in my case.” She frowned, a small wrinkle appearing on her forehead. “I didn’t pick all of this.”

“I did. Or Liz.”

“I can buy some of my own clothing when I get my first check.”

I looked around the store, then backed her into the wall of the dressing room, shutting the door behind me.