Page 93 of Never To Be Mine

“I’m going to send my cousin or whoever designed that dress a fucking Ferrari.”

I smiled. “So you like it?”

“I want you out of it and in it at the same time. You’re stunning, Juno. Gorgeous.”

I met his eyes in the mirror. “You think so?”

“I know so.” He came closer, his hands settling on my waist.

I leaned back against him, letting myself enjoy the moment. “I’ll take this one,” I told him.

“Good choice.” He kissed my temple. “Now I need to go change.”

“Change? Into what?”

“Can’t have you looking that good while I’m in jeans.” He grinned. “They have a tailored suit waiting for me.”

“Oh, okay.”

He disappeared. Serena brought in a garment bag for my new dress and several shoe options that would pair perfectly with it. I chose a pair of heels that would make me tall enough to kiss Hollis without him having to bend down quite so far.

I was examining myself in the mirror, trying to imagine what tonight would bring, when I heard footsteps behind me. I turned and nearly swallowed my tongue.

Hollis stood in the doorway wearing a charcoal gray suit that looked like it had been painted onto his body. The fit was perfect. Tailored to show off his broad shoulders and trim waist. The white shirt underneath was crisp and unbuttoned at the collar, and he’d skipped the tie entirely. He looked like sex in an expensive suit.

“Oh my God,” I breathed.

“Good?” He adjusted his cuffs, looking pleased with my reaction.

“You look…” I couldn’t find words. My brain had short-circuited somewhere between his shoulders and the way those pants fit his ass. “Scrumptious.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Scrumptious?”

We walked out of the store with our old clothes in the garment bags. I felt just a little ridiculous strolling around in the gown, but Hollis insisted we go next door for some accessories.

He led me next door into a jewelry boutique. The lighting was soft and golden, the cases gleaming with pieces that each had their own security guard. Hollis didn’t hesitate, scanning the displays until he found what he wanted.

“That one,” he said, pointing to a delicate teardrop diamond necklace on a platinum chain. The matching earrings caught the light beside them, sparkling like something a movie star would wear to the Oscars. “We’ll take it. And the earrings.”

“Hollis, no.” I shook my head, already backing up a step. “Absolutely not. I can’t accept that.”

“Why not?” He was already pulling out his card, completely unbothered.

“Because it’s too much. Way too much. I have jewelry. I don’t need you to drop that kind of money.”

“That bare neck demands diamonds.” He looked at me with that infuriating half-smile in place. “And I want to.”

The teardrop shape was elegant. It would sit perfectly against my collarbone and catch the light when I moved. But that didn’t mean he got to buy it for me like I was some kept woman.

“It’s too expensive,” I said firmly.

“Juno.” He turned to face me fully, his expression softening. “Let me do this. I want to. Let me spoil you a little.”

I opened my mouth to argue again, but the sales associate was already boxing the pieces like she was afraid I would talk him out of it and she’d lose a huge commission. Hollis signed the slip without even glancing at the total. I felt my resolve crumble. Arguing with him when he got like this was pointless.

“Thank you,” I said.

He grinned and fastened the necklace around my neck right there in the store, his fingers brushing the back of my neck and sending a shiver down my spine. The earrings went in next, and when I caught my reflection in the display case, I barely recognized myself. The woman staring back looked expensive. Happy.