Page 44 of Outcast’s Vow

“Of course he did. Look, I don’t know if I could possibly...”

“Please,” Paige says. “He expressed to us that you would likely resist, Mrs. Tremblay. He insisted we proceed.”

“Well, if you twist my arm like that.”

With Paige stepping me through every moment, I spend the next few hours poring over a whole dreamy range of dresses, heels, jackets, shirts, and cashmere. Each piece of clothing I try on makes me feel wanted. Powerful. Like a movie star. And I finally stop resisting. I allow Baptiste to win.

Dare I say, I enjoy myself.

And at the end, after I am surrounded by bags of new clothes and a renewed sense of confidence in myself, I pull out my card to pay, but Paige is already shaking her head.

“Everything has been paid for in advance.”

“Let me guess,” I say, resigned. “Was it by Mr. Tremblay?”

“Yes.”

“Hm. I thought so.”

The arrogant bastard. He’s really trying his best to impress me, isn’t he? And the sad thing is that it’s working. But I will not be led astray that easily. If I start needing this from him, I’m finished.

I storm into the chalet after being dropped off by the butler. Baptiste is sitting there on the couch by the fire, reading a book with a scotch in his hand, the dark liquid swirling lazily in its glass. His eyes flick up to mine as I make my dramatic entrance.

“What the hell are you trying to do, Mr. Tremblay?” I demand, coming to a stop by the edge of the couch, facing him.

Baptiste slowly closes his book while continuing to consume me with his eyes.

“What did it look like?” he asks calmly, his hand deliberately sliding over the cover of his book. He’s so relaxed. “I wanted to treat my wife. And were you treated?”

“Are you trying to buy my affection or something?”

“Did you enjoy yourself, Sylvie?”

I pause.

“Yes. I did.”

Baptiste nods.

“Then I succeeded.”

I cross my arms defiantly.

“What do you want, Baptiste? You must desire something after everything you’ve done today.”

He calmly places his glass of scotch down on the coffee table.

“I want nothing but to see you smile and enjoy yourself, Highness.”

“That’s a lie.”

“I don’t lie.”

“Ugh. You’re so exasperating.”

Baptiste calmly ignores my snarky reply and checks his designer watch.

“I’ve got a dinner booking in exactly one hour.”