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“I know.” He wouldn’t. I am certain of that. He helped me start to find my way out of my shell. Helped me make friends with the queens.
This is a little different. For one, Rogue is the strawberry cheesecake of men. Sinfully delicious and as likely to stick to my hips, given the chance. And two; I’m not as shy around him as I figured I would be.
“You should at least try the boots on,” Adira encourages. “Make him sweat that price tag a little.”
“It’s excessive.” It’sbuy my loveexcessive. "But they’re perfect. I would die to own these.”
“You almost did die, so at the very least you should try them on.”
“That’s a terrible excuse.” I roll my gaze at him. It’s the very opposite of a good reason to try on the gorgeous boots that remind me of long evenings staring at the stars. What I did… I’m the one who should be trying to make it up to everyone. I put them through so much.
Rogue is watching me again. Hovering on the edge of the sofa like he’s waiting for me to decide that I need the boots. Like he did when I tried on clothes at the last store. He’s constantly on edge because of me.
Our bodyguard stays stationed near the door. He’s so statuesque that I momentarily forgot he was here. I’m not sure I understand why he is our constant shadow… other than Rogue said something about the paparazzi and my mother and protecting me. It’s almost as though he’s worried that she’ll try to kidnap me. The idea is ludicrous… isn’t it? My mother would simply beckon and expect me to jump to her will.
Except, I don’t have my phone.
It’s more likely that I’d have a problem with cameras in my face if someone alerts them to our whereabouts. But it also wouldn’t be my first time avoiding them.
“The bodyguard is a little over the top. I’ve managed to stay low-key for years.”
“It’s a tumultuous time,” Adira says. “I don’t think it’s a bad thing that he has someone watching your back. Nicole might try to stab you in it.”
“My mother might not be very maternal,” I agree, “but she’s not a murderer.”
“Perhaps not.” He arches his eyebrow like a villain. “But the truth is someone hurt you. And it wasn’t that sexy beefcake over there.”
“I don’t remember anything.” I wish I did. I wish I had a clue how I ended up with a cracked rib and a broken wrist. I wish I could say Rogue Maddox is not to blame and be a thousand percent certain. “He thinks it was Alec, doesn’t he?”
“You look a little peaked, sweetie. You okay?”
He’s changing the subject, but I actually do feel tired. I press the back of my hand to my forehead. It’s a little clammy. “I’m okay.”
“Perhaps we should sit.” Adira takes my arm.
“No.” Because Rogue is watching me like he’s ready to pounce at the slightest hint that I might need him. “I’m good. I promise.”
“Good,” Adira says. “Now, he wants to buy you something pretty, and you are going to let him.”
“But I don’t know what he thinks he’s buying.” Because it’s certainly not the joy of owning women’s boots. “Is he trying to buy me things because he feels guilty for what happened with us? Or does he think there is a shoe sized hole inside me that he needs to try to fill?”
“I don’t know, sweetie.” Adira scopes out my husband. “Perhaps it’s both. Or it could be that he adores you and he wants you to be happy.”
“Yeah.” It could be that.
“You certainly look like you could do with some happy in your panties.” Adira leans in. “If I have to be caught in the middle of one more of the high-tension gazes you two are sharing, I’ll positively combust.”
“Oh, shut up.” I put my hand to his face and push him away.
He laughs.
“Did you find something you liked?”
“Many things,” my bestie says with a wink as he walks toward the salesgirl. “I don’t feel bad at all about making him pay for his guilt by purchasing you shoes.”
Rogue straightens as soon as we’re finished. He stands behind me and places his hands on my hips while Adira flirts with the woman helping him.
“Are you buying something here?” Rogue’s breath caresses my ear. “Since you refused to buy anything at the last place.”
