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As she undressed and changed back into her clothes, she didn’t even really know why she was upset. He’s not herboyfriend.He’s just her partner in crime. She folded the dress over her arm and picked up the shoes. Adjusting her top, she walked out of the dressing room and saw the back of Strap’s head. He turned to look at her with a phone up to his ear.
He looks upset.Her eyebrows furrowed as she walked to the counter and set her things down. Strap was staying far away from her, so she couldn’t even hear what he was talking about. With a sigh, she explained that they were paying together and she was going to look at a few other things while she waited. The woman nodded and tried to show her a whole rack of other dresses.
TWENTY-ONE
STRAP
Holy hellfire.That was the only coherent thought running through Strap’s mind.How the hell could a dress make someone look sogood?
When Mickey walked out of that dressing room, it felt like the wind was knocked out of his chest. She looked like an absolutesmoke show.A deep feeling in his chest had him biting the inside of his cheek with fury. He wanted to take that dress right off her and take her on the floor for everyone to see.
The guttural desire had an underlying pride to it. She washis.His mate. No one else's. Both animals stirred in agreement, aggressively demanding that he prove it.
She was made for him, and he thanked the stars it was that way because she was perfect. Strap’s mind whirled, all while he stared at Mickey flaunting the dress. Her eyes met his, and her head turned to gaze at him while she made her way back to the fitting area. She wanted it. And so did he.
Strap stepped with a confident stride to make his way to her dressing room. The thought of stripping her out of those tight clothes created a stir in his stomach. He didn’t even care if these clothes were torn, and they had to buy twice as much.
He reached forward, and his phone buzzed in his pocket.Who the hell?He dropped his hand from the thin door separating the two. Grabbing his phone out of his pocket, a deep frown settled on his features at the number.
Of course.Nydia. She always had the best timing for getting in the way. Glancing between his mate and the phone, he silently stepped back, hoping she hadn’t heard him coming.
Turning his back on the door, Strap headed out of the changing area. Answering the phone, he tried to even his emotions, wanting to sound professional.
“General.” He glanced at the saleswoman, and she offered a too-cheery smile as she sifted through the racks.
“Strap. I see you’re in Valencia. Nice place.” Her stone-cold voice made him want to roll his eyes.
“It has its charm. Is there a reason for this call? I don’t want Mickey to get suspicious.” Strap’s eyes darted from the working woman to where his mate was changing. For once, he hoped Mickey would take her sweet time with whatever she was doing in there.
“Mickey? Not Mick?” Her voice rose an octave.
Oh shit!“That’s what I called him when I was younger.” Thank God he was fast thinking on his feet.
“I need an update, Strap. And it better be good. I don’t need to remind you what’s at stake, right?” There was a cynical tone in her words, and it sent all those horrific thoughts sprawling through Strap’s mind again.
He was here to save Mickey. His service was in place for her spot in jail, not that Nydia knew that.
He cleared his throat and gave her enough information to keep her satisfied. He left out their current little shopping adventure and how he’d been living a semi-domesticated life in their spare time.
Nydia made a pleased sound, and the sharp edge in Strap’s back eased as he made eye contact with Mickey.Shit.He stepped away, hoping this call would wrap up faster.
“Good. I’ll be there in two days. I’ll come to where you are.”
His hand came up to rub the back of his neck. “Yes, ma’am. If everything goes well today, the balls will be in my possession tomorrow.” The end of their call was brief, and as Strap slid his phone back into his pocket, he looked over to see the saleswoman keeping Mickey busy.
With a sigh of relief, he walked back to her. Mickey turned her head as she motioned to a different dress in the same color scheme.
“Which one do you like more?” she asked, waving the two of them in front of him and taking turns holding each up to her body. Tension drained from his body, and a slow smile spread as he watched her.
“The first one, you looked smokin’ in that.” He watched her face blush, and turning to the saleswoman, Mickey motioned to only buy the one. Strap looked down and realized that he hadn't changed out of his outfit.
“Mickey, change back into that dress. Our … night out starts now.” He caught himself almost changing their story but tried to correct it before the woman noticed. Mickey nodded and took the dress, and Strap paid for their clothes in the meantime.
* * *
Happily,the drive to the architectural firm was short. Strap briefly told her a short backstory on the firm and how they were quick to make changes for rich customers. After parking, he grabbed her hand before getting out of the car.
“What?” Mickey slid back into her seat. Strap held up a finger as he went through his suit pockets. With a flourish, he pulled out an incredibly ornate diamond ring. It was ridiculously large.
