“Of course, Mr. West. Right this way.” She leads us to a private room, with subtle lighting and plush armchairs. A rack of dresses sits in the middle near a dais placed in front of elegant full-length mirrors.
“There’s a changing room there,” says our sales clerk, pointing to a closed door in the back. “My name is Nora and I’ll return shortly with your champagne.”
As soon as the door clicks shut, Mina turns to me, jaw dropped, eyes wide. “This is too much, Nathan. Private rooms? Personal shoppers? I can think of a hundred better ways to spend this money.”
“I don’t want you to think about the money at all.”
“How can I not?”
She’s panicking and I don’t understand it. I have money I want to spend on her. Why is that a problem? I lower myself into one of the armchairs and drape my ankle over my knee. “Because you’re going to try on the dresses Nora picked for you and leave the money worries to me.”
“Nathan…”
I love the way she says my name. I want to make her scream it.
Nora arrives with two glasses of champagne, hands them to each of us, then leaves without a word. People who sell luxury know how to read the room.
Mina raises the glass to her lips, her eyes locked on mine. “Okay then,” she says after she swallows. “If his royal highness insists.”
“He insists.”
She pulls a dress off the rack and presses it to her body, swinging her hips back and forth to make the skirt sway.
“Like that one?”
She checks the price tag and her face blanches. “Not that much,” she says, hanging the dress back on the rack without a second glance.
Mina flips through the dresses, eyeing them appreciatively until she comes to one the color of champagne. She holds it to her body, eyeing her reflection almost reverently, then reaches for the tag.
“No more looking at prices,” I say, arching a brow.
She meets my eyes through the mirror, takes a deep breath, then drops the tag. “That’s a deeply ingrained habit, but I’ll do my best.”
“That’s all I can ask,” I reply with a smile. “How about that one? Like it?”
“It’s so pretty,” Mina gushes, “but I don’t think I can pull it off.”
“There’s only one way to find out.” I point to the door in the back of the room and Mina disappears inside.
Minutes later, the door cracks open and her head pokes through, her body hidden. “I can’t pull it off.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” I crook my finger, beckoning her out of the room. Mina hesitates, then swings the door open and steps forward.
Pearlescent silk hugs her frame, cascading over her breasts, her peaked nipples holding my attention until I follow the curve of her waist to her hips and then back up again. Thin straps sweep over her shoulders, exposing pale, delicate skin. Mina turns to inspect her reflection and my dick throbs as I’m afforded a view of her ass draped in silk.
Fuck me. I’d love to have that dress pooled on the floor at the end of my bed. Mina naked, waiting, legs spread for me as her dark locks fan across my pillow. My cock swells.
“It’s so pretty, but I don’t think I have the body for it.” Mina glances over her shoulder, worry furrowing her brow as she smooths the fabric at her belly and waist.
I stand and cross the room. You don’t appreciate a masterpiece from a distance.
Mina watches me approach, her eyes locked on mine like she can read the dirty thoughts parading through my head.
“Do you like it?” she asks, returning her attention to the mirror, smoothing her hands over her hips once again.
I fucking love it. I can’t stop staring. I want to be the one running my hands along that body.
“It’s fine,” I manage.
She bites her bottom lip. “I knew I couldn’t pull it off.”
“Mina.” My voice comes out harsher than I intended.
She turns, those beautiful eyes wide. Lips parted. Chest heaving.
I brush a strand of hair off her face, then turn her back to her reflection. “You’re stunning.”
Her smile is fleeting at first, then so bright it warms the whole damn room. “You’re just being nice.”
“Since when have you thought I’m capable of being nice?”
“Since I’ve gotten to know you better.” She presses a hand to my cheek and there’s a moment where I think she’s going to kiss me, but then she drops her hand and turns back to the mirror. “I’d never wear something like this.”
“You’re wearing the hell out of it right now. That’s the one. Go change and I’ll let Nora know you’ve made your decision.”
Mina disappears back into the dressing room, and I perch on the edge of the chair. The best of me can’t wait for her to see how people react at the gala. The worst can’t stand the thought of sharing her with whoever makes the winning bid. Maybe it should be me. Maybe I should place the winning bid, so I don’t have to share her with anyone.
The more I think about it, the more appealing I find the idea. I force myself to change topics.
What else will Mina need to feel like the most beautiful woman at the ball?
Jewelry? I’m sure my mother has some to loan her.
Shoes? I could ask Nora to recommend a store…
“Nathan?” Mina’s panicked voice precedes her head popping out of the dressing room. “I’m stuck,” she whispers.
“Stuck?”
“I can’t get the zipper down.”
“I can call for Nora…”
She shakes her head frantically and waves me in. “Just get in here and help me.”
Apprehensively, I step into the dressing room. Mina’s clothes are folded neatly on a chair, her bra and underwear laid neatly on top. Fucking black lace. And if it’s on the chair, it’s not on her…
I yank my gaze back to Mina but that isn’t any better. She’s clasping the dress to her breasts while trying to reach behind to the hidden zipper in the back.
