Her body had to be measured and weighed and her nails, hands, feet, everything came under scrutiny. By hour three she was holding my hand like it was the most natural thing in the world.
By then the consultants were turning to me for answers instead of her, as they realized that each time they asked her something, she deferred to me. I couldn’t have planned it better if I’d tried.
We broke for lunch and I made sure our table had a booth so that we could sit close together. There wasn’t a time that I wasn’t touching her in some way, all casually of course.
I saw the light of excitement in her as the dark cloud from the day before receded. She was a lot more animated as she prattled on to me about all the exciting things she’d learned that day and all that laid ahead.
Tomorrow is when the real work started, when they would start implementing the things they’d discussed today. “Come. Don’t forget your packet.”
“Oh yes sorry.” She grabbed the folder they’d sent her home with. They’d told her what colors worked best with her hair and skin tone and I think there was a nutrition list in there as well that we’d go over later. Right now I wanted her all to myself though, and riding on her high, I knew just the thing I wanted to do.
Knowing her I knew that she wouldn’t have accepted me taking her shopping. I’m sure I could’ve worn her down, but I wanted her to enjoy the experience as much as I planned to.
With her mind full of dreams of what was to come, I was sure she would probably just see it as an extension of the day. “First we have to replace your phone.” I squeezed her hand when I felt her slight hesitation at my mention of the day before.
I didn’t make a big production of it just bought her the same exact one as the one that had been destroyed, before dragging her off to the next store.
Like any woman, especially one so young, she was enthralled as soon as we entered the chic boutique. Her eyes widened as she looked around. The sales assistant whom I’d called ahead of time during one of Gabriella’s fittings was there at the ready.
“Mr. O’Rourke so nice to see you again, why don’t you and the young lady follow me.”
We followed her to the back of the room where there was an area set up with lounges for wary husbands I suppose, who had to spend hours waiting for their wives to choose clothes.
“I went ahead and pulled some things after your call, your description was spot on sir if I do say so myself.” Kitten was looking back and forth between us at sea. But the good little girl that she is, she said nothing. I smiled and teased her fingertips as Gloria walked off to get started.
“What’s going on Callan?”
“We’re shopping pet, nothing to worry about.” She looked around at the row upon row of designer clothing, everything from casual wear to evening gowns.
“But isn’t this stuff going to be really expensive, I don’t think I made that much…”
So fucking sweet. I wasn’t sure who was more surprised by the kiss I planted on her lips, her or I. “My treat Kitten, just relax and enjoy.”
“But…” she looked at me with that lip of hers caught between her teeth. She was green yes, I had no doubt, but she wasn’t too inexperienced to realize what was going on here. I wasn’t ready to spell things out for her, not just yet; that will come later, after I’d wormed my way into her every thought.
It wasn’t very well done of me to use her weakness against her, but I had to be sure, there was too much at stake here. I’ve always played the odds, taken the risks, but in this, there were no do overs, no second chances.
My heart said it was right, that she was right, and my cock, well, he’d spoken loud and clear; but I still needed to think with my head.
Chapter 10
In the end I got my way of course, and she was soon the new owner of a complete wardrobe, sans lingerie; that, I had already taken care of.
I sat in the chair with my flute of champagne as she tried on a few of the selections that I had discussed with Gloria on my earlier call, never once letting on what her body in the form fitting gowns, or the way she looked to me for approval was doing to me.
By the time we made it back to the apartment she was more relaxed and the handholding had become natural. “Thank you so much for today Callan, I don’t know when I’ve had this much fun.”
“My pleasure sweetheart.” I ran my hand smoothly down her hair, my eyes telling her how much I liked it.
“I have some work to do in the office, why don’t you go look over the stuff you got in your orientation?” She nodded and walked away, stopping once to look over her shoulder at me as I stood in the doorway watching her.