FOURTEEN

“What do you think?” I asked after I, smilingly, made a turn in front of him. “Passable?”

“Passable? Are you kidding me?” he said slowly. His eyes were glazed and he looked like he was in a trance. “I saw this color on an online dress I was looking through this morning and I knew I wanted to see you in this color.” His eyes went back up her face. “You’re breathtaking. I knew it.”

I giggled nervously. And nodded. “I did like how I looked in the mirror. I’m glad you like it, too. So…” I shifted to a more serious note. “Is this how I’m expected to dress when I get there?”

His hand reached out and caressed my cheek. “Don’t worry about the wardrobe. I’ve already got you booked with an agency and they’re going to take care of everything. I got something for you tonight, though.” And he produced a box of jewelry which, when opened, produced a set of diamond earrings, a necklace, and a delicate bracelet all in gold.

“Oh, these are beautiful.” I bit on my lower lip as he made me turn so he could help me with the necklace. “And possibly the most expensive jewelry I’ll ever wear since I was born. Please make sure to watch them the whole night until I’ve given them back. I’m bad with jewelry. I always lose it or drop them or something. That’s why I only wear silver or fake gold. I wear real ones my parents have given me only on very, very special occasions.” I babbled nervously until he had turned me back to face him. And he knew it. It showed on his face.

He laughed softly. “That’s silly. But I can understand.”

I rolled my eyes. “No, you don’t. You’re wealthy your whole life. How can you? But I’m kind of… nervous in all this finery. I know this is kind of a practice night and it’s important so…” I slipped the diamond earrings in. “Don’t mind me.”

He looked a little worried, alright. “You’ll have more jewelry with your wardrobe before you fly to Texas, and more when you arrive there. An etiquette instructor will guide you and review your dining etiquette this coming week, and you’ll have to do fittings for your wardrobe.”

I nodded. These were all reminders.

He already mentioned them at least once as we talked about the deal whenever he planned aloud with me.

“I know that. I’ll be eating lamb and salmon and caviar,” I replied. It was all in his meticulous notes in the contract, which I would sign tonight before he leaves tomorrow, “and all those expensive French-named dishes in expensive restaurants. I’ll be expected to say them well, too.” I breathed in deeply and repeated it several times while he watched me as he clasped the beautiful bracelet to my wrist. “I am grateful for the tutorials you booked for me. I don’t think I can do it on just what I know alone.”

He grinned. “Did you think wealthy girls learned etiquette on their own, or that they picked their wardrobe without a fashion consultant? Not. I learned a lot from Brooke. It’s a secret everyone knows but no one talks about.”

“So everyone’s cheating and it’s alright?” I asked him. I was done and was now staring at his handsome face.

Again, that sexy sound. That soft laugh gave my skin a tickling buzz and had all my feminine cells awake. At least, thank goodness, that part wasn’t going to be a cheat. “You want to know something?”

“What?” I asked. My voice sounded breathless. His voice was so intimate and I just reacted.

“If you’re in a lineup with other beautiful women and you’re just in your tees and jeans, I’ll pick you.”

And there it was… that feeling that if this wasn’t a deal, I would have fallen head over heels in love with him as soon as yesterday.

And I think I have.

I needed to fall in love with him for all of this to work. I needed to feel right so I could look at him with moony eyes, however tacky it might be.

I needed to want him to kiss me, as much he wanted to.

I needed to look like I was only waiting for everything to get done so we could be alone and silly in bed.

That was the kind of person that I was. I wanted this to be successful for both of us.

And I needed to remember that this was a man I didn’t deserve.

If it wasn’t for the deal, I wouldn’t even have a chance to get his attention, even if he was the man of my dreams.

He was the man of every woman’s dream.

And knowing this would be my salvation when all of this was over. The pain I was liable to feel would all be worth it.

“Hey… where’d you go to?” he asked.

“I’m just thinking how dapper—hot—you look in your white suit and black silk shirt.” I even reached out to caress the silk. And I had to take another deep breath. “You look so good, Bain. If you’re in a line of sexy men and I have to choose, I’ll choose you. But I’ll probably not say anything because I…”

“You what?” he asked, smiling more deeply now.

I grimaced at him. “I wouldn’t get you. Even if I picked you. Everyone will be picking you, too, I’m sure of it.” I wrinkled my nose. “I can’t afford to be with you.”

This time, he was the one who took a deep breath. “Gia, that’s—"

I put my finger on his lips. “It just is. It’s something you can’t understand because you can get whatever you want.”

“Really?” he huffed as if offended. But I knew he was acting. I tried getting back to a lighter mood for both of us. Or a serious one. Whatever… except that. “C’mon, let’s go. Do you have a car?” I took his hand and my purse and I pulled him towards the door. “Am I expected to learn how to drive, too, Bain? I haven’t driven anything for a year so I’ll be rusty.”

“I’ve already enrolled you in a driving school. We only need to sort out your session schedules,” he informed me.

Better. This was much better. “Okay. I’ll study a map of your city before I fly there.”

We got to the door and I opened it. The balmy air of the night enveloped us as he closed the door behind us. And there was a car.

He hired a driver, too. The car was one of those that looked expensive as hell but I wouldn’t even know what make and model it was. I needed to do research about his type of car, too, then.

I needed to learn more about anything and everything about him.

And I took a deep breath and smiled at him as he paused beside me.

He lowered his head and kissed me softly on my lips. “Let’s do this,” he said in a soft voice, and if anyone was watching, it seemed like he was whispering something intimate and seductive. “And don’t be nervous. You’re going to be fine.”

I nodded, and took a deep breath again.

And we walked towards the car.