He gestured at the partition. ‘You can have your privacy over there.’
Was he serious?
‘Elena,’ Alex warned.
It was two against one, but the only one she cared about was sitting across the room. For some reason, Alex wanted to do this for her. After what she’d just learned, she didn’t want to hurt his feelings.
He’d been hurt too much already.
Her chest started to tighten, and the anguish built up in her throat. The vision of those claw marks on the door appeared again in her head.
She pushed the vision away, clearing her throat hard. Would it really be so bad to play dress-up? There were clothes here that she’d never be able to afford, much less try on. She wouldn’t accept them.
She hesitantly walked over to the corner of the room.
‘Let me know if you need a different size,’ Jorge called.
‘She won’t,’ Alex murmured.
Her eyes narrowed. He sounded so sure of himself. She stepped behind the partition.
She could say no and stop the whole thing. He wouldn’t force her, but he’d gone to such measures. The designer had obviously gone to even greater lengths to bring everything here.
She fingered the pretty bra. She was already in love with it.
She gave up fighting. Setting the lingerie on the table, she peeled off her jeans. The rest of her clothes were next. They might be her comfy favourites, but with all the expensive material in the room she felt like a frump. She put her bra down and picked up the pink one. The difference was there under her fingertips. The quality was better, from the fabric to the stitching. Feeling her pulse begin to pound, she put her arms through the straps and aligned the cups over her breasts. She clipped the tab against her breastbone and felt the change the moment the bra settled over her curves, cupping and supporting them.
There was also a difference in the fit.
Almost naturally, her shoulders pulled back and her chest lifted. There was no comparison to the cheap discount-store brands she was used to wearing.
This felt sublime.
Hurrying, she tried on the panties. They fit her just as well, hugging her curves but not cutting into them.
‘Well?’ Jorge asked.
‘They’re perfect,’ she sighed.
Alex cleared his throat.
She peeked around the corner of the partition. ‘What?’
His gaze was that steady spark of grey ice, the one she’d run into in the forest on more than one occasion. ‘Let me see,’ he said, making it crystal clear.
Elena looked down at herself. She wasn’t naked, but he couldn’t possibly be asking her to –
‘Come out here.’
She wasn’t indecent and he’d seen her in less. Still …
She stepped out into the middle of the room and clasped her hands together in front of her. Alex leaned forward in his chair, the computer forgotten. Jorge nodded, his eye critical. Walking over to her, he examined the fit from front to back. Elena felt like she was under a microscope with both men staring at her so unabashedly.
Jorge’s attention was that of a designer, all about the beauty and fit.
Alex’s, on the other hand, was so fully sexual, her entire body flushed. His gaze stroked over her hotly, but it turned gentle when he looked into her face. ‘Do you like it?’
Her mouth had gone dry. ‘I love it,’ she whispered.
‘We’ll take that set,’ he said, easing back into his chair. Somehow he didn’t look as casual any more. ‘What else do you have?’
Elena took a quick step forward. ‘This is wonderful, but –’
He pointed a warning finger at her. ‘Your day, my money, your fun.’ He looked at the way the bra plumped up her curves. ‘Our fun,’ he amended.
‘The red next,’ Jorge said with a broad smile on his face. Without awaiting approval from anyone, he chose the new pieces.
The lingerie came at her, one piece after another, and her confidence grew as she modelled it. Alex’s preferences ran to the skimpy, while Jorge liked different combinations of satin and lace … and leather. That combo felt a little outrageous to her, but the moment she saw it on her in the mirror she melted. The set went into the growing pile.
‘That’s enough,’ she finally declared.
‘One more,’ Alex said, his voice deceptively soft. ‘The black lace.’
Jorge’s eyebrows rose, along with one corner of his mouth. He fought the smirk as he went for the bra and panty combination Elena had avoided.
She leaned more towards pastels and jewel tones. Black just seemed so dark and mysterious. She wasn’t a fan of lace – it scratched and bit – but, if he wanted to see it on her, she could do that.
Although everyone in the room knew they’d moved away from pretend dress-up to the verge of sexual manipulation.
Elena was surprised to find her hands shaking as she tried to connect the hooks and eyelets in the middle of her back. The bra did bite, but then she noticed a strap was twisted. When she had dealt with it, everything settled down into a tight hug. The lace stretched and was softer than any she’d ever felt before. Dollar signs chimed in her ears.
‘It’s a bit snug,’ she confessed.
Jorge chuckled. ‘It’s supposed to be, dear.’
Oh. Oh, my.
She began to tremble in earnest. She cupped her hands over her breasts. The bottom half of the cups was a shiny silver material, maybe Lycra. It hugged and lifted in all the right places.
She hurried to put on the high-cut panties. She was venturing on dangerous turf here. The faster she finished, the faster they could move on.
Relief settled over her when she had the combination on. It felt sexy, but not as sexually explosive as she’d thought.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out from behind the partition.
Alex’s gaze raked over her from head to toe, and he gave an abrupt shake of his head. ‘The granny panties need to go.’
‘No?’ Jorge said in disappointment. ‘High-waists are coming back this season.’
‘Not here they aren’t.’
The designer let out a huff that Elena almost echoed. The panties felt good. They came up to nearly her ribcage, and the support was nice, although she worked hard to keep her core tight.
She glanced in the mirror and her eyes nearly bugged out. Embarrassed, she clapped her hands over her breasts.
She hadn’t known the bra was see-through.
The silver Lycra was opaque, but the line cut right over her nipples. They peeked over the top through the black lace, rocketing the titillation factor of the outfit tenfold.
She scooted back behind the partition and began to take the set off.
‘Here,’ Jorge said, his hand snaking around the corner to offer her new panties. ‘Try these.’
These? Elena’s jaw dropped when she held up the tiny thong. It was barely more than a G-string.
‘Chop chop,’ Alex called. ‘The day’s a-wasting and you’ve got dresses, shoes and outerwear to go.’
There was no way she was going to say yes to this set of lingerie, Elena thought determinedly as she pulled off the granny panties. They clung stubbornly as she pulled them down her thighs. The thong was much more amenable. The strip of material slid up and settled into place as if custom made.
She bit her lip as she looked at her reflection. It was a G-string.
Taking a deep breath, she stepped out from hiding. Her hands instinctively came up to cover herself when Alex’s gaze sparked, dark and intense.
She took a timid step back when he rose from his chair.
That didn’t stop him coming straight at her. She jumped when his big hands settled on her waist. He turned her so she faced the mirror and stood behind her as they both evaluated her reflection.
It was the reflection of the two of them together, though, that captured her attention. When he caught her wrists and moved her hands away, she let him.
The picture they made was beyond steamy. Pur
ely sensual. Her femininity and vulnerability were on display as he towered over her, looking male and aggressive. There was something about her near nakedness against his crisp business dress. Something that made the sexuality classier, but at the same time naughtier. Forbidden, yet strict.
Her nipples stiffened, going from peeking to peaking under the snug grip of the stretchy lace.
Alex’s grip on her waist tightened, and he turned her. She spread her hands over his chest and looked over her shoulder. The view from behind was even more salacious. Precious few strips of fabric covered her. One rode along the top of her buttocks, while another travelled down between the plump globes. The contrast between her long hair that hid so much of her back and the clothing that covered so little of her bottom was rather shocking.
She watched as his hands came up to cup her. Hide her. Claim her. The hold was bold and firm.
He dropped a soft kiss on the top of her head. ‘What else would you like to try on?’
She worried her bottom lip. ‘Suits?’
One of his eyebrows lifted.
‘I need something to wear at my defence.’
His face softened. ‘There’s my girl. Sexy and practical.’
His chest lifted and he stepped back. Hardness tented the front of his pants. ‘Thank you, Jorge. Would you send in Katrina?’
‘Of course.’ A sly but happy smile was on the designer’s face as he walked backwards to the door. ‘Let me know if there’s anything else you need.’
* * *
From there, everything turned into a blur of fantasy. Styles changed. Colours burst. The materials felt good against her skin, and the cuts were exquisite. Elena tried on suits, shoes, dresses and jackets. The touch and feel alone told her that everything was top of the line, but the watchful eye of the designers made her feel like a princess.
The watchful eye of Alex made her feel like a princess about to be debauched. He’d stopped working on his computer long ago.
‘That one is a definite yes,’ he said, eyeing the little black dress she’d put on. Its hemline was high, but not too high, but its neckline was plunging by anyone’s standards.
Elena looked at herself critically in the mirror. She seemed like a different woman. The casual, fresh-faced college student was gone, replaced by a sensual-looking seductress. It wasn’t a look she was entirely comfortable with, but she liked it all the same. The woman in the mirror showed confidence and poise. Nobody would question her being on Alex Wolfe’s arm.
Or they wouldn’t if her last name wasn’t Bardot.
The designer came over and fluffed her hair, spreading it out in a curtain. ‘The trend these days is a curly bob, right above the shoulders. Add some highlights, and that would really make this dress pop.’
‘You’re not touching her hair.’
The growl came from across the room and was menacing enough that the woman stepped back. ‘Of course.’ Her chin dropped an inch in rebuke. ‘What would you like to try on next?’
Elena smoothed the soft material over her stomach. Alex’s power hung in the air. There was never a doubt as to who was leading this show and some might have taken offence, but she didn’t interpret his words as domineering. She felt protected. Turned on. ‘That’s enough,’ she said.
‘Are you sure?’ Alex asked from his chair.
‘I can’t lift my arms any more.’ She’d shimmied and zipped and tugged all she could.
He gave the designer a nod, and the woman scurried from the room.
Elena walked closer to the chair where he sat. ‘Thank you,’ she said softly. ‘That was like a dream.’
It really had been an idyllic afternoon, sexy and thrilling. She tilted her head back as he rose before her. He wasn’t shy about looking over the dress. He hadn’t been shy about looking at anything.
She tugged at the hemline, even though it wasn’t indecent. She sucked in air when his hands caught her waist. He turned her and walked her back the few feet to the wall. Pressing her up against it, he leaned down over her and nuzzled her neck.
‘You are so beautiful,’ he murmured.
Her eyelids fluttered. He’d learned right where she was most susceptible to his touch. Her hands came up to clutch at his waist. ‘I’ll just pick out a few things,’ she promised.
He pulled back a few inches to look at her.
She glanced over the stacks of clothes that had been piled on the ‘yes’ table. ‘Definitely a suit. A dress and maybe the pink lingerie.’
‘They’re all yours.’
‘No, that’s all right,’ she insisted. She didn’t want to be greedy. She knew he’d insist on paying, but it was so much. Too much.
‘Yes, it’s all right,’ he said firmly. ‘I didn’t just ask these people here so you could play pretend. I asked them here so I could splurge on you.’
She looked at him steadily, the back of her head resting against the wall. ‘You don’t have to, Alex.’
‘No, but I need to.’ His hold on her bit, and his eyes turned stormy. He was opening up to her more and more, but it had been a while since she’d seen the deeper emotions that were on display now. The anger and the determination. ‘I’ve spent the last two years fighting to keep what’s mine. I made my money honestly with my own company. If I want to spend it now, that’s my right. I’ll spend it wherever and however I please. Nobody is going to stop me, not even you.’
‘OK.’ Her hand lighted on his chest. He was breathing too hard, and his heart was racing. ‘OK.’
His chest rose at her touch and his head dropped forward. ‘Right now, it pleases me to spend it on you.’
She petted him, bringing down the beast. ‘I didn’t mean to be rude. It’s just a bit much to take in.’
‘It pisses me off that you think that.’ He ground his teeth, but his touch softened as he caught a strand of her hair that dangled close to her waist. ‘You should have had pretty things all along. You shouldn’t have had to do without.’
He was talking about her dad, and Elena frowned. They’d been partners. They’d taken from people without regret. Did it matter more to him now that he knew her? That he saw the actual difference money made in people’s lives? Had he never witnessed the dividing line between the haves and the have-nots?
Maybe not. Yet he was truly bothered by the situation, and that confused her. She’d assumed that only an unfeeling bigot could do the things he did, but he was neither.
How had he gotten caught up in such a mess?
‘I had all the important things. My mom, my friends, love.’
A muscle in his jaw worked. ‘Let me do this for you.’
There was no defensive barrier in his gaze. No truths or feelings he was hiding.
‘OK,’ Elena agreed, wanting to make him happy. ‘Thank you.’
He sighed and leaned his weight into her, trapping her against the wall. His hands stroked up the sides of her legs, edging the cocktail dress higher. ‘Good, because the fun part about buying you new clothes is taking them off you again.’
Chapter Ten
Elena’s body hummed when he finally kissed her. She’d been aroused ever since she’d first stepped out from behind the room divider in that pink lingerie. She couldn’t help it. Her body responded whenever he looked at her.
Knowing that she was turning him on revved the titillation even higher.
He kissed his way along her jawline. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she held on. The low cut of the dress called to him, and he was soon at her cleavage.
She moaned as his dusty whiskers woke up her flesh.
‘The door,’ she whispered. ‘What if somebody walks in?’
‘I’ll fire them.’
He kissed his way determinedly down her breastbone and licked deep. Nuzzling against her, he kissed the sides of her breasts. His hands had already squeezed between her back and the wall to tackle her zipper. The vee neckline widened as the zipper slid down to her waist.
His breaths were heavy as he looked at the curves
he’d exposed. He cupped one breast, holding her possessively. His hand looked sexy against all the black lace. His thumb poked at her nipple, waking it up and making it show itself above the silver demi-cup.
She tugged on his red tie. ‘You didn’t touch me last night.’
He pushed the dress over her arms and down to the floor. ‘You were stressed, and I was thinking.’
‘About this?’ She gasped when she suddenly found herself in nothing but the tiny scraps of lingerie and a sky-high pair of stiletto pumps.
‘About how to make up for all the things you missed.’
A pang hit her chest. She wanted to make up for all the things that had happened to him, too.
She arched when his wandering hands settled on her bare butt. He might as well be branding his handprints onto her curves. She felt the cup of his palm and the outline of each finger. One was dangerously close to the thin strip of the G-string running between her buttocks.
‘I didn’t miss –’
‘Shhh.’ He kissed her again, leaning heavily.
She loved the feel of his weight against her, his hard planes and hot skin. She was little, but he didn’t treat her like fine china. As his hands stroked over her, she felt like a woman.
And they stroked everywhere. Her waist, her breasts, her stomach and her thighs.
‘So … you can’t … think,’ she panted, ‘and touch me … at the same time?’
‘God, no.’ His voice was strained, too. ‘I touch you and my thoughts go haywire.’
She knew the feeling, but she hadn’t gotten to touch her fill yet. Hungry, she pushed his shirt off his shoulders and raked her fingers over his chest. It was a like a relief map of muscles and tendons. She flicked his nipple and his abdomen clenched like an accordion.
‘Siren.’ He nipped at her chin. ‘You know it’s even worse when you touch me.’
A sexy sense of power consumed her. Power and confidence. She planted her hands wide on him and stroked down all at once. He was as hard as he looked, lean and defined.
And sensitive.
She ran her fingernail along the line of his belt and his hand slapped against the wall beside her head.
The kiss they shared was full-tongued and erotic.
Solace in Scandal Page 15
