“Good. I didn’t realize planes had showers.”
“Not all of them do. Very few, in fact.” My chest puffs up with pride. At least I managed to impress her. “If you’re up for it I thought we could do some shopping before we went to our hotel.”
“Certainly. If that’s what you’d like to do.”
Weirdly, I bristle. Why is she so docile? I liked it better when she was fighting me. “If you don’t want to go, tell me. I’m not your brother. I’m not going to force you to do things you don’t want to do.”
There is no immediate response. I gnaw on the inside of my cheek wondering what I should say at this point. I really don’t have much experience in wooing women. I’ve been solely focused on the business world. I know how to buy buildings, close deals, ruin people’s lives. I don’t know much about making a woman happy.
“I suppose as Mrs. Keal, I will need to present a certain image,” she says slowly. “Whatever you decide is appropriate is fine.” She waves a dismissive hand.
“Fuck my image,” I explode. “There isn’t a thing about you I’d change. I just thought you might like new things. When I made my first million, I bought myself a whole new wardrobe so that when people looked at me, they wouldn’t judge my clothes. I don’t really care what people think about me anymore, but fuck, I still like nice things. I want to give you nice things, too, not because any dick off the street’s opinion matters, but because a woman like you with a big heart deserves all of the best that money can buy.”
Her mouth drops open in stunned silence. Frustrated and a little embarrassed by my outburst, I drag a hand through my hair and dart into the bathroom for my own shower.
Rose shakes me up, in more ways than one.
Chapter 14
Rose
“What do you think of this?” I ask, holding up an ugly top that is covered in feathers. It’s not even one color of feathers but a rainbow of them. It might be one of the ugliest shirts I’ve ever seen but what do I know about fashion? I know this place is fancy so it has to be in style or something. I don’t really want the shirt. I want Hunter’s reaction to it.
“If you want it.” He shrugs. This time he actually takes the garment from my hand to inspect it. Hunter hasn’t said the word no a single time during this entire process. I keep adding things to the massive pile that he was already getting me. Every time I point at something or say I want it, he says okay. Now I am merely toying with him. The sales people are all too eager to keep adding things to the mountain I already have. Their eyes light up with money signs each time Hunter nods his head yes or instructs them to add it to the pile.
“You like it?” I hedge. The thing is hideous.
“If you want-”
I cut him off. I’m sure he’s not used to that but I’ve become a child testing my limits. Each time he lets me do something I know he’d never let anyone else get away with, I get this weird excitement in the pit of my stomach. I enjoy challenging Hunter. I want him to be different with me.
“But do you like it?” I ask again. I’m trying to work out in my mind what his motive is for buying me all of these things. He doesn’t seem to care whether they’re beautiful or not. That leads me to believe that he’s not buying them to simply show me off. Why would he buy them then? There is no excuse for him letting me purchase this hideous feather top. None at all. I know that he has impeccable taste based on the way he dresses.
When he brought me here my first thought was that he wanted me to have nice things so I’d look pretty on his arm. If he is going to stroll me around town he’ll want to make sure his pretty prize takes first place. My confusion about his intentions turns to anger. I want an honest answer and I am determined to get one. This is the first time I’ve ever been able to buy anything I like and he is a terrible shopping partner. Most people would like the fact that he let them purchase whatever they want but I am different. I want him to be involved.
“I don’t think this will be good for your skin.” He rubs the feathers between two fingers before tossing the thousand-dollar top to the ground. He reaches for me, pulling me into his arms. I willingly go. I’ve been enjoying all of his touches. They feel so different since our coupling. He’s different. I can feel it. It’s probably why I’m playing this silly game right now. I must say I’m having fun while I do it.