“Don’t you dare.”
“Nope, you’re my arm candy, and I want you to look sweet.”
She stamped her foot and pursed her lips. My stomach jumped. I grabbed her by the waist and tugged her forward. “You’re worth it,” I said.
I grazed her lips and immediately regretted it. Because once I did, instinct took hold and I slid my tongue through her lips. Her arm wrapped around my neck. I pulled back, maybe a little too fast, because she averted her eyes.
“So, I just have one question for you,” I said.
“What is it?” she asked, smiling.
I tapped a finger to my lips. “Should I go with Mercedes today? Or—”
The smile evaporated from Maria’s face, and the words died on my lips. Her eyes went wide, and her face paled.
I tilted my head to look at her, feeling confused. “So, that’s a no on the Mercedes, I guess. Would you prefer the Camaro? Maybe the Bentley? Or are you more of a Porsche kind of girl?”
She shook her head, looking visibly relieved. “Right,” she said. “Cars. Let’s go with the Camaro.”
“Coming right up,” I said and texted my staff to bring out the car.
We hopped in and headed to the upscale shopping center on the north side of town.
“You don’t have to spend all this money on me,” she said when we pulled into the parking lot.
“What if I want to?” I asked. I couldn’t believe I said that. She looked like she was about to protest some more, but I didn’t want to hear it. I opened my door and ran around to help her out.
She let me lead her into a boutique, where she sat down with her arms folded in front of the dressing rooms.
“You don’t want to choose?” I sifted through the rack behind her.
She turned back to see what I was looking at, then turned around. “No, I’ll wear whatever you buy me.”
“Are you sure?” I pulled out a yellow fishnet dress with a bikini bottom and walked around so I could hold it up to her. She bit down on her lip, not because she was frustrated, but because I knew she was trying not to laugh.
“Only 199.”
“Only?” She stood up and looked at the tag. “Two hundred bucks for this thing?” The clerk gave us a dirty look, and we both shrank back. “I think it would look nice with that red shirt you’re wearing.”
“God, could you imagine? They’d piss themselves.”
“They’ll be wearing red, so you won’t notice.” I pulled out a ruffled red dress.
“No, too short. I’ll have to keep pulling it down.”
“What about this?” I pulled out a strapless red evening gown. “Simple, elegant.”
“Something with flair. If I’m going to do this, I want to stand out, like you.”
“You think I stand out?” I asked.
“Well, yeah. Everyone looks at you when you walk into a room. I’m sure you’ve noticed.”
“I didn’t think it was that obvious. Mostly, I see people looking at you.”
“Come on. I’m hardly a supermodel.”
“You’re beautiful.” I couldn’t help myself.