Kissing Her

“Five hundred dollars?” I gasp, looking back to Ragnar.

“Do you want me to give her more, sweet little Bee?” He glances over at me. “I don’t think she deserves it but—” He shrugs.

“No, that’s more than enough,” I say quickly.

How does someone give out five hundred dollars as though it’s nothing? Then I remember his house and realize that maybe that much money is nothing to him.

When we pull up to the mall, Melina is out of the car before we even come to a full stop.

“Is she always this rude to you?”

I let out a small sigh. “She’s just—”

“You don’t have to defend her to me.” Why do I always do that? It’s clear she’s never going to do the same for me. “Stay put. I’ll come around,” he says and gets out of the car.

I drop my hand from the car handle because I’m used to doing what I’m told. With Ragnar, though, I get this small flutter of excitement at pleasing him. It spreads through my whole body when he sees I’m doing what he told me and he smiles with pride.

When he gets out he pulls out his wallet in front of Melina. I try to listen to whatever they’re saying, but I can’t hear anything. After he hands over the cash she stomps off toward the mall entrance and I wonder what he said to her. I’m sure I’ll find out soon enough. We haven’t started our time together and I’m already dreading going home.

Ragnar comes around and opens my car door and holds out his hand for me to take. “Come on, sweet Bee. I’m going to buy you something new to wear.”

His comment feels like ice water being thrown on me and I try to jerk my hand away from his. He doesn’t let me as his grip locks around mine. He pulls me into his body so I’m flush against him and suddenly the ice is replaced with fire.

“I don’t care what you wear, Bee, because I’d just as soon have you naked.” His other hand goes to my waist and I feel his big hand grip me there. “But if you must wear clothes while we’re out, it will be whatever you choose. Not whatever is left over in a bin or handed down from your bitch of a sister.”

He called her a bitch. I should stand up for her, but I smile instead because she really is. It’s nice to hear someone else see her for what she really is and for me to stop making excuses about her horrible behavior.

“You want to watch me shop?” I ask, and I wonder if he wants to see me naked. What will happen if he sees me undress? I’m a little bigger all over than my sister. She’s tall and lean and I’m her opposite in every way. Sometimes people don’t believe we’re related and I can’t even deny wondering that myself sometimes.

“I’d watch you do anything, but I’m going to enjoy seeing you try on clothes.”

My body burns as he takes my hand and leads me into the mall. I’m nervous and excited all at once, but I can’t imagine he’ll actually come in the dressing room with me. Right? I thought he meant he’d just help me pick things out, but I guess Ragnar has other ideas.

Chapter Eight

Ragnar

I hold Bee’s soft hand in mine as we walk through the doors and to the left. The reason I chose this mall is there’s a Neiman Marcus here and I have a personal shopper on call today in case Bee was okay with coming here.

When we get to the store she tries to look at a few racks of clothes, but I point to where we’re going and we take the private elevator up. At the end of the hall is a small waiting room with plush furniture and a receptionist is there to greet us.

I feel Bee tug on my hand as we’re led to the showroom. When I look at her I see her eyes are wide and she’s struggling to take it all in.

“I don’t think I can afford this type of place,” she whispers, and I lean down a little and speak softly.

“You don’t have to worry about a thing.” I place a finger over her lips when she opens her mouth to protest. “Answer one question for me and then you can decide if we stay or leave.”

She cocks her head to the side but then nods.

“Have you ever been spoiled?”

“What do you mean?” she hedges.

“In any part of your life, Bee. Has anyone in your family ever taken you shopping and given you free rein? Or have you ever had a birthday where all you wished for happened?” I touch her chin to get her to look at me because her eyes have drifted to the floor. “Have you ever been loved so thoroughly that you went to sleep at night without a worry in the world?”