Kidnapping His Bride
“And get my hopes up? No way.” She stopped in the middle of the aisle and turned to study him. “I’m not trying it on.”
He continued to ignore her, going to the racks behind the mannequin display, where he found the dress hanging. He thumbed through the various sizes, pulled out what he believed could be the one she wore and held the dress up for her to see. “You are definitely trying this on. I’m dying to see what it looks like on you.”
She slowly approached him, casting her gaze about the area, no doubt making sure no one was watching them, which they weren’t. The entire store was fairly quiet. “I won’t let you spend that kind of money on me, Rafe. Especially for a dress like that.”
“That’s my decision to make. Now, let’s find you a dressing room.” He grabbed hold of her arm and started to lead her deeper into the women’s department, noticing the sign on the wall that stated the dressing room area was located in the far right corner.
“Are you sure?” She chewed her lip nervously as they walked through the endless racks of clothes toward the back.
“I’m positive. Honestly? I’m dying to see you in this. And if it fits and you love it, then we’re getting it. And we’ll need to find you shoes to go with it.” Stiletto heels preferably, something that would make those sexy legs look infinitely long.
“You’re making my head spin,” she warned.
“Is that a bad thing?” he teased.
“Absolutely.” She paused. “A girl could get used to this sort of treatment.”
He hauled her in close, his mouth right at her ear. “The girl of which you speak could have this sort of treatment every day for the rest of her life if she so chose.”
“Rafe…” Her voice trailed off, and he wanted to kick himself.
Cat made him push. Made him want. It was an unusual position for him to be in, considering he’d never felt like this before.
For once in his life, he needed to learn how to back off. She needed to come around on her own terms.
Letting the subject drop, he urged her into the dressing room with only the one dress to try on, knowing instinctively it was the only choice. She took forever, testing his patience, causing him to pace back and forth in front of the entrance until finally, finally she came out to show him how she looked in the dress.
And nearly stole his breath away when he first set eyes on her.
“It’s too short, isn’t it?” She fidgeted with the hem, trying her best to yank it down so the skirt would cover most of her slender thighs, but it didn’t work. The dress most assuredly rested at her upper thigh, showing off a long, sexy expanse of leg.
He let his gaze trail along those shapely legs, then up farther. Over her hips, the dip of her waist, the gentle curve of her breasts. “It’s not too short,” he finally said.
She rolled her eyes. “Liar. I feel like if I make one wrong move you’ll see my panties.”
The idea of her making one wrong move vastly appealed but he kept that thought to himself. “The dress looks amazing on you.”
“You really think so? It doesn’t make me look all pasty white?”
Her skin wasn’t as dark as his, but it had a beautiful golden hue, smooth and tempting. His fingers literally itched to touch her. “It’s gorgeous. You’re gorgeous. We’re getting it.”
“But…”
“No protests. I’m buying it for you.” He sounded like a bossy ass, reminding him of that horrible bitchy sister of hers, but this was for a good cause.
“Rafe.”
He met her gaze, surprised at the sweetly quiet tone of her voice. She approached him slowly, ignoring the salesperson who spied on them from where she stood, gathering the clothes left behind by previous customers. Their audience of one watched unabashedly as Cat went to him, rested her hands on his chest and leaned up on tiptoe to press a sweet kiss to his lips.