Rush (Breathless #1)(39)

It took everything she had not to let her panic show. Talk about jumping straight from the frying pan and into the fire!

“What time? And what should I wear?”

“What do you have? And I don’t mean that scrap of a dress you wore to the grand opening,” he said with a scowl. “I’d prefer something that covered more of you. I’ll be wearing a suit.”

She frowned, mentally going over her wardrobe. It wasn’t as though Jace wouldn’t have bought anything she wanted, but other than the apartment he’d purchased for her, she’d tried very hard not to run to him with frivolous things. Her wardrobe was modest at best, and the dress she’d worn to the grand opening was the only thing suitable for a more formal occasion.

Gabe checked his watch and then leveled another stare in Mia’s direction. “If we leave now, we have time to go buy you something appropriate.”

She shook her head. “That’s not necessary, Gabe. I’m just thinking over what I have that’s suitable for a party like this.”

He rose, ignoring her objection. “That’s part of the deal, Mia. You’re mine. I provide generously for what belongs to me. You’ll need more than just one new dress, but that’s all we have time for today. Perhaps the saleslady can ascertain your tastes, decide what looks good on you and gather other aspects of your wardrobe for us to pick up at a later date.”

She blinked in surprise and when she continued to sit there, Gabe shifted impatiently and gave her a look that told her in no uncertain terms to get moving.

She grabbed her bag, straightened her skirt and hurried toward him, her knees still shaking from their earlier explosive f**k on the desk. And that was only the first day! She couldn’t begin to imagine that if he were being patient and moving slowly what the future would bring.

Chapter fourteen

Watching Gabe manage the saleslady was a bewildering experience for Mia. He cut through the selections with amazing precision, quickly vetoing the ones he didn’t like while immediately picking up on the ones he did.

She’d honestly never been on a shopping trip for herself where she didn’t make any of the choices. It was weird, but fascinating all at the same time.

It was obvious that Gabe had a definite eye for what flattered a woman. It was also obvious that he had no desire for her to wear anything remotely revealing. Sexy, yes. He’d picked out several selections that looked to die for and she could hardly wait to try them on. But there was nothing comparable to the dress she’d worn to the grand opening.

And when she did finally try on the dress he’d selected for her to wear tonight, she nearly fainted at the price tag. It was obscene. She tried to block it out as she surveyed her reflection in the mirror, but it was as if there were a neon sign blaring the price on the tag.

Still, she had to hand it to Gabe. The dress fit her like a dream and complemented her body and coloring. It was a red sheath that molded to her hips and then hugged her legs to just a few inches above her knees. It was sleeveless, but the bodice wasn’t low cut, and while it bared her arms, it bared nothing of her front or back.

She never wore red. Maybe she considered it too…brazen. In your face. But the color looked fabulous on her. She looked like a sexy siren without baring her cle**age, though the material hugged her chest and clearly outlined the rounded mounds.

She looked…sophisticated. It was a look she liked. It made her feel like she belonged in Gabe’s world.

“Mia, I’d like to see it.”

Gabe’s impatient voice filtered into the dressing room. She was surprised he hadn’t just stripped her down in the retail area. The saleslady had closed the boutique for Gabe’s visit and Mia and Gabe were the only two customers inside the store. For what Gabe was shelling out, it didn’t surprise Mia that the woman was only too eager to comply with his wishes.

She opened the dressing room door and hesitantly slipped out. Gabe was sitting in one of the comfortable chairs in front of her room and his eyes blazed with immediate appreciation when his gaze settled on her.

“It’s perfect,” he said. “You’ll wear that tonight.”

He turned and motioned for the saleslady, who hurried over.

“Find her shoes to match this dress. You can put together the rest of the items we decided on along with any others you think will suit her and have them delivered to my home.”

The woman beamed. “Yes, sir.” Then she glanced at Mia’s feet. “What size are you, Miss Crestwell?”

“Six,” Mia murmured.

“I think I have the perfect pair of heels. I’ll go get them now.”

A moment later, the saleslady returned with a pair of silver heels that looked to be about five inches high. Before Mia could tell her there was no way in hell she could walk in those, Gabe frowned.

“She’ll kill herself in those. Find something a little more reasonable.”

Undaunted, the saleslady hurried away again and returned shortly with a pair of sleek, sexy black heels that at least didn’t look as though they were held up by toothpicks.

“Those are perfect,” Gabe said.

He glanced at his watch, and Mia could see he was ready to be done. Without a word, she ducked back into the dressing room and slipped out of the dress, careful not to wrinkle it. After she put her clothes back on, she handed the dress out to the saleswoman to wrap along with the shoes.