“Get up,” I said.
“Go away.” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“This little defiance act is going to get annoying,” I said. “Get your ass up and come downstairs.”
“You’re going to have to make me,” she said.
“I will,” I said, stepping into the room. “And you know I will. But I thought about what you said last night, and I want things to be different between us. So get your ass up and come see what I got for you. Then we can talk a little.”
I turned away and walked to the door. She didn’t say anything, but when I turned back and looked at her, she tilted her head and gave me a strange, appraising look.
I smiled to myself and left her there with the door open. I headed back downstairs just as Dino and Theresa ran to the front door. I shook my head as Theresa grinned at me and winked, then shut the door behind her.
I stared at the clothes they’d spread out on the couch, on the coffee table, on the kitchen table. They’d grouped it by size from what I could tell, although I didn’t look too closely. It was a lot of shit, at least nineteen thousand dollars worth of it, but probably more considering the small stack Dino gave me in change.
There was a noise at the top of the steps and I turned as Colleen came down. I thought she might fight me harder, but I was relieved I didn’t have to go up there and drag her down. As much as I like a good fight, this will all be better if she just listens and plays along a little bit.
I didn’t want her here as much as she didn’t want to be here. I knew she didn’t realize that, and probably wouldn’t believe me if I said it, but things would be a lot easier for us both if she just went home.
But I knew I couldn’t do that. She was still in danger and way too enmeshed in what was going on for me to just cut her loose.
She came down the steps wearing black gym shorts and a big white t-shirt. She stopped and stared at the clothes spread out all over my house, and I gestured at them.
“You wanted some clothes,” I said. “And now, you got some.”
“Holy shit,” she said. “Steven.”
“It’s everything you’d need. I think there are a few sizes here to pick from.”
She came down and started to sift through the stuff. “It’s all designer,” she said.
“Nothing but the best.” I smiled a little at her reaction. “You like it?”
“This stuff is way nicer than I ever had,” she said. “You could’ve just gone to Target.”
I laughed and shook my head. “No, I wouldn’t do that,” I said. “Go ahead and look through it, pick the stuff you want. If you need different sizes, we can get you different sizes. But at least the underwear should be good.”
She went through the stuff and I left her to it for a little while. I made some coffee then leaned against the counter and watched her. She picked up a shirt, made a little surprised noise, dropped it like it was on fire.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“That shirt cost five hundred dollars.”
I frowned and tilted my head. “Is that a lot?”
“Are you joking?”
I grinned at her. “Of course I am. But like I said, you’re getting nothing but the best.”
“Why did you do all this?” he asked. “This must’ve cost a small fortune.”
I waved that away. “Not as much as you’d think,” I said. “And I’ve been thinking about your little tantrum last night.”
She glared at me. God, the girl had a temper.
“That wasn’t a tantrum,” she said.
“Right, whatever.”
I sipped my coffee then walked over and picked up a pair of black lacy panties. I held them up and looked at her for a second, picturing her wearing nothing else, and she continued to glare at me but her cheeks turned red.
I let the panties drop back down on the table.
“Well, are you going to tell me what all this is?”
“It’s a reward,” I said. “Like watching TV last night was a reward. The thing is, my little Colleen, I want to treat you good. I want you to understand how good things can be if you just play along.”
“I already told you,” she said, her voice a dangerous growl. “I’m not a dog you can bribe into good behavior.”
“No,” I said. “But you are a person and people want comforts. I can provide you with comforts, luxuries, much more. Whatever you want, really. I can spoil you, Colleen.”
Her eyes drifted to the expensive clothes. There were beautiful dresses, tops, jeans, shorts, slacks, bras and panties, and even a few lingerie sets mixed in there. I smiled a little bit and appreciated Dino’s girl for a second.