“Well, some families are different. He needs my help.” I roll my shoulders back. “And besides, so far I haven’t suffered all that much.” As soon as the words fly out, my face heats.
The right side of his mouth kicks up and he chuckles softly. “That changes tonight.”
“Tonight?” I swallow. There are a million things he can do to me or make me do. Humiliating, horrific, painful things.
“There’s a party tonight that I have to attend. It will be boring and take up most of the night. You’ll have to wear a dress.” He adds the last part like it’s the worst part of the evening. I don’t actually mind dressing up when there’s a reason for it. Though I doubt I have anything appropriate in my wardrobe for the sort of night he’s describing.
“You’re not afraid I’ll tell people why I’m with you? That you’ve traded money for me? You bought me?”
His smile widens. “The sort of people that will be at the party wouldn’t be fazed by our transaction. They might even try to buy you from me.”
I blink, then stare. I hadn’t really thought about that. If I’m truly his for the month to do with as he pleases, couldn’t he do just that?
He must understand my silence because he puts his hand on my waist and squeezes. “You’re mine, Charlotte, and I don’t share.”
Somehow his possessiveness actually gives me comfort. He’s not exactly a good man, but he’s better than some.
“Get dressed. We need to leave soon if we’re going to make the appointment.” He lets my waist go.
“Where are we going?” I follow him as he walks from the bathroom.
“You need clothes. We have an appointment at Krasivvy.”
I stop walking. It’s nearly impossible to get an appointment with a personal shopper at Krasivvy. It caters to the elite of the elite. It’s not a boutique someone like me even considers shopping at.
“How did you manage that?” More to the point, how can I get out of this because there is in no way I can afford anything there.
“I called in a favor.” He lifts a shoulder. “Now get dressed. I’ll have your breakfast warmed up for you.”
“Wait.” I hurry after him. He stops at the door. I push the towel back on my head when it starts to topple over. “I appreciate you doing that, really, I do, but I’d rather just go to a regular department store. I’m sure I can find something.” A black dress. Every girl should have one, and I regret I don’t. Obviously, he took note of my lack of wardrobe last night.
“Why?” He cocks an eyebrow.
“Because.” He knows damn well why, but I won’t give him the satisfaction of answering the question with humiliation. He just wants to embarrass me.
“Because why?” he pushes.
I drag in a long breath. “You know why.” I keep my chin high. I’m not going to let him embarrass me. I work hard for the money I have; there is nothing for me to be ashamed of. “I can’t afford anything there.”
He lifts his shoulder again. “What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’m not letting you pay for anything, Nikolai. I won’t have the debt go higher.”
He squares up with me, like I’ve just insulted him.
“You’ll do what I tell you to do, Charlotte. That was the deal. There’s no running tally here. So, get dressed, come eat your breakfast, so we can get to the boutique on time. I don’t like being late.”
Before I can argue, he’s outside the room and pulls the door shut.
A personal shopping experience at Krasivvy. Yeah, he’s really making his enemy suffer.