“And it’s all about what you like? Maybe I like it.” She saunters up to me, putting more sway to her hips, like Alina had earlier. She gives me a sultry look, one I’m sure she’s perfected in the mirror while growing up.
“Are you trying to tease me?” I ask, only half amused by it.
“I’m just saying. In this dress, maybe I could work off the debt even faster.” Her smile falls from her mouth as soon as the words do. A blush blossoms on her cheeks. “I was just… it was a bad joke.” She cuts the air with her hand and rushes back to the dressing room.
She doesn’t say anything else as she tries on the dresses. Each time she comes out though, she does a little twirl, throws a smile at me, then waits for me to nod or shake my head. All in all, I buy her seven new dresses and shoes to match. Alina brings out a tray of handbags and Charlotte shakes her head.
“I don’t need new purses. What I have is fine,” she insists, even after Alina looks down at the simple black bag hanging from Charlotte’s shoulder and makes a face. “It will do.”
“Get at least one for the party tonight,” I tell her as I get up from my chair.
She sighs. Spending my money is hard for her. This is a first for me.
“Fine. This silver one. It should go with pretty much everything you just bought.” She picks up the clutch and hands it over to Alina’s assistant who’s been helping keep track of the order.
“Good.” I dig out my wallet and hand over my credit card to Alina. “Have it all delivered this afternoon.”
She nods. “Of course, Nikolai.” She hurries off to do some damage to my credit.
“It really is too much. I don’t need so many. I can re-wear a few if you really need me to get dolled up.” She pulls her phone from her purse again and checks it.
“Who are you waiting for?” I ask, giving a pointed look at the phone cradled in her hands.
She blushes then shoves it back in her purse. “No one. It’s just usually I’m at the store on Saturdays. I just want to be sure everything going all right.”
“It’s sandwiches, Charlotte. I think your staff can handle it,” I say, but it comes out condescending, with an asshole twist. Anger flashes in her eyes, but she masks it just as quickly.
“Here you go.” Alina is back with my card and a receipt dangling from her fingers. “I added a gratuity for you.” How nice of her to give herself a tip.
“Of course.” I put the plastic away.
“Will I see you tonight then?” Alina asks, stepping closer to me.
“Yes, we’ll be there.” I reach my hand out and Charlotte slips her slender fingers through mine.
“Oh, good.” Alina has to step to the side so Charlotte doesn’t bump into her. “Then I’ll see you tonight.” She wiggles her fingers at us. “I’ll be sure everything arrives in time.”
I stop halfway through the store, catching the little tilt to her tone when she says it.
“I’m sure you will.” I give her a glare that should convey how upset I will be if she fucks around with this order.
She blanches slightly, before pushing on another bright smile.
I tighten my grip around Charlotte’s hand and pull her from the store.
“Are you hungry?” I ask when we step outside. The sun is bright, so I slip on my sunglasses. She digs through her purse and grabs a pair for herself as well.
“I guess I could eat. I think I saw a karaoke bar around the corner when we pulled up.” She smiles at me. She’s teasing me again. It’s a good look on her, this smile. For a moment, there’s a lightness to her. But it passes quickly, and she looks away, her smile fading as Viktor pulls the SUV up to the curb in front of us.
“Not much of a karaoke guy,” I say as I pull open the back door. “Tell Viktor what you’d like for lunch, and he’ll get it for you on the way home.”
She climbs in and looks back at me. “You’re not coming with?”
I shake my head. “I have a meeting.”
“Then I’ll just go help at the deli for the afternoon,” she says, pulling her phone from her purse.
“No, you won’t.” I don’t take her phone away, but I want to. What I really want is to break the fucking thing into a million pieces and have her tied to the bed so she can get some decent rest. Until I get home, then she won’t rest at all.