Chapter Twenty-Four
Remy
“This is not what I expected,” she murmurs.
“What?” I ask, looking around the shop.
“When you said shopping, I was expecting a mall.” She turns around to face me.
“A mall?” I cringe. “I wouldn’t take you there.”
“Why?” She laughs.
“To many people,” I mumble, and glance up. The woman who owns the business comes toward us.
“Mr. King?” she asks.
“Yes.” She holds out her hand, and I grit my teeth as I grasp it briefly. I don’t like touching anyone but Haven.
“I have the racks placed by the large dressing room. I have your card on file. Whatever you take, I’ll charge.” I nod. “Have fun.” She smiles at Haven and then walks to the door. “The door will be locked. Let me know when you're done.”
“Thank you.” I wait until she’s gone. “Ready?” I look at Haven.
“Uh…” She looks at the door and then back at me. “She’s leaving us in the store alone.”
“Yes.” I frown.
“Does she know you?” she asks.
“No. She knows Heath. She likes the money she's going to make.”
Her eyes widen. “This is too much,” she says.
“I don’t think so.”
“One dress.” She holds up a finger. “You said I was getting one dress.”
“No. I believe I said we needed to get a dress for dinner. I said nothing about not getting more clothes.” I grin.
“Remy, you don’t have to buy me things.”
“I want to. You’re doing me a favor.”
“How?” she laughs.
“I’ve been saving money for years. My business is good. I share all the expenses with my brothers, so we have extra. Heath pays them well.” She shakes her head. “Plus, I get a front row seat while you model clothes.”
“Shit,” she breathes.
“Let's get started.” I hold out my hand, and she stares at me before taking it.
“You can choose anything here, but I asked her to make some selections.” I pull her across the space to the four racks of clothes in the back corner.
“Pick a dress for tonight, and whatever else you like.” I let her go and point to the dressing room. “You can change there.”
“This is…” She nibbles on her finger, staring at the line of dresses.
“Haven,” I call softly, and wait for her to meet my eyes. I pull her hand away from her mouth. “This pleases me to do this for you. It’s not a hardship to spend money on you. This is my way of taking care of you.”
“I have money,” she says.
“I know. That’s not the point.” I trail my fingers under her jaw. “I like the idea of you wearing what I provided for you. It’s a gift more for me than you.”
“Remy.” She grabs my wrist.
“And I’ll be sending pictures to my brothers to fuck with them,” I smirk, and she laughs. “Will you let me spoil you?”
“Oh, alright,” she sighs.
“I appreciate the sacrifice,” I tease, and kiss her briefly. “I’m ready for the show, mate.” She rolls her eyes and pulls away. I slap her ass as she turns.
“Hey,” she cries, rubbing her cheek.
“Don’t roll your eyes at your mate,” I say.
“Yes, Sir.” She glares.
“That’s better,” I drawl, and her breath catches.
I leave her thinking about my words and walk to the chair facing the dressing rooms. She glances over her shoulder at me several times as she looks through the fabric.
I pull out my phone, focusing on the screen, hoping she will relax enough to pick something.
Navigating to my email, I get lost in sorting through them and replying to the necessary ones.
Owning a business isn’t easy. Dealing with all the employees, the drama of humans, and the paperwork is a pain in the ass.
I’m thinking about firing my current manager; he’s not doing his job.
I hired him to take some of the burden from my hands.
I’ve warned him numerous times, and I’m done.
A couple of the waitresses have alluded to his bad behavior, flirting with them inappropriately.
I’ve spoken with the woman who oversees human resources, and we are getting everything in place to fire him.
There is a waitress who has worked her ass off and is the lead of the waitstaff.
She deserves to move up. She takes care of her family and goes to school. I like rewarding loyalty and hard work.
I feel the air move as Haven returns, and I glance up.
“I think it’s too short,” she says, twirling. The deep red fabric floats around her ass.
“Shit,” I rumble, adjusting myself. “Do you like it?”
“I don’t know.”
“If you like it, get it.”
“Don’t you think there should be more length?”
“You know your body. I don’t care if it’s short. No one will fuck with you.” We would tear anyone apart who said anything to her. They can look as long as it’s not long. I know who she’s going home with.
“I’m saying no. I’ll be pulling at the hem all night, uncomfortable.”
“Next one.” She turns to leave. “Wait.” I hold up my phone and take a picture mid-twirl.
“You were serious,” she laughs.
“Yes.”
“Goof,” she mumbles, shaking her head.
She disappears with another dress, and I send the picture to my brothers. I don’t have to wait long for a response.
Lawson
Hunter
Bane
I don’t bother to respond. My phone rings as I return to my email. I frown and answer.
“Mr. King?” It's Laney, my lead waitress.
“Yes. What’s happening?”
“Janny called out sick. I called in Heather. She was grateful for the extra hours.”
“Thank you.” Heather is saving money to go to college. “What else?”
“Well…”
“Laney, we talked about this. Honesty at all times.”
“He’s been flirting with a customer for hours. I think the table is a bunch of his friends.”
“I’ll take care of it. If he crosses the line with any of you, let me know immediately. I’ll be there in a couple of hours.”
“I have the backroom ready for you.”
“Thanks, Laney.” Haven appears in a long, tight green dress. “I have to go. I’m sending someone now. It will be Bensen. He’s going to sit at the bar and make sure nothing happens.”
“Thank you,” she sighs, and I hang up.
“Is everything alright?” Haven asks.
“Nothing you need to worry about,” I mumble.
“I like this one better, but I don’t think it’s the one,” she says, smoothing her palm down the front.
“It’s beautiful,” I say, and she smiles.
“It’s a maybe.” She turns around, and I groan.
Maybe this wasn’t a great idea. I’m hard as fuck. I have to shake it off and call Bensen.
“Boss,” he answers.
“I need you at the restaurant.”
“Who am I watching?”
“The manager until I get there and can fire him.”
“Got it. He’s a dick.”
“Yeah.” Bensen works security for me when I need him. We rent out the restaurant for private parties, and we’ve had issues. “I told Laney you were coming. Watch out for her.”
“Sure.”
“I’ll see you soon.” I end the call and try not to break the phone.
“I think this is the one,” she announces. I sit forward, my phone in my hands between my knees, and growl low. “You don’t like it?”
“Like isn’t the word I would use,” I rasp. The dress is made of silky black fabric that hugs every subtle curve. It’s draped over her breasts, and two thin straps hold the fabric up. Her toned leg flashes through the long slit. “It’s perfect.” I stand and walk closer.
“I love it,” she says, turning toward the mirror. I tilt my head. Her back is bare. The skirt of the dress is tight around her hips.
“You’re stunning,” I rumble, dragging my finger down her spine. She shivers and leans into my touch. I wrap her hair lightly in my fist. “You need shoes.” I press against her back and kiss her shoulder.
“I didn’t see any,” she whispers.
“Don’t move,” I order and step away. I made sure there were several pairs that would go with any dress she chose. Leaning down, I pick up a red pair placed against the wall behind the racks, and dangle them from my fingers. “Put these on.” I stop next to her, and she takes them.
“They're so pretty.” She grins and starts to walk away.
“No.” I grab her elbow. “You can slip them on. Hold on to me.” She doesn’t question me. I release her arm, and she wraps her fingers around my bicep. Lifting her foot, she slips on one shoe and then the other. “Look.” Gripping her hips, I turn her to face the mirror.
“Are you going to take a picture?” she asks.
“Not this time. They can be surprised.” I press close again.
“We look good together,” she says.
“We certainly do,” I say, sliding my hand across her waist. My black suit and burgundy shirt match well.
“I want you to take it off.” She meets my gaze in the mirror.
“I don’t want to wrinkle it.” She holds my eyes and reaches for the zipper on the side.
I step back, removing my arm. I love that she doesn’t question my demands, and I smell her interest. The dressing area can’t be seen from the windows.
I made sure the cameras were shut off. The owner knows if she didn’t, she wouldn’t be in business anymore.
“What is your word?” I ask as she slides the fabric down her legs.
“Ballet.” She steps out of the dress and gathers the fabric in her hands.
“Face the mirror,” I say softly, taking the dress and draping it over my arm. I wait until she turns, then walk to the rack and hang it up. She's wearing a matching blue lace bra and panties. “Is this what you usually wear?” I circle her, tracing the edge of the lace across her stomach.
“No.” She smiles. “I wanted to be prepared.”
“Prepared for me?” I ask, stopping behind her.
“I thought you would like it,” she whispers.
“I love it,” I hum, sweeping my gaze over her. “Did you want me to fuck you?”
“Yes,” she says.
“We have some time before we meet at the restaurant.” I slowly continue to circle her.
“We're having an early dinner, so we aren’t there during the busy hours. My brothers are dressing up for you. We wanted to take you on a date. I want to show you my business and feed you.” I pause in front of her.
“That’s so sweet,” she says.
“It may be, but the things I want to do to you are not,” I rumble.
“I like that just as much.”
“Mmm…” I circle her throat. “I hope so.”
“Try me.” She pushes into my hand, lifting her chin, and I smile.