Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
“What about this one?” Alex stepped out of the dressing room so Colt could give her his opinion.
If someone had told her a week ago that she’d be dress shopping in Beverly Hills with Coulter Morgan, of all people, she would have laughed in their face. Yet here she was, in the most upscale boutique she’d ever stepped foot in, trying on dresses that cost double her monthly rent.
“It’s okay.” Colt had barely looked up from his phone to assess her appearance. “Better than the last one, but I think you should try on a few more, just to be sure. Maybe something with a little bling.”
She snorted. “Did you seriously just say ‘bling’?”
From the fancy, high-back chair where he’d been waiting patiently, he suggested, “Try that one Margo brought to you with the last bunch. The one with the shiny belt.”
Margo was Alex’s personal shopper. All customers of the fancy boutique got one to aid in their search. Well the ones with enough money to actually buy something, that is.
Speaking of which, Alex recalled the dollar amount on the tag of the dress with the belt. “That one is even more expensive than this one.”
“So?”
“So that’s a lot of money Co—” She caught herself, clearing her throat before mistakenly using his actual name. “That’s a lot of money, Cole, and it’s literally for one dinner.”
“One dinner with the richest, most influential art dealer in the world,” he reminded her in a very nonchalant way.
Her gaze held his blue stare long enough to understand the man’s vague point. Gordan was the best in the business. As such, he expected the best from those in his circle. Especially if they were to be seen together in public.
Lucky me.
“Fine. I’ll try on the other one.” Alex spun on the balls of her bare feet.
With a sigh, she pulled the privacy curtain closed to shield herself as she got undressed. After hanging up the “okay” dress, she grabbed the other one from a nearby hook.
Alex unzipped the back and stepped into the opening before shimmying it up over her thighs. It was longer and tighter than the one before it. It was also strapless, though modest in its design.
She secured the thin, rhinestone belt, and much to her own surprise, Alex found herself smiling.
He was right.
She studied her reflection in the dressing room’s long mirror. Colt’s opinion about this dress compared to the previous one was spot on.
Alex turned to one side and then the other, checking out every angle of the black, shin-length dress. It was simple, yet elegant. And as Colt had suggested, the belt added a perfect amount of subtle shimmer.
“Okay, Cole.” She remembered the right name that time. “As much as it pains me to say it, I think that you were—”
Alex stopped mid-thought when she stepped out of the dressing room to find Colt talking on his phone. His voice was low so, even from a few feet away, she couldn’t hear what he was saying.
He stopped talking long enough to flash a smile her way, accompanied by a quick thumbs-up.
“I appreciate that,” he told whoever was on the phone. “But ours isn’t exactly the type of conversation to be had in the presence of others.”
She started to ask who he was speaking to, but Colt brought an index finger to his lips and shook his head. With a slight huff, Alex turned and started walking back toward the dressing room as Margo reappeared at her side.
“You really want to get his attention?” The pretty redhead’s green eyes sparkled with her confidence as she held out a sparkly red dress for her to try.
“Go with this one.” She shot Alex a knowing smirk.
“If he doesn’t fall at your feet the second he sees you in this, then trust me, honey. He’s not the man for you.”
Alex looked Colt’s way, but he was too enthralled in his phone conversation to pay either of them any attention. Pretending as if this didn’t bother her in the least, she gave Margo a friendly smile and took garment from her hands before disappearing behind the curtain once more.
The smile vanished the instant she was alone.
“This is ridiculous,” she muttered beneath her breath as she hung the dress onto the nearest hook.
With no right to be as frustrated as she felt, Alex removed the belted dress from her body. She haphazardly returned it to its hanger before reaching for the one Margo had suggested.
This was stupid. It didn’t matter what Colt thought, and at this point, she honestly didn’t care what Gordan thought, either.
It was one dinner, and after that, she had zero desire to ever see the disgusting man again.
As for Colt, Alex wasn’t sure what it would be like between them once she went back home.
Just pick one already so you can be done with this madness.
She shimmied her way into the dress with a sigh. No longer caring what she looked like for Gordan—or anyone else—she fully expected to consider the dress “nice enough” and be on her merry way.
But the second she caught her reflection in the mirror, Alex’s breath caught and her body froze.
Wow.
The dress was short, tight, and fit her curves like a dream.
It was haltered, held in place by a red tie at the nape of her neck as the material draped low in the front.
The shallow valley of her cleavage was right there, on full display, but the shimmering material gathered in such a way her breasts were fully covered.
Alex turned in a slow circle, glancing in the mirror from over her shoulder. She smiled when she noticed the way her entire back was left exposed.
Okay, Margo. Points for you.
She ran her palms down over her hips, fully facing her image once more. Unlike the other dresses she’d tried on, this one stopped just shy of passing the old-school fingertips test. But her backside was fully protected—as long as she didn’t bend over.
If he doesn’t fall to his knees when he sees you in this . . .
Alex started to reach for the curtain. She stopped just shy of pulling the thick material back, reconsidering her original thought of checking for Colt’s approval.
She didn’t need it, nor did she need the man’s permission. It wasn’t even his personal money picking up the tab, it was Cole Morris’ via the United States government.
A few short minutes later, the dress was returned to the hanger with care and Alex was back in the comfort of her jeans and loose-fitting shirt.
Checking to ensure the hem of her shirt was tucked in just so, she secured the gold buckle of her black leather belt before taking a seat on the tiny round bench in the corner.
When she was finished putting on her socks and black boots, she stood and peeked through the curtain. Alex was relieved when she spotted Colt standing with his back to her from a few feet away. From what she could tell, he was still on his phone.
“Well?” An awaiting Margo sent her an expectant grin.
“You were right.” She handed the other woman the dress. “I’ll take it and those nude heels I tried on earlier. But try not to let him see it, if you can.” Alex sent an oblivious Colt a sideways glance. “I want to surprise him.”
“Of course, Miss Webb. I’ll put the dress in a garment bag to keep it hidden.” A wide, knowing grin spread across Margo’s pretty face as she added, “You’ve made an excellent choice.”
“Thank you.”
Her personal shopper nodded before disappearing to ring up the sale. Luckily it wasn’t until she was behind the counter and the dress was secured within a black, zippered bag that Colt ended the phone call and turned back her way.
“Sorry.” He walked toward her with a guarded expression. “Find one you like?”
“Actually I did. And you were right about the bling.”
“Yeah?”
Alex motioned to where Margo was quietly waiting. “I think all that’s left is for you to pay the woman.”
“Of course.”
Together they made their way to the counter. When the transaction was complete, Margo handed Alex the garment bag and sack containing her shoes while Colt got the receipt.
“Thanks so much, Mr. Morris.” The other woman used the name on the credit card he’d used. To Alex, she said, “Enjoy the dress.”
“I appreciate all your help, Margo.” Alex smiled. “I hope you have a lovely rest of your day.”
“You, as well.”
With a wave of his hand, Colt bid her farewell before taking the lead to guide them out the door. Once outside, he turned and looked Alex’s way. “You hungry?”
Her stomach growled on cue.
“Starving, actually.” She chuckled.
The smile that spread across Colt’s handsome face sent her heart into a spin she tried to ignore.
“I hear there’s a delicious Mexican steakhouse inside a shopping center two blocks that way.” He pointed down the sidewalk to her left. “You good with that, or is there someplace else you’d rather go?”
“Mexican’s my favorite.” Alex maneuvered the bags in her hands to reach for the sunglasses tucked inside her purse.
“Perfect. And here . . .” Colt took the hidden dress and shoes from her and started for his flashy car. “These should be safe in the car while we eat.”
She glanced around and decided he was right. This probably wasn’t the kind of area common thieves frequented. Too much wealth and power in the air to risk getting caught. Not to mention the cameras mounted on every corner, as well as the storefront beside them.
“Ready?” He rejoined her on the sidewalk with a grin.
“This is your show.” Alex motioned for him to go first. “I’m just along for the ride.”
The pair walked side-by-side down the famous stretch as if it they were out for a mid-day stroll. There wasn’t much talking, as Alex was too busy taking in the impressive scenery. Haters may hate, but Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills was truly a stunning sight to behold.
Between the palm trees, architecture, and vibrant colors and styles they passed along the way, her artist’s eye could barely take it all in. When they reached an area known as the Rodeo Collection, located on the 400 block of Rodeo Drive, Colt led them into the courtyard-style complex.
“Wow.” Alex looked around in awe as she soaked in the names of the gorgeous mall’s luxury stores.