10. Henri #2
When we stepped inside, I looked around in astonishment.
The store was pristine. There were a few garments well-spaced on racks in the front and an old wooden counter toward the back.
I could see into a second room where there was a sofa and a pedestal where I supposed men stood to have their measurements taken and their hems checked. It all seemed very Victorian.
The man who stood behind the counter rushed around to us as soon as he saw Remington.
“Mr. Theriot, we’re so happy to have you back with us.
We’ve prepared a room for you and your guest.” I was completely out of place in the establishment, but not once did the young man betray any concern about that.
He spoke to me as if I were dressed like Remington, in clothes that would belong in the store.
The entire experience was surreal. I’d seen shops like this in movies, but I wasn’t sure they really existed.
“Come have a seat,” the young man said. “I’m Claude, and I’m happy to assist you with anything you need. Would you like a beverage? We have champagne, coffee, sparkling water.”
At the stores I shopped at, I was lucky to find an employee who could answer a simple question like what the price of something was. I never imagined being offered champagne while I shopped.
Remington turned to me. “Henri, what would you like?”
“If we don’t have it here, we will bring you whatever you need. Mr. Theriot is an excellent customer, and we appreciate his business.”
“Coffee would be great. Thank you.”
“He’d like three creams and two sugars,” Remington said. I stared at him in awe.
“How did you?—”
“I pay attention.”
I looked at him, and our eyes met. There was something there, something that made my heart beat much too fast, something I had to be imagining.
It wasn’t about me. He was watchful, observant, cautious. I’d noticed it from the moment I saw him in the car. He was always checking his surroundings, probably due to whatever the nature of his business was.
“And for you, Mr. Theriot?” Claude asked.
He considered for a moment. “Champagne for me.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back with your beverages, and Max will be out in just a moment to show you some of the options we have available today.”
Remington merely nodded his acknowledgment, and the young man scurried off into a room behind the counter.
A few moments later, I was sipping my perfectly made coffee, and Max, who I assumed was Maximilian, the owner, was showing me clothes unlike anything I’d owned—suits with fabrics so soft I wouldn’t want to take them off and shirts that were silky smooth and required cufflinks.
Even before I was so deeply in debt, I only bought clothes sold at a bargain or thrifted things.
I’d never imagined having the money for garments like those Max was showing me.
Remington spoke knowledgeably with Max about fabrics and mentioned colors I’d never thought to use to describe my clothing.
“What do you like, Henri?” Remington asked. I hadn’t been sure I’d get a choice, which would have been fine. I was doing this for Remington, and he was already paying me an enormous sum plus buying these clothes. I would wear whatever he wanted me to.
“If there’s something you prefer for me—” He interrupted me before I could finish.
“These clothes are for you. I want you to enjoy wearing them.”
Why did it matter? I was just an employee. “I really like this one.” I ran my hand over the fabric of a navy suit with pale blue pinstripes.
Remington smiled. “It’s gorgeous with your coloring.” Heat filled my cheeks.
“What else do you like?” Max asked. “Or if there’s not anything here, we have more options available.”
“Oh, no. This is… There’s so much here, I…”
“Take your time, Henri,” Remington said. “Choose whatever you like, then I’ll choose a few items I want to see you in.”
I looked over everything, feeling completely overwhelmed.
“Do you need anything else while you’re deciding?” Claude asked.
“No, thank you,” I said. I would like more coffee, but it would only add to my jitters.
“Beignets,” Remington said. “We would both like some beignets.”
Max told Claude to go to Café DuMonde and bring us back several orders of beignets. The young man nodded enthusiastically and took off almost at a run.
I couldn’t believe Remington only had to ask for something and everyone jumped to give it to him. No wonder he told me he could have whatever he wanted.
I selected several more outfits, then Remington requested to see a few other options.
Claude returned with the beignets, and Remington set one on a napkin and held it out to me. Trying not to cover myself in powdered sugar, I took a bite. It was so good I barely held back a moan as I chewed it. It was so soft and flaky but also crisp, warm, and sugary, and just perfect.
When we’d made selections, I tried everything on so Max could do any necessary alterations. I was amazed how easily Remington and Max had determined my size. Most of the items needed only minimal tailoring, and some didn’t need any at all.
When everything had been whisked to the back for the alterations to be made as we waited, I had another beignet, and Claude brought me a bottle of sparkling water.
I realized Remington was watching me. “Tonight I want you to wear the suit you chose first. You look amazing in it.”
“Thank you.” I hadn’t expected Remington to compliment me so easily. He really wasn’t at all what he seemed at first.
“This dinner…”
“We’ll be eating at Commander’s Palace.”
My eyes went wide. “Really?” From what I understood, they served some of the best food in the city.
Remington smiled. “Yes, really, and it’s as good as you’ve probably heard. The man I’m consulting with, X?—”
“Wait. That’s his name? Just X?”
“He has several names for different facets of his life, but that’s what I call him.”
“Okay.” I had so many questions.
“He’s bringing his boyfriend, Emilio, who is a… computer specialist.” I got the feeling he wasn’t simply a computer guy, but something more criminal. “From what I’ve learned about him, I think you’ll get along well.”
“He’s probably so much smarter than—” Remington laid a finger over my lips.
“Don’t put yourself down. That’s a rule I expect you to follow during our time together—and afterward too.”
Again, I wondered why he cared.
Remington picked up the last beignet and held it to my lips. I took a bite, then he took one. He offered me the rest, but I shook my head. He polished it off, then kissed me, licking the powdered sugar from my lips, uncaring who might see.
It made my heart flutter. This man was dangerous in ways I hadn’t even realized when I’d first met him.
Max returned a moment later with several bags filled with all my new outfits. I could see why Remington liked this kind of shopping experience.
“Please let us know if we can do anything else for you,” Max said.
Remington nodded. “I’ll call you when I’m ready for another appointment.”
“Thank you, sir. Have an excellent day, and you also, Mr. Henri.”
“Thank you,” I said as Remington gathered all the bags in one hand, refusing to let me carry any. He took my hand with his other one and escorted me out the door.
We didn’t say much on the walk home. I took in the sights of the city as afternoon turned to evening.
When we stepped inside Remington’s house, it was cool and dim.
I thought how lovely it would be to climb in bed with him and have him take me as the last of the day’s light faded, but he’d told me I had to wait, and he seemed determined to stick to his word.
“When is your reservation?” I asked.
“A car will be here to pick us up in an hour.”
I frowned. “So there’s really not time for…”
“Are you so eager to earn your pay?”
Heat filled my face. “I just want to be sure I’m keeping you satisfied.”
“Knowing you’re anticipating what will happened later makes me very satisfied. I’m thinking about how good it will be to make you beg after I bring you home. I can tease you, toy with you, do anything to you that I want. That pleases me very much.”
“It… it does?” My voice shook. I already wanted to beg. I couldn’t believe he was paying me for his attention. I would have been willing to pay him at that moment. What would it be like after two weeks with him?
“Oh, yes, very much. Now come on. It’s time to get dressed.”
“Do you always have someone else drive you?” I asked as we climbed the stairs.
“Not always, but I only take my Ferrari out when I can be sure of its safety.”
“I guess it’s in the garage to the side of the house.”
“Of course. I’d never leave my baby out in the elements.”
I was still laughing as he sent me into the shower, saying he had some emails to answer. He took his turn after me, and when he stepped out of the bathroom, he was naked and totally unselfconscious about it as he walked across the room and opened the closet door.
He stood there, contemplating the row of suits I imagined had all come from Maximilian’s. I couldn’t take my eyes off his ass. It was so round and tight. I wanted to touch it. I wanted to drop to my knees and?—
“Are you getting ready or watching me?”
“Sorry, sir. I…”
“I’m not saying I mind. In fact, I like it, but I still expect you to be ready on time. I’m never late.”
I’d already guessed he was a man who valued his time and expected others to as well.
Reluctantly, I turned away, biting back the question I wanted to ask.
If he wanted me to get ready, why was he standing in front of me naked?
I still wasn’t sure how far I could push him.
I had a feeling I’d enjoy a spanking from Remington, but now wasn’t the time to find out.