Chapter 4 #2
She smiled, then turned and looked in the mirror again. Yes, this one would definitely do.
Back in the dressing room, she tried on a sapphire-blue dress.
It had long sleeves, and the bodice was cut low and straight across her breasts.
It reminded her of a regency gown. It flowed tightly from just under the bodice down to the waist and then gracefully to the hem.
It was a beautiful gown, but not for her.
She dutifully walked out and showed Cole.
“It’s pretty, but?—”
“But not for me.”
“Yes. I hope you don’t love it.”
“I don’t. You’re right, it’s not for me.”
“There is one more to try, right?”
“No, two. Joan brought me another black one.” Her hands were busy gripping the skirt. She made herself stop before she harmed the dress. Then she walked back to the dressing room.
The next dress Joan had brought in was off the shoulder and emerald-green.
The bodice was very fitted down to her waist, where the skirt fell to a flared hem.
It fit her like a glove and though she wasn’t buying them for a date, she could still love it.
It was covered in crystals like the red dress, but the material was soft under her fingers.
She walked out and stepped onto the platform. Then she slowly turned and examined her back and the way it fit. It was perfect.
Turning to look at Cole, she was gratified to see him with his mouth open, staring at her.
“Well, what do you think?” This one, too, was slit up to the thigh.
She knew from the previous dress that she could kick in it.
That didn’t stop her from ditching her shoes, pulling up the dress and kicking high with her left leg.
Cole’s eyes widened and then he laughed. “We’ll definitely take that one. So, the red and the green. What’s next?”
“The last one is black.”
Joan hovered just out of sight of Cole.
“Okay, I’ll go try it on.” Regan returned to the room, pulled off the green dress, and hung it with the red one.
She took the black dress from its padded hanger.
It was classy…long sleeved with a deep “V” neckline.
It was covered in crystalized lace and fitted to the waist, then flowed gradually to the full hem.
She had a bit of cleavage showing. The dress was actually quite modest. She loved the dress and three was enough for the day.
She refused to try on enough gowns to find seven.
She was already done for. She’d never been a big shopper.
This shop didn’t have price tags on the gowns.
If you had to ask about the cost, you couldn’t afford it.
It was the perfect place to bring Cole because, no matter the cost, he could afford it. He was a billionaire, after all.
Regan walked out of the dressing room.
Cole stood. He walked over to her and kissed her cheek. “I love this gown, too. It will be perfect for one gala in particular. The host is rather conservative.”
Her eyes widened. He’d kissed her. What did that mean? Was it for show for Joan? “I can’t believe I found three dresses that I like and that you like, too. What are the odds of that, I wonder?”
Cole laughed. “I can’t imagine. Shall I pay for those and we can get out of here, please?”
“Yes.” She looked over at Joan, who hovered nearby. “Joan, we’d like this black dress, the red one and the green one.”
“I’ll get them wrapped up.”
Regan returned to the dressing room and took off the black dress, but not without another look in the mirror.
“I look darn good.” Once she was back in her own clothes, she felt more normal.
It would be fun to play Cinderella for a couple of nights, but she was well aware she wouldn’t find her Prince Charming.
She joined Cole and Joan out front.
Joan was packing up the dresses.
Cole was waiting to check out.
Regan brought the black dress and handed it to Joan.
Joan took the dress and boxed it up. “You picked out some fabulous gowns. I’m sure you’ll enjoy wearing them.”
Regan smiled and adjusted her purse strap over her chest, crossbody style.
She carried her pistol for easy access, if she needed it.
“I’m sure I will, too.” The only thing she worried about was where to carry her gun.
She’d have to get an evening bag big enough.
The one she had was not elegant enough. She walked over to the evening bags.
Several were displayed on clear plastic shelves and then, under the shelves, they were stacked one behind the other in two neat rows on the cabinet.
To the left was a circle rack of panties and other lingerie.
She looked at all the evening bags and was about to give up when she remembered the one on the mannequin at the front of the store. Regan headed up there and lifted the bag from the display. Perfect. It was larger than most evening bags, but exactly what she wanted,
Cole stood back at the register with Joan.
“I’ve found everything now. My shoes will go with every dress and this bag,” she set it on the counter, “will go with every gown, as well.”
“Okay. Shall we check out? Joan, can you tally all this up, please?” Cole stared at Regan.
Her cheeks heated. She couldn’t be blushing.
She never blushed. Regan had been around some of the roughest, toughest men she’d ever met and they couldn’t make her blush, though they tried.
No way would Cole’s stare make her hot. But it did.
She was hot for him, though she knew she couldn’t cross that line.
Regan was his bodyguard, despite a few dresses.
Joan totaled the receipt. “The three gowns and the evening bag come to $79,349. 27.”
Cole handed her his black MasterCard.
Regan’s eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. Those three dresses were more than her salary for a month.
Joan ran the card, printed the receipt, and handed it to him. “Please sign at the bottom.”
He signed the paper and took his card back.
Joan handed him the final receipt. “It’s been a pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Kincaid. We also have a lovely selection of one-of-a-kind wedding gowns.”
“We don’t need a wedding gown,” hissed Regan.
Cole laughed. “No need to get riled.” He picked up the enormous bag with the three dress boxes and the purse inside. “Are you done shopping?”
“I’m beyond done. This excursion was your idea, not mine. You have no one to blame but yourself.”
“Touché. I’m ready. Let’s put these in the trunk, and then get something for lunch. Any place you’d like to go?”
“Let me think for a minute.”
Regan watched Cole place her beautiful, expensive gowns in the trunk and close it. She walked around to the passenger’s side and eased down into the car.
Once they were headed toward the street, Regan remembered a place she hadn’t been for a long time. “Do you eat regular food or just the fancy stuff?”
He kept his hands on the steering wheel, but turned his head toward her. “I don’t eat fancy stuff all the time. What do you have in mind?”
“A late lunch. Burgers from Freddy’s. We can stay in the car and it will be safer for you. Then we’ll just take them home and eat them there.”
Cole smiled. “I love Freddy’s. Where is the closest one?”
She asked Siri for the information.
“There’s one on South Clayton.”
“I know where that is.”
“Good. According to Siri, we can go south on Colorado Boulevard.”
“Sounds good.”
As they exited the parking lot, shots rang out.