Vulnerable: (McIntyre Security Bodyguard Series - Book 1) (24 page)

“No,
you’re
beautiful,” Sylvia said, a very satisfied smile on her face. “The color goes perfectly with your complexion and hair, and the blue really makes your eyes pop. It’s perfect.”

Beth studied her reflection, stunned by the transformation. She barely recognized herself in the simple baby-doll style dress, sleeveless, with a modest, square neckline. With a high Empire waist, the dress hugged her breasts and hung halfway to her knees in loose, flowing layers of chiffon and silk.

Sylvia pulled Beth’s hair up into a loose knot on top of her head and secured it with a pale blue ribbon. “You’re going to turn every male head in the room,” Sylvia said. “Your husband-to-be will have his work cut out for him, just trying to keep them all at bay.”

“Sylvia, he’s not my husband-to-be,” Beth said. “I told you. We hardly know each other.”

“Fine,” Sylvia said. “But when you find yourself with a freakishly huge diamond on your finger, come see me, and then we’ll see who was right.”

Beth smiled. “I do love the dress,” she said, fingering the silky material. “I think this is the one.” She searched for the price tag and found it pinned to the right side seam beneath her arm: $2900. “Oh, my god,” she said. “It’s nearly three thousand dollars!”

“Yes,” Sylvia said.

“I can’t – ” She was speechless. She couldn’t imagine spending three thousand dollars on a dress. A used car maybe, but not a dress! “I’m sorry, but it’s too much. Don’t you have something less expensive? A
lot
less expensive? Do you have a clearance rack?”

Sylvia laid her hand on Beth’s shoulder. “Honey, don’t worry about the price. Shane’s paying for it.”

“I wanted to pay for it myself,” Beth said. “I can’t let Shane spend that much money on me.”

Sylvia laughed. “You’re kidding, right? Are you aware that Shane donates ten million dollars every year to the Children’s Hospital fundraiser? Trust me, I don’t think he’s going to blink at spending three thousand dollars on a dress. He probably loses that much in his sofa cushions each week.”

“He donates ten million dollars?” Beth said, suddenly feeling sick.

“Every year.”

Beth sank into the armchair, feeling dizzy. She knew Shane owned his own company, but it had never occurred to her that he made that kind of money. She looked at the sandals dangling from Sylvia’s fingers. “How much are the shoes?” she said, afraid to hear the answer.

“Eight thirty-five. They’re Manolo Blahniks, and you
have
to have them with that dress.”

Beth took a deep breath. “Eight
hundred
and thirty-five dollars?”

“Yes.”

Beth thought of her favorite brown sandals, which she’d bought for twenty dollars at a sidewalk sale several years before.

Sylvia set the shoes on the floor at Beth’s feet. “At least try them on. He can’t accuse these of being fuck-me shoes.”

Numb, Beth slipped on the dainty gold flats and stood, looking at her reflection. She did like what she saw, but what did she expect from an outfit that cost nearly four thousand dollars?

“Twirl,” Sylvia said.

Beth turned in a circle, unable to suppress a smile. The dress seemed weightless as it swirled fluidly through the air, then settled around her. It really was a beautiful dress, and if it had been in her price range, she would have bought it. But unfortunately, it wasn’t.

“You’re going to rock his world,” Sylvia said.

Shane was back on the phone, this time with his administrative assistant, when Sylvia reappeared, an enigmatic expression on her face. “Ready, Shane?”

“Diane, I’ll have to call you back,” he said. He put his phone away. “Sure,” he said.

He had a sinking suspicion that Sylvia was up to something, because she looked far too pleased with herself. His suspicions were confirmed when Sylvia motioned Beth to come forward.

The moment Beth stepped into the room, Shane stopped breathing. “Christ,” he said, coming to his feet again. He took a step toward her and stopped.

“You don’t like it?” Beth said, her expression falling.

“It’s very modest,” Sylvia said, practically gloating. “It’s not too low in the neckline, and the hemline’s not too short. And she
likes
the dress, Shane. Turn around and show him, honey.”

Beth made one graceful turn in the dress and smiled when she saw her reflection in the mirrors.

Shane walked up to her and cupped his hands around her slender neck, gazing down at her with nothing short of awe. “You take my breath away,” he said, his eyes burning. He leaned down and kissed her, his mouth languid and gentle on hers.

“You like it?” Beth smiled up at him.

He could tell she loved the dress – he’d known the minute she walked into the room. Her beatific smile gave her away. While it wasn’t a fuck-me dress, it was probably just as bad, perhaps worse. It was a sex kitten dress, and he knew that every man at the fundraiser would take one look at her and think of sex.

“What do you think, Shane?” Sylvia said.

Shane cleared his throat. “It’s a beautiful dress,” he said, wondering what the hell he was going to do now. He didn’t want anyone seeing her in that dress, but Sylvia had him on this one. It was a perfectly modest dress for a beautiful young woman, and he could tell from her expression that she wanted it.

He glanced at Sylvia, who had a don’t-you-dare expression on her face. Sylvia knew exactly what he was thinking.

Shane looked at Beth. “Do you like it, sweetheart?” he said, knowing full well she did.

“Yes,” she said. “But it’s too expensive.” Her smile faded. “I’ll find something cheaper.”

That killed him, right there. The fact that she was willing to forgo this dress just to save him a few dollars really touched him.

“We’ll take the dress, Sylvia,” Shane said. He’d just have to deal with the fall-out of a room full of men staring at her.

“And the shoes?” Sylvia said.

“And the shoes,” he said, having resigned himself that this was the outfit she wanted.

When Beth heard the reluctance in Shane’s voice, she went up on her toes and whispered in his ear. “The dress is nearly three thousand dollars, and the shoes are almost nine hundred dollars. It’s too much. I can find something less expensive.”

Shane smiled at her. “It’s fine, Beth.” If she wanted them, she’d have them. The price was irrelevant. He dropped a quick kiss on her lips. “Wrap them up, Sylvia.”

They arrived at the sales counter and waited behind a woman who was paying for a handbag. Beth tried not to stare at the cash register display, but it was hard not to notice the sale price tag. Ten thousand dollars for a purse?  That almost made her dress and shoes seem like a bargain.

When the woman’s transaction was completed, she turned to leave and caught sight of Shane. “Oh my God, Shane!” she said, nervously touching her hair. An ecstatic smile transformed her face, until she noticed Beth. Then her dark eyes hardened.

Beth felt she was having some kind of déjà vu as she took in the darkly exotic woman whose hungry eyes were glued to Shane. This one was tall with a slender build, with long hair the color of fine dark chocolate falling in thick waves past her shoulders. Her olive complexion complimented her dark eyes and thick dark lashes. She wore an ultra feminine, sleeveless white sheath dress that flattered her perfect hourglass figure and a pair of taupe stilettos. Another gorgeous woman who clearly had some kind of past with Shane.

“Hello, Luciana,” Shane said, reaching for Beth’s hand.

“Hello, darling,” Luciana said in a husky voice. “How wonderful to see you!”

The woman’s midnight eyes ate Shane up with a proprietary hunger that startled Beth. “What brings you here, Shane?” But when the woman’s gaze drifted to Beth, her smile lost some of its luster.

Beth smiled perfunctorily, feeling self-conscious beneath the woman’s intense scrutiny.

“I’m shopping with my girlfriend,” Shane said. His hand slipped around Beth’s waist, and he drew her closer. “Beth Jamison. Beth, this is Luciana Morelli.”

“Girlfriend?” Luciana said, one slender eyebrow arching in astonishment as she took a second look at Beth.

“All ready!” Sylvia said as she approached the sales counter. She hung a garment bag on a stand and slipped the distinctive Manolo Blahniks shoebox into a shopping bag.

Luciana eyed the purchases. “Got special plans coming up?” she asked Shane.

“Yes,” he replied. “If you’ll excuse us.” Shane steered Beth around Luciana and up to the sales counter.

“There’s just one more thing,” Sylvia said, her smile radiant as she presented an elegant gift bag to Beth. “Just a little gift from me, to make your evening extra special.”

“Thank you, Sylvia,” Beth said as she accepted the bag. She peered inside and found a package elegantly wrapped in cream tissue paper and tied with a matching silk ribbon.

“You’re very welcome, Beth,” Sylvia said.

Shane handed a credit card to Sylvia and they completed the transaction.

When they left the shop, Luciana was waiting for them on the sidewalk.

“Will you be at the fundraiser next weekend?” Luciana asked Shane, ignoring Beth.

“We will,” Shane said.

Luciana’s smile faltered. “Good. I’ll see you there.” She reached out and touched his arm. “Be sure to save a dance for me, lover.” Then she pivoted on her spiky heels and walked away.

Beth looked at Shane, who was frowning as he watched Luciana walk away.

Lover?

“Shane, were you – ”

“Yes,” he said, turning to look at Beth. “It was a mistake.”

“She’s beautiful,” Beth said. There was no use denying the obvious.

“She’s a shallow, vain bitch.” Shane took Beth’s hand and led her to the Lexus. “And no, I won’t be dancing with her at the fundraiser. The only woman I’ll be dancing with is you.”

Chapter 22

As Shane opened the back hatch of the Lexus and stowed their purchases, he tried to push all thoughts of Luciana Morelli from his head. Luciana was a barracuda of a woman, with teeth as razor sharp as her namesake. She’d nearly maimed him a time or two. He knew firsthand how vindictive she could be when she felt slighted, and the idea that she might set her vengeful sights on Beth gave him reason for concern. Given the opportunity, Luciana would tear Beth to shreds. He’d have to make sure she never had the chance.

“I wonder what’s in here,” Beth said, peeking into the gift bag Sylvia had given her. She reached in and squeezed the package. “Whatever it is, it’s very soft.”

Shane grinned. “Why don’t you open it?”

“I think I’ll wait until we get back to your apartment,” she said. She opened the rear passenger door and set the gift bag on the seat.

Shane pulled Beth into his arms and dropped a quick kiss on her smiling lips. He reveled in the warm, feminine scent of her. As always, it made him hard, and he wanted her again, but he knew he had to pace himself. They’d already made love twice in the night, and she was likely sore.

The simple act of having her in his arms gave him such pleasure. He’d certainly dated more than his fair share of women – beautiful women, strong women, powerful women, alluring women, all types and shapes and sizes. There had never been a shortage of women in his life, whether because of his looks – which women seemed to like – or his money. But he’d never felt like this before. He realized that simply being with Beth gave him pleasure.

Shane’s mouth was at her ear, his breath warm as it stirred her hair. “How do you feel?” he said.

“Fine,” she said.

“Are you sore?” he asked, clarifying his question.

Oh.
She flushed. “A little.”

He chuckled.

“Why?” she asked.

“I was just thinking ahead,” he said. “There are other positions we can try, you know, where you won’t feel pinned down. We’ve only just scratched the surface. I thought we might try some other positions when we get back to the apartment. But if you’re sore – ”

“I could probably manage that,” she said.

He checked his watch. “Let’s feed you first. Then maybe we can go back to my place and experiment.”

They walked hand-in-hand along N. Michigan Avenue, and Beth took great pleasure in stealing surreptitious looks at him. She never got tired of looking at him, and each time she did, she felt a little jolt of pleasure. There was something about him that she found captivating. Even now, dressed down for a change, he looked edible. His short hair was doing its own thing, probably because he had a habit of running his hands through it, and he was rocking a little bit of a bad boy image with his short beard, but that was softened by his blue eyes and smile.

It was amazing the difference a couple of days made. They hadn’t known each other long, and yet she already felt so close to him. Just holding hands with him as they strolled down the street gave her a thrill. She’d never imagined she could feel this way with someone.

“Can I ask you a question,” Beth said, finally drumming up the nerve to ask the question that had been on her mind since they’d left Sylvia’s.

“Sure. What is it?”

“Have you taken other women shopping in Sylvia’s boutique before?”

He hesitated. “Yes.”

“A lot of them?”

“No, not a lot,” he said. “Wait – how many constitutes ‘a lot’?”

“More than three?”

“Then yes.”

“Did you object to any of their choices?”

Another pause. “No.”

“Then why did you object to the red dress? Sylvia was sure you’d like it.”

“I thought you said you didn’t want the red dress.”

“I don’t, but that’s not the point. Why did you object to it
for me
?”

Shane stopped walking and pulled Beth under a shop awning, turning her to face him. His hands came up to cradle her face. “Because the others didn’t matter,” he said simply, gazing down at her. “And you do. What did Sylvia say to you?”

“She said you were acting differently with me. She seemed... surprised.”

“It is different with you,” he said. “I didn’t really care what the others wore. But with you, I do. I don’t want other men seeing you in that red dress.”