Page 69 of Any Means Necessary

“We’ll both take some ice water.” Turning to give the attendant a nod. “Thank you, Walter.”

“Of course, Mr. Russo.” Walter bows courteously. “I’ll bring that right away.

“That was rude,” she mumbles, her delivery lacking its usual sting. Eyes catching on the clothes waiting for her, she begins twisting the ring on her middle finger.

“They don’t have that shit here.” What’s meant to be teasing, an attempt to wind her up, comes out sounding irritated and condescending instead. I take a step closer to her.

“How do you know, have you asked them?”

“You’re stalling.”

“You’re bossy.” When she turns away from me, I can’t help but grasp her neck to pull her back in. And she lets me, without bothering to resist. Never in a million years did I think I’d miss her defiance, but I fucking do.

“You bet I am.” I use my hand on her neck to tilt her head back, bringing her lips closer to mine. She gazes up at me, her breasts pressing against my chest with each breath. Those big blue eyes flicker to my mouth, sending a wave of lust straight to my dick. Lowering my head, I take her mouth in a kiss, drinking her in. She tastes so sweet, and lush.

Peaches and cream.

Her hands slide up my chest to clasp around my neck.

She’s been disturbingly subdued this whole trip, this smart mouth of hers too quiet and polite. The unease of shopping in a bigger body has dampened her spark, and I can’t help but miss it. Each comment I make that goes without one of her witty remarks or a one-liner paired with a saucy smile, digs under my skin and weighs heavy on my chest like a stack of bricks. This isn’t the Lexie that’s blazed into my life and chipped away at my control with her pretty pink nails until she’s wedged herself permanently in my head. I want her smile to go back to its blinding megawatt status.

“Take off your clothes,” I order against her lips. She lets out a breathy laugh, and one of the bricks falls from my chest.

“Nice try, Russo,” she says between kisses. “I’m sure a place like this frowns upon fucking in the dressing rooms. I’d hate to get you kicked out of your favorite store, Walter would be so disappointed.”

There she is.

I can’t help but laugh, amusement flooding through me. “I’m going to be inside that perfect pussy of yours again soon, Dewdrop.” My hand slides down to palm her round ass greedily, making her gasp softly against my lips. “But right now you have dresses to try on.”

“You can’t be serious.” She leans back to look up at me, her expression questioning my sanity.

“I’m always serious,” I state, pressing one last lingering kiss to her lips. Untangling my hand from her hair, I step back. The defiance that flashes across her face tells me she’s about to protest, so I cut her off as I back out of the room. “Start with the blue one.”

Closing the curtain behind me, I take a seat on the sofa facing her fitting room. There's no doubt in my mind that she’s glaring at the closed curtain wrestling between the idea of telling me to go to hell or just trying on the dresses to get this over with. I’ll gladly take either option. One way or another, she’s putting each of those dresses on her body before we leave here.

It takes a few minutes before I can hear Lexie moving around, and fabric rustling. Her voice carries out to me, only a few of her words meant for me as she speaks.

“It’s so pretty, this color is stunning,” she gushes, making me grin. Her appreciation for anything pretty or sparkly never gets old, it fuels my enjoyment more than I could enjoy something on my own. “Ugh, it doesn’t fit. These damn boobs,” she grumbles.

“Come out and show me.”

“It won’t zip, my boobs are too big.”

“Let me see, Lexie.” I can hear her disgruntled exhale, but the heavy curtain is being pulled aside. The powder blue silk dress fits her like a second skin, accentuating her dramatic curves. The elegant hem ends just above her knee with a generous slit up one thigh, webbed with delicate chains dotted with pearls. She holds the top to her chest, her breasts on full display with the open sweetheart neckline that leads to the off the shoulder sleeves made of tulle, dotted with the same tiny pearls. The soft blue color matches her eyes, enhancing luxurious long blonde hair and that peaches and cream skin that always smells incredible. She looks absolutely stunning, even without the dress zipping all the way.

“I’m buying you that dress.” I can’t take my eyes off her. Fucking angelic.

“What part of ‘it doesn’t fit, my boobs are too big’ are you not understanding?” she asks, exasperation tinting her tone with attitude. I ignore her, waving Walter over instead. The attendant places the tray of ice water down on the table beside my chair, turning attentively.

“Walter, we want this dress altered. It needs to be ready by tomorrow afternoon.”

“Callum,” Neither of us acknowledge Lexie’s protest. Walter simply nods to me.

“Of course, sir. I’ll send our seamstress, Lauren, in to take her measurements. Are there any other dresses you’d like custom fitted?”

I look over at Lexie, imagining the possibilities. “Not yet, but we’ll have our selection ready for alteration before we leave.” Lexie looks at me curiously.

“What do you mean?”

---