Page 36 of The Billionaire's Pact

I came out and she went to work, taking measurements and writing them down on a notepad.

“I thought everything was tech now,” I half-joked.

“It is, but I still like the old-fashioned ways.” She put the pencil in between her teeth. Another woman came in, whom she introduced as her assistant.

Nadia spoke in French, and she wrote on the notepad. “Now let’s try the dresses. I was given your sizes by your grandmother.”

My mouth dropped open. “You called her?”

She smiled. “I called your mother first, and she said your grandmother styles you?”

I nodded and bit my lip.

“Then I called her. She had a list of things she didn’t want to see you wear.”

“I bet,” I murmured and put on the silk thin strapped dress she held out.

“She’s not that far off in her sizing of you,” Nadia said as she adjusted the fabric at my hips. “Hmm.” She picked up a floral wrap dress. “Try this one on.”

I tried on knit, mini, and tank dresses. They were vibrant patterns of silk, sequin, fringe, velvet, and even some embroidery. I loved every one of them, but Nadia wasn’t sure. She went to a garment bag and pulled out a gorgeous floor-length gown with a swing skirt. I put it on and she clasped her hands together and beamed at me. “Yes. This is for you.” She pinned it to fit my form. Then went over and collected a few pairs of designer heels for me to try.

I changed and walked out to the three-way mirror and gaped. The dress accentuated my curves and the heels had me close to five-ten. I looked different—elegant, sexy. “Wow. I don’t recognize myself.”

Nadia clasped her hands and beamed at me, thrilled. “You look absolutely stunning. Rocco will lose his head.”

I trembled and shyly gazed at myself in the mirror. This is not about Rocco. This is about me. And this dress is…well, there were no words. But on me? “I’ve never revealed so much skin.” I stared at my arms, my full breasts, my hips. “Most of my clothes are loose-fitting.”

She shrugged. “Whatever makes you comfortable, but you’ve a beautiful body. You need clothes that fit you, but sleeker.”

I shifted my legs. “I’m not a showy kind of person.”

“I’ll mix them up, I promise. Now, let’s look at your wedding dress.” She brought over a sketchbook, and I was in complete awe. It had many drawings, all works of art, but one gown stood out amongst all of them. It was silk and lace, with beading and a full skirt. Like for a princess.

My eyes watered. “Wow, this is so beautiful.”

“For a beautiful woman.” She gave me a hug. “Great. We’ll have more fittings. Let’s move on to the undergarments. What do you wear?”

I looked down at my feet. “Cotton briefs.”

“Me, too; they’re comfortable,” she said before sighing. “But now you’re getting married. Some partners love to see their lovers in sexy underwear underneath their clothing. Rocco expressed to me he loves lingerie and wanted it for you. He would have shopped with you, but he didn’t want to make you uncomfortable.”

My insides warmed. That’s nice.

Nadia brought over a few lace and silk sets. “What do I do with these?” I asked, touching the garters.

“Paul had me trying them on for him on our first trip to Paris. There I was, naked in a shop in front of him. It was insane.”

My mouth dropped open. Now that wasn’t in the TV movie. “Oh no, I could never do that.”

She wagged her finger. “Never say never. Once you’re having sex, inhibitions just fall away. Gosh, he had me so crazy in love with him.” She shook her head, grinning as she reminisced, and I was delighted to hear her share about it. They always seemed happy together.

“I know things, Adelina. I think that’s the reason Rocco chose me for you.” She gentled her tone.

I touched my warm face. “It’s your designs, not because of me.…”

Her expression turned serious. “Yes, it’s that, too, but we’re alike…I was a virgin with Paul—”

“Rocco told you?” I huffed. He’s as bad as Mama.

---