Page 101 of Brutal Legacy

The assistant nodded eagerly. “Yes, of course. Is there something else you’d like her to try on?”

“No, she doesn’t need to try it.” I reached for the folded business paper sitting beside the couch. The store clearly knew their clientele. “Just ring it up and give it to my driver outside.”

The assistant paused. “Er, which items?”

I waved a dismissive hand around. “All of it.”

“All of it? All of what, sir?”

“The shop, what else?” I asked, growing annoyed with the continued questions.

The assistant backed away excitedly, just as the curtain twitched.

“Well, aren’t you coming out to let me see?” I drawled.

Georgia peeked around the side. “Do I have to?”

I hadn’t had any such intentions, but the clear reluctance on her face convinced me.

“Yes, of course. Get your ass out here now for inspection,” I snapped.

She sighed. “This isn’t the military, you know.” Despite her acidic tone, she stepped out.

My brain short-circuited for a second. Sure, it was black, but by God, she was stunning. I’d had her swathed in my huge clothes this past few days. Now, there was no denying her hourglass shape. She was in a black clingy dress, some off-the-shoulder, tight-at-the-knee thing. Sophia Loren would have been envious.

“Well?” she demanded.

I stared. And stared.

“Hello?” She waved a hand in front of my face.

“You’re lucky this isn’t the military. You wouldn’t last an hour without your CO coming down hard on your ass for attitude.” I had to get a fucking grip.

“Yeah, well, just keep your fantasies of coming on my ass to yourself,” she quipped and then jerked her eyes to mine in the mirror. She looked horrified at her own phrasing.

A laugh left me, unbidden and surprising. Like a rusted lock turning, warmth filled my chest. What was happening to me?

I found myself teasing her back. “Why would I do that and deny you so?”

She tore her eyes away from mine and took in her reflection. I could make out her ruby-red cheeks from here.

“Well, do I pass inspection?” she demanded hotly after a long moment of bearing my scrutiny.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from the way the dress hugged her long legs.

I nodded and picked up the paper.

“Hmm, your ass is safe… for now.”

I focused my attention back on the page. She huffed and went back into the changing room.

I’d like to say I ended the little game right there, but I didn’t.

I made her show me every single outfit. All unrelentingly black, all hot as the fires of the inferno.

While Georgia stood staring critically at a pair of leather pants that personally I considered award-winning on her, the assistant from before sidled up to me.

“That’s everything charged, wrapped, and sent to the car,” she said with a warm smile.

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