Page 10 of Claimed By the Boss

“Could you help me?” sheasked, looking behind the curtain.

“Yep.”

She stepped out, presentedher back to him, and Gabriel zipped her up. Did he go slowly? Did it registerto him that she wasn’t wearing a bra? It was stupid for her to even think ofit.

With the dress on, sheturned toward Gabriel. “What do you think?” she asked. Did she look pretty?Cute? Ugly? Fat?

She didn’t care about herweight. She knew to many she was overweight and could do with losing a fewpounds. After starving on the streets and finally having the security of a hotmeal every night, weight didn’t factor into anything.

“Stunning,” Gabriel said.He placed a hand at her back and urged her forward.

“Wow,” Trudy said,startling her, as the other woman arrived.

“She looks incredible,doesn’t she?” Gabriel asked.

“You’ll be the envy ofevery person there,” Trudy said.

They were just being kind.

Glancing at herreflection, Nora couldn’t help but admit that the dress was flattering. Ratherthan giving her a frumpy body, it fit beautifully. The bodice was snug, sinkingin at the waist, enhancing her breasts, making them look fuller. The dress wentfrom the waist and filled out at the hips. It floated around her, giving her anhourglass figure. She loved the feel of it against her skin.

“I’ve got the makeupartist downstairs,” Trudy said.

“Send her up.”

Nora looked from Gabrielto Trudy. “Makeup artist?”

“We have to complete thelook, darling,” Trudy said.

This didn’t sound good,and for the next three hours, while still in her dress, she was covered andprotected, but her hair was wet, cut, and styled. Her nails were painted. Herface was also going through the makeover, and by the time it was done, she hadon a pair of heels to match the dress. A diamond necklace, bracelet, andmatching earrings.

She looked the part ofGabriel’s date. It didn’t fill her with confidence and made her even moreterrified of messing up.

****

Stepping into the dininghall with Nora at his side, Gabriel saw Nancy already talking with the guests.Not a single celebrity was present. This was a charity event for businessmen—thosewho didn’t want to be in the public eye but liked to contribute to good causes,and have a delicious meal as well.

Gabriel didn’t like beingin the public eye, and having the title of eligible bachelor, who happened todate a host of models, actresses, and heiresses, he’d unintentionally madetrouble for himself.

In his younger days,having the press follow him around had been a rush. Seeing his successdisplayed in all the papers and magazines had been the highlight of his life.Now, in his forties, privacy mattered more to him. He didn’t appreciate beingfollowed around.

His grandfather had warnedhim in those early days, and he hadn’t listened, thinking he knew best. Onceagain, his old man warning him. His grandfather had been more of a father tohim than his own.

“This is beautiful,” Norasaid.

He couldn’t agree more.

Nancy was a wealthy woman.She loved to take charities and help them flourish. He had known the olderwoman for quite some time, and her dedication to good causes was what droveher. Many had assumed she would sell her father’s company, and although she was“old money,” she hadn’t done so. Instead, she made sure her family’s companyflourished, thriving in the modern world, and in doing so, providing the fundsfor many of her charity endeavors. Gabriel admired her.

Several men stopped andgreeted him. All looked toward Nora with questions in their eyes, wondering whothe stunning woman was at his side. The makeup artist had done an amazing job.She’d enhanced Nora’s features. She had minimal makeup on, but it was perfection.Her hair curled around her. She had the aura of a princess—sweet and pure.

Gabriel wanted to dirtyher up. To sink his fingers into her hair, to pull those lips to his and kissher hard. His obsession was not helping.

He introduced her topeople as his date, keeping a hand at her back. When he got to talk to Nancy,the other woman was attentive, talking with Nora about her cause and why it wasso important.

She asked Nora what shedid, and Gabriel smiled. “She works for me.”

Nancy smiled. “You alwaysdid have a keen eye for talent.”

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