Page 31 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
There were magazines and we were offered tea and coffee. He took the coffee and I opted for a soft drink. We were then left alone. I sat, swinging my legs, and looking around. The robe was too long, and my hands were halfway up my sleeves. I waved my arms. He sighed.
“Do you do this a lot?” I asked.
“Shop?” he asked, and I nodded. “No. I have someone come to the house.”
“How did she know to expect us?” I asked.
“I called her from your house. What do you think I do?”
“I don’t know. You just say something and then it happens.”
“That’s the way it’s meant to be,” he said.
“Not for me, it doesn’t.”
He looked at me. “That changes now, Ruby.”
For a moment I was silent. “Why, Sebastian?”
“Why, what?”
“Why me? Why are you doing this for me?” I asked, clarifying.
“Because I want to, and I can.”
“I mean, I’m super grateful and all, but I’m still waiting for the catch.”
“No catch. I’ve said that before. Something tells me to do this. Maybe you’re my redemption, my ticket to heaven, since I’ve been such a selfish prick most of my adult life.” He laughed and then picked up a magazine.
“I can’t imagine you ever being selfish,” I said, meaning it.
“You don’t know me,” he replied.
“Will I ever?”
He lowered the magazine but was stopped from answering by the return of my shopper. She wheeled in a rail that held an array of clothes. One caught my eye. A bright red sequined dress, mid length with, I assumed, a halter neck. I stood and walked over to it, running my hand over the material.
“Try that on first,” Sebastian said. He leant forward in his chair.
I pulled it from the rack and the shopper followed me to the changing room.
“You’ll need to remove your bra,” she said, standing at the open cubical.
“Yes, I sort of got that. If you don’t mind...?”
She stepped back and I closed the door. When I slipped the dress over my head, I felt a million dollars. Closely fitted to my curves, it was stunning. I’d never worn anything like it before.
“Come out when you’re ready,” she said.
I opened the door and shyly walked to a pedestal in front of a large mirror. I stood on it, facing the glass. I saw Sebastian looking at me. He caught my eye and very slowly nodded. His appraisal pleased me. I turned my focus back to me and reached up to pull the band from my hair. After fluffing it, I let it fall down my back. I heard a strange noise and looked at Sebastian again. He stood and walked over. He moved the hair that had fallen over my shoulder, exposing the deep V at the front of the dress.
“Shoes,” he said, still looking at me.
The shopper opened a box and pulled out a pair of red high-heeled shoes. I was sure I’d never be able to walk in them. He took one and tapped my thigh. I lifted my leg, and he placed the shoe on my foot. There was something erotic about the way he held me, more so when I had to lean on him while he placed the other shoe on. He was the one kneeling behind me. He looked at me in the mirror for way too long before he stood. He licked his lower lip and circled me.
“We’ll take these,” he said.
The air was hot, heady, and I wanted to fan myself.He circled me again, studying me, licking his lips as if he was about to pounce. It was only the shopper, concealing a cough, that brought him back to the present.
