Page 36 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

“Are you jealous?” he asked with humor in his voice.

“Nope… just disgusted at that behavior from a woman.” If I was honest with myself, I did feel jealousy running through my veins right now, which was an unusual feeling for me. I pushed the thought away not wanting to think about it. I can’t be jealous and keep him at arm’s length.

When we got to the private section, with a few loveseats there for us, the lady twisted around and turned her eyes to Kristoff again.

“Can I get you anything?” she asked while looking at Kristoff only. This woman was starting to push my last nerve. I wanted to throw a fit and demand we leave right now.

Kristoff made eye contact with me and raised a brow.

“Nope, I’m good, thanks,” I answered politely. He shook his head at the woman.

“Okay,” she answered, her smile still on her face. “Take a seat. I’ll grab some things and you can tell me what you think.”

When she was gone, I sat down on the sofa next to him feeling agitated. Kristoff sat next to me, crossing his ankle over his knee. He threw his arm around my shoulder, and I had to admit, it felt great. I could feel his warmth and wanted to scoot even closer to him and lean my head on his shoulder. Thankfully I didn’t go that far, but I felt my body relaxing and enjoying his heat.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

“This is ridiculous… I’ve gotten a cocktail dress already. You haven’t even seen it so why can’t you at least give it a chance. I’m not wearing what I don’t like,” I answered, agitated. The thought of him with someone else, with this sales lady, shouldn’t bother me so much.

He smiled. “Fair enough… I’m sure the dress you got is great but there will be a significant amount of people there and I want you to look the best.”

“Gees, don't you think wax and hair already took care of that?”

I swear, the way his eyes were sparkling, he must have been laughing at me without cracking a smile.

The saleswoman came back with a beaming smile and clothes in her arms. “Okay, I took a guess at your size. I’d say you are a size two.” I nodded, slightly impressed she was able to tell my size just by looking at me. “Ready to try these?”

“No, not really,” I mumbled but I got up and went into the dressing room. I hated trying on clothes. Sometimes I would buy clothes, and they would sit in my closet untried for months. Of course, that was a long time ago… when I actually had some money. Although I would never come even close to shopping in a place like this.

The dress shopping marathon started, and the longer it went on, the more agitated I grew. I was not enjoying it at all. Kristoff examined me with an analytical eye as I was paraded out after each dress. He noticed everything, the cut, the style, the fabric.

When Kristoff really liked a dress, his eyes would display desire, and I would feel my body heat up in response to him. My movements became slower, and more sensual.

“Turn around again,” he would order, his voice deepening. He would stand up each time he liked a dress on me, coming closer. He’d take my head and turn me around to see the dress better. Or maybe it was to see me better, because his stare was hot on me. I wasn’t sure if he actually noticed the dress.

“I like it,” he would say to me. “Do you like it?” And each time I would nod, because when he was looking at me like that, I did not care what I was wearing. If he’d ask me to try lingerie now, I’d be tempted to say yes just to see that look in his eyes. Heck, when he was looking at me like that, I could barely remember my own name.

Three hours into trying on way too many dresses, I was just done, but the saleslady kept coming back with more dresses.

“I think this is enough,” I said, pleading with my eyes. “I don’t think I have tried so many dresses my entire life.”

“How about this one?” the saleslady asked with a bright, suggesting smile at Kristoff.

“Try it,” Kristoff said. “It can be the last one.”

I sighed and went back into the dressing room.

“Oh, you look fabulous!” The sales lady came to assist with the zip-up. She adjusted the way it clung to my body. “This dress was made for you!”

“Great,” I said in a dry tone.

“Let me see, Gemma,” Kristoff called.

I walked out of the dressing room and gave him my stiff movements. He stood up again and walked slowly towards me, his eyes never wavering from me. My body heated up in response to his hard body close to mine.

“Gemma, I want you to move naturally in it.” His tone was quiet, his hand gently around my waist. I moved slowly, following his instruction.

And then I just couldn’t hold my tongue anymore. “Kristoff, there is nothing natural about this whole thing. C’mon, just pick the dress you want me to wear for Wednesday's event, and let’s move on.”

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