Page 53 of Captivated By You

Mr. Peacock—as I would now think of him for the rest of time—bustled over as we made to leave, almost frantic to ensure we’d enjoyed the meal. I assured him we had, urging Kiana into the elevator before she made a comment about poles and asses. I’d grown up wealthy, and therefore hadn’t noticed the constant fawning, but after she’d pointed it out to me, it was as if her comments had turned a light on, and now, it was all I could see.

On the journey down to the lobby, the itch to kiss the smirk off Kiana’s face engulfed me. She was as rare as a blue diamond, a true gem, a woman as far removed from my world as one could get, yet fit me better than this designer suit. I’d enjoyed our evening together more than any I could remember in recent history. Her attributes were innumerable, and while the physical attraction between us was strong, she brought so much more than her beauty. I couldn’t recall a time when I’d laughed as much as I did in her company. She was… delightful. Like a glass of freshly made lemonade on a hot summer’s day. Delicious, with a hint of acerbity.

I retook her hand—it came so naturally—and went in search of the duty manager. More fawning ensued, along with a muffled snicker from Kiana. I squeezed her hand extra hard in warning. Not that it made a difference to the grin that grew broader by the second. I retrieved the keys to one of the designer stores in the lobby and, after assuring the manager we could manage, opened it and led Kiana inside.

I gestured around. “Take your pick.”

She went straight for the price label on the nearest item, a cashmere sweater in cream. Her jaw unhinged. “Holy cow. I can’t afford this.”

“It’s on me.”

She shook her head. “Absolutely not.”

“Okay. Birthday suit it is, then.”

“Or flying back to Seattle like we planned.”

An idea came to me, one that bordered on coercion. Okay, maybecoercionwas too strong a word. Regardless, I went for it.

“You know, my life is filled with people like Mr. Peacock, Emma, the manager we just met. And then along you came. Do you have any idea how refreshing you are? How much I’ve enjoyed spending time with you this evening? Howrealyou are, and how rare that is? All I’m asking is for you to agree to extend that by a few hours. Would you really deny me that pleasure for the sake of a few thousand dollars?”

She ran her hand over the soft cashmere. “Spoken like a true billionaire.”

I shrugged. “I can’t change who I am or where I come from.”

“No.” She slipped the sweater off the rail and held it against herself. “What do you think?”

“Wrong color. What size are you? Six?”

“Eight,” she replied. “But thanks for the compliment.”

I scanned the rail, picking out a cobalt-blue one. “This is better.”

I strode over to a pile of formfitting jeans stacked in a pile. After choosing a pair that would show off her ass to perfection, I added a pair of sneakers, given we’d be seeing the sights tomorrow. I already knew her size from the running shoes I’d had delivered to her apartment, and the twisted smirk she gave let me know that she remembered, too.

“Here, try these on. The fitting rooms are over there in the corner.”

“Is there no end to your talents, Mr. Kingcaid?”

She disappeared behind the curtain, reappearing a couple of minutes later. She did a twirl. “What do you think?”

I swept my gaze over her. Yep. I’d been right about the way the jeans caressed her ass.Wish it was my hands.

“Perfect. Pick out a coat, too. The wind coming off the sea can be wicked at this time of year. And after that…” I drew my teeth over my bottom lip. “You just have to select nightwear.”

She licked her lips, and her pupils dilated. “Aren’t you going to choose that for me, too?”

Ohh, flirting.Nowwe were getting somewhere.

“Happy to.” I crossed to the nightwear section and homed in on a crimson nightgown with a plunging neckline and scooped-out back. “How about this?”

She came to join me, running the silk between her fingers. “Well, since I’m the only one who will see me in it…” She snatched it from my hands. “Done.”

I pouted. “You’re not playing fair.”

“You picked it out. And besides, you’re locking your bedroom door, remember?”

I caressed her cheek with the back of my hand. “I can always change my mind.”

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