We’d left the coffee shop half an hour ago, but with the traffic and the fact that Hugo wanted to take me to this ritzy, exclusive boutique, we’d just arrived five minutes ago.

But already I was in a dressing room, the woman working the floor shoving dresses at me. She’d been very friendly with Hugo, but I hadn’t seen it as sexual, or even attraction on her part. She’d been pleasantly surprised to see him.

I thought about Hugo’s profession, about what would happen if I were involved with him. It might be wishful thinking, and I supposed I needed to be realistic, but it was hard not thinking about the what ifs.

With him owning his own business, he traveled a lot, going to different countries, making deals to further his business; he had connections that made my meager life look dull and unappealing. But he’d always been a facet in my life, and I couldn’t see myself not having him there. He’d always been there, even from afar. Hugo had always shown me it didn’t matter how much money someone did or didn’t have … if they were genuine they were valued.

And he was as genuine as they came.

I turned and looked at myself in the mirror. For a second, I didn’t even recognize myself, not with the expensive dress draped over my body, showing off my curves in the most tempting ways.

Yes, I admitted I looked nice in this dress, beautiful even, and a part of me felt uncomfortable with that fact. I didn’t dress up, and when I did, it certainly wasn’t with lace and silk.

Will Hugo think I’m beautiful?

I smoothed my hands over the cream colored material, the lace beneath my fingers smooth, yet slightly raised. The V-neck was right above my breasts, and the large swells gently rose above it with every inhalation I took. I only stood there for a few moments before I heard Hugo clear his throat. My heart started racing harder, knowing he was right behind the dressing room door.

“You’re well in there?” he asked, and I looked myself over again. The lace detailing had rose-colored threads throughout it, and the material fell to my knees. It was classy, yet revealing without being obscene.

“I’m good,” I said, but immediately cleared my throat as my voice sounded thick. The arousal still thrummed through my veins.

“You’re dressed?” he asked, and I heard the distinct change in the pitch of his voice. It got lower, huskier, and I wondered if he was imagining me without anything on.

The car ride played through my head again, and I felt my cheeks heat. Looking at my reflection, I saw my cheeks had this rosy glow to them.

“I am,” I said softly.

There was a moment of silence.

“Let me see you, Sabine.”

My pulse jackknifed, and I felt my throat tighten. I looked down at myself, knowing I wanted to show him, because I thought I looked nice in the dress, but I felt so nervous. I’d never felt so … pretty.

“Sabine.” He said my name deeply, with a touch of authority.

I reached out and grabbed the handle and, for a second, just held the little brass globe in my hand. It started to warm when I finally pulled the door open. Hugo stood just a few feet from me, this air of confidence and control surrounding him.

He looked so damn good.

I felt my cheeks heat even further, but prayed I didn’t look like a total twit. I didn’t want him thinking I was embarrassed by this moment or his generosity. I also didn’t want him to think I couldn’t control myself and the clear attraction I’d felt between us in the car.

And God, had I felt it. I still couldn’t wrap my head around the heat that had consumed me at the way he’d looked at me. He didn’t speak for long seconds, but he was definitely appraising me.

“It’s too much, isn’t it?” I felt my hands start to shake from my nerves. I was losing it, but I couldn’t stop the energy moving through me.

“Krasivitsa.”

I felt butterflies take root in my belly at the way he called me beautiful. It was only one word, but it sounded like he meant so much more with it.

“You’re absolutely beautiful, Sabine.”

I felt my damn blush intensify. “Thank you.” I saw the woman holding up a few more dresses, but Hugo waved her off.

“I love this one. I think this one will be perfect for tonight.” He looked up at me after scanning my body for several seconds. I liked that he took charge. I loved this dress, but hearing him shut any other dresses down, and telling me this was the one, made me feel very feminine … very happy that he was pleased.

We didn’t speak for long seconds, and I wondered if the woman still standing in the background felt weird just watching us. Surely she could see the connection that was going on? Or maybe I was the only one that felt it?

“We need some privacy,” Hugo finally said, addressing the woman. She was gone a second later. I ran my hands down the dress, but caught myself and curled my fingers into fists. Hugo took a step closer and another and another, until he was right in front of me, just a few inches separating us.

I had a hard time breathing with Hugo’s scent filling my head. He glanced down at my lips, licked his own, and exhaled roughly, as if he was having just as hard a time as I was.

“There are a lot of things I want to say right now, Sabine.” He still stared at my mouth.

“Say them,” I whispered, not caring if anyone could hear us.

“They aren’t proper,” he said and took another step closer to me, so much so that if I inhaled our chests would brush together.

“I’m past proper, Hugo.” I was feeling bold, braver. “I know what happened in the car wasn’t just one sided.”

He was still looking at my mouth. My heartbeat filled my head, and I grew dizzy.

“No, it wasn’t just one sided.”

And then he leaned in, pushed my hair aside, and said softly against the shell of my ear, “It’s always been you, and I’m tired of waiting, Sabine. I’m ready to make you mine.”