LUCY

 

We didn’t speak after we got back into Killian’s car. Jorge drove us, the radio filling the air gently with symphony music. I knew I’d just agreed to basically let this man do what he wanted, therefore playing right into his spoiled hands.

I told myself for the millionth time it was all part of a greater plan, one designed to prove to Killian he could trust me in his world, that I wasn’t a threat to him or his secrets. Eventually, he’d stop seeing me as the enemy, regardless of how I came into his life, and see I just wanted to help him as one human being to another.

That was true.

But the whole truth was I didn’t want to deny him. I wanted to make him happy because his daily unhappiness had eaten a hole right through me.

My compassion could end up being my downfall.

We pulled up in front of a high rise. I looked out the window, not recognizing the building but guessing it was a residence considering the doorman out front. Either that or a boutique hotel.

Suspicion colored my harsh whisper. “Where are we?”

Killian didn’t give me a mocking grin as was his habit. He remained solemn, watchful. “My place.”

“What!”

“Easy, Lucy. I didn’t bring you here to debauch you on the floor.”

Imagination had a way with me. That wasn’t going to help right now.

“Then why am I here?”

“Your favor, remember? It’s easier to have a rack of dresses brought up instead of going to a shop. Less attention. More privacy.”

Suspicion wouldn’t go away. “Privacy for what?”

He rolled his eyes. “Get your mind out of the gutter. I’m not going to watch you get undressed, Lucy. The privacy is for you. I assumed you’d feel more comfortable dress shopping without an audience.”

I would.

This level of thoughtfulness moved me, melting right through my wariness. “Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. Now will you get out of the car or are you going to make Jorge stand there all damned day?”

My goodwill cracked. Narrowing my eyes, I charged, “You can be so annoying, Killian.”

“Back at ya, babe.” He snapped his fingers. “Let’s go.”

“Annoying brat—I’m not a dog.”

“No, you’re not. You’d be obedient if you were.”

“Killian—”

“Boring.” Killian lifted me up and out of the vehicle. I caught Jorge biting back a smile.

“Must you always have your way?”

“Yes, I must.” Killian bent down until his lips grazed my ears. “Don’t forget you made a deal with the devil. The devil always gets his due. Today you’re mine.”

Delicious shivers danced across my skin. It was difficult to argue when I simply wanted to lean against him. “You’re not the devil.”

Killian stood back up to his full height. He shook his head as if I’d said something silly. “Oh querida, you are so wrong about that.”

He was probably right. It was hard to know when his beauty was so unfair. It swayed me more than it should. Biting my lip, I pretended Killian wasn’t tempting me to become his docile pet for the day.

“If you’re trying to scare me—it won’t work.”

His arresting eyes bored into mine. Killian reached out and carefully brushed one finger down my cheek. “Why ever would I want to scare you, Lucy? I want you to like me.”

“I do.”

He smiled, a thing of rare beauty. “You don’t. Not enough. At least, not yet. But you will.”

“Pride before the fall.”

Killian took me by the hand. “We’ll fall together then, won’t we?”

It sounded like a curse.

We were greeted, rather Killian was greeted and I received respectful nods. No curiosity. It didn’t take long for me to figure out why.

Killian made it a habit to bring women over.

That was none of my business. I had no right or reason to judge him. To care. Unfortunately, it was a bloodbath between my reason and emotions.

Killian inserted a key into the elevator, private by the looks of it. He waved me ahead with a courtly bow. Stepping in, I looked around and wondered how often someone else stood here.

Change the channel, Lucy. You don’t have the right to watch.

True. But I cared because I was jealous.

Killian brushed a fingertip across my cheek. “What are you thinking about, Lucy?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?”

It was a hard thing to smile when I felt like this. Sad. Wary. Frustrated.

“No, nothing.”

“Hmm…somehow I’m not convinced.” Killian tapped his finger against my hot cheek and then dropped his hand. “You’ll tell me later.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Sure there isn’t.”

I was saved from lying further when the elevator opened up into Killian’s home. Simply put—it was magnificent. All glass, gild, and views that went on for miles.

An expectant air hung about Killian. Remembering my unbridled enthusiasm about the helicopter ride and how he reacted, I wasn’t quite sure if I should tell him what I really thought.

“It’s very nice.”

“Thank you.” Killian was all manners now. He indicated the leather sofa with a wave. “Please have a seat.”

Sinking into the buttery-soft tan cushion, I was surprised when Killian produced a box of chocolates. Richart Chocolates.

One glance confirmed it was a fresh box.

“What? You thought I put it on my list only to torment you?”

“Actually, yes.”

“Well, you’re wrong then, aren’t you?”

“Maybe.”

Killian smirked. “Go on. Taste a piece of heaven while I let Lanita know we’re here.”

The delicious sweet melted in my mouth even while the rest of me froze. Jealousy. Again. Wrong. Again.

“Don’t look at me like that, Lucy. You’ll like Lanita. After all, she’s going to help us play dress-up.”

“I’m sure I will.” Clearing my throat, I asked, “Is she a shopper?” I imagined she was and I imagined today wouldn’t be her first time over here.

“She’s a designer.” Gaze glued onto his phone, Killian asked, “Tell me what kind of clothes you like, Lucy.”

“Ones that cover me.”

He thought I was being obstinate if the eyeroll was any indication. I wasn’t. I really didn’t have a preference. Having a school full of girls tear apart every fashion choice you made did that to you.

Then with the rest of it…I became great friends with loose clothes.

“I know you love pant suits and skirts. What about dresses? Long, short, what?”

“Long. Definitely long.”

“Right. Nothing above the knee.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“I know what you meant, but I’d rather your ankles show if you don’t mind.”

“Maybe I do.”

Killian shrugged. “You agreed, Lucy. Need I remind you?”

“Be your Barbie. Right. How could I forget?”

“Indeed.”

Killian’s frown deepened as he continued to text. “What else is bothering you?”

“Nothing.”

He exhaled. “Let me guess. The fact I’m on a first-name basis with a designer makes you think I’ve played Barbie quite a bit. Correct?”

What was the point in lying? Killian pegged me straight.

“Correct.”

“You admit it. Surprising.” His fingertip danced across the screen. “No, I haven’t brought my women here and outfitted them. King Cosmetics and Lanita Taylor worked together on a society wedding, the one where Gabriel Gordon got married to Emma Adams. Hear anything about it?”

I didn’t keep up with the society pages and told him so.

Killian shrugged. “It was nice coup for the company. Emma had her pick of all the exclusive brands. Gramps didn’t think we should even approach the Gordons, but I had a feeling and it paid off.”

“What was the feeling?”

“That Emma Adams was as blue collar as they came. Definitely not a posh princess. Come to find out, her mom used our stuff and it so happened that she did too. The future billionaire’s wife was more than happy to accept our sponsorship.”

“How did you even guess that about her?”

Killian threw me a lazy smirk. “There was no guess. I recognized her lipstick in their engagement photo.”

He impressed me the more I spent time with him. “How did Mr. King react when you landed their wedding?”

A frown settled on Killian’s handsome face. He set his phone carefully on the coffee table before turning his full attention on me. “Is that your question?”

“No.”

“Then I have nothing to say.”

Things got awkward between us. Enough so I regretted reminding Killian of his rocky relationship with Mr. King.

Quick to change the mood, I exclaimed, “That was a great move to take, Killian. Glad to hear it paid off.”

“Sales rose 14.3% for the quarter. Well worth it in my book. King Cosmetics became the face of romanticism. For a splash, at least.”

“Because of the wedding?”

“Because of the Gordons. Theirs was a real Cinderella story. Gabriel Gordon had loved Emma Adams since high school. They lost touch, reconnected, and got married pretty quickly. At least, that’s what he shared during her photo shoot.”

“That really is so romantic.”

He snorted. “Check back in ten years and see if the romance is still there. Gordon will probably be onto the second Mrs. Gordon leaving the first with their kids.”

“Cynic.”

“Realist.”

“I think they’ll last forever.”

“How can you be so sure when you didn’t even know they existed two minutes ago?”

“Because time and distance couldn’t stop their love. That’s why.”

Killian rolled his eyes, but kept his tongue still. That was something at least.

His phone rang. “Ah, here she is.” He got up with a cheerful grin and walked to the elevator.

“That was fast.”

“She was already here with the store. Just needed a bit of paring down for your tastes.” Killian sound cheerful without the usual underlying venom.

Too bad I wasn’t feeling nearly as cheerful.

Unsure of my place in things, I remained seated. Palms sweaty, I was about to be judged on what I wore and how I did my hair. This Lanita would take one look at me and see me for what I was—a gawky, twelve-year-old girl who never fit in anywhere.

And Killian was about to bear witness to my humiliation.