“Let me take your jacket,” Case says, extending his arm toward me.

I hesitate for a moment. I can tell Case is trying to be a gentleman, but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, men like him always have an ulterior motive. It only takes a moment for them to reel you in...but it would take a lifetime for you to recover.

“Don’t worry, I’m not going to rob you,” Case says with a laugh.

I smile at him, handing my coat over. “Thanks.”

We’re standing on the corner of New York Avenue. The tall buildings that tower over us overwhelm the skyline. From down below, it looks as if the spires are puncturing the sky.

The street is a hive of activity as people bustle about.

I try to take everything in. The sound of the cars as they rush by, the peals of laughter from a group of students walking home after school. I catch the scent of delicious baked goods as it wafts out of the bakery next door and tickles my nose.

I’ve walked through this street so many times before, but mostly to window shop.

It’s no secret that New York Avenue is one of the most expensive shopping districts in the city. Store windows are filled with every designer label one can wish for. They dangle their opulence in front of us like the forbidden fruit.

Case insisted on taking me out today, and although I don’t know what he has in store, I’m eager to follow his lead.

We pass South West, an upscale boutique that caters to what they consider the upper echelons of society—particularly women whose wallets are brimming with endless amounts of credit.

The front doors slide open, and a woman walks out of the shop with so many bags under her arms I’m amazed she has managed to keep her balance.

I watch her for a moment.

This woman looks like she has just walked right out of a magazine cover. The first thing I notice is her long legs and the dark hair that falls softly over her shoulders. She has on just enough makeup to subtly enhance her statuesque beauty.

From the slight sway of her hips to the elegance in her stride, this woman is fucking gorgeous.

We exchange glances.

I can tell from the way this woman looks me over that she’s trying to assess if I even belong here.

If there’s one thing I hate, it’s these self-satisfied bitches who think the world of themselves.

Well, you know what? I fucking belong here as much as she does.

I give her a wide, self-satisfied smile of my own.

She purses her lips and turns away.

It’s so typical. I’ve known women like her my entire life, women who want to size you up just so they can cut you down. I’m not intimidated by her type in the least.

Truth be told, I’m ten times the woman she’ll ever be.

While she probably spent her entire life having everything handed to her on a platter, I know what it is to fight through hardship and survive. And come out on top.

So maybe my bank account has a few less zeroes than hers.

Oh, well. This bitch has absolutely nothing on me.

I catch my reflection in the mirror and smile. Tight curves in all the right places and a killer ass to boot. I’ve had this dress for a few years, but it still looks damn good.

I bought it for a wedding and probably used up most of my salary to pay for it, but I’ve still managed to keep my figure. Honestly, I think it fits better now than when I first put it on.

“You know, you’d look absolutely gorgeous in that outfit,” Case says, staring into the shop window.

“I’m sorry, what?” I ask, realizing that I’ve been ignoring him.

Case points toward the shop.

“Do you see that dress in the corner?”

I peer into the shop, my eyes following in the direction of his finger.

It’s then that I spot a little black dress in the corner of the shop. If Case hadn’t drawn my attention to it, I might not have noticed.

Even from here, I can tell that this tiny strapless black dress is from a top designer. I can almost hear the word expensive being whispered from the price tag.

“I don’t know. I’m not really sure it’s my style,” I say, not wanting to mention that I don’t have any money.

“Please. With the curves you have, your body was created to wear a dress like that.”

“You know, when you put it like that, you might be right after all,” I tease.

“I promised to take you out today and show you a good time. And that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

Case opens the door. “After you.”

I step in front of him and enter the store. The sound of chimes tinkles as the door to the shop closes behind us.

South West is situated on two levels. Crystal chandeliers dangle from the ceiling and black curtains drape the upper windows. There’s a long staircase that descends from the second floor down to where we’re standing.

The most gorgeous clothes I’ve ever seen are elegantly displayed around the shop.

“Excuse me, can I help you?” We’re immediately greeted by a woman who evidently works in the store.

“Yes,” Case states, his voice full of authority. “We saw a dress in the shop window and just wanted to take a closer look at it.”

He pauses for a moment before continuing.

“It was over there, I believe,” he says, pointing toward the little black dress.

The woman shifts her body slightly to see where we’re looking, then turns back with the most gloriously plastic smile on her face.

“Ah, you have excellent taste. If you would come this way.” The woman is already sauntering off.

Case and I follow her. I notice the subtle way that Case puts his hand on the small of my back. It’s a simple gesture, but I love it nonetheless.

Having his hand on my body—it just does something to me.

The store clerk plucks the dress from where it’s hanging and hands it to me.

The dress is soft, gauzy, and feels like pure heaven. Tiny gold buttons line the back and there’s a simple gold belt around the waist.

I turn it over in my hands, inspecting every inch.

“If you’d like to try this on, the dressing room is to your left,” the woman says.

“Thanks.”

“If you need anything, I’ll be over here.” She points towards the cash register.

Case and I walk over to the dressing room.

“Why don’t you try this sexy little dress on for me?” he says, mischief glinting in his eyes.

“What makes you think I’m trying on this dress for you?” I say, quirking an eyebrow.

“Point taken,” Case replies with a grin, stepping to the side so I can get into the changing room.

It takes me a moment to slip my clothes off. Then, I put the dress on.

Case was totally right on this one—this dress fits every single curve to perfection. I turn around in the mirror and notice that it gives my ass just the enhancement it needs.

This little number would stop just about any guy within a one-mile radius.

I attempt to do up the buttons on the back, but it’s a little hard to reach.

After a few moments of struggling, I hear Case call out my name from behind the curtain.

“Everything okay in there, Gabrielle?”

“Yeah, I’m just trying to get the back.”

“Do you want me to give you a hand?”

I consider his offer, a slight smile playing at the edges of my mouth.

I’m about to give Case a lot more than he bargained for.

I move the curtain out of the way.

“Holy shit, look at you,” Case says.

I turn around, making sure he gets a good view of me from every angle.

I watch his reaction, his mouth opening slightly, his eyes darkening with desire.

“Are you just going to watch or are you going to get in here?”

“Right,” he says, shaking his head as a small smile curves his lips.

Case steps forward, and I turn my back to him.

He takes his time, his hands moving torturously slowly as his fingertips brush my bare skin.

“What do you think?”

“You look good enough to fuck,” he says with a laugh.

“Just good enough?” I say, giving him a saucy look.

“Totally fuckable.”

“Good answer,” I reply with a laugh.

“When I said this dress would perfectly accentuate your curves, I had no idea just how much.”

Case pulls me toward him.

“All the things I could do to you right now...”

I feel his hand trail down my back as he massages my ass slowly, teasingly.

The room suddenly feels warmer. I turn my gaze on him, my lips meeting his in a long, luxurious kiss. Since meeting Case, I’ve wondered what his lips might taste like, and now I know.

In this little room, I’m oblivious to anything but him.

Our mouths take each other in with mounting hunger. I feel like I can’t breathe.

I can tell Case wants to go a lot further, that he’s struggling to restrain his natural instincts. What surprises me more than anything is just how much I want him as well. How this inner bad girl is suddenly surfacing out of nowhere, ready to give in to any of his demands right here in the dressing room.

Just then, we hear the movement of the curtain that hangs in front of the dressing room.

Case pulls away abruptly.

“I’m so sorry. It’s just that I found a few more outfits that I thought you would like,” the store clerk says, her cheeks reddening.

Case clears his throat.

“Yes, I was just helping her out. I’ll wait outside.” He gives me a little wink as he saunters out.

That man has no shame.

I almost can’t contain my laughter.

The clerk places the dresses she selected on a hook in the dressing room.

“Your boyfriend?” she says with a raised eyebrow.

I just smile.

“Something like that,” I reply.

“He’s a keeper,” she says, giving me a wink.

I try on a few dresses. The lady has excellent taste, and everything seems to fit perfectly. There’s something to be said for boutique shopping.

After my little rendezvous with Case in the changing room, I’m realizing more and more how much I enjoy having his attention on me.

In fact, I’m becoming increasingly aware of just how much power I hold over him. It’s definitely a turn on.

We spend nearly two hours in that store.

“I think you’ve tried on everything this shop has in stock. Why don’t we take this to the cashier?” Case says when I finally emerge from the dressing room for the last time.

“Are you sure—”

“I know what you’re going to say, but don’t even think about it. I’m going to take care of you.”

“Thanks,” I say with a smile.

Case leans over.

I assume he’s about to kiss me again, but he simply gives me a peck on the cheek before going over to the register.

A few moments later, we’re out the door and back on St. Catherine Street.

Case and I walk down the street towards his car.

“How do you feel about going for dinner this evening?” he asks.

“Well, I am a little hungry.”

“Great. Why don’t we go back to my place and you can get dressed?”

“Sounds like a plan.”