Chapter 8
Fifteen minutes later, Kylan had finally pulled three dresses from a few different racks. He walked them to the dressing room and hung them up for her. Then he turned and left her to change in private.
She took a deep breath to steady herself. She trailed her fingers over the silky material of the first gown. It was a deep plum color with a subtle sweetheart neckline, and it looked like it would be fairly form–fitting She pulled off her clothes, hesitating when she got to her bra. She knew she would most likely need to wear something sleeveless underneath whatever dress she picked. She also didn’t love the idea of Kylan seeing something like her bra straps, so she slipped it off too..
She pulled on the plum gown, and then she realized very quickly that she wouldn’t be able to reach the zipper in the back by herself. She hit her lip in frustration before she rolled her eyes
“Kylan‘ I need… I need your help,” she called out nervously. She quickly bent down and showed her bra under her work dress.
Kylan knocked on the door a moment later, and she opened it a small fraction. She turned so her back was facing him. “I can’t get the rest of the ripper,” she told him quietly.
He opened the door further, moving to step
tep inside. She felt cool fingers brush her hair away
There. Kylan said softly, easily pulling the zipper up the rest of the way.
way from h
her luck.
She turned around, taking into Exet that Kylan was inside the small dressing room with her. She felt a blush return to her cheeks. “Um.. I can probably show you better if you’re out there,” she told him nervously.
Kylan nodded, fumbling with the doorknob and stepping back out. She followed him, and he sat down on an armchair near a few floor–length mirrors. She stopped a few feet in front of him, unsure of how the hell to stand exactly.
Her boss was eyeing her with an unreadable expression, and she was annoyed that he was damn good at concealing his every thought and emotion. For all she knew, she looked ridiculous.
-well!” she squeaked out
“Turn in a circle.” Kylan instructed, his tone flat and full of b
boredom.
She did as she was cold, coming to a stop once she was facing him again. Kylan squinted his eyes at her momentarily. That’s not the right color,” he concluded
Her shoulders sank slightly, but she nodded. “Can you?” She turned around, gesturing to the
e zipper on her back again.
Kylan stood, helping to lower the zipper just enough so that she would be able to do the rest. She was startled at the feeling of his cool fingertips. back on her skin. She mumbled a small thank you and then headed back into the dressing room
The second dress was much the same experience, with Kylan telling her that it wasn’t her color again and that the fit was all wrong. She was growing flustered, as she now eyed the last remaining dress. This one was a rich burgundy in color, and the waist flared out into a beautiful, full skirt. The neckline swooped quite low, and the sleeves were capped and would no doubt hang off her shoulders.
With a deep breath, she pulled it on. She eyed herself in the mirror of the dressing room, surprised by her own sudden elegance. She hoped Kylan would approve of this one, so she wouldn’t have to try on more dresses. She was exhausted, and she wanted to go home.
She stepped out of the dressing room, seeing that Kylan was on his phone. She moved to stand a few feet away from him and cleared her throat to announce her presence. Kylan scowled, locking his phone and moving his gaze to look at her.
His eyes widened ever so slightly, and he looked her up and down rather slowly. He stood from the chair and began to circle her. He seemed to like to do that to her a lot, and she was more nervous than ever.
ng but silence and his eyes on her.
“Well? Is this one acceptable?” she asked him after a few minutes of nothing
Kylan stopped in front of her finally, his hands in the pockets of his suit pants. It’s quite acceptable,” he murmured.
She smiled at him, relief flooding her system. “Thank you,” she said with a laugh.
Kylan swallowed and licked his lips, furrowing his brow as he looked at her, “Right. Go get changed, and we’ll have Oscar take you home,” he said coolly
The did as she was told.
She nodded and gladly did as
She got changed and carried the dress out of the dressing roo
room with her. Kylan took it from her, and she realized she hadn’t looked at the price tag She knew he had told her money was no issue, but she still felt irresponsible and rude for not checking the price beforehand. She tried to remind herself that he had picked out the dress.
When the same clerk from before cashed her out, she had to fight back the gasp when she said the total. The dress was four thousand freaking
Chuupier&
dollars. She didn’t even know if her entire collection of semi–nice high heels, would amount to that much.
What was more surprising, was the fact that Kylan didn’t even blink, when he handed over a sleek–looking, metal credit card, to the woman. The clerk bagged her dress for thens, and kylan carried it out to the car.
fort
Oscar helped book the dress in the front passenger seat, and Kylan held the back door open for her. She climbed inside and Kylan moved in after
het
She knew he told her money was no issue. She knew he was a billionaire. But it still made her uncomfortable that he had spent that kind of money
thepantly.
on her so
ice, that was-” Kylan looked at her with a glare, and she quieted
“Sir Um, kylan. Thank you for the dress. But that. I’m sorry I didn’t check the price, immmediately,
“Did I not pick the store, katrina?” he asked her.
She nodded her head. “Yes, you
did. But-
“Did I not say I would pay for th
things like this?” he reminded her.
She sighed. “I know you did. But-
Then why the hell are you making a big deal out of it? It’s just money,” he snapped at her.
She frowned. “I know it is. I just. Didn’t grow up around things like this. It’s… Nobody has ever, you know, bought me anything nice before,” she finished quietly, turning to look out the window of the car. She could feel Kylan still looking at her, but she didn’t turn her head
1 didn’t grow up around money either. I get it. But I also don’t want to have this conversation repeatedly over the course of our one–year relationship, kylan spoke sternly, but not unkindly
She turned her head to look at him then. She had assumed he didn’t come from money, but he had never confirmed that for sure until right now. She knew better than to ask specifics about his life before Ross Corp, though,
“I understand. I keep my thoughts to myself from here on out, she promised him.
He grunted in response, just as Oscar pulled up to her apartment building. Kylan helped her out of the car once more, and Oscar carefully handed her her new dress. She smiled at hun gratefully. She turned to Kylan, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. Oscar got back in the with his hands back in his pockets.
car, and Kylan stood
He seemed to be thinking about something for a moment. He reached into his pocket and pulled out his sleek, black leather–bound wallet. He took out the same card he had used at the store and handed it to her. She took it hesitantly, surprised by how heavy it was. She didn’t want to think about what kind of limit a card like that must have
“Sir!” she asked Kylan curiously.
Kylan ran his hund across the back of his neck, looking uncharacteristically nervous for a fraction of a second. “Use that to pick out some jewelry that will match the dress. You can also use it for my morning tea, and your coffee. That way you don’t have to wait to be reimbursed in your paycheck, he explained, not meeting her eyes.
She comdered it for a moment. She was surprised he would trust her with something like a credit card, but it was obvious he didn’t want big deal out of it.
“Sounds great. Thank you, 5- Kylan, she corrected herself
Kylan nodded his head once. “Goodnight, Katrina,” he said, climbing back into the SUV
to make a
“Goodnight, Kylan,” she responded, closing the safety of her hand, and she did her best to ignore the weight of it.
the door of the car and turning to walk inside her apartment building. Kylan’s credit card was nestled in
