Billionaire Romance Boxed Set (9 Book Bundle) (56 page)

The
dress looked even better than I could have imagined. The gathering around the
waist made me even more hourglass than I planned. I knew the dress looked good
on me, but I never stopped to realize I looked good too. It wasn’t just the
smoke and mirrors of the dress.

“A
few weeks ago I was in the suit department at Hargrove’s,” he said, his
voice low and husky. “I turned around when I heard the shuffling of
another person and spotted an angel. She had black hair, the perfect
juxtaposition against her creamy skin, and it drew me to her. But as I
approached I realized she wasn’t an angel at all.”

His
strong hands felt warm on my bare shoulders. Dropping his head down, he pressed
his cheek against my hair and slowly inhaled sending chills up my spine. Frozen
with desire for him, I waited for what might happen next.

“No
angel could get away with flaunting so much cleavage. Let alone ignite the bad
thoughts of what I want to do there,” he said as his fingers lightly
traced the exposed skin in the opening of my dress.

“Deborah,”
he whispered in my ear, “you are incredibly sexy. I won’t lie, I’ve been
with many woman but I’ve never wanted one as badly as I want you. Your hair,
your face, your personality, and your body. Everything is perfect.”

Feeling
his large hands slip down the sides of the thin fabric of my dress, I felt
naked before him. My breath caught as my body reacted to his touch, wanting
more.

“Excuse
me Mr. King,” a woman’s voice spoke softly behind us, “dinner is
served.”

Will
let out a sigh before straightening to his full height. “Thank you, we’ll
be right there.”

Turning
to face him, I looked up into his hazel eyes to find them a dark green.
Reaching up, I grabbed his brown striped tie and pulled him down to kiss him.

The
moment our lips touched, my body ached for more. I pressed myself against him as
his fingers wound into my hair and pulled my head back. His mouth left mine and
moved slowly down my neck, stopping to suck a sensitive spot by my ear while I
silently cursed wearing a halter dress.

“If
we were alone I’d rip that damned dress off you,” he said huskily with a
devilish grin.

“I
might hold you to that you know.”

He
laughed and took my hand and led me back to our table where the final golden
glow of the sun slowly sank into the ocean. Votive candles centered on every
table cast a romantic glow throughout the room.

The
first course was already laid out on our table but I couldn’t focus on it. The
entire meal was a blur as we picked at our food while getting to know each
other better. It didn’t help that my mind couldn’t forget the feel of his lips
on my neck and imagined what they would feel like elsewhere.

At
the end of the night, Will wrapped his arm around me as we walked out into the
cool, salty sea air and got back into the limo. The divider was down and once
the door was closed, Stewart looked at Will through the rear view mirror.

“Home,
sir?”

Will
looked at me and raised his eye brows as if to silently ask me the same
question. As much as I wanted to say yes, I couldn’t.

“I
really should be getting home. I have to be at work early and I need to start
working on my samples,” I said. “They need to be perfect.”

He
smiled and nodded before reaching out for my hand and engulfing it in his.

“To
Hargrove’s, Stewart. Miss Hansen has to work in the morning.”

“Yes
sir,” Stewart replied before sliding up the divider and steering the car
into traffic.

“Thank
you so much for such an amazing night. Everything was just perfect,” I
said then summoned up my courage. “Will I see you again?”

“Yes.
Before you know it,” he said smiling before kissing my forehead.

Chapter Nine

Deborah

Between
being so busy with work and the pieces I needed to create for the final leg of
the competition, the week after my dream date with Mr. Sexy flew by. It moved
so quickly that I barely noticed that Will never showed up at the store. I was
so engrossed in everything that I didn’t even care that he disappeared. I also
took up lying as my new hobby to support the old sarcasm one.

Still,
not a day went by that I didn’t think about my Mr. Sexy. I also spent that time
kicking myself for not only forgetting to ask for his number, but for
forgetting to give him mine. Unless he showed up at the store, I had no way of
seeing him.

But
then it happened. After that first week, I saw him more often. I never knew
when he was coming in and sometimes it was only for a few minutes, but even
those short visits became the highlight of my day. He always said he was just
stopping by to say hi and that until I finished my samples he would wait by the
sidelines.

I
couldn’t believe how lucky I was. Not that I wanted him waiting, but knowing he
was motivated me even more. No longer was I just creating the samples for the
contest and myself. I had someone who was interested in what I was doing and
supported me.

Every
piece I made I wondered what he would think of it.
Would he like it? Would
he think I was sexy in it?
I went out of my way to make sure the samples
were perfect and there wasn’t a wrong or missed stitch anywhere, not only
because I wanted to do my best for the contest, but because I wanted them to be
flawless when I showed them to Will.

But
why didn’t he call?
He
found out my name somehow, surely if he wanted my number he would’ve gotten
that too. I was greedy and wanted more than just the work visits, but every
time he showed up I’d forget to slip him my number anyway.

While
I drove myself crazy with questions, I focused on my creations. Not only did
they keep me going, but I knew Will would show up eventually. I just never knew
when.

Between
working on my collection and waiting for Will, the month flew by and the day of
my sample viewing arrived. I considered asking a friend to model my
showstopper, the ocean and Tim Ross inspired chiffon gown, but in the last
minute changed my mind.

None
of the other designers were using models and I wanted to be sure if I won it
was a level playing field. I didn’t want anything I could point to for winning
other than the strength of my collection.

Wearing
the mid-calf circle skirt I created out of the silk-wool fabric with
watercolor-style purple flowers on it, a purple silk camisole to match the
flowers in the skirt, and a black shrug, I rode the elevator up to the
corporate level once again, but this time I had my small rack of clothes.

I
took a couple of deep breaths and waved my moist palms in the air as if that
would take care of them. With my nerves on full speed I was grateful for the
slow elevator and glad I wore the cami to keep me cool.

Whenever
I felt anxious I tended to sweat. Someone once told me women don’t sweat, as if
just hearing that I would stop. She said women glisten and glow. That certainly
wasn’t me. If women didn’t sweat, then I was something other than a woman.

The
last thing I needed was to sweat grossly during my presentation. I was
confident my line would be the fashion forward, yet wearable collection they
were looking for, but my nerves always got the best of me.

As
the doors opened, I pushed the rolling rack down the hall to Kylie’s desk. She
smiled widely when she saw me, like we were old friends.

“I’ve
been looking forward to seeing your collection,” she said. “Oooh
that’s an amazing skirt! Did you make that too?”

“Yes,
thank you. I made everything I’m wearing. I try to only wear what I’ve
designed.”

I
tried to peek at the list of candidates on her desk, but it was useless. While
Kylie obviously liked gossiping, she also knew when it benefitted her to keep
something secret.

“Are
you trying to look?” She asked grinning.

“Yes,
I’m sorry, I was curious how many other designers made it this far.”

“I’m
sorry,” she said as she wiggled four fingers in the air, “I really
can’t say.”

I
mouthed ‘thank you’ to her and looked over my designs one last time as Kylie
disappeared into the conference room then popped her head out and waved me in.

Pushing
the wheeled rack into the the conference room, I suddenly felt calm. The
samples were some of the best work I ever did, not only design-wise but
craftsmanship too. Everything I worked for led to this moment and I silently
wished my grandma was still around to share it with me.

Amanda,
Tim, and Claudine sat in the same seats as last time with notepads in front of
each of them. They smiled at me warmly as I centered the rack ready for any
questions they might have.

“Good
day, Miss Hansen,” Tim said. “I have to say I’ve been looking forward
to seeing your work all week.”

“Thank
you, I’m excited to share it with you. I’ve dreamt about having my own fashion
line since I was little. You’ll notice elements from vintage styles, which I
absolutely love, mixed with modern. All of my designs are made for real women,
like myself, but can be designed for a smaller girl and still be
flattering.”

As
I spoke I pointed to the different design elements I mentioned within each
garment. They continued to smile and nod occasionally. None of them took many
notes, but I did see Tim do a quick sketch of a dress with a similar style to
one of my garments which thrilled me. I couldn’t believe something I created
might have inspired him.

“How
complete are these samples?” Amanda asked. “Your skill level seems
very high. Can I get a closer look at that ruching?”

“All
the samples are ready for fittings,” I said as I laid the ocean blue gown
on the table in front of them. “I did all the hand-ruching myself.”

“Impressive,”
said Tim as the others nodded.

“So
you’d be able to pack your samples and take them to…lets say hypothetically
Paris next week and then fit them on models?” Amanda asked.

“Hypothetically?
Yes,” I said.

“And
in reality?”

“Unfortunately
no, in reality I need to work.”

“And
what if this was your work?”

“Please
don’t tease me.”

Amanda
leaned in towards Tim as the three of them whispered. Confused, I tried to look
busy rearranging the hangers while I waited to find out what was going on. They
pointed at several items in my collection and then Amanda sat back.

“Paris
Fashion Week is six days away and I planned for Hargrove’s to show a
collection, but there was a miscommunication and I have nothing but a
reservation. Would you be able to leave in three days for Paris? You’ll be gone
for two weeks and of course we’ll cover all your expenses.”

“Are
you kidding me? Of course! I can leave now if you want.”

She
laughed then continued. “Congratulations, Deborah! I’m really looking
forward to working with you on your next collection. Kylie will make all the
arrangements for you and your assistant.”

“Oh
wow! Thank you! Thank you so much!” I said.

I
ran up and hugged each of them again before quickly wheeling my rack of clothes
out of the room before they realized what they did and changed their minds. My
mind raced as I passed Kylie’s desk, stopped to hug her too, then scrambled
onto the elevator.

I
had to tell someone! I hit the button planning to go to the men’s department
and find Dianna. I could burst I was so excited!

I
had so much to do. My mind raced as I wondered who could watch Trap for me and
how I was going to afford the trip even though Hargrove’s was paying for the
big stuff. The elevator dinged as the doors opened. I stepped out, but one of
the rack wheels got caught in the space between the floor and the elevator. I
yanked the rack free and collided into someone.

“Shit!
I’m so—” I began then stopped as I realized it was Dianna. “I was
just going to see you! I won! I won the contest!”

“I
knew you’d win! Congratulations! I’m so happy for you.”

“It
was amazing! It all happened so fast. They loved everything and then asked me
if I could get my samples model ready for next week.”

“Next
week?”

“I’m
going to Paris!”

“Bitch!
I hate you,” she joked. “Don’t you get to bring an assistant? I know
my way around a sewing machine, you know.”

“I
know you’re joking but if you’re serious about knowing how to sew, I really
will need help out there. I only have a few days once I get there to do
fittings and all the alterations.”

“Really?
I am so there! I just need to clear it with the higher ups and make sure they
have someone to cover for me. When do we leave?”

“In
three days.”

“I’m
going to run up now to get everything squared away. Call me later when you find
out all the details. Sure you won’t change your mind? Maybe you’d like to bring
someone else?”

“Someone
else? No. I need help and we get along great. Who else would I bring?”

“Well
it is the city of love…maybe Mr. Sexy?”

“I
don’t have any way of getting in touch with him. Besides I really need help out
there. Plus I probably won’t even see him before I go.”

“If
you say so. He’s heading this way though,” she said before jumping into
the elevator and hitting the button repeatedly for the door to close.

As
I turned towards the direction Dianna’s eyes were focused on, Will appeared.
With him dressed in a dark blue suit complemented by a sky blue button shirt,
with the first couple of buttons undone and no tie, I couldn’t take my eyes off
him as he cut through a couple of departments on his way to me.

“You
are hard to find,” he said.

“Helps
if I know when I’m being looked for.”

“I’ll
pick you up at five tonight at your apartment. Bring a change of clothes,
you’ll be staying the night,” he said then walked away.

I
stood there with my jaw on the floor in shock and unable to speak. I wanted to
say no and challenge him, but I couldn’t. My mouth wouldn’t even work to ask
how he knew where I lived. The more forceful and demanding he became, the more
I needed to have him and the more my body reacted to his gruff voice.

As
I stepped outside I looked around for him but he was gone. I looked for his
long black stretch limo, but found nothing. Carefully folding my collection and
slipping the pieces into my old hard sided suitcase, I left them in the car and
headed back into the store.

Riding
the escalator to the second level, I spotted exactly what I was looking
for—lingerie. It was time to use my employee discount and credit card.
Normally I slept in an oversized t-shirt, but spending the night at Mr. Sexy’s
I was hoping to do anything but sleep.

The
lingerie department ran along the back wall of the second floor, behind a white
arch. One side had the basics—bras, panties, and slips in basic cotton, satin,
and lace. I went to the other side where several sexy displays showed off their
sexier items.

After
deciding I wanted a babydoll, I looked through a few but couldn’t find any in a
large enough size.

“Can
I help you with anything?” Asked the saleswoman.

Her
name tag said ‘Natalie’. She had black and silver hair done in an bulletproof
hairstyle she probably paid to get washed once a week. She had small wire-rim
glasses perched at the end of her long thin nose and she sucked in her cheeks
as she waited for an answer.

“I’m
looking for a babydoll in size 18 or 20.”

She
clucked and sighed as she quickly scanned the department. “Unfortunately
dear, we don’t stock much for big girls like you. I think there are a few
things in clearance though. If you find anything in there you’re a lucky girl,
I just added a few more items and there are some tremendous discounts.”

“Thanks,
I’ll take a look,” I said feeling defeated.

I
didn’t expect to find anything pretty or sexy unless it was in a size that
would fit my pinky, but I had to give it a shot. I didn’t have enough time to
go shopping if Will planned to pick me up at five. It had been a long time
since I got myself lingerie ready for a man.

Looking
through the racks of tightly packed undergarments, I became exceedingly
disappointed until I saw a small tag with a 20 sticking up with several bright
red lines going through the $400 price tag.

I
followed the plastic tag down to the hanger and gently pulled out the cutest
black babydoll set I had ever seen. Made with silk chiffon with chiffon pleats
at the trim, the bra panel had a sheer geometric pattern with vintage floral motifs
embroidered onto sheer tulle. To top it off, it came with a simple pair of
black panties with ties at the hips. No wonder it cost so much!