“Mmm-hmm, just keep telling yourself that if it makes you feel better.” She patted his chest. “I know the truth.”

“Oh, yeah, what’s that?”

“You’re a dirty old perv.”

She danced out of reach when he tried to grab her, and his low chuckle followed her into her bedroom. “I’ll make you pay for that when I get back, you know that, right?”

Oh, she was counting on it, and she couldn’t wait.

Chapter Fourteen

“I told you to stop looking at the price tags.” Deacon frowned and pulled the dress out of Alex’s hands, then passed it to the shop assistant hovering behind them. “Take this to the changing room as well, please.”

His little viper crossed her arms and threw him a pissy look. He didn’t dare tell her she looked cute and sexy all riled up. “No one can see the labels when I’m wearing them.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “So why are you insisting we shop where a single dress costs more than…than…shit, I can’t think of anything to compare it to. What does that tell you?”

“That you’re not very imaginative?”

She released a drawn-out sigh that made his dick stand up and take notice. But then, all the woman had to do was look at him and his dick took notice. “No, wise-ass, it tells you that you’re wasting your money. I work in a filthy garage, elbows deep in grease every day. Getting me stuff like this is a waste.”

He quirked a brow. “Can you repeat that please?”

She crossed her arms and scowled.

“You know, the part after you called me a wise-ass.”

She rolled her eyes.

“The part where you said I’m wasting my money.”

“God, you’re annoying.”

“I know. Now stop acting like a brat and get in the changing room and try on those extremely beautiful, obscenely expensive dresses and pretend you’re enjoying yourself.”

A grin lifted the corner of her mouth, just a bit, but enough. “It’s that important to you?”

He’d seen the way her eyes had lit up when they’d walked in the door. The designer clothes were more on the edgy side, unique, like the woman standing in front of him, and he’d hoped more her style than the places he’d been shopping for her so far.

Alex could deny it all she wanted, but he knew she was full of it. “Yes. It’s that important to me.”

“Fine.” Lifting the small leather bag she’d strung across her shoulder over her head, she thrust it at him. “Here, hold my purse.” He didn’t miss the wicked glint in her eyes as she all but stomped to the dressing room.

Oh, yeah, she’ll pay for that, too.

He’d had her bent over her kitchen table less than two hours ago, and he could hardly wait to have her in his bed again, to take his time, to savor every minute. The last few times had been hard and fast—his desperation to quench his need for her hadn’t allowed anything else—but he intended to show her how good it could be when he took his time…when he made love to her.

He grinned. And he’d do just that, as soon as he got back.

He glanced over to the changing rooms and shook his head. Despite her protests, she was enjoying herself. The afternoon couldn’t be going better. He’d taken her to lunch first, and they’d talked the whole time, laughed, and when they’d left, she’d let him take her hand, had actually kissed him as a thank-you. The first kiss she’d initiated, for no other reason than she’d wanted to. It was perfect and had driven him damn near crazy, especially when she’d slid her tongue along his bottom lip before pulling away.

His blood fired at the memory, but he reined it in. Today wasn’t about satisfying his lust for her. He wanted to show her how good they were together, and not just in bed.

He moved to the far wall, where the shoes were displayed, and waved the assistant over. “I’ll take these boots as well. Size seven.” Alex had picked them up and all but drooled over them, but after checking the price had shoved them back like they were on fire. He’d seen her cast longing looks their way several times since. The black boots were knee-high and had a row of silver studs around the top of each spiked heel. They were extremely sexy, sleek, edgy. They were made for Alex.

He wanted to see her in these sexy, kick-ass boots, and nothing else. Talk about torturing himself.

“Silver studs, Deacon? I didn’t think they were your style.”

He turned at the sound of his ex-wife’s voice, taking in her appearance. There was no trace of the emotional breakdown from his office that morning. She was perfectly put together, not a hair out of place. Tammy stood beside her, a vicious smile lifting her glossy red lips. “I’m surprised to see you out and about, Emily. I take it you’re feeling better?”

She straightened her shoulders. “Don’t tell me you’re concerned.” She looked at her friend, then back to him. “And how is it any of your business?”

“It’s not, you’re absolutely right.” He turned his back on them and headed to the dressing rooms just as Alex stepped out in the purple satin slip dress she’d spotted as soon as they’d walked in. Shit. She looked amazing. The woman stole his breath.

Her nose crinkled in a cute way that made him want to pull her into his arms and never let her go. “What do you think? Not too short, too clingy?”

Her face was flushed with pleasure. That expression on her face was the reason he’d planned this excursion. Alex had grown up with nothing, even when her parents were alive, and after, well, she’d worn other people’s castoffs, and he remembered a time or two when she’d been forced to wear boys’ clothes.

She’d been through a lot, had suffered unimaginable pain in her life. She deserved nothing but the best now, and he wanted to be the one to give it to her. He wanted to put that look of pleasure on her beautiful face every day. “You look spectacular. You take my breath away.”

Alex’s blush intensified, and his protective instincts fired to life. He wanted nothing more than to make her believe it. Make her see herself the way he saw her. She was a knockout in a designer dress, but she was just as stunning in a pair of cutoffs and a tank top.

She screwed up her face. “You think?”

He stepped closer, couldn’t stop himself, and cupped her face. “You are—always have been—the most exquisite woman I have ever laid eyes on. You’re beautiful, Alex, inside and out.”

She shook her head, and her long dark hair slid over her shoulder, brushing the back of his hand. She inhaled deeply, eyes bright. “Deacon—”

“Alex?” Emily’s voice came from behind him, and he cursed.

Seeing Alex looking like that, he’d momentarily forgotten his ex-wife and her friend were in the shop.

Alex’s gaze darted over his shoulder and stuttered before she crossed her arms. “Wow…Emily, hey. Long time no see.”

His ex strode forward, and he recognized the look in her eyes. This was the side of Emily that had eroded their relationship in the beginning.

“Well, I’ll hand it to you, your persistence paid off. It looks like you got what you wanted in the end.”

“Emily,” he growled and stepped in front of Alex, blocking his ex’s line of fire. “Do not say another damn word.”

“God, you’re so blind. I told you this morning, she’s not good enough for you,” Emily said in a surprisingly calm voice. “It’s your money she’s after. You know that, right?”

He heard Alex suck in a sharp breath behind him a second before she charged forward. “You spiteful cow.”

He grabbed Alex around the waist and hauled her back.

“Have you finished?” he said to Emily, looking down at her and wondering what he’d ever seen in her. And how the hell he’d ever escape the twisted cycle they were locked in, allowing this woman to mess with his life. Emily shrugged, looking extremely pleased with herself. Her gaze moved to Alex, and she smirked.