Zeke wasn’t going to let her protect him though. Instead of exiting her bedroom, he actually stepped closer to her, his arm wrapping around her waist as he pulled her against his hard, demanding body. “Marissa, let’s get something straight. You’re coming with me and I’m not waiting for you to agree with me. This is non-negotiable. If you want to pack something, then I’ll give you sixty seconds but understand that I’d rather dress you in clothes I’ve bought you, or even better, have you completely naked. So don’t mistake my calm voice for weak determination. You’re coming with me in one minute, packed or not packed.”
Marissa looked up into his eyes, her hands holding onto his shoulders to steady herself but she knew that he wouldn’t let her fall. She also understood that he wasn’t bluffing. The man would probably carry her out the door over his shoulder if she didn’t hurry along.
“I don’t understand why,” she started to say and glanced through the window one more time.
“Fifty-five seconds, Marissa.”
She was completely confused, but she also knew that she needed to get him out of there. Fast. She definitely didn’t want her father to discover him here in her bedroom. She had no idea how her father would react to his presence in his house, much less his daughter’s bedroom. Her father might want his daughter married to the man, but he might consider Zeke being in his daughter’s bedroom as a sign of disrespect. That would be extremely dangerous.
“Come on,” she sighed and grabbed her purse, intending to come back later once she’d figured out what he was talking about, what his purpose was. “Let’s get out of here before you’re discovered in my room.”
Zeke was in whole-hearted agreement. Not so worried about being in her bedroom but about getting him out of this house, with that man as her father. He’d been worried ever since his housekeeper told him she’d left his penthouse this morning. He’d instinctively known she’d gone back to her father’s house even though he’d told her he’d see her tonight. He’d meant that she should stay where she was. He had never intended for her to leave the safety and security of his penthouse, especially to come back here where her father could hurt her.
He took her arm and hurried her out the door, almost pushing her into his waiting limousine where his security detail was already on standby for him and Marissa’s appearance. “We’re in,” he said to his driver even before the door closed. “Go,” was all Zeke said and the tires were squealing down the street.
Marissa looked behind them and noticed a black SUV right behind them. “One of yours?” she asked.
Zeke only nodded grimly as he took his phone out of his pocket. “We’re on the way. Have everything ready. We only have ten minutes at the most.”
He hung up and looked out the window. Marissa waited for him to explain now that they were alone, but when it looked like he would remain silent, she shook her head, her patience and worry getting the better of her. Besides, she couldn’t contain her curiosity any longer. “So where are we going and why does someone only have ten minutes?”
He swung his head around, pinning her with his almost black eyes. “We’re running behind schedule.” He looked out the window, his impatience almost palpable. “We’re here,” he said a moment later. The limousine pulled up outside a small, exclusive boutique and Zeke took her hand in his, pulling her gently but insistently out of the vehicle behind him and leading her into the store.
A tall, beautiful blond stepped in front of them as soon as they entered. She looked cool and sophisticated with a professional smile on her face, making Marissa feel dowdy and homely with her barely styled hair and her just-bought clothes. “Everything is waiting for you, Mr. Vaughn. We’re here to help you with anything you need,” she explained and gestured for them to follow her to the back of the store.
Marissa gasped when they stopped in front of several mirrors. There were no other patrons, but there were five different wedding dresses in different styles hanging from each of the mirrors. “Pick one,” Zeke said, crossing his arms over his chest and glaring at her.
Marissa’s mouth dropped open and she stared at the dresses, then at Zeke, whose arms were straining the material of his jacket with his muscular arms crossed like that. “Pick one?” she repeated. “Why would I pick any of them?” she asked warily, unconsciously stepped backwards as if to separate herself from the idea of wearing a wedding gown. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to marry Zeke. It was that she wanted to marry him too much. Despite their short acquaintance, Zeke was the kind of man she knew only came around once in a lifetime.
Unfortunately, her lifetime would put him in jeopardy.
Zeke stepped forward and looked her up and down, almost as if he didn’t know her body intimately. “That one,” he said, pointing towards a gorgeous gown with a skirt that billowed out almost magically, as if a group of fairies were dancing around the edge, holding it out and making it flutter mystically. The hem only came to mid-calf but that didn’t diminish the elegance of the dress. The bodice would hug her breasts and waist, making her feel slender and feminine. It was gilded with tiny pearls and shimmering crystals, cap sleeves and a sweetheart neckline, looking just as dramatic as the shimmering skirt. “It’s beautiful,” she gasped, but shook her head. “I still don’t understand why you chose that one.”
He stepped forward, taking her hands gently. “Would you just try it on for me?” he asked, his eyes soft, but still coaxing.
She was about to shake her head in denial, but something about his gaze told her that it might be a good idea to just humor him on this subject.
With shaking hands, she took the dress and followed the blond woman into a dressing room. It took only moments to take off the clothes she’d just purchased that morning and pull on the fabulous dress. It didn’t need any alterations, fitting her perfectly. It was absolutely gorgeous!
The blond woman handed her a pair of white, satin shoes and Marissa slipped them onto her bare feet, feeling only slightly awkward to not be wearing white stockings.
She wasn’t sure what was going on, but she loved the dress.
When she stepped out of the dressing room, she peeked up at Zeke and was flattered when his eyes flared in appreciation of her in the dress. “What do you think?” she asked softly, stepping up onto the round staging area. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?”