As they walked around she couldn’t help but notice the snobby looks she received from some women and the looks of envy from others. Most of the women probably thought she was a poor relative of Ryan’s because he certainly fit in with the crowd in his custom made Armani suit and Italian loafers.
They walked into a store and the clerk approached them eagerly, practically purring at Ryan. Nicole felt a slight pang of jealousy and had to fight it down. Ryan grinned down at her, far too brilliantly, in Nicole’s opinion.
“How can I help you?” she asked Ryan, completely ignoring Nicole. She was a bit irritated by it.
“We need to purchase an entire wardrobe. I’m sure you’ll be able to help us,” he practically purred back at her. The woman actually blushed a bit at his brilliant smile and Nicole had to suck in the words she wanted to shout at the piranha.
Then she realized they were in a woman’s shop and what he was intending. Her face turned scarlet, as the woman turned towards her for an assessment. She could see the woman wanted to know who she was and she could also see she was hoping she was his little sister.
“I can certainly help you with new clothing, please follow me,” she said and sauntered off, moving her hips much more than needed.
“What do you think you’re doing?” Nicole accused underneath her breath, certainly not wanting the very elegant woman to overhear her.
“I’m purchasing you some clothes,” he said. He then looked at her as if she wasn’t too bright, since they were standing in a store.
“I didn’t ask for you to purchase me clothing, nor do I want them,” she hissed at him and started to walk out the door. He was so stunned by her refusal, he almost allowed her to walk out the door. At the last second, he snaked his arm out, grabbing her.
“You’ll allow me to do this. You need to dress a certain way for occasions I want you to attend,” he said to her. They glared at each other for several moments. Nicole was trying to figure out how to get out of the store without making a scene.
“Are you coming?” the sales lady asked from the back of the store, with some concern in her voice. She was most likely worried about losing the huge commission he’d promised her.
“Yes, we are,” Ryan said and literally dragged Nicole to the back of the store. Before she knew it, the lovely woman had her stripped from her clothing, standing in nothing but her bra and panties, taking her measurements.
Ryan sat there, cool as ice, as he watched her. She turned her face away and had to fight tears, she was so angry. The sales woman, whose name was Barbie, very fitting, Nicole thought snidely, was bringing different items out for Ryan’s approval.
Nicole refused to comment on a single item so Ryan picked everything. She didn’t need to try anything on, as the clothes were chosen from the measurements the woman took earlier. The entire ordeal lasted a few hours and by the time they were done, Nicole had a raging headache and couldn’t have described a single item Ryan chose. He had all the clothes boxed, then had his driver come and haul them all out to his vehicle.
She figured he’d just wasted an incredible amount of money because she wouldn’t wear one single thing he’d picked. He could save them for his next mistress. She wouldn’t be bought.
They reached the office and she gladly left his car and headed over towards her own. She was done talking to him and wanted to go back to the house, have a hot bath and forget the day had happened. If she stayed around him too much longer she would end up smacking him in his gorgeous face.
Chapter Seven
Ryan had the opportunity to work on an amazing historical site. It was the first time in his life he wanted to turn the project away but in the end, it was simply too great of an opportunity to let it go. He couldn’t believe he was even considering not doing it but Patsy wasn’t ready to leave the country and there was no way he could take Nicole. She would be miserable, wondering how her sister was doing.
Things had been much better over the last month. She still fought him every step of the way and his hunger for her was still as strong as it had been from the first day but he would wake up many mornings to find her gone. She didn’t try climbing into another bed but he would find her on the sofa, watching a movie, or out in the garden. He couldn’t complain and keep her locked to his bed twenty-four-seven but he’d like to do that.
He decided to force himself to go on the trip. He refused to let her alter his lifestyle, especially since she wasn’t giving him anything of herself emotionally. But even beyond that the trip would be good. Maybe when he was gone she’d miss him and start appreciating the things he did for her. He was happy and hopeful about her possibly missing him. He was also afraid he was going to be the one aching and miserable.
He could swear she was a witch and had him under some kind of a spell. She even got along spectacularly with all of his family members. He seemed to be the only one who ever got under her skin. He hadn’t once in his adult life, lasted so long with any woman. He couldn’t seem to get enough of her, even when she was snapping at him. It figured he wanted more than anything the one thing he should cut ties with.
“Hey, where did you go?” Derek asked him.
“Sorry, my mind drifted off,” Ryan told his cousin.
“Yeah, I remember those days. I bet your thoughts were filled with a dark haired beauty,” Derek said with a waggle of his brows.
“No, of course not. I’m thinking about my upcoming trip,” Ryan lied smoothly.
“When are you leaving?”
“I have to take off tonight. I won’t be back for at least a month, maybe longer. Hopefully by then I’ll have some more control over myself,” Ryan told him. Derek actually had the gall to laugh, which caused Ryan to glare. That only made Derek laugh even harder. He guessed he deserved it, as he’d pushed Derek’s buttons when he’d been miserable.
“I have a trip next week in that direction so I’ll stop by and see what you’re working on. I haven’t been able to take Jasmine out in a while and I think she’d really love Rome,” Derek told him with a sappy look in his eye.
“Seriously Derek, you’re disgustingly pleasant now. What the hell happened to the corporate powerhouse?”
“Jasmine happened. I didn’t know I could be so happy but man, if I’m away from her for even a night I feel empty,” Derek said. Ryan’s gut clenched at those words. He was forcing himself to be away from Nicole for much longer than one night. He wasn’t his cousin though and wouldn’t allow himself to think about it. It was a good thought at least.