Page 41 of Always Knew It Was You

“No, I don’t want to keep looking.” I may never want to try on another piece of clothing for the rest of my life. “The dresses are fine. I just don’t need that many.”

Micah gives me a look. “You realize we’ll be attending more than just a few events together, right? And you won’t be allowed to repeat outfits with them.”

“Yes, but…” I glance at the woman who’s still standing there eyeing us hopefully. After she’s caught, she immediately moves back behind the counter, to give us some privacy.

I move closer to whisper, “Micah, that’s a lot of stuff. A lot of very expensive stuff.”

Micah simply gives me a bemused expression. “Just who do you think you’re talking to right now?”

“Yeah, yeah, I know you’re a billionaire, but it’s just… I’m not used to owning this much stuff. What if I lose it?”

“It’s yours. You can lose it if you want.”

I frown. “You mean I keep it after our deal?”

“Yeah.” Micah seems even more bemused, with a touch of offense. “What, did you think I was going to take it back?”

“Well…”

“Okay, now I’m feeling a little insulted. Babe, it’s a gift. All this is a gift. You can take it, lose it, keep it, toss it away, donate it, wipe your ass with it… whatever you want. It’s all yours to do with as you wish.”

I stare at him, fighting the urge to protest. Deep inside, I know I’m probably overreacting. Micah is a wealthy billionaire from a very affluent family, and spending money like this is probably nothing to him.

But that little girl who insists on not needing anyone, the one who’s trying to make it on her own to prove everyone wrong, is rejecting this with everything inside me.

Micah seems to understand because his expression becomes softer. “You don’t get a lot of gifts, do you?”

It’s not said in a mean way. In fact, it’s said in the nicest way possible but somehow that hint of pity strikes a sensitive part of me and makes me jump on the defensive.

“I receive plenty of gifts,” I say tersely, and it’s true. I’ve spent too many birthdays with loved ones, receiving thoughtful handcrafted jewelry or paintings from Emma, my own fishing pole from Grandpa, and books from Mrs. Peach. They may not be as expensive, sure, but those are the gifts that truly matter, not overpriced dresses. “But I’m sorry, I don’t know if I can accept this from you.”

“Why not?”

“We barely know each other. And once our deal is over, I won’t even know what to do with them.”

“Sell them.”

“That’s too much money on top of everything else you’re already giving me. I’m sorry, I can’t.”

Micah watches me closely. His gaze feels so perceptive that I duck my head to avoid it. It feels too much like he can see through me.

“We can just go shopping whenever we need a new outfit,” I say. “After all, we’re not sure how long this is going to last.”

Micah pouts. “But then I may not even get to see you try it on. And I haven’t seen you in these either.”

“Micah…”

“Please.” His voice is suddenly serious, surprising my eyebrows into my scalp. “Please. I really,reallywant to see you in these dresses.”

Micah strikes me as the kind of guy who doesn’t use the “p word” a lot. Especially with that expression, so lacking his normal brand of humor. He’s dead serious now. And I don’t know how to deal with it.

It makes me falter. It makes my heart stumble in a way that scares me and I have to tear my gaze away.

“Fine,” I say.

“You’ll try it on for me?” He walks closer surrounding me with his scent, bringing his body flush against mine.

“Sure.” I can’t look at his eyes. Not with him so close. Not only is his scent spiking the desire inside me, but my heart is reacting dangerously.

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