Page 46 of Midnight Dissonance

By the time they finished, she was fuming. He bought her three pairs of jeans, a few shirts, both low-key and dressy, some leggings and loungewear, bras, panties, socks, and a few pairs of shoes.

And then he dragged her to the shop two doors down. It was a beauty supply shop. He propelled her inside, even with his hands laden with purchases from the previous store.

“Get the makeup and toiletries you need.” He nodded when they entered.

The store was brightly lit. And her nose was bombarded with the scents of perfume, makeup, and all manner of beauty products. Normally, she would enjoy searching through the store and finding things she liked, maybe trying a new eye shadow and lipstick. But not like this.

“No.” This wasn’t right, having him spend money like this on her. How would it be used against her later?

“Either you pick them out, or I will,” he told her with an arched brow, daring her to refuse him.

“It’s too much.” She hated being indebted to anyone. Hated having someone spend money on her.

“Why? It’s my money, and I’m choosing to spend it on you.”

“That’s the point,” she exclaimed in frustration.

“Why are you so against this?”

“Because it will be used as a weapon against me later.” She spoke her worst fear aloud and then clamped her trembling lips shut. She loathed how much it bothered her.

Understanding entered his eyes. She wanted to walk out and escape the compassion and the pity she found there. Yes, she had a shitty childhood. Not in the sense that she didn’t have food or new clothes and such; she had everything money could buy.

And that money had been used to control and manipulate her until she finally had enough.

“Never mind. I see the stuff I use.” She marched over to it and grabbed just the basics. She figured she would pay him back for this stuff. She was running low on her foundation and mascara anyhow. It was how she justified allowing him to buy the stuff, because she caved like a dieter standing in a fudge shop.

And she didn’t put up a fight when he insisted on getting her shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. She simply gave in. Because it was easier than causing a ruckus in public. The moment they were alone, she would give him a piece of her mind.

She winced at the total and began calculating how long it would take for her to repay him. She had one more payment on that loan and her rent on the first. After that, whatever money she made, she could use to repay him for this stuff.

“Want to go look at some other shops?”

“I’d rather we head back to your place.” She was done shopping. It would take her too long to pay this stuff back. She wouldn’t become more indebted to him.

Josh assessed her, giving the impression he was about to steer her toward the next shop. But he could see through her pretenses to the real her.

“Fine. Let’s head home,” he agreed because he must see she was seconds from losing her shit over this stuff.

With their hands laden with bags, they started the trek back. Temperatures had dipped into frigid territory while they shopped. But she was too steamed to really feel it.

The moment they were alone in the elevator, she said, “I’ll pay you back for all of this. It might take me a hot minute, but I will.”

“You’ll do nothing of the sort.” He scoffed with such a deep frown his brows almost touched one another.

“Josh, it’s too much. Either I pay you back, or I’ll march this stuff back and return it. And while I appreciate you doing something nice for me, I won’t let you pay for it.”

Even with his hands laden with bags, he cornered her up against the wall, as imposing as ever. And she hated it, but her body purred at his nearness.

Stupid body.

“Bloody hell, woman, you’ll do nothing of the sort. Consider it a gift because I don’t want you going home tonight.”

A gift? He’d spent upward of a grand on her. Those kinds of gifts always came laden with expectations and strings attached. “Why are you being so difficult? Don’t you understand that it makes me uncomfortable?”

Warmth entered his stern gaze. “And it’s something you’re going to have to get used to, lass. What happens when you move in with me?”

“What do you mean?” Move in with him? Was he kidding?

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