Page 47 of Hidden Heir, Italian Wife

Also, Bree was not nearly courageous enough when it came to spending his money.

“It’s forty thousand dollars,” she hissed when he told her to wear a cashmere day dress out of the shop.

“It suits you. You need a better coat, though.” He picked one that cost twice as much, enjoying spoiling her.

Once she got over her sticker shock, she deferred to his taste, reluctantly admitting, “I do like it,” and “It feels really nice.”

On their last day, they visited a shoe gallery on Rue Saint-Honoré. Jax opened an account for Bree, then stepped outside to take a call from Nico. Through the window, he watched her try on a pair of tall black boots with a stiletto heel.

Today, she wore a tweed skirt with a chunky, peach-colored sweater with sleeves that fell past her knuckles. It was a perfect ensemble for a pair of sexy boots like that.

As she paced in front of the mirror, head tilted in consideration, he decided he would buy them for her even if she only ever wore them for him. He could already imagine how he would arrange her to best admire them.

A man passed behind him and entered the shop. Jax didn’t pay much attention until he saw Bree turn and say something to him.

The man froze, then walked across to embrace her.

“What the hell?” Jax muttered.

“What’s wrong?” Nico asked.

“I’ll call you back.” Jax shoved the phone into his pocket and entered.

“Here he is,” Bree said. “Jax, this is Kabir.” She seemed flustered as she introduced the tall, fit, South Asian man.

He wore a camel-colored overcoat and such yearning in his eyes as he looked at Bree, it was a punch in the stomach for Jax.

“Kabir and I dated in university,” she reminded Jax with a tight, uncomfortable smile. “I was just telling him I was here with my husband.”

“I didn’t know you were married,” Kabir said. “The last time I talked to Jessica, she only said you had a baby. That was a couple of years ago.”

“A daughter,” Jax provided. “Sofia. She’s three.”

Chew on that.

Kabir’s brows went up, and he said a faint, “Congratulations.”

“And you? Married? Children?” Bree asked him politely.

“I was engaged. It didn’t work out.” He looked like he wanted to say more, scratched the back of his head as he looked between them, then sealed his lips. His expression as he looked at Bree was filled with despair.

“What are you doing in Paris?” Bree asked into the potent silence.

“Work. I’m with my uncle’s company. I promised my sister I’d bring her a pair of shoes.” He looked around. “I don’t have a clue where to start.”

“We won’t keep you, then. Are you finished?” Jax asked Bree.

“Um, yes, I’ve chosen some shoes, but I don’t think I’ll take the boots.”

“No,” he agreed. “A different style, perhaps.” Something that wouldn’t remind him of this interaction.

Jax had already opened an account. Her shoes would be shipped to Naples. He helped Bree remove the boots and handed them off to the shopping assistant.

“We should get back to Sofia and your mother,” Jax said.

“Melissa’s here? Say hello to her for me,” Kabir said with genuine affection.

“I will. It was nice to see you.”

---