Page 48 of First Comes Orc, Second Comes Baby
“We go out all the time.”
Now it was Brahnt's turn to roll his eyes. “We go places together, yes. We fuck almost every night you’re not puking your guts out. But I haven't wined and dined you for some time.” Brahnt closed the distance between them and brushed his thumb along Charlotte’s bottom lip. “I haven't shown you everything I can offer.”
Charlotte lifted a brow, then grinned. “Oh yeah? Well, impress me then.”
Brahnt lowered his head a little and pressed a kiss on Charlotte’s lips. “Go home. I'll send you an assistant with a selection of evening fashion. Make sure you get plenty of rest. I have plans for how we're going to end our night.”
Charlotte's hands went clammy.
She hightailed it out of there and got her ass home.
Whoever Brahnt had on speed dial was efficient, because Charlotte only managed a forty-minute nap—Caro, who’d taken to working at Charlotte’s place because of the “setting inspiration” was now in editing mode, having apparently not moved her ass from her seat even five minutes—before the concierge buzzed up to request admittance for a stylist.
Charlotte let them up and when they entered, the woman snagged even Caro’s attention.
“I'm glad I already got my words done,” Caro remarked, coming to stand by Charlotte and crossing her arms over her chest. “Or else this shit would have been distracting. What is this?”
Charlotte ran her tongue along her teeth, watching as the woman gestured in an assistant with an entire rack of clothing. Another assistant entered, carrying bags and boxes.
“This is Brahnt's idea of keeping me occupied until he takes me out tonight,” Charlotte said.
“Ah, the Cinderella scene,” Caro said. “It's about time. You know, I should take notes. Actually. . .let me just put the cam on.”
Charlotte wanted to ask what the Cinderella scene was but could deduce from context.
They spent an exhausting two hours putting together an extended wardrobe for Charlotte, who went along for the ride. She probably should have done the self-effacing and noble thing and protested—but she didn't.
If Brahnt wanted to spend money, who was she to keep telling him no? Virtue was exhausting.
She spent Brahnt's money.
Gleefully.
In fact, she impressed the stylist with her knowledge of discrete, highly exclusive designer labels. The kind the general public had never heard of because only the uber rich old money could afford them.
There was so much more she could be doing with $2500 than spending it on a T-shirt.
She could fund a small business.
She could donate the money to an animal shelter.
But, damnit. . .Charlotte sighed. “I’m such a sellout.”
“Nah,” Caro said, sitting on the couch and in a staring match with Snowkiss, who kept trying to win Caro over to her side though Caro wasn't having any of it. “Think of it as an emergency fund. If you ever have to high tail it out of the relationship, you can consign or Ebay these pieces for some quick cash.”
True.
Or maybe she would wear them a couple of times to revel in the borrowed wealth then do the right thing and resell them and donate the money to an appropriate charitable organization.
Then have a long, hard discussion with Brahnt about the appropriate budget for clothing. No, she didn't expect a millionaire to dress her in Target brands, but these prices were excessive.
But she'd keep a few outfits just for meeting the parents and so on.
After the stylist chose her attire for the evening, Caro left, and Charlotte collapsed in the bedroom for a nap, Snowkiss curling at her side.
15
Brahnt pressedhis hand on the small of Charlotte's back as he escorted her out of the car and into the Art Museum. Charlotte recognized several Human faces among the Orcs in the small crowd from prior mixers.
