Chapter 32

HARPER

W e stood in front of the boutique doors of Consuelo Celemin Couture. I've only ever passed by this store with Aster on one of the ridiculous shopping trips she often took; at the expense of whatever schmuck she was seeing at the time.

I've always admired the beautiful dresses displayed in the windows, but never dreamed of owning one, let alone trying one on. Spending thousands on one dress made me uncomfortable, particularly given how that money could help those in need at various shelters. They are constantly busy and often lack the necessary items to assist everyone who comes through their doors.

Jasper grabbed my hand, and he pulled me into the store. I groaned but followed along. An older lady with short black and silver hair and a face like leather welcomed us. Her voice was hoarse and scratchy, like she had spent her entire adolescent years chain-smoking.

"Hello." She volunteered, as she looked Jasper up and down, paying close attention to the strain of his jacket at his forearms.

"Are you looking for anything in particular today?" she finished with a glance in my direction, before dismissing me and placing her hand on Jasper's shoulder. He quickly shrugged the intrusion of her arm off him before grabbing my hand and placing it across his arm. "Yes, we have a formal event we will be attending, and she will need a dress, shoes, clutch… the works," he said looking around the store, before walking toward a beautiful gown displayed in the center of the boutique.

The dress he chose was gorgeous. It was a one-shoulder, long-sleeve, mermaid hem gown, with vibrant shades of purple sequin. It had a small train that was easily two feet in length. It was modest in the fact that it showed no cleavage and there was no revealing slit in the skirt, but the sleeve aspect made me nervous. I would have to find a bracelet or a glove to cover my scars.

* * *

I walked out of the dressing room to the waiting area. Jasper was sipping champagne while he lounged on the cream-colored sofa. He looked like he was in his element, but hell, he always looked in his element. I don't think he has ever been able to feel like he doesn't belong, if he has, he certainly hasn't shown any sign of it, this man radiated confidence in everything he did.

I stood in front of Jasper, avoiding eye contact. Dressing up in expensive clothes, and being paraded around by rich men, wasn't something I was eager to do. However, I knew that once I made it through tomorrow night, I'd have the story I needed to get my foot in the door with the paper, and I'd be that much closer to having my column. One night would be worth it.

"You look stunning," Jasper sat up and leaned forward gaping with his eyes wide. I felt my face flush with heat and suddenly I was aware of his gaze scanning me from top to bottom. I subconsciously grabbed my exposed wrist and slowly looked up to meet Jasper's stare. His eyes were fixed on my hands. He sat with his champagne flute on the table nearby and walked toward me. I nervously sucked my bottom lip through my teeth.

Jasper stood behind me and positioned me in front of a large gold-framed mirror. He stood directly behind me. Since he was a good twelve inches taller than my five-foot-two stature, he could easily tower over me in front of the mirror.

I couldn't help but notice his hand, lightly touching my hips and the slow way he lowered his chin onto my shoulder. He leaned into a whisper. His warm breath made me shiver.

"We will get you some jewelry to cover your wrist if that makes you more comfortable, but we are getting this dress. It wraps your curves like a glove. You will be the envy of all the ladies tomorrow night," he said, forcing the last part through clenched teeth as if struggling with self-control.

Surely, I was imagining that?

The handsy old lady wasn't far behind us. I heard her clear her throat, making her presence known, as if we were doing something inappropriate.

"You look lovely, dear," she said, with a smile that didn't meet her eyes.

"Should we wrap it up?" She seemed too eager to get us out of her store. Jasper must have sensed it too, "Actually we would like to see a few more." He pointed his finger around the room demanding certain items be brought to my dressing room. I must have worn the confusion on my face, he just gave me a quick wink. I didn't know what he was up to, but I went along with it.

After twenty minutes, the frigid old lady walked around the corner holding all the dresses Jasper had requested. She put everything in my dressing room. I'd already changed back into my skinny jeans and sweatshirt from earlier.

She was smoothing her hands down her skirt as she approached us. We had already gotten the attention of another salesperson and picked out my shoes, jewelry, and a clutch to match the purple gown. "The dresses are ready for you in your dressing room miss," she announced, as she looked confusedly between Jasper, me, and the other sales lady.

"Oh, thanks, we decided to stick to the first gown," Jasper said, with a flick of his wrist. "Isn't that right honey?" he asked, putting his arm around me. She huffed before she stomped off fuming from the gesture, and the intrusion on her sale. I snickered to myself.

Serves her right.

All our things were rang up, and when I saw how much it cost, my eyes grew wide, and I quickly slammed my hand over the credit card scanner to stop him.

There's no way in hell I would let him pay that much for an outfit I was going to wear one time, for one night. Hell no!

Jasper looked at me before he could respond to my rude gesture I snapped in a whisper, "That's more than a car, Jasper." He chuckled and slid his card anyway.

Although I adored the dress, the shoes, the thick gold bangle, and the matching gold clutch, all that occupied my thoughts was good that such an amount of money could do for someone in need. How many people could it feed, and how many could have a lasting place to sleep?

Just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt.

Jasper grabbed all the bags in one hand and grasped my hand in the other. We walked down the sidewalk, slowly back to the car park.

"Thank you for the dress and everything," I said, trying not to sound as guilty as I felt.

"You sure, Doll?" He glanced at me from the side. "You seem bothered by my purchases." He waited for me to respond.

"It makes my stomach hurt, thinking about how much good that money could do for the needy in the city, and I'll be wearing it for one night, at an event. It seems so wasteful," I blurted out, not realizing how ungrateful I sounded as it rolled past my lips. "Not that I'm not so grateful for the dress, and the invitation, and, well… everything," I stammered on my words, trying to redeem myself. Jasper just stared with one raised eyebrow, allowing me to dig myself into the hole that I dug deeper and deeper. He chuckled at my nervous babbling.

"Are you finished?" he playfully asked. I nodded, feeling my cheeks flush with embarrassment as I looked down.

"My law firm does over a hundred pro bono cases a year. We hold several annual fundraiser events, for multiple causes throughout the city, and not to mention, we make a sizable donation each year to the children's hospital. I'm a huge advocate of the importance of charity," he said smiling.

I didn't realize it until I caught him staring at my lips, but I was smiling too, and not just a little smirk. I was wearing a huge smile that showed all my teeth. I was touched, to learn he supported many charities and causes as a philanthropist.

"I find your selflessness refreshing, it's okay to enjoy life a little, Harper. "You deserve it," he whispered, raising my hand to his lips and softly kissing my knuckles.