Chapter 23

TWENTY-THREE

Nathan

Dom

Please tell me you've got a date to the ROF auction

And please tell me she's high-class and deserves you

Mina deserves me

Annnnddd…you're right back where you started when I found you

What is it with you and these charity cases

Chances are you're nothing but a giant fucking dollar sign to her

You know that, right?

Need I remind you of the shitshow known as Blossom?

You're tiptoeing close to a line you shouldn't cross.

Fine. Fine. This is me, stepping away from the line

But…

Let me ask one question

To make my point clear

What's she gonna wear? The thrift shop bargain bin shit she always does? What about her hair? Her jewelry? Her makeup?

Your point makes you sound like an asshole

That was never in dispute

I slam my phone down on my desk. I don't know who I'm madder at, Dom for making the point about Mina's clothes, me for not seeing it first, or Mina for…

What?

Why would I be mad at her?

It's not her fault finances are tight. Her dad abandoned her. Her mom got sick. Mina's doing everything she can to keep her family afloat.

Despite the logical side of my brain recognizing that truth, I still feel a great deal of agitation in her direction. I don't like knowing she's scrimping and saving. I don't like knowing she lives in a cheap apartment surrounded by assholes. I don't like her driving a shitty car. I don't like her wearing thrift shop clothes. She deserves so much more.

For as wrong as Dom is, he's also right. I can't let her show up to the gala in anything she currently owns. She'll stand out like a sore thumb. I already did that to her once at my birthday party. I won't let her be humiliated again. A quick text to Aunt Maisie gets me the name of a reputable women's clothing store that carries dresses of a certain quality. And then I call Mina.

"I was just thinking of you," she says and the warmth in her voice goes straight to my dick.

"I'm pretty much always thinking of you," I mumble, then swipe a hand over my mouth. Dom's wrong about her. I know he is, because I know her. But I thought I knew Blossom and I promised myself I'd never let someone catch me off guard like that again.

But Mina's not like that. She's not keeping things from me. And I can't be a jaded fuck the rest of my life.

"I'm taking you shopping tonight," I say with a smile.

There's a long pause and then, "Shopping?"

"You need a dress for the gala."

"I have dresses."

"Not like this. There are certain expectations about presentation at these things."

"And you don't want me to let you down."

Why does it sound like she's offended?

"No, dammit. I don't want to let you down. I want you to feel like you belong there."

"Nathan…" Again with the pregnant pause, the silence too heavy for a fucking shopping trip. "I'm not comfortable with you spending money on me."

"Let me do this for you." I close my eyes. "I want to do this for you."

The admission drips with meaning. I want to take care of her. I want to make her feel beautiful. I want to shove Dom's words in his face. I want Mina to be as good and true and honest as she seems. I want her to step onto that stage and for everyone to gasp because they see how truly spectacular she really is. For once in her life, I want her to have more than enough.

Mina takes a breath and I brace for a fight. "Nothing too expensive."

"No promises. I'll pick you up at seven."

I end the call just as an alert on my name comes in.

Playboy Nathan West Spends Day on the Water with His Hot New Girl. Sources Say Things Got Spicy! How Long Until the Villain Ruins Everything?

"You know what?" I murmur as I delete the message. "I'm in too good a mood to care about Fallon fucking Mae."

I bump to a stop in front of Mina's apartment a few minutes early. She's sitting on the top step of the porch and stands when she sees me. Her hair is down, the ends lifting off her chest in the evening breeze. Her eyes find mine like a thunderclap. I'm out of the car and pulling her to me before I know what's happening. My hands slide up her back and into that midnight hair as I press her luscious body to mine and kiss her deeply. Her lips part and she tastes of strawberry and smells of citrus and feels like fucking heaven.

"I've been looking forward to seeing you all day," I whisper, then kiss her again. I'm giddy with the thought of spoiling her. She's lived her whole life never quite having enough and tonight, I'm changing that. She'll have everything she could possibly want.

Our first stop is Blush. My aunt said the clothing is expensive but worth it and that's enough for me.

Mina gawks at the storefront as we near the entrance. "I can't go in there."

"Of course you can."

She steps back, like she's thinking of running. "I'll set off the ‘you're too poor to be here' alarm."

"Oh, wow. I didn't even think about that. Thank goodness you remembered that's a thing because, oh wait, it isn't." A car rumbles by on the street behind us, filled with teenagers laughing, music loud, energy high. The world is theirs for the taking. I remember feeling that way. With Mina here, I still feel that way.

"Go ahead," she says, pressing a hand to my chest. "Laugh it up. You've clearly never been judged by how you look and what you wear."

I almost laugh in her face but choke it back. My entire life, people have judged my clothes, my parents, my privilege and wondered how they could use me to their advantage. For Mina, when a stranger judges her on the street, she's just a nameless face, quickly forgotten. Me? I have people like Fallon Mae pointing out all my flaws—both real and imagined—with my name, my face, my business, my family attached. The damage is real and lasting. The stakes are higher.

One look at Mina's face says she's not in the mood for truth like that.

"You don't have to worry about money," I say, brushing a lock of ebony hair out of her face.

"I wish that were true." Brows furrowed. Lip caught between teeth. Deep sigh.

"I'm sorry. I meant to say you don't have to worry about money tonight."

Before Mina can argue, I press my palm to the flat of her back and open the door. She smiles up at me as she passes and that's it. I'm done for. I'd do anything to have her look at me like that every hour of every day.

The walls are adorned with soft blush tones, accented by touches of gold and silver, casting an inviting glow throughout the space. Crystal chandeliers hang from the ceiling, sending shimmering reflections dancing across Mina's awed face. Plush velvet curtains frame the large display windows, and a musician plays classical guitar in a corner. His eyes are closed, enraptured with his own music and I take a moment to join him. A salesclerk approaches. Dressed in black. Hair slicked back. Her makeup is expensive yet polished. Her look designed to be a blank canvas. One that allows the customer to imagine her to be whoever she wants.

"You must be Mr. West and Miss Blake. Your aunt told me to expect you and has filled me in on your needs. I've pulled several dresses that might interest you, though you're free to look around at our other options. Help yourself to the coffee bar over there, or would you prefer a glass of champagne?"

Mina gapes at me, unused to luxury shopping experiences. I tell the clerk we'd like to start with champagne, then ask to see the dresses she set aside.

"Of course, Mr. West. Right this way." She leads us to a private room, with subtle lighting and plush armchairs. A rack of dresses sits in the middle near a dais placed in front of elegant full-length mirrors.

"There's a changing room there," says our sales clerk, pointing to a closed door in the back. "My name is Nora and I'll return shortly with your champagne."

As soon as the door clicks shut, Mina turns to me, jaw dropped, eyes wide. "This is too much, Nathan. Private rooms? Personal shoppers? I can think of a hundred better ways to spend this money."

"I don't want you to think about the money at all."

"How can I not?"

She's panicking and I don't understand it. I have money I want to spend on her. Why is that a problem? I lower myself into one of the armchairs and drape my ankle over my knee. "Because you're going to try on the dresses Nora picked for you and leave the money worries to me."

"Nathan…"

I love the way she says my name. I want to make her scream it.

Nora arrives with two glasses of champagne, hands them to each of us, then leaves without a word. People who sell luxury know how to read the room.

Mina raises the glass to her lips, her eyes locked on mine. "Okay then," she says after she swallows. "If his royal highness insists."

"He insists."

She pulls a dress off the rack and presses it to her body, swinging her hips back and forth to make the skirt sway.

"Like that one?"

She checks the price tag and her face blanches. "Not that much," she says, hanging the dress back on the rack without a second glance.

Mina flips through the dresses, eyeing them appreciatively until she comes to one the color of champagne. She holds it to her body, eyeing her reflection almost reverently, then reaches for the tag.

"No more looking at prices," I say, arching a brow.

She meets my eyes through the mirror, takes a deep breath, then drops the tag. "That's a deeply ingrained habit, but I'll do my best."

"That's all I can ask," I reply with a smile. "How about that one? Like it?"

"It's so pretty," Mina gushes, "but I don't think I can pull it off."

"There's only one way to find out." I point to the door in the back of the room and Mina disappears inside.

Minutes later, the door cracks open and her head pokes through, her body hidden. "I can't pull it off."

"I'll be the judge of that." I crook my finger, beckoning her out of the room. Mina hesitates, then swings the door open and steps forward.

Pearlescent silk hugs her frame, cascading over her breasts, her peaked nipples holding my attention until I follow the curve of her waist to her hips and then back up again. Thin straps sweep over her shoulders, exposing pale, delicate skin. Mina turns to inspect her reflection and my dick throbs as I'm afforded a view of her ass draped in silk.

Fuck me. I'd love to have that dress pooled on the floor at the end of my bed. Mina naked, waiting, legs spread for me as her dark locks fan across my pillow. My cock swells.

"It's so pretty, but I don't think I have the body for it." Mina glances over her shoulder, worry furrowing her brow as she smooths the fabric at her belly and waist.

I stand and cross the room. You don't appreciate a masterpiece from a distance.

Mina watches me approach, her eyes locked on mine like she can read the dirty thoughts parading through my head.

"Do you like it?" she asks, returning her attention to the mirror, smoothing her hands over her hips once again.

I fucking love it. I can't stop staring. I want to be the one running my hands along that body.

"It's fine," I manage.

She bites her bottom lip. "I knew I couldn't pull it off."

"Mina." My voice comes out harsher than I intended.

She turns, those beautiful eyes wide. Lips parted. Chest heaving.

I brush a strand of hair off her face, then turn her back to her reflection. "You're stunning."

Her smile is fleeting at first, then so bright it warms the whole damn room. "You're just being nice."

"Since when have you thought I'm capable of being nice?"

"Since I've gotten to know you better." She presses a hand to my cheek and there's a moment where I think she's going to kiss me, but then she drops her hand and turns back to the mirror. "I'd never wear something like this."

"You're wearing the hell out of it right now. That's the one. Go change and I'll let Nora know you've made your decision."

Mina disappears back into the dressing room, and I perch on the edge of the chair. The best of me can't wait for her to see how people react at the gala. The worst can't stand the thought of sharing her with whoever makes the winning bid. Maybe it should be me. Maybe I should place the winning bid, so I don't have to share her with anyone.

The more I think about it, the more appealing I find the idea. I force myself to change topics.

What else will Mina need to feel like the most beautiful woman at the ball?

Jewelry? I'm sure my mother has some to loan her.

Shoes? I could ask Nora to recommend a store…

"Nathan?" Mina's panicked voice precedes her head popping out of the dressing room. "I'm stuck," she whispers.

"Stuck?"

"I can't get the zipper down."

"I can call for Nora…"

She shakes her head frantically and waves me in. "Just get in here and help me."

Apprehensively, I step into the dressing room. Mina's clothes are folded neatly on a chair, her bra and underwear laid neatly on top. Fucking black lace. And if it's on the chair, it's not on her…

I yank my gaze back to Mina but that isn't any better. She's clasping the dress to her breasts while trying to reach behind to the hidden zipper in the back.

"The silk is caught, and I don't want to tear it." Her blues lock onto me. "Do you think you can get it?"

Nodding, I turn her away from me, then grasp the zipper clasp, my fingers brushing her spine. Goose bumps flare across her skin as I use my other hand to tug gently at the silk. And then, like magic, the zipper releases. I slowly draw it down and the dress gapes, revealing her bare back, waist, and hips.

She glances over her shoulder. Eyes blazing. Chest heaving.

Using just my pointer finger, I slip first one strap off her shoulder, then another. She releases her grip on the dress, and it pools at her feet.

She turns and just like that, Mina Blake is naked before me.

She's more dazzling than a sunrise over the ocean. More spectacular than a sky full of stars.

I drag my thumb across her lips. She gasps. A sound so full of longing and want that I'm crashing into her. My mouth devouring hers. Tasting her tongue. Her throat. Her neck and shoulders. My hands sweep into that midnight hair, angling her head to better access her sweet as candy lips.

I bow to her, sucking a rose-colored nipple into my mouth, capturing it between my teeth, then suckling away the pain. She moans, deep and low in her throat, and my dick pulses, throbbing with envy.

"Nathan…" Her voice is a whisper, yet wild and wanton. "I don't… Do you… Should we…"

Lust blazing through me. An unencumbered wildfire. I slide a finger down her belly, between her folds, and press the bundle of nerves that sends her hips bucking against me.

"Quiet now, Mina," I murmur, my lips grazing her throat, and she freezes.

"I like it when you say my name."

I press a finger to her lips, then nibble her ear with my teeth. "Mina."

I slowly lower to my knees, looking up into those beautiful blues. "Mina."

I hook a leg over my shoulder and lower my face to her, drawing my tongue across her clit. "Mina."

And then I'm licking and sucking and Mina is writhing and moaning. Her orgasm comes fast and hard, like she's been waiting for me for days. She tastes like heaven and feels like?—

"Ms. Blake?"

I freeze, my mouth hovering over her cleft as Mina covers her mouth with her hand.

Footsteps thump ever closer to the dressing room. "Ms. Blake?"

I jerk my head to the door, my drawn brows screaming, Say something!

"Yes?" Mina's voice is thin and trembling. I blow lightly on her clit, and she gasps.

"Is everything okay in there?" asks Nora, right on the other side of the door.

I draw my tongue across Mina's slit.

"Fine!" she whimpers. "Everything is fine."

"Fine?" I mouth, sliding a finger past her entrance.

"I mean great! I think I found something I really like." She smiles down at me, her eyes dancing with delighted panic. She's wild. Undone. I fucking love it.

I smile back. I've found something I really like too.

"I just wanted to make sure you didn't need any assistance. Mr. West seems to have abandoned you."

"He, uh, went to the bathroom."

"I didn't see him?—"

"Maybe you weren't looking very hard!" Mina cries out as I stroke her inner walls with my fingers. "I'll uh, I'll uh, I'll finish up in here and see if I can locate him."

Nora's footsteps recede and I lower my lips once again, bringing a new meaning to the words ‘finish up.'