19. Cinderella Mode Activated

The opulent dress shop was too posh to have a bell on the door. Soft music emanated from hidden speakers, and she inhaled the scent of lavender and vanilla as she walked inside. Instead of overcrowded sale racks, sumptuous dresses hung on mannequins spaced several feet apart. More mannequins wearing suits and business attire were placed deeper in the store.

"Oh, wow." She turned in a slow circle, taking everything in. "I shouldn't be here."

She'd been in expensive shops before, but it always seemed like a waste to spend money on clothes when she spent the majority of her time in front of a computer.

"Why not?" Bastian asked.

"Because…" She swallowed and forced herself to smile when Desmond crossed his arms over his chest and lifted an eyebrow. "I don't know?"

His gaze softening, Desmond pulled her into a hug and kissed her, then passed her to Bastian. Only when she was breathless and staggering did they stop.

"This is exactly where you should be." Bastian kissed her forehead. "Think of it as practice for when you're not a student anymore."

"And have fun," Desmond added. "We have some errands to run, but we'll see you soon."

"Okay, Daddies."

The door clicked shut behind them, and part of her wanted to run after them. She couldn't afford anything like the garments before her, and there was no way she could pull this off—no matter what her Daddies said about her being their queen.

A door painted red opened, revealing a curvaceous brunette, who gave her a huge, happy smile. "Ms. Andersen," she said, rushing to Tania with her hand outstretched. "It's such a pleasure, and holy crap, you're gorgeous. I can't wait to dress you."

"Um… hi?"

"Oh, sorry. I'm Lourdes Lopez. I'll be your style consultant."

"Tania. It's good to meet you."

She pumped Tania's hand a few times, then scampered to a rolling rack full of dresses. "Your Daddies gave me your dress size, and told me they're taking you to the club, so I picked out a selection. Do you want to see them modeled, or would you rather dive in and try them on?"

"I…" She glanced helplessly at the exit, but her Daddies were already gone. "Lourdes, I have no idea what to do."

"It's all good. Everything I chose for you is easy to get into and out of. You can scene without worrying about tearing anything." Lourdes snapped her fingers, and a young woman appeared with a bottle of champagne and a glass. "Sit down and have a cocktail, and we'll talk about what you like to wear. Think about what makes you feel beautiful."

"I'm an engineering student." Tania perched on the edge of a thickly cushioned armchair and decided not to be embarrassed over Lourdes knowing what she'd be doing with her Daddies. It didn't surprise her at all that they'd given Lourdes some idea of what they planned. "My stepmother tried to My Fair Lady me, but I'm lucky if my shirt is clean and right side out."

"You go, girl!" Lourdes poured champagne into the glass and put it into Tania's hands. "You have a forties-era pinup figure, but I'm thinking you prefer tailored and crisp instead of bombshell."

"Okay, yeah. That sounds like me, I guess." She took a sip of wine, resisting the urge to drink it all in one swallow.

"I think I might have something…" Lourdes's words trailed off as she rummaged through the rack. "Oh, yes. This will be perfect."

She turned and held up a gorgeous blue wrap dress with subtle beading on the bodice and a flaring, knee-length skirt. Tania gasped and stood, then fingered the decadent silk.

"Wow."

"Right?" Lourdes opened a door to reveal a large dressing room with a chaise longue and a three-way mirror, then hung the dress on a gilt hook. "I think you'll say yes to this dress once you put it on. It ties on the side, so you don't even need to worry about zippers."

"Thanks. Gosh, it's so pretty" She blushed and toed off her sneakers. "Well, everything in the store is beautiful."

"Glad you think so. The Elliott brothers and Bastian want me to put together a business wardrobe for you too." She tapped her chin with a manicured forefinger as Tania pulled her T-shirt over her head. "Take off the sports bra. The dress is constructed so you won't need one."

"Okay." Tania's fingers froze on the front closure of her bra. "Wait. What wardrobe?"

"You know," Lourdes smiled at her, revealing a dimple in her left cheek. "A suit for interviewing, and enough separates to create several looks for your new job. We'll set up another appointment for the suit, and a third when you have an idea what your office dress code will be."

"But—"

"Face it, sweetie." Lourdes pushed Tania's hands aside and unfastened her bra. "Your inside-out t-shirt days are numbered. Now, get out of those leggings and put on the dress."

Tania almost said, "Yes, ma'am." Laughing inwardly, she wondered if Lourdes was a Domme. She definitely had the attitude down.

"I figured I'd just troll the consignment stores."

"That's always a good choice. You can find some great bargains, but I'd like you to find your style and learn to pick things that go with the foundation pieces I'll help you select. It'll save you money in the long run."

"Yeah, okay." Tania took off her leggings and laid them aside. Thankfully, Lourdes didn't comment on her plain black panties. "That sounds like a better plan."

Lourdes held the dress while Tania slid her arms into the sleeves, then tied it closed. Stepping back, she cocked her head. "You look good enough to eat. I'll be right back with some shoes."

"Thanks." Tania shivered, imagining her Daddies doing just that when they saw her all dressed up. As pretty as she looked, she could only picture the dress on Club BDE's floor while they did all the things she'd only read about. She bit back a whimper as heat pooled in her belly.

"Here we go. I think these will—" Lourdes lowered the shoebox she held and frowned. "Hey, are you okay? You look like you're about to pass out."

"I'm fine, thanks." Ignoring her inconvenient arousal, Tania smiled and took the shoebox. "It's my first visit to the club, and I guess I'm nervous."

"You'll have an amazing time," Lourdes promised. "Best of all, your dress doesn't need any alterations. You can take it with you when you head for the day spa. Now, let's see how these sandals work."

Unsurprisingly, they were a perfect fit, and after Lourdes bagged her selections, she walked outside to find a black limousine parked in front of the entrance.

"Ms. Andersen?" the driver asked. He wore a cap and a tailored black suit, and his shoes were so brightly polished, she could have used them for a mirror.

"Yes. That's me."

He retrieved an ID badge from his inner jacket pocket. To her surprise, she caught a glimpse of a shoulder holster under his left arm. After passing the badge to her, he said, "I'm Steve Walters. Mr. Elliott and Mr. Carter arranged for me to drive you to your next appointment, then to Club BDE later. I'll also be acting as your security guard until they take over."

Christ. Her Daddies had been serious about making sure she was watched. Warmth blossomed in her chest, and she resisted the urge to hug herself.

"Um…sure." She checked his ID, then transferred her bags to one hand and tugged her phone from her pocket. "Let me text them first."

Someone named Steve Walters is here with a limo and said you sent him.

Bastian: Ask him to take off his hat. Tell me what color his hair is.

"Um…" She frowned at the odd request. "Bastian wants you to take off your hat."

Steve obliged, revealing a steel-gray buzz cut.

Dark gray.

Desmond: Good girl. Have fun at the day spa.

She sent them a smile emoji and slipped her phone into her pocket. "They say you're you."

Steve smiled faintly and nodded. "They said to tell you that you're a good girl if I didn't have to remind you to do that before getting into a vehicle with a stranger."

Tania lowered her head, her cheeks flaming. "So, the day spa next?"

"Perfect. Your chariot awaits."

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