looked down at the floor.
“Letty?”
She said in a small voice, “I don’t want them to say rude things about you at your own party. And they will if I’m your date.”
Reaching out, he lifted her chin. “I can take care of myself, agape mou,” he said in a low voice. “When will you learn that?”
His dark gaze fell to her mouth, and Letty’s whole body tightened as, for a moment, she wondered if he was going to kiss her, right there in the luxurious store. For a wild moment, it didn’t seem like such a bad idea.
He turned to the nearest salesgirl. “We’ll take this dress. Wrap it up. We need shoes to match.”
Letty tried on ten pairs before she found stiletto heels that made her gasp at their outrageous beauty.
“Those,” Darius said, looking at Letty’s face.
“No, I couldn’t possibly. They’re too impractical. I’ll never wear them again!” She looked doubtfully at her feet, wobbling in the high heels. “I’m not even sure I can wear them now.”
But even as she protested, she couldn’t look away from the beautiful shoes, which were encrusted with glittery pink crystals and had a red sole.
“We’ll take them,” he told the salesgirl firmly.
Though they pinched Letty’s toes and made her wobble ever so slightly, she was filled with joy as she sat down and handed the precious pink crystal stilettos to the salesgirl. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d had anything so outrageous, just because of their beauty. And their cost! She was trying not to think about owning shoes worth three months’ rent. And when would she ever wear them again? Working as a waitress? Going to the grocery store?
It was wicked, letting him buy her these shoes. Letting him buy her so many things, when after tonight, he’d likely never want to see her again.
She would just leave everything behind, she decided. Most of the clothes could be returned, unworn, with tags. She’d have nothing to feel guilty about when he tossed her out of his life. Nothing!
“Now—” Darius’s gaze lingered on her lips, then dropped lower “—lingerie.”
Letty made a sound like a squeak. “Forget it!”
“Ah. You intend to wear nothing beneath your gown tonight? I approve.”
Her cheeks burned. “Of course I’m going to wear something!”
“Then you need undergarments.” He nodded toward three hovering salesgirls. “Get us a selection of lingerie that would suit the gown.”
They departed in a rush to obey.
“I hope you don’t expect me to try those on for you,” Letty said sulkily.
“No?” He looked at her lazily. “Maybe later.”
Her blush deepened.
Right here, in the exclusive department store, with strangers everywhere, Darius was looking at Letty as if he wanted nothing more than to drag her into a changing room and roughly make love to her. Possibly while she was wearing nothing but those pink crystal stilettos. Not a bad idea...
She blinked, realizing she’d been licking her lips. She put her hand unsteadily to her head. What was happening? Was she losing all her morals over a pair of beautiful shoes and for the body of a dangerously beautiful man?
Except Darius wasn’t just beautiful. He was also the only man she’d ever slept with. The only man she’d ever been in love with. She was even now carrying his child deep inside her. He wanted her in his bed. He wanted to marry her. All of those things together were likely to distract any woman.
And with every moment, she felt herself being drawn into his world. Remembering what it was like when money was no object. To be without worry or care.
To be cherished.
It had been a long time since she’d felt that way. She’d been a lonely teenager, far happier spending her time with the estate staff, pets or books instead of other debutantes. At fourteen, she’d fallen hopelessly for Darius, the chauffeur’s son, six years older and totally out of her league. Funny now to recall that she’d actually imagined herself to be unhappy then.
She’d discovered soon after what unhappiness really meant, when her beloved mother, the heart of their home, had suddenly fallen ill. She’d wasted away and died within months.
Her father had been gutted. A few years later, he’d gone to prison. Letty had tried to be tough. She’d tried to be strong. She’d hadn’t let herself think. Hadn’t let herself feel.
But now...
For the first time in years she realized how it felt to be truly looked after. To be cared for. As the salesgirls wrapped up a thousand dollars’ worth of silky lingerie, she tried to tell herself it was just an illusion. Exactly like Cinderella. After midnight tonight it would all disappear.
Darius signed the credit card receipt, smiling at her out of the corner of his eye. “Is there anything else you desire?”
Letty looked at him, her heart in her throat. Then she just shook her head.
“It’s growing late.” He took her hand. “We have one more place to go.”
The bodyguard had already left in Darius’s sports car filled with bags. As his driver walked ahead, weighed down by yet more bags, toward the waiting town car, Darius never let go of her hand. His dark eyes glowed down at her as the sun slipped down between the skyscrapers, toward a horizon she couldn’t see.
Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, but as they climbed into the back of the elegant car, emotion squeezed her heart as she looked at him. All day, Darius had been beside her, ready to push through any crowds, to make sure that she got—in his opinion—proper attention. When she was thirsty, when she was hungry, when she was tired, he seemed to know even before she did, and like a miracle, whatever she desired would instantly appear.
It was as if she were no longer alone. Someone else was looking out for her. Someone tough and strong. Someone who made her feel safe.
Safe?
She shook herself hard. Darius was dangerous. Selfish. Arrogant and cold.
He frowned at her in the backseat. “Are you crying?”
She wiped her tears. “Nope.”
“Letty.”
“I’m sorry. I just...” She faltered. “You’ve been so kind.”
“Buying you clothes?” he said incredulously. He gave a low laugh. “Is that all it takes?”
It was more than the clothes, far more, but she couldn’t explain. She said miserably, “I shouldn’t go with you to the ball tonight.”
His mouth turned down grimly. “You’re going.”
“Don’t you understand? It’ll only cause you trouble.”
“Stop trying to protect me,” he said evenly. “I mean it.”
“But—”
“It’s not your job to protect me. It’s my job to protect you now. And our baby. Never again insult me by insinuating I am incapable of it.” At her expression, he said more gently, “Don’t you understand, Letty? I will watch over you. I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you again. You’ll always be taken care of now. You’re safe.”
She was suddenly shaking as the town car drove down the street. How she wished it were true! How she wished she could believe in him, as she had so long ago.
The car door opened. Looking up in surprise at Darius’s driver, who was holding it open, Letty looked back at Darius. He gave her a cheeky grin.
“I’m