Not just shirts that I could wear around the house…
But silky things that hung on my body like I wasn't sick. Pants that hugged my legs like they weren't losing muscle.
Every outfit fit.
Sergio was officially magic.
He didn't complain when I took a long time getting in and out of the clothes; then again, he was actually in the changing room with me, considering a few of the outfits made no sense whatsoever.
You know you officially have no style when a guy has to tell you which way the front is on the shirt.
Sergio got that irritated look on his face then told me to open up the door or "so help me, I'm going to break it down."
Another saleslady scurried by after that…
Leaving us all alone in our own dressing area.
"So what do you think?" I'd just tried on a beautiful, short, black lace dress with three-quarter sleeves. It hugged every curve. I already imagined wearing bright blue shoes with it or something equally loud. Maybe I'd go red and match his car.
"Hmm." Sergio leaned back against the wall and folded his arms. "Twirl for me?"
I twirled once.
He frowned harder.
My face fell. "It's ugly?"
"Twirl again," he instructed. "Stop if you get dizzy."
I twirled again, slower this time, so I didn't fall over.
Still no emotion. The guy said he was Italian, but in moments like these I wondered if he didn't have some Russian blood running through those ice veins of his.
"One more time."
Rolling my eyes, I twirled one more time; halfway around, I felt his hands on my hips, helping me finish the twirl. When I faced him again, his eyes were hooded. "It was a three-twirl dress."
"Aw, that good?" I wrapped my arms around his neck.
"Not just good…" His knuckles grazed my ribs, his fingertips spread across my hips and landed on my ass. "Gorgeous."
"It's over twenty-seven-hundred dollars."
He shrugged.
"That's more than most people's house payment," I added.
"How do you feel in it, Andi?"
I thought about it for a minute. "It's not necessarily how I feel. I mean, I feel great, but when I see the way you look at me… I feel invincible."
"Exactly." Sergio brought his mouth to mine, kissing me softly then stepping away. "I know not everyone can afford to shop like this. I can. So don't think about the price tag. What I want you to think about is how you feel. You spend all day and all night in clothes. Well, all night we're working on. But you get my point. They should better your day. They should complement your skin, from the color to the lush feel. Clothes make you… you. It's important to me." He put his hands on his hips and hung his head. "It's important that you feel like the best you that you can possibly be."
"Careful, Italy. Your romance is showing."
I could have sworn I saw a blush tinge his cheeks before he coughed and looked away. "Yeah, well." He burst out laughing. "I have nothing. Shit." He rubbed his face with his hands. "Sorry, forgive my psychotic break, I just… in any other situation I'd try to defend myself, or maybe just ignore that you called me romantic."
"So what gives?"
His eyes met mine. "You make me want to be."
I swallowed the dryness in my throat. "What else do I make you want to do?"
"You want a list?"
I opened my mouth to scream yes when a knock sounded at the door.
"Uh, sir, I have those items you asked for."
I crooked an eyebrow in Sergio's direction.
In two strides, he was at the door; he opened it, pulled the items from the lady, and said, "Thanks. That will be all."
Dismissed.
Any other guy would have sounded like a complete ass, but coming from Sergio, it almost seemed like he'd really meant it as a compliment: Thanks for helping, but your services aren't needed because I can probably do your job better than you do your job.
His confidence was one of the sexiest things about him.
"Andi…" Sergio held up two very small pieces of lingerie. "…these are for you."
My mouth dropped open. "Isn't underwear supposed to cover?"
His smile was heated. "It covers… enough."
"Enough," I repeated. "Fine, but you can't be in here while I'm trying it on."
"I'm sorry. Are we negotiating now?"
"Out." I shooed him toward the door. "I'll give you a play by play."
It took every ounce of strength I had to push him out the door, and even then, he complained the entire way. But hey, technically, we were still on our honeymoon, and I wanted some things to still be a surprise.
"Ready yet?" Sergio called.
"Three seconds, Italy. It's been three seconds."
A few more seconds went by. "And now it's been ten. You ready yet?"
I rolled my eyes and made quick work about getting out of my dress so my slave driver wouldn't start pounding down the door.
On second thought…
I smiled as an evil plan took root…
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE
Sergio