“What? Why?”
I jiggled my purse. “I'm broke. I can't afford any of that stuff. Do you see any big, bold colored sales signs pasted all over the windows? That's my kind of store, not this.”
Arching an eyebrow, he reached for my hand; I dodged him. “Relax, Marina. I'll take care of everything.”
The pit in my belly swelled. “No. I can't let you buy me anything.”
He cocked his head, studying me as if I was a new breed of animal. “Are you afraid of owing me if I do you a favor?”
I froze on the spot. “I guess I'm nervous about what you'd ask for in return.”
Darkness entered his smirk. When he spoke, his voice had a caramel thickness. “You should be nervous.”
Inhaling sharply, I swayed on my heels. “Is that supposed to convince me?”
Chuckling, he smoothed back his hair. “No, but this is. You want to go to this event tonight, correct?”
“Of course I—”
“And,” he went on, “You want to find your killer.”
In my purse, the photo Jacob had given me acted like an anchor. I couldn't have turned and walked away if I'd tried. “Yes,” I whispered. “I want to find him.”
Taking a mini bow, Jacob motioned me towards the store. “Then, Miss Fidel, let me take you shopping.” It was a phrase I never imagined anyone would say to me.
I'd expected him to sneer, but his face was serious. I didn't feel like he was mocking me, Jacob wanted to take me shopping. He actually wanted to buy me a dress.
Knowing that, my stomach fluttered.
Brushing into the store, I was swallowed up by the racks of silky cloth and sparkling jewelry. The women who shopped here owned closets dedicated to just shoes. That wasn't me, not even a little bit.
I fought my instinct to turn and flee.
Jacob put a hand on my back, nudging me forward. I'd stopped on the threshold, frozen by indecision. “Come on,” he chuckled. “This will be good for you.”
Good for me? How could trying on clothing that was meant for movie stars be good for anyone? I didn't belong here, and my skin crawled the longer I lingered.
“It's just...” I waved a hand lamely. “Look at it all. That purse there costs more than my rent did!”
“You shouldn't let that stop you from enjoying yourself.” When he nudged me again, his touch was closer to a caress between my shoulder blades than a push. “Just try something on, don't look at the price tags.”
“Hah, there's a concept,” I sighed. Needing to escape his too-delicious fingers scraping over my body, I strolled quickly down an aisle.
The racks were thick with outfits. I glided my palms over each of the dresses, feeling the exquisite material. Green, black, maroon... the colors and styles never ended.
I wonder what Kite's favorite color is? Peering covertly over my shoulder, I watched Jacob browsing further away. For that matter... What would HE like?
If I was going to dress in something fancy and beautiful, which of these dresses would fit the bill and intrigue one of these men?
Or both of them.
Hah. Now THAT was a thought. A thought I didn't stick with, because it made my belly do jumping jacks and turned my tongue to water. Imagining them one at a time was enough to choke me. Together?
I'd never survive them.
It was a dumb idea, anyway. There was no way these two would go for it. If I didn't put a stop to all of this sexual tension, Kite and Jacob were going to kill each other. I needed them around to help me. That had to take priority.
No matter how tempting the alternative was.
“Find anything?” Jacob asked. For once, he hadn't startled me; I'd been spying on him and knew he was approaching.
Grabbing the nearest outfit—a green evening gown—I held it up like it was a shield. “I'll just try this one.”
“You should take a few more,” he said. Thumbing over the rack, he looped three hangers over his fingers. His smile went ear to ear. “I'll show you to the changing rooms.”
He was so polite and insistent, he could have been a store employee. Jacob had an uncanny way of blending in. He was also capable of taking one of those hangers and slicing someone's throat with it.
Pushing at the goosebumps on my arms, begging them to melt away, I followed him deeper into the store.
The changing rooms were quiet, lights brightening the space. In spite of that, I felt like I was creeping into a den full of monsters.
Anywhere Jacob went, there was always a bit of darkness.
Taking the dresses from him, I paused. This place was no better than his car, as far as being alone went. “I'll be right back,” I said, doing my best to imply that he should stay here and not try to follow me into the stalls.
Jacob leaned on the wall, checking his watch. “Alright. Shout if you need anything.”
What the hell could I need?
Swallowing my heart, I ducked into the stall. The box gave me breathing room, I sat on the tiny bench inside and put my head between my knees. What the hell is going on?