Chapter Eleven
“We’re on a short break, a few days away. But we had to leave in a hurry and Sarah has no suitable dinner outfits. I’d like you to dress her.”
“My pleasure. I have several new season outfits that will be divine.”
“And me as well.”
“Of course. But first, the lady. You know where the drinks are, Brock, and look through the menswear, find some things you like, and we’ll work it out.”
“No problem.”
Pierre led Sarah away by the hand, and her stomach was full of nervous butterflies. This man’s dresses sold for thousands of dollars. This was incredible. “Thank you. I’m not sure I can do your dresses justice.”
“Nonsense. With that body, my dresses will sing. Brock has wonderful taste.”
Sarah’s mood dropped a little. “I guess this is normal for him. To bring his favorite women here.” She had no right to be jealous.
Pierre led her to a warm and brightly lit dressing room that was the size of her new sitting room. “No. Usually just himself. This is quite a treat. He’s a good man, just needs to get in touch with his feminine side.”
Sarah smiled. That news pleased her more than it should. “We are helping each other.”
“Good. Good. Now, do you have any fantasy dresses, colors, styles, any dresses you remember and loved?”
“I do love white, but I’m far too clumsy with sauces to wear that. I’m a romantic at heart, I guess. The whole princess and knight in shining armor appeals to me. If we are going fantasy…”
“Perfect. I’ll go and get the ones I think will work, and you browse the racks in here and choose a few.”
“This is truly amazing. Thank you so much.”
“Brock and I go back a long way. Don’t let his stories fool you. I knew him when we were children.”
“You did? He told me..?”
“He is a very private man. There may always be something you don’t know about him. It’s his way. To completely trust is not a thing he’s able to do. This is something we come to accept to be his friend.”
“I see.” So he’d lied to her, even now.
“Don’t be disheartened. I can’t tell you if it’s worth it, or even if you’ll be successful. But there is much I’m sure you don’t know, and how much he will share, I don’t know. But the fact that he has shared anything at all is a huge step for him.”
Sarah nodded. “No one is perfect. I’m dealing with things to. But we’re not getting hooked on the future.”
“Good. Now, let’s get you dressed. I’ll go and find some of my best new collection, and you can see if anything out here strikes a chord.”
Sarah couldn’t believe she was here. This truly was the fairy tale she’d dreamed of as a little girl. The one her mother had read to her about when she was a five-year-old. She’d promised Sarah that every little princess had a prince. Sarah had thought she’d really meant that. But it never turned out that way. The wheels fell off after her baby brother was born.
Sarah tried to get her mind off those times and back into the here and now. She walked past the rows and rows of dresses on racks. Every dress she’d ever dreamed of was here, and some she could never imagine. Sequins, silk, taffeta, diamantes. Every color and shade of the rainbow. This was impossible. A gorgeous sky blue caught her eye.
The dress was off-the-shoulder with sparkling clear crystals along the shoulder strap and bodice. The waist cinched in with a wide band of blue crystals. It looked long and flared out in layers and layers of fine ruffles falling elegantly from the waist.
Surely that was over the top for a simple dinner? Sarah held the dress up against herself and twirled from side to side. She looked at it in the mirror. It was just too special. Who would wear such a lavish gown?
A queen, maybe. Not ordinary Sarah Beaumont who was more at home savaging the opposition in a courtroom than pretending to be Cinderella going to a ball. But she’d wanted romance.
Brock was making sure she got it. And he was playing along. She thought about his body underneath hers on the jet. He’d truly let go for a few minutes. Maybe longer. He’d held her close to him. He’d said his safe word, and she hadn’t stopped. He’d forgiven her for that. They were even, she supposed.
But his warning that after this it was his way again had her thinking about what that would mean. If she decided to be with him again. She swirled the dress and thought about what he’d think of her in it. Of course she’d be with him again. If they could just find a way to meld their preferences. Maybe this could work, like, permanently.
Why was she thinking that way? He was her boss. He was arrogant and annoying and everything he did was designed to piss her off. This Brock was not real. He was humoring her. She’d have fun playing along, but she couldn’t be caught up in the whole thing. Dinner in Paris via private jet, how often did that happen? It didn’t, not in the real world.
She was about to hang the gown back up on the rack when Pierre came backing pushing another rack of dresses. “Beautiful choice that dress. I’m not sure that color is for you. How do you feel about red?”
“I’m not sure. I wear red a lot for work; it’s a bit official I guess.”
“Okay, no red. Do you have a particular favorite shade?”
“Not really. I don’t know. I guess when I was five I liked a lot of pink. Isn’t that a bit childish though?”
Pierre smiled. “Not my pink dresses. Here put this on. The changing room is back there, and it’s well warmed.” He pointed in the direction. “Wait, you need proper undergarments.”
“I should’ve brought my bag.”
“Why?”
“Because my best friend packed my bag for me to come away with Brock, and all she put in was underwear and lingerie.”
Pierre laughed. “Ah, she’s very cheeky.” He chose some items off another rack. A bustier and some slinky panties. Stockings and suspender belt in the palest of pinks, a shade under the dress.
“Putting it mildly. She just wants to see me enjoying myself, I guess.”
“Don’t you usually?”
“I’ve worked a lot.”
“I see. Work can be a great way to hide from the world.” He handed her the clothing.
“Is that how Brock got to be a billionaire?”
“Clever girl. Go get changed. Call me if you need any help.”
Sarah held the baby pink up to her chin. It was soft and slick, but also flared and swayed when she moved it on the hanger. “This was way too pretty.”
“There’s champagne ready in there. Make sure you have at least two glasses. It’s compulsory in Paris.”
“Yes. Pierre.” Sarah was certain this was the wrong dress for her.
“I’ll go and see to Brock and be back to do your hair and accessorize you.”
Brock. How would he look? Would she be overdressed? Inside the changing room it was so beautiful. The furnishings were lush and the large mirrors lit up like a Hollywood star was arriving any second. Sarah looked at herself. Her hair was messy, and her face looked like she’d just gotten out of bed. Then again, she had.
This makeover would take a miracle. Sarah picked up the fizzing glass of champagne and took a large drink. Then, she finished it off. The alcohol coursed in her veins. Now, relax and get the gown on.
Chapter Twelve
“Brock. This is an unexpected visit.”
“There’s trouble within the company. My former legal head is gunning for me. I don’t trust him, and I was worried he might target Sarah, so it’s a perfect excuse for a jaunt away.”
“She’s beautiful.”
“She is. Too beautiful really.”
“For you? Never.”
“I’m not a nice person, Pierre. You know that.”
“That’s not true. You have issues. We all have issues. Now might be the perfect chance to let them go.”
“If only it were that easy.” Brock really wished it was.
“Nonsense. What could be eas
ier than loving a beautiful woman?”
“Letting one love me.”
Pierre shook his head. “Well, the lady has chosen her gown. It’s very formal. Are you going to wear a tux?”
“Yes. I’ve bought out the entire restaurant atop the Eiffel Tower for us tonight.”
“A grand gesture. You do like her a lot.”
“She’s very special to me.”
“I have your measurements. Nothing looks like it’s changed there.”
“Thanks, Pierre. I appreciate you opening up after hours.”
“For friends, it’s no problem. Now the lady is wearing pink, you choose a tie and handkerchief. I’ll match the rest. White shirt?” Pierre brought him a range of ties in varying shades of pink.
Brock chose the lighter of the pinks. “Yes, white would be great. I’m not sure a pink shirt would be me.”
“What is it about her that scares you, Brock?”
“Sarah is a tough, no-nonsense business woman. The best I’ve seen in the courtroom. She’s not afraid to call me on things, and she isn’t into buttering me up. She’s brave, and yet she can’t see it. But inside she’s fragile. I don’t want to hurt her.”
“Perhaps that is her choice as much as yours.”
“She wants things I can’t give her. She needs things I can’t give her.”
“Yet, here you are.”
“Indeed.” Brock took his point, but he had reasons to be here tonight, and if he could do nothing else he could give her this time.
“Here, go get changed.” He handed the clothing to Brock. “Your lady will be ready soon. For what it’s worth, I think you should give yourself a chance and just be happy.”
“It’s not that simple. I have Heather, and her mother.”
“That was a long time ago, Brock. You’ve paid your dues.”
“Having my baby at such a young age, she sacrificed so much. I was the one who didn’t want it terminated. At fifteen. What did I know?”
“You made it work. Left school and worked. Built your empire. What more could you do?”
“I don’t regret that. Never would. Heather is a vibrant, intelligent young woman. I can’t imagine life without her. But Sarah deserves marriage. I can’t give her that.”
“You know, there is such a thing as divorce.”
“How can I? How can I ask Heather’s mother for a divorce, after all she’s given up to have my child?”
“You’ve never lived together as husband and wife. What would she be losing?”
“A family unit. Her family has never spoken to her since she told them she was pregnant. She has no one.”
“She has Heather, and I’m sure she’ll always have you. You’re being a martyr over this.”
“No, Pierre. I’m not. I’m doing what’s right. What my father would’ve done.”
“Does Sarah know?”
“She knows Heather is my daughter.”
“You should tell her.”
“I know. I will. So much has happened this past week or two, I couldn’t.”
“The longer you leave it, the worse it will be. Sarah deserves the truth.”
Brock didn’t answer. He knew Pierre was right. How could he just blurt it out? When he’d given her these few days, he’d talk to her. Sure they’d shared a lot, but neither had really opened up.
It was shaky ground, but he’d been hated by many for his decisions, and he guessed Sarah Beaumont would be one more to add to the list eventually.
It was just that her hatred would cut deeper than the others. Perhaps when they were both through with these agreements, and it was all out in the open, they might still be civil to each other.
That was more than he deserved, but he needed to be hopeful of something. Otherwise he could just smash the whole world in the face.
He had to give her these few days and honor his signature on that paper of hers, as she’d honored his. The suit fitted like a glove.
Pierre decked him out with all the bits and pieces. Then, he stood back to admire his work. “Perfect. You two are going to turn heads tonight.”
“I’m hoping to avoid that. The last thing we need is the media getting onto us.”
“I’m sure you’ll have organized all the privacy you need.”
“Never can tell. But we only need a few hours, and then we’ll fly to my home.”
“Come, try on some shoes and choose. Then have some champagne while I go check on Sarah. We’ll meet you back in here as soon as we are done. I have to do her hair and makeup, so perhaps an hour. She has a natural beauty, so I won’t ruin her with excessive cosmetics.”
Brock watched Pierre leave. He’d been trying not to think of the whole marriage thing. He should’ve just said something when Sarah had been asking about Heather. He’d selfishly kept quiet. The way she’d been with him. The way she’d touched him, held him, ignored his plea to stop, and made him come. Brock wanted her so badly. It was the hardest thing to let go, and just have an orgasm like that.
No one ever got there with him. But Sarah was different, like a drug he couldn’t say no to. But he’d have to say no eventually. He’d have to tell her the truth and watch her walk away. He drank down some champagne. Right now he had to get his melancholy ass into gear and put a smile on his face. This was Sarah’s night. One she’d remember forever. One he’d remember forever.
God. He filled up his glass and drank again. He heard a ringtone in his jeans pocket. This was a brand new phone and sim card he’d gotten, and only Jason had the number. He’d forgotten all about it. He’d asked Jason from legal to call him with news of Rick. Brock wanted to hear he’d been arrested and was in jail.
“Hello.”
“Mr. Devlin.”
“Do you have good news?”
“I’m afraid not. They had nothing to hold him on.”
“Damn it!”
“We did all we could.”
“I know. I know. But we are at least out of the country, and he can’t get to us physically.”
“That much is still under wraps.”
“It better stay that way.”
“It will if I’m the only one who knows.”
“You are.”
“Good. I’ll call back tomorrow. Everything is running fine. Don’t worry.”
“I’m not. I just want Rick out of the picture. I’m not sure what it’s going to take.”
“Me neither.”
“I’ll have talks with him when I get back.”
“Good luck with that. He wants to ruin you over this.”
“That won’t happen. My businesses are locked tight.”
“I’m not sure he’s going to target your business.”
“All the more reason to be sure he knows nothing else, and you are the only person who knows everything, Jason.”
“It’s safe with me, Mr. Devlin.”
Brock disconnected the call. Damn Rick to hell and back. That man was a pain in his ass. He should’ve seen this coming. Brock needed to finish this once and for all before Rick went any further. There was something about a desperate man he didn’t trust.
It was about time he did some digging on Rick and found his Achilles’ heel. He looked at his watch. Almost eight. He’d told the restaurant nine, so the timing was perfect. He wondered what Sarah would look like.
The door opened, and Pierre came back in. “Sarah had her own hair and makeup almost finished. I hardly had to do anything. Brace yourself. She is stunning.”
Pierre stepped aside and a vision of pure loveliness walked in. Brock felt the shockwaves clear to his bones. He couldn’t even speak. He stared at her. She was just perfect. The pink a perfect shade, and the jewelry was diamond but delicate and feminine.
Sarah’s big eyes stared back. “Do I look alright?”
“God, Sarah. You are so beautiful. Just perfect. I could never have imagined how perfect you would look.”
She moved forward like a pink cloud floating on air. The dress clung everywhere it should and
the bodice showed enough cleavage to be daring, but not so much that the imagination didn’t get engaged.
“Stop looking at me like that.”
“I wish I could.” Brock also wished he could strip her bare of everything and make her body his for the night, have it glowing the shade of pink only he could make it. But this was her night, her way, and he knew he was going to be wrapped around her little finger all night.
He couldn’t wait.
Chapter Thirteen
“Brock, you didn’t reserve this whole place just for us?”
“You said you wanted to see the Eiffel Tower.”
“Like any other tourist, not like I’m the Queen of Sheba. Do you know how to do anything normal?”
“That’s the lesson I’m here to learn isn’t it? Under your tutelage?” he smiled and filled her glass with bubbly.
Sarah felt her face warm. She’d have to work on the blushing thing. It was a little late to be coy with him. He just heated her from inside out, she couldn’t help it. “I’m not sure you’re even capable of doing anything in an ordinary way.”
“This is your night, Sarah. Your twenty-four hours. I’m making sure you remember it.”
“I certainly need to remember not to tell you any of my fantasies anymore.”
Brock put a crestfallen look on his face. “Fantasies are my speciality. You’re no fun.”
“Stop it. I love this whole thing, but it is a little over the top. You don’t do this all the time I hope.”
“Not at all. Tomorrow we’ll romp on the beach with the dogs, get all hot, sweaty, and slobbered over, and I won’t even shower.”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
Brock laughed, and Sarah smiled. She was really enjoying herself. “Your tux looks divine by the way.”
“I’m glad. Do you dance?”
“Do you?”
“Not a lot, but I’ll be happy to tread on your toes if you wish.”
“No need. I couldn’t bear to get these sparkly shoes dirty on Pierre.”
“They’re yours.”
“What? No.”
“And the sparkles, same as the jewelry, and the ones on your dress, diamonds.”
INDISPENSABLE: Part 2 Page 6