New Adult Romance Box Set

by Emme Rollins, Julia Kent, Anna Antonia, Helena Newbury, Aubrey Rose

  “Don’t push your luck, Gabriel.”

  “I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t push. Now what do you think of this one?” He held up a gorgeous model with a moderate heel and silvery crystal straps.

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Yes, but do you like it?”

  To me beautiful was synonymous with liking, but apparently Gabriel thought differently. “I do like it and would like to try them on.” I made to stand up when he shook his head.

  “Not yet. Let me put them on your pretty little feet first.” Gabriel set about unbuckling the delicate shoes. “Have you given thought to how you’d like your hair dressed?”

  “Actually, I hadn’t.” I wasn’t about to admit that I merely planned on running a brush through it. I assumed I’d have to leave it hanging long and straight since it was a last minute affair.

  “There’s a small salon in the back. Annette and her girls are already waiting for you.”

  Ah, so that’s who he meant.

  “All you have to do is tell her how you’d like your hair and she can do it. Annette’s quite talented. If you’re unsure about what would look best, you can leave it up to her. I promise you won’t be disappointed. She and her girls are the best.”

  How’d he know?

  Every sign of Gabriel’s ease with navigating this ultra-feminine world put another brick in my wall. My irrational jealousy wasn’t his fault, but if he wasn’t available or was taken then he shouldn’t be escorting me to some function.

  And if he had thought I’d be amenable to a roll in the hay, then Gabriel Gordon had another damned thing coming.

  Lies, now is it? Where was your restraint in the limo? Didn’t seem like you were willing to put on the brakes then. And the worst thing about it is this—Gabriel knows how easily he could’ve had you. And he still turned you down. Now think on that!

  “Stop frowning.”

  I looked down at him in surprise. “I’m not frowning, am I? Besides, I thought you like my frowns.”

  “Yes, when it involves my wrinkle. Your thoughts are not bringing up my wrinkle, so I don’t like them. Hence, stop it.” Gabriel slid the shoe around my foot easily.

  “Fine, fine. I won’t argue with you about this.”

  “Good.”

  “Fine.”

  “More than fine.”

  “Gabriel, do you just have to have the last word?”

  “Usually.”

  The man really had no shame! In an effort to change the subject, I asked, “You said Annette had girls. What do they do?”

  “One does nails and the other does makeup. We have plenty of time since you’ve been such a peach so make sure you get both sets done.”

  “What’s wrong with my nails?” I didn’t mean to sound so belligerent…okay, maybe I did.

  Gabriel pressed one of my unpainted toes. “Nothing is wrong with these adorable piggys. You don’t have to put on polish if you don’t want to. You can just do a French manicure and pedicure if you’d like.”

  “And I take it you’re footing the bill on this as well.”

  “Of course.” Gabriel took my other foot in his hand and slipped on the matching shoe. His fingers easily buckled it in place before going back to fasten the other. “I only bring up your nails because of the event. I don’t want you feeling incomplete. I just want you happy.”

  Happy. It seemed to be a new concept we were practicing with one another and having a rough time of it. He was getting me dolled up in the misguided idea that it would make me happy. I was here to make him happy. Was I just as misguided?

  “Gabriel, you can be the sweetest man sometimes, you know that?”

  He puffed his chest out and thumped it in pride. “I try. You make it pretty hard though.”

  “I try.” I took the sting out of my words by brushing his hair back.

  Gabriel leaned into my hand, eyes drifting close. “Like I said, you’re spoiling me, Emma.”

  Oh, Gabriel, you do make it hard for me to keep you out.

  I reluctantly dropped my hand and stood up. I took several practice steps until I reached the mirror. I stuck my foot out, rolling the ankle from one side to the other so I could study the sparkly shoe. While the heels weren’t my usual type of footwear, I had to admit they were marvelous. My foot looked so dainty but my unpolished nails caused me to reconsider his offer.

  Why stop now? Might as well go all out.

  Indeed. I’d get my nails, hair, and makeup done and not feel one smidge of guilt. This was an experience and regardless of what didn’t happen between Gabriel and me, it didn’t mean that I couldn’t enjoy my night. Especially because based on history, there probably wouldn’t be another.

  “How do they feel?”

  “Good. Not nearly as pinched as I’d expect shoes like this to feel.”

  “Mmm. Why don’t you try these on as well?”

  I glanced at the pair he held aloft. They were also another crystallized creation of heel and bejeweled accents all held together by an impossibly slim strap except this time in a deep purple.

  Shoe lust pounced.

  I quickly made my way back to the seat and set about unbuckling my shoes. Gabriel brushed my fingers aside, proprietary as he sniffed, “Allow me, Ms. Adams. I am familiar with your feet and know best how to attire them.”

  “Please, by all means don’t let me interfere with your expertise. I’ve only had them for twenty-four years.”

  Gabriel bowed his head solemnly. “Very good, Ms. Adams.”

  “You’re hopeless, you know that?”

  “Only when it comes to you.”

  Uh oh. Gabriel nudged a brick out of the way. “You flirt as easily as you speak. One day you’ll say those pretty words to the wrong girl and she’ll strangle you.”

  “I assume you’re speaking of yourself?”

  “No way! I wouldn’t strangle you. Not on purpose anyways.”

  “You’re right. You’d just look right through me as if I was already dead.” Gabriel removed the silver shoes and set them back in their box. He went on as if he hadn’t brought up exactly how I’d treated him before. “I don’t want to prejudice you, Emma, but I think you’re going to really like this pair.”

  I wanted to rewind the conversation, but was too cowardly to do so. I did look right through him and pretended the magical night we shared never happened. I know I was capable of doing it again.

  “The color is gorgeous.”

  “It will contrast beautifully with your gown.” Gabriel slid my feet into the second pair. Although I hadn’t put weight on them yet, I thought these felt more comfortable despite the higher heel. He buckled them quickly. I stood back up and took several steps. My gait was smoother than with the ones I tried on first.

  “These are it.”

  “You haven’t even looked at them in the mirror.”

  “I don’t need to.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “One hundred percent.”

  Gabriel smoothly stood up. “Okay. Ready for Annette?”

  “Do I just go back there or is someone going to come get me?”

  “No, you can go on by yourself. Walk out the door, turn right, and she’s in the last room on the left. I’ll have these other shoes sent back and join you in a few minutes.”

  “Okay then.” I headed out. Pausing at the closed door, I looked over my shoulder and asked, “Do I want to know how much these set you back?”

  Gabriel shrugged, impish grin making him look much younger than his twenty-five. “No, you probably don’t.”

  I let out an aggrieved sigh. “Okay. Make sure the post-function meal is a good one so I can at least feel that I’m not taking total advantage of you tonight.”

  His smile faded. “I don’t think you’d even know how, Emma.”

  Once more awkward and completely unsure of what to say to him, I ducked out the door. Meredith, hovering at the end of the hallway, saw me and took me to the back to place myself in Annette’s fabled hands.
>
  We walked into a cozy room equipped with several mirrored workspaces flanked by a two-chair sitting area. “Here’s Ms. Adams!” Meredith announced to the adorable pixie with a shock of vibrant pink hair to match her tennis shoes. Her two assistants were just as petite, one with blue hair and the other with red. They waved at me and smiled warmly when I returned the greeting.

  Annette hopped off her patterned step-stool. “Hello! Please sit down,” she gestured with a tiny hand.

  I gingerly sat in the salon chair, demurring to the offer of a beverage from Meredith. The lovely blond inclined her head and left the room, leaving me with three adorable women with a flair for the colorful.

  Annette climbed back on her stool. She ran her fingers through my hair, studying it and seemingly making mental notes about the quality and texture. “So how would you like to be styled tonight?”

  I considered curls, always liking the soft romantic air they lent me, but my eye was on the clock. “I think a chignon would work well.”

  Annette pulled back my hair. “Good call, Ms. Adams.”

  “Please call me Emma.”

  “Emma.” Her mirrored smile revealed two dimples. “I’ll get you set up and then hand you off. Just to let you know, this isn’t exactly our normal way but Mr. Gordon was adamant that we’d have to move ASAP to get you ready in time. Usually we’d all be about pampering you a lot longer.”

  I looked at my watch. It wasn’t even seven yet.

  “Is it really going to take a while to get me ready?”

  “Actually, no.” She took a brush to my hair. Annette’s quick fingers then smoothed some kind of product into my hair before separating it into sections. “I think he assumed it would take longer for you to pick out your dress and shoes.”

  In the midst of the quiet we heard “Annette?” The blue-haired girl waved from across the small space.

  “What’s up, Linnette?” she replied while never pausing in her work.

  “I can go ahead and start her pedicure while you’re setting her hair if you want,” she said in a tiny, timid voice.

  “No, we’re good. Unless you would like that, Ms. Adams?”

  “I’m fine with however you all want to handle it.” I smiled reassuringly at Linnette, finding her shyness brought out my nurturing side to the forefront.

  “Cool.”

  She deftly rolled my hair, something I didn’t expect her to do. Granted, I didn’t really go to the salon other than for highlights and a trim, so this was all new to me.

  “Annette?”

  “Yes, Ms. Adams?”

  “Is it too late to change my mind?” I knew she heard the apology in my voice loud and clear.

  “Of course, not.” She stopped rolling my hair and waited for my direction patiently.

  “Since you’re curling my hair, can I switch from a chignon to something a little more glamorous? Something like how women wore their hair in the 40s or 50s?”

  “Ah, vintage. Yes, we can definitely do that. Would you like to keep your hair down or up?”

  “Down.”

  “How about we do something ala Marilyn Monroe from the 50s? Curls all around, with this side pinned back and your bang teased up a bit?”

  I couldn’t quite picture it but it sounded like something I’d like.

  “Go for it, Annette.”

  “Will do, Ms. Adams! Once I’m done rolling your curls, it will need time to set, so I’ll have my sister start on your pedicure if that’s agreeable with you.”

  “Your sister?”

  “Actually sisters. Linnette, Minnette, and I are triplets. Isn’t it obvious?” She punctuated her question with a playful wink.

  “Now that you mention it I’m not sure how I missed it!”

  Annette smiled in reply and resumed sectioning my hair.

  Settling into the chair, I relaxed beneath her capable fingers. I imagined how lovely it would be to have someone do my hair everyday. Highlighting it was my one concession to vanity. Typically, I left it down, pulled back in a low chignon, or a high ponytail. I rarely curled it and usually only for weddings.

  This however was nice. No wonder the obscenely wealthy carried such a large staff. There was always someone capable of making life easier.

  Getting spoiled is so easy when you have people like Annette spoil you…I have no idea why Gabriel keeps saying I’m spoiling him. Nothing I did would be able to compare to this…

  Between Annette’s gentle fingers and the soft music piped in overhead, my eyelids drifted closed. It seemed like only a few seconds had passed before I felt pressure on my knee. My eyes flew open and I jerked forward. “Hmm? What?”

  “I told you these girls were the best.”

  “Gabriel! What are you doing here?” I mumbled, disoriented and groggy from my nap.

  He laughed and whispered, “Did you already forget about me, Emma?”

  “How’s that possible? I’ve never been able to forget you…” My brain had obviously turned to mush to admit that. “I mean, huh, well…”

  “Looks I got here right in time.” Gabriel’s gaze lingered on mine before he turned to address Annette. “Is she ready to go to Linnette?”

  “Sure is.” Annette squeezed my shoulder. “When Linnette is done, Minnette will do your makeup. You’ll then come back to me, okay?”

  I nodded and stood up a little too quickly. The room swam and turned dark. Gabriel reached out and steadied me. “Are you okay, Emma?”

  “I’m fine. I just got up too fast.”

  “Are you sure?”

  The deep concern in his voice warmed me even as it made me feel disconcerted. “I’m good, Gabriel. Honestly.”

  “All right.” He looked me over, seemingly looking for something that would prove to him that I truly was okay. “Here, let me help you over to Linnette.”

  Gabriel didn’t give me a chance to pull away as he wrapped my arm around his. His solicitousness made me feel like precious porcelain. I still didn’t know if I liked it or not.

  Was I being cared for or being treated like a fancy piece?

  I wish I could just accept what he did without always being so damned suspicious of it. If he was a regular guy, someone more like me, I know I’d already be gone off the deep-end for him.

  Gabriel guided me into another plush seat before pulling over a chair to sit next to me. Linnette, much shyer than her sister, didn’t say much. She carefully pulled my dress up and then draped a lightweight blanket over it, presumably to keep it dry from the footbath.

  She was about to take off my shoes when Gabriel cut in. “Let me do that, Linnette. I am the most qualified person to take care of Emma’s feet.” The small girl stepped aside as Gabrielle crouched down and removed my shoes.

  The attention embarrassed but only when it didn’t thrill me. I bit my lip, unsure of what to say when he resumed his seat next to me. I obviously liked him nice except when I didn’t.

  Oh, I’m such a damned mess. Really.

  I noticed he was still in his gray suit. “So is your tuxedo on the way?”

  “It’s here. It won’t take me but five minutes to get changed so I’ll do it when we’re ready to leave.”

  Conscious of the women around us, I didn’t know what else to say. I definitely didn’t want to converse with Gabriel as if they were mute or like living pieces of furniture.

  It reminded me too much of how my mother was treated when I cleaned houses with her when I was younger.

  “So…” my voice trailed off.

  Gabriel yawned theatrically. “Emma, will you be a dear and excuse me for a bit?”

  “Sure, no problem.” I expected him to get up and leave. Instead, he reached out for my hand, leaned back, and closed his eyes.

  The heat from our entwined fingers travelled up my arm and straight to my heart. He instantly figured out my problem and proceeded with a solution. How did he know?

  Because he watched me as much as I watched him. What does he think he knows about me and how much of i
t is spot-on?

  Linnette set my feet into the warm, bubbly bath. She brought me a tray of polish, colors bright like liquid candy. “I’d like a French pedicure and manicure please,” I said in a whisper, even though I was sure Gabriel wasn’t even close to sleepy or asleep.

  She nodded quickly and put away the tray. I soon felt her hands on my feet, massaging away the day with a few turns of her expert fingers. I should’ve been fixated on the magic of Linnette’s work, considering this was only my second professional pedicure, but Gabriel firmly had my attention.

  Just when I thought I had him figured out, he defied my attempts at categorization.

  Like a stone poking into my heel, I thought of the womanizer I’d known in school and the boy who’d bared his heart to me on my front porch.

  So just who was Gabriel Gordon? An utter bastard or the sweetest man in the world? I couldn’t find the answer, no matter what mental road I traversed. All I could say for certain was that angel or demon, Gabriel still had me in the palm of his manicured hand.

  I never stopped wanting you even when I didn’t want to want you. And now you’re here, making me forget why I shouldn’t want you.

  While lost in my thoughts, Linnette made quick work of my pedicure. Soon my feet were done, polished and decorated with a gorgeous white strip of color. I reluctantly let go of Gabriel’s hand and carefully followed her to a small table so she could work on my nails.

  I was grateful for her companionable silence. I watched Linnette work while sneaking glances over to Gabriel. His large body slouched in the small chair, reminding me so much of how he looked in high school. At one point I caught the glitter in his eyes and shivered.

  What are you thinking about, Gabriel, when you look at me?

  “Are you cold, Ms. Adams?”

  “No, I’m fine,” I assured her. When I looked back at him, he shifted and rested his head on his palm.

  I couldn’t help but hope I dominated his thoughts as much as he did mine.

  Linnette guided my hands to a small dryer before setting me free. I touched her arm. “Thank you so much. My nails are beautiful.”

  She ducked her head and waved me to her equally quiet sister Minnette.

  “Sit here please, Ms. Adams.”