A heated blush rose up her throat at the thought of him ordering these for her.
Then she lost her temper.
She stomped down the stairs and zeroed in on the computer light edging from the study.
“You can’t possibly be serious,” she snarled at the man whose back was to her.
He turned and gave her an annoyed glare. “I believe I have informed you of my seriousness in all things.”
Holding up a bra, she nailed him with a glare of her own. “I can pick my own underwear.”
“But it is not necessary. I have already done so.”
“Without my consent.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t think you would mind a whole new wardrobe.”
“I do mind.”
“Tough.” He stood and sauntered over to her. “No woman of mine is going to appear like a bag lady.”
No woman of mine.
The words shot through her like an arrow, leaving a trail of unwanted enchantment behind.
Bag lady.
That stung and infuriated her.
“I’m not your woman. I’ll dress any damn way I want to.”
“You agreed to be my woman for the next month.” His silver eyes flashed. “You’ll dress in a manner fitting to your new role.”
“I’m here with you only because you forced me—”
“I gave you a choice.” His accent became more pronounced. “You chose me.”
“I chose the lesser of two evils, but that doesn’t mean I have to bow down to all your commandments.”
“Actually, it does.” Leaning in, his every word brushed her skin. “It means exactly that. With one exception.”
At the mention of their bargain about sex, a blush stained her cheeks. Embarrassment fired her temper higher. “I’m not going to tart myself up for you.”
“Tart?” His satanic eyebrows rose. “I was quite clear about what I wanted in your wardrobe. I don’t believe Bergdorf Goodman does tart.”
Her mouth dropped at the mention of the high-class store. She was poor, still she’d read, dreamed, heard how the rich lived. She’d simply never thought of herself experiencing the lifestyle. She should be enjoying this. Why was her temper getting in the way of taking what was offered?
Because she had principles. She wasn’t like her mum. She wasn’t.
“I finally have you speechless. How delightful.”
“You must have spent a fortune.”
“I had a feeling the silence wouldn’t last long.” His hand slapped onto the doorframe, effectively pinning her to the wall. “What I spent is no concern of yours. Go upstairs, put on one of the dozen nightgowns I bought you, and enjoy. Like any other woman would.”
“I don’t—”
“Remember your father, Darcy?” he whispered in her ear. “Remember your poor father who is even now getting treatment for his addiction?”
She sucked in a hot breath and met his threatening frown. “I hate you.”
Pushing himself off the doorframe, he paced to the desk and his ubiquitous computer. “It is a surprise when a woman is given a brand-new wardrobe and says she hates the man who gave the clothes to her. Nevertheless, I will survive the shock. And your stated feelings for me.”
She should say something. Something witty and sharp and nasty. Something that would make him lose his temper to the point he couldn’t put one cognitive thought together.
Sitting, he stared at the screen and began to type. “Go to bed.”
She cursed him under her breath. But what could she do? She couldn’t wear this same droopy dress for days on end. Plus, she couldn’t go to bed nude…
Wait a minute.
She ran to the stairs and up the steps to gape at the bed.
The one bed.
Turning around, she opened every door. The door to the bathroom, with its gold fixtures and swirling leaf pattern on the floor. The door to the outside terrace, with the cold wind whipping and the lights of Manhattan spread out before her.
There was only one bedroom.
She flew down the stairs and into the study.
“Dio,” he said, his gaze never leaving the laptop’s screen. “What now?”
“Where are you sleeping tonight?” she gasped.
“In the bed upstairs.” Leaning back in his chair, he eyed her quivering figure.
“No, you’re not.” Pure panic flared. She’d never slept with anyone before. Never since the horrible night when she’d forced the male away. And been forced to run away.
He sighed. “I don’t enjoy all this drama.”
“I’ll get another room.”
“Do you know how expensive this place is? I doubt you have the funds.”
“I’ll find another hotel.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” He swiveled, his focus again on his computer screen as if everything which could be said had been said. “We will sleep in the bed together like adults.”