Once Upon A Time(60)

“Sixty-two thousand,” she said nonchalantly, as if that amount of money was about as common as a cold. “And a few cents.”

My eyes felt as though they were about to bug out of my head. Sixty-two thousand dollars? Who the hell pays that much for a dress?

“Breadsticks or dollars?” I paused, eyeing the dress once more. “Please say breadsticks to take my mind off the fact I’m currently wearing something more expensive than our apartment!”

Kylie chuckled and shook her head; she was used to my flipping out over money, especially when it came to expensive clothing.

“It’s a one of a kind Vera Wang!” she announced, as if I could really forget where I was standing.

“It could be a one of kind trash bag and I still wouldn’t pay that much money for a fucking dress!” I said, rubbing my temples as my heart rate elevated. “My god, I’m going to have a heart attack right here in Vera Wang.”

Quinn rolled his eyes before placing the empty glasses on the table beside the door. Picking a small piece of lint from his baby pink shirt, he glanced at Kylie before nodding once.

Oh for fuck's sake, what were they up to now?

Quinn turned on his heels and left the room. My heart rate was hitting all new levels when I looked at Kylie, who wore the most mischievous smirk on her face.

“The hell have you done?!” I screeched, my Southern drawl coming out in waves.

Kylie threw her hands up defensively, stepping back before retreating out the door. Throwing my hands up in the air, I sighed hard. I needed out of this dress, quickly. Standing on the podium, I, not so gracefully, unhooked the bodice and lowered the zipper as far as I could before shimmying it down to my waist.

But before I could move it any further…

“Oh my holy fuck!” I screeched, pulling the dress over my chest, mortified someone had walked in.

Stupid really, I should’ve walked behind the screen instead of shedding it like a second skin just to get out of it as quick as I could.

Turning towards my intruder, my breath caught in my throat.

Standing a couple of feet away from me was the reason I was in this stupid place.

Gabriel.

“Please don’t stop on my account.” He smirked, stepping behind me and staring at me through the mirrors before me. “The show was just getting good.”

“You’re a pervert. What the hell are you doing here? I thought you weren’t talking to me.”

It was a bitchy move but I was still freaking mortified and a little pissed at the whole situation.

He chuckled deeply, the vibration running straight between my thighs.

Damn it.

“Pervert? Yes. Not talking to you? No.” He paused, pulling at the material now hanging from my body as I cupped the dress to my bare chest. “Quinn called. He said you were freaking out.”

Hooking the bodice, his hands went to my shoulders, squeezing gently. My breath caught in my throat and I swore if I didn’t swallow I'd choke on thin air. Our gazes met in the mirror and for the first time I think I truly saw him.

Not Gabriel Black, the millionaire and businessman.

Not Gabriel Black, my client.

But Gabriel Black, the man who drove me crazy, aggravated me, pushed me, tore me open and unraveled me like I’d never been before.

“Is this a game to you?” I whispered, looking him straight in the eyes.

His gaze darkened somewhat as I waited for his answer. I had no idea why that fell from my lips, but I did know it would ultimately seal our fates.

“I don’t play games, Payton.” He growled as if I’d really offended him.

His gaze moved down to my exposed back and his hands drifted from my shoulders, leaving goosebumps in their wake. Why did he have such an effect on me?

“What you need to understand is...” He paused, moving the zipper slowly upwards until it came to a stop at the very top. My hands fell away from the dress as his gaze came back to me. “When I want something, I’ll stop at nothing until I get it. And Payton?”

His hands moved back to my shoulders, the touch sparking something I couldn’t control. He turned me fluidly, his body crushing mine as our breaths mingled together.

“I want you.”

I averted my gaze as a lump formed in my throat. What the hell was happening to me?

“I feel like a damn hooker in this dress,” I whispered, trying to move to conversation away from where it was heading.

His fingers grasped my chin, pulling me back towards him and stared me straight in the eyes.

“This isn’t Pretty Woman.” He growled, the intensity in his eyes catching me off guard. “I’m starting to understand how warped your perception of love is. Fairy tales and movies don’t depict real love, Payton, merely what we desire it to be.”