Chapter 9: Buy Whatever You Want, No Questions Asked

༺RAYNE༻

“Get ready. We’re going shopping,” Liam informs me, not even meeting my gaze. He turns his back to me and mutters something to Derek, his bodyguard.

I nod as if he can see me and go to my room to get changed. I pick a plain black dress from my bag, slip it on and glare into the mirror. Satisfied with my simple look, I stride to the living room where I find Liam on the phone waiting for me.

His eyes rake my body slowly as he gets off the phone. “Let’s go,” he gruffs, leading the way to the garage.

It’s very spacious, with a wide collection of luxury cars―Mercedes Benz, Rolls Royce Cullinan, Bugatti Veyron and others I’m not very familiar with. He opts for his BMW and lets me get in first.

It’s been three days since I began living with Liam and I have to say it’s been pretty great. Although I didn’t see much of him, I kept myself occupied with exploring the house, stuffing my faces in delicious food and stuff like that.

I haven’t really spoken to Liam since the day I got here. But I did get to ask him if I was ever going back to work at his office. He looked at me like I was crazy and bluntly told me no.

And then I asked him what I’d say if ever one of my former coworkers saw me outside and inquired about our relationship. He said to me brusquely, “You answer to no one but me.”

I didn’t push any further. It’s not like I saw much of him to even ask. He’s always running off to work and coming back pretty late. I guess it’ll save me then trouble of having to keep up with his arrogance and cocky attitude.

But I secretly wish I saw more of him though. It makes me wonder if it’s always going to be like this even after we get married.

Liam is sitting quietly, staring out the window while I’m sitting beside him and staring so hard at him. This man is absolutely gorgeous!

“Hasn’t anyone ever told you that it’s rude to stare?” He asks, still looking out the window.

“Who’s staring?” I reply, feigning innocence.

And then comes his blunt response, “You are.”

I roll my eyes and cross my arms, faking a sickly sweet smile. “Well, they’re my eyes. I’ll stare wherever I want. What’s so rude about it?”

He finally brings his eyes to meet mine. “It seems your parents didn’t teach you proper manners.”

His comment stings but I try not to let it show.

“Perhaps if I had parents, they would’ve taught me,” I respond, making Liam give me a thoughtful look. I can only wonder what’s going on in his mind. “Why don’t you teach me then, Mr-prim-and-proper?”

Liam’s lips quirk up before he says, “Oh, I plan on doing just that, trust me. There's a thing called decorum. You might want to learn it if you're going to be my wife.”

“Decorum?” A wry chuckle rips out of my lips and one of my eyebrows shoot up. “Mr Everhart, where was your decorum when you walked up to me and kissed me out of nowhere?”

His face suddenly pales like a frozen sheet of ice, his piercing eyes widen and a chill seems to crawl through his veins. His pupils dilate like a predator cornering its prey. It appears he’s remembering more than just the kiss we shared that night.

In a strained yet smooth voice, he tells me, “And I remember how eagerly you responded, Miss Sullivan. You couldn’t get enough of me; you had to go about looking for me.”

That shuts me up. He's totally right but it also pisses me off because I don't like being called out like that. Would it kill him to just let me win even once?

“I hate you,” I mumble, glowering at him.

“No, you don’t.” He takes his gaze off me and goes back to peering through the window.

I bite my lower lip, torn between smacking the smugness off his face and admitting to the truth that burns hot inside me.

We don’t speak to each other until we reach this high-end boutique that only celebrities, politicians and people with more money than sense frequent. I remember coming to a place like this with Henry one time but this feels different.

The minute we step inside, I'm hit with the smell of perfume and money. It's like walking into a fancy hotel lobby but with more Gucci. And here I am in my basic black dress, feeling like a street rat compared to these bejeweled socialites.

That’s about to change though.

“Go ahead and pick whatever you want,” Liam says, glancing around.

“Whatever I want?” I’m almost gaping. “Are you sure about that?”

When he promised me an entire wardrobe, I had no idea that he was talking about letting me buy a whole damn wardrobe worth more than a small country! I mean, I knew Liam Everhart was rich before I even really knew him but I didn't realize he was “buy whatever you want, no questions asked” rich.

He doesn’t answer so I press on. “What if I go a little bit nuts and buy more than you can afford?”

He gives me that cool, calm stare of his, flexing his arms as he dips his hands in his pockets. “Don't insult me. Just do as you’re told.”

I nod and immediately start going through the store with my head held high, acting like a Kardashian on a shopping spree. Or more like a hungry raccoon in a dumpster full of designer swag.

I grab whatever catches my eye without looking at the price tag. Pairs of Louboutins, Chanel bags, Balenciagas and whatnot―I take them all. Liam practically asked for this.

He watches silently and follows me around as I do my shopping. When my hands get full, I toss my stuff to Derek and go on to get more items. I’m actually trying to see how much of it Liam can take, whether he’ll get fed up and stop me from buying any more.

But he doesn’t do that.

After spending almost two hours ransacking the store, I decide I want to try out some of the dresses. I go inside the changing room while Liam sits right outside, waiting for me.

The first thing I try on a slinky black dress that hugs my body like a second skin and reveals way too much cleavage. Then, I switch it up with a white dress that's so sheer, I might as well be wearing nothing at all.

Liam doesn’t say anything but each time I come out, strutting like a runway model, I notice how he looks at me like I’m the last glass of water in the desert. His jaw clenches and his breathing becomes heavy.

Serves him right. He keeps acting like I’m the only one who enjoyed our escapade. It’s obvious that I have some kind of effect on him.

I try on another dress, a strapless blue mini dress that seems way too tight. This one, however, has a zipper so I go to Liam for a help.

“Can't you find someone else to do that?” Liam snaps, a hint of irritation in his tone as I gesture for him to zip up my dress. He turns to Derek. “Bring her one of the assistants.” Derek leaves immediately.

“What, with my fiancé right here? It wouldn't be right, would it?” I purr, tilting my head, a faint smirk on my lips.

I’m so in the mood to irritate him. And I’m going to enjoy doing it. This man has way too much pride so I’m certain he won’t get up from his throne to help me with a zipper.

Liam narrows his eyes and replies in a raspy tone, “You're pushing your luck.”

“Pushing my luck?” I smirk. “Or maybe I’m just testing yours. After all, you’re the one who can’t keep his eyes off me.”

A muscle twitches in his jaw while he’s sending me a cold, menacing stare. “I’d be careful with how far you push me, Rayne,” he warns. “You might not like where you end up.”

I just smile and raise an eyebrow. “Oh? I’m actually curious now. What are you going to do, Mr Everhart? Fire me?” I take a step forward.

“Even better,” he gruffs. “I’m this close to pinning you to the wall and taking you right there.”

I stiffen and gulp hard.

“You wouldn’t.” My voice quakes.

He wouldn’t, right?

Liam starts marching towards me, his face masked with something I can’t quite decipher. “You asked for this.”