Jaxson's car was not like any car Isabella had ever been in. It was a giant black SUV that looked like it belonged to a high-ranking government official or a secret agent. The doors were very heavy and made a solid thud sound when they closed. Inside, it smelled like brand-new leather and a little bit of Jaxson's expensive cologne. The seats were heated, and Isabella felt her back getting warm as soon as she sat down.
"This car is very nice, Jaxson," Isabella said. She ran her hand over the dashboard. It was made of real wood and polished silver.
"It's a custom build," Jaxson said. He started the engine, which purred like a giant cat. "It's armored. Just in case."
"In case of what?" Isabella asked, her heart skipping a beat.
Jaxson didn't answer. He just put the car in gear and drove out of the garage. He drove with one hand on the steering wheel and the other hand on Isabella's thigh. He squeezed her leg every time he turned a corner. Isabella looked out the tinted windows. No one could see her inside, but she could see everyone. She felt like a princess in a tower, but the tower was moving at sixty miles per hour.
They arrived at the Plaza Mall. It was the kind of place where the floors were made of white marble and there were fountains everywhere. Jaxson didn't park in the regular lot; he pulled right up to the valet and tossed his keys to a young man in a red vest.
"Keep it close," Jaxson commanded.
They walked into a store called L'Amore. There were no price tags on anything. A woman in a very tight black dress and pearls walked up to them. She looked at Isabella's pink polka-dot pajamas—which she was still wearing under Jaxson's oversized leather jacket—and wrinkled her nose.
"Can I help you?" the woman asked, her voice sounding very snooty.
Jaxson stepped forward. He was much taller than the woman. "My woman needs a new wardrobe. Everything. Silks, satins, dresses for dinner, and clothes for the bedroom. And don't look at her like that again, or I'll buy this building and fire you."
The woman's face went pale. "Of course, sir! Right this way! I am so sorry!"
She led them to a private dressing room that had a plush velvet couch and a big mirror with bright lights. She started bringing in dresses.
The first dress was a pale blue silk. Isabella took off Jaxson's jacket and slipped the dress on. It felt very light, like water. She walked out of the curtain.
"What do you think?" she asked.
Jaxson was sitting on the couch, drinking a glass of champagne the lady had brought him. He looked at her from her toes to her head. "Too innocent. Next."
Isabella went back in. The second dress was green, matching Jaxson's eyes. It was very short and had a lot of sequins. She felt like a disco ball.
"Too flashy," Jaxson said. "You're a diamond, Isabella. You don't need glitter."
The third dress was the one. It was deep red, the color of a rose or a glass of wine. It was made of thick velvet that hugged every curve of her body. It had a zipper in the back that went all the way down to her lower back. It had a high slit on the side that showed off her leg.
When Isabella walked out, Jaxson stood up. He walked over to her and stood behind her, looking at their reflection in the mirror. He put his hands on her waist. The red of the dress made her skin look like cream.
"This is it," he whispered. "You look like a queen."
"It's very expensive, Jaxson," she said, looking at the small tag she finally found. It cost four thousand dollars.
"It's not expensive enough for you," Jaxson said. He turned her around and kissed her deeply in front of the saleswoman. He didn't care who was watching. "We'll take it. And twenty others. Wrap them up and have them sent to my penthouse."