LITMIR.BIZ

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her into a changing room and roughly make love to her. Possibly while she was wearing nothing but those pink crystal stilettos. Not a bad idea...

      She blinked, realizing she’d been licking her lips. She put her hand unsteadily to her head. What was happening? Was she losing all her morals over a pair of beautiful shoes and for the body of a dangerously beautiful man?

      Except Darius wasn’t just beautiful. He was also the only man she’d ever slept with. The only man she’d ever been in love with. She was even now carrying his child deep inside her. He wanted her in his bed. He wanted to marry her. All of those things together were likely to distract any woman.

      And with every moment, she felt herself being drawn into his world. Remembering what it was like when money was no object. To be without worry or care.

      To be cherished.

      It had been a long time since she’d felt that way. She’d been a lonely teenager, far happier spending her time with the estate staff, pets or books instead of other debutantes. At fourteen, she’d fallen hopelessly for Darius, the chauffeur’s son, six years older and totally out of her league. Funny now to recall that she’d actually imagined herself to be unhappy then.

      She’d discovered soon after what unhappiness really meant, when her beloved mother, the heart of their home, had suddenly fallen ill. She’d wasted away and died within months.

      Her father had been gutted. A few years later, he’d gone to prison. Letty had tried to be tough. She’d tried to be strong. She’d hadn’t let herself think. Hadn’t let herself feel.

      But now...

      For the first time in years she realized how it felt to be truly looked after. To be cared for. As the salesgirls wrapped up a thousand dollars’ worth of silky lingerie, she tried to tell herself it was just an illusion. Exactly like Cinderella. After midnight tonight it would all disappear.

      Darius signed the credit card receipt, smiling at her out of the corner of his eye. “Is there anything else you desire?”

      Letty looked at him, her heart in her throat. Then she just shook her head.

      “It’s growing late.” He took her hand. “We have one more place to go.”

      The bodyguard had already left in Darius’s sports car filled with bags. As his driver walked ahead, weighed down by yet more bags, toward the waiting town car, Darius never let go of her hand. His dark eyes glowed down at her as the sun slipped down between the skyscrapers, toward a horizon she couldn’t see.

      Maybe it was the pregnancy hormones, but as they climbed into the back of the elegant car, emotion squeezed her heart as she looked at him. All day, Darius had been beside her, ready to push through any crowds, to make sure that she got—in his opinion—proper attention. When she was thirsty, when she was hungry, when she was tired, he seemed to know even before she did, and like a miracle, whatever she desired would instantly appear.

      It was as if she were no longer alone. Someone else was looking out for her. Someone tough and strong. Someone who made her feel safe.

      Safe?

      She shook herself hard. Darius was dangerous. Selfish. Arrogant and cold.

      He frowned at her in the backseat. “Are you crying?”

      She wiped her tears. “Nope.”

      “Letty.”

      “I’m sorry. I just...” She faltered. “You’ve been so kind.”

      “Buying you clothes?” he said incredulously. He gave a low laugh. “Is that all it takes?”

      It was more than the clothes, far more, but she couldn’t explain. She said miserably, “I shouldn’t go with you to the ball tonight.”

      His mouth turned down grimly. “You’re going.”

      “Don’t you understand? It’ll only cause you trouble.”

      “Stop trying to protect me,” he said evenly. “I mean it.”

      “But—”

      “It’s not your job to protect me. It’s my job to protect you now. And our baby. Never again insult me by insinuating I am incapable of it.” At her expression, he said more gently, “Don’t you understand, Letty? I will watch over you. I’ll make sure no one ever hurts you again. You’ll always be taken care of now. You’re safe.”

      She was suddenly shaking as the town car drove down the street. How she wished it were true! How she wished she could believe in him, as she had so long ago.

      The car door opened. Looking up in surprise at Darius’s driver, who was holding it open, Letty looked back at Darius. He gave her a cheeky grin.

      “I’m just dropping you off. This is the best day spa in the city. Collins is bringing your gown and everything else you’ll need for the ball tonight. I’ll collect you here at eight.”

      “A day spa? Why?”

      “You deserve some pampering. Enjoy yourself.” He leaned forward in the car’s backseat. She felt his warmth and breathed in his scent as he brushed back her hair and whispered in her ear, “I’ll be back for you soon.”

      As he drew back, her heart beat rapidly, and she felt prickles of sensation and desire course through her body, down her spine and over her skin.

      And all he’d done was whisper in her ear!

      Oh, this was bad.

      Her legs were shaky as she stepped out of the car and was whisked into the gorgeously bright day spa with its tall windows, green plants and kitschy pink furniture. A team of specialists, including massage therapists, beauty therapists, stylists and more, surrounded her, moaning about Letty’s cuticles, her tense shoulders, her dry skin...

      Hours passed in a flash. Her nails were done and her muscles rubbed and her skin freshened until dewy. Hairstylists and makeup artists came next, and once they were done, it was nearly eight.

      Letty put on the new silk bra and panties, the perfectly fitting pink gown and sparkly stiletto heels. She looked at herself in the mirror.

      Her long, freshly shaped dark hair was now glossy and shiny and bouncy from the hairstylist’s efforts. Red lipstick made her look glamorous, and her eyes were emphasized with dark liner and even a few false eyelashes for drama. Her full breasts, pushed up by the bra, were laid out like a platter in the knit pink dress, her hips thrust forward by the stilettos, her voluptuous belly the star.

      She was dazzled by her own image. She barely recognized herself.

      “Wait until Mr. Kyrillos sees you,” the proprietress of the spa said with a broad smile. “Our finest creation!” There was a whisper, then a gasp. “He’s here!”

      Nervously, Letty came down into the foyer. She wondered if he would think she looked silly. She couldn’t bear it if her appearance embarrassed him, on top of everything else.

      But as Darius came into the foyer, she saw his face. And she knew he approved. Deeply.

      “You look incredible,” he whispered. “So beautiful.”

      She gave him a shy smile. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”

      The truth was, she couldn’t take her eyes off him. His hard jaw was freshly shaved, and his dark eyes wickedly bright. He looked impossibly handsome, tall and broad-shouldered in his sophisticated black tuxedo, which was obviously tailored. No tuxedo off the rack could have fit his muscled body so perfectly.

      Wordlessly, Darius held out his arm.

      Wrapping her hand around his hard, thick bicep, she shivered, remembering how six months ago, she’d felt his naked, powerful body over hers. Inside hers. She nearly stumbled at the memory.

      He stopped.

      “Sorry, I’m still getting the hang of my shoes,” she lied. She

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