Try It for Me
The following day…
The car rolled to a stop in the parking lot of a prominent boutique. Lila’s eyes sparkled with anticipation; she’d been drinking in the view through the window and could hardly wait to get out. But when she reached for the door handle, her hand was gently stopped.
“Huh?” she murmured, glancing at Damien.
He smiled, the corners of his mouth curving with quiet amusement. “Gentlemen open the door for their ladies.”
A slow grin tugged at Lila’s lips as she watched him step out of the car, circle around, and open the door for her.
“Thank you,” she said softly.
“Shall we?” Damien asked, extending his hand toward her.
“We shall,” Lila giggled, slipping her hand into his. Together, they walked toward the boutique’s entrance, the morning sunlight glinting off the glass doors.
“Who taught you these things?” she asked as they strolled side by side, curiosity dancing in her tone.
Damien’s lips curved into a faint smile. “I believe you don’t need to be taught to know the right things,” he replied smoothly, his deep voice carrying that calm confidence that never failed to disarm her.
Lila glanced at his side profile, taking in the composed strength in his features. “I must confess, I like this new Uncle Wolfe,” she said teasingly then quickly bit her lower lip, already anticipating his reaction.
Damien’s smile vanished. His gaze flicked toward her, sharp and mock-threatening. “You really enjoy testing me, don’t you?”
Lila chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re bigger than this, Wolfe. You shouldn’t let things like that get to you.”
“Bigger?” he repeated, brows lifting. “Does this have to do with age now?”
She only smiled and looked ahead, refusing to take the bait.
Soon, they reached the entrance, where a uniformed guard greeted them politely. Damien gave a curt nod in return, his hand resting lightly on Lila’s back as they stepped inside.
Lila froze the moment she stepped inside. The boutique was silent…too silent. Not a single shopper in sight, only a few sales attendants standing at attention. A man in a black suit approached them with a polished smile.
“Welcome, sir. The reservation has been made,” he said smoothly, gesturing for them to follow.
Lila blinked, her confusion surfacing immediately. She reached out and caught Damien’s arm, leaning closer.
“What’s going on?” she whispered. “What reservation is he talking about? Is this… a hotel or something?”
Damien bent slightly toward her, his voice low but calm. “I rented the place for the time we’ll be shopping.”
Her eyes widened, disbelief flashing across her face. “You rented it? What? Why would you do that? We’re just here to buy a few things and leave! Why must we do that in private?”
Damien smiled, his eyes softening as he lifted a hand to her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek.
“That’s how I want it, Lila. Don’t worry, it’s not that big of a deal.”
Lila scoffed. “Not a big deal? That must’ve cost a fortune!”
He twitched his mouth, pretending to think it over. “Let’s assume you’re right. But I have enough to spend, trust me.”
“But—” Lila began, only to gasp when Damien slipped an arm around her shoulders and gently guided her forward.
“Let’s start already. I can’t wait,” he said with a teasing edge, guiding her deeper into the boutique.
Lila could only roll her eyes, a reluctant smile tugging at her lips as she let him lead the way.
Several hours had passed, and their carts were overflowing. Yet Damien still hadn’t had enough, every time Lila thought they were done, he found something else to add.
She had already complained that she wouldn’t be able to wear all those clothes in five years, but he’d only shrugged, saying it didn’t matter.
With a resigned sigh, Lila’s gaze drifted to a delicate pink shoulder bag displayed on a glass shelf. Her eyes brightened instantly.
“Excuse me,” she called softly to one of the attendants assigned to them. “Can I see that one, please?”
Damien, who had walked a few steps ahead, stopped when he realized she was no longer beside him. Turning around, he saw her holding the bag, her face glowing with a small, genuine smile.
He stepped back toward her. “I want the bag in all the colors available,” he ordered casually.
Lila’s eyes widened. “No, Wolfe. I love only this color,” she said firmly, holding up the pink bag to make her point.
“You’ll love the other colors too, trust me,” Damien replied with a faint smile but the warmth in his face quickly faded as he gestured for the attendants to obey his command.
Lila shot him a glare, but he only responded with a broad, unbothered wink before strolling ahead. His steps halted when his gaze caught on a velvet-blue satin dress displayed under the warm boutique lights. He studied it for a moment, then ordered it to be brought out in her size, size eight.
When the dress was handed over, he turned to her with quiet certainty.
“Try this one,” he said, his tone leaving little room for argument.
Lila exhaled in exhaustion, rolling her eyes. “We’ve already gone through enough dresses. I’m tired of changing.”
Before she could retreat further into her protest, Damien leaned in and brushed a feather-light kiss against her cheek. The unexpected warmth of his lips made her freeze.
“I think I like this one best,” he murmured, his voice low. “So please, try it for me.”
Color bloomed across her cheeks. Any retort she might’ve had died on her tongue. All she could do was nod slowly, and slip away toward the changing room for what felt like the hundredth time.
“Sir, you really love your girl, don’t you?” one of the attendants said with a teasing grin.
Damien’s head turned, his sharp gaze slicing toward her. “Do you have a problem with that?” he asked, his tone low and cold.
The woman, maybe in her mid-thirties, faltered but pressed on. “I’m sorry if it seems I’m meddling, sir. It’s just… with your age difference, do you really think the girl feels the same way you do?”
Damien’s brows knit together, his head tilting slightly. “Excuse me?”
The other attendant shot her a panicked look, whispering for her to stop, but the woman ignored her. “I’ve seen cases like this,” she continued. “The girls stay with older men for the lifestyle, the money while their hearts belong to someone younger.”
For a moment, silence fell. Damien simply stared at her, almost incredulous. Had he gone too soft? Was that why she thought she could stand there and question him like this?
His voice was calm when he finally spoke, which made it all the more chilling. “Get the manager,” he said, turning his gaze to the second attendant.