Chapter 121 Neccessary
Rowan
The door clicks softely. Almost quiet enough to miss, but I don't miss anything when it comes to her.
My eyes lift before I even realize I've moved, my body already angled towards the dressing room like something in me knew she was about to step out.
When she finally does step out, I don't move. I don't speak. I don't even breathe.
Violet steps out wearing exactly what I chose for her and it fits her like it was made with her in mind. The dress is simple at first glance. Deep charcoal, almost black, but softer. The kind of color that doesn't demand attention, but holds it anyways.
The fabric hugs her body without clinging too tightly, structured enough to give her shape, soft enough to move when she does. It cinches in at her waist, pulling everything inward before falling clean and smooth over her hips. Long sleeves taper at her wrists, the frabric uilling just enough when she moves her hands that it draws attention to them.
High neckline that gives her neck the perfect shape. It curves just slightly, not low, not revealing but enough that I can see the delicate line of her collarbone. enough to make my eyes liner there longer than they should. Conservative, covered, but... not inncent. Not with her.
The hem stops just below her knees. Professional. Refined. Untouchable. And yet.... every inch of it makes me think about touching her.
Her hair falls around her shoulders, slightly messy from changing, lips parted like she's about to say something, but hasn't decided what yet. Her eyes flick up to me, with that waiting-needy look.
That's the part that nearly makes me come undone. Becuase she's not unsure. Not really. She's waiting to see what I think.
My jaw tightens because the first word that enters my mind is... mine. Immediate. Possessive.
I take a step towards her, slow and measured. "Turn," I say, gesturing with my hand.
Her brows pull together slightly, "Excuse me?"
"Turn," I repeat again.
She hesitates, but just for a moment. She slowly turns for me. The fabric shifts with her, catching the light just enough to show the lines of her body underneath without ever fully giving it away. It's controlled. Restrained. And somehow, that makes it worse. Because now, I have to imagine it.
My eyes drag over her again, slower this time, taking in every detail like I'm committing it to memory. The way the dress pulls at her waist. The way it smooths over her hips. The way her thighs are barely visiable below the hem.
"Rowan?" She says, a little sharper now, "Are you going to say something or just stare at me like that?"
I step closer, not saying anything which was a mistake.
"You don't like it?" she asks, crossing her arms slightly, defensive now.
Thats.... that's wrong!
My hand comes up, catching her wrist before she can fully close herself off.
"Don't." I say.
Her eyes snap to met mine. "Don't what?"
"Don't hide."
My grip isn't tight, but it's firm. Enough to hold her there.
"Rowan-"
"You look exactly the way I want you to." The words come out lower than I expect. Rougher
She goes still. "Which is?" She asks, quieter now.
I finally take another step, closing the distance between us. "Like no one else gets to touch you."
Her breath catches. I let my gaze move over her again, slower this time to really appericate her and her beauty, like I'm peeling the layers of that dress back in my head without actually touching her.
"Covered," I contiune. "Put together. Untouchable." My hand slides slightly from her wrist to her waist, reathing there, grounding, claiming her. "And still the only thing in the room worth looking at."
Her eyes widen and she looks away. "You're staring again," She mutters.
"I know." I don't stop. I don't want to. Because this is exactly what I meant. Not the clothes, not the store, but her. Standing in front of me, dressed like she belongs in my world, looking like she was always supposed to be here.
I step back just enough to look at her fully again. "You're keeping it." I say. Not a suggestion.
She lets out a quiet breath. "I figured as much." A pause and then, "Rowan?"
My eyes lift back to hers.
"This doesn't change everything," She says.
I smirk at her and reply, "It does. You'll see soon enough." I turn then to the woman in charge. "Everything like this."
She straightens immediately, pen already poised over her clipboard. "Of course, Mr. Ashcroft. Would like variations in-"
"Yes." I cut in. My gaze flicked back to Violet for half a second. "Same structure," I contiune. "Different colors, Different fabrics. But with the same intent."
The woman nods quickly, "Understood."
"Dresses first," I say. "Then blouses. Tailored. Nothing loose. Nothing sloppy."
Violet shifts behind me. "Hey-"
I ignore her and contiune on. "Pants that fit properly. Structed. Clean lines. Skirts the same length as this dress. No shorter, but longer is fine."
"Rowan-"
"And heels," I add. "Not ridiculous. She needs to be able to move."
The woman writes faster now. "Of course. And accessories?"
"Yes." My eyes slide back to Violet again. "Jewelry. Minimal, but intential. Nothing that looks cheap."
Violet scoffs behind me. "Wow. Okay."
"And bags." I add on, unfrazed by Violet's pout. "Professional. Functional. Not oversized."
"Rowan." This time, she steps forward. Her arms are crossed this time. "You're doing it again."
"Doing what?"
"This!" She gestures vaguely between me and the store. "Talking like I'm not standing right here."
"You are standing right here though." I say calmly.
"Than you should include me in this converstation."
"I already did."
Her brows knit together in confusion. "No, you didn't."
"Yes," I say, lowering my voice slightly. "I choose something for you. You tried it on. You didn't take it off."
"That's not the same thing!" She pushes back.
I smirk, "It is." I step closer again. "Because you walked out in it and you didn't ask to change back."
Her lips part and then close again.
I tilt my head slightly. "You don't have to say it," I add. "I can see it."
Her jaw tightens. "You don't see everything."
"No," I agree. My hand comes up and rests gently on the back of her neck. "But I see enough, espeically when it comes to you."
Her breath catches again and then this time. I lean forward and gently press my lips to hers, silencing her before she gets pouty again. Even though I am beginning to love that pouty face of hers.