Page 59 of Mr. Red

Scarlett

I get dressed in my new outfit, stepping into each pant leg in a delicate manner so I won’t rip the fabric. I need to keep it in top condition for the return. I pair it with the only heels I own. Paige made me buy them before this vacation with Matt. I told her those heels look like a death trap for your feet and didn’t understand why anyone would buy them. Then I saw them on—a shiny, silver color with a two-inch heel, making my feet look like they need their own website.

My heels clack on the hardwood floors on my way to the living area. Matt is sitting on a barstool at the island typing on his phone. He looks over as I walk out.

“Goddamn. You look beautiful, sweetheart.”

“Thanks.” I blush. “Some guy got me this outfit.”

He throws me his signature grin, making me want to stay here at the house more than I already did.

“Let me check something.” He strides over to me and looks my outfit up and down. Then he starts kissing my neck, exposed in this strapless bodice, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. His hands glide up my body. I’m lost in his kiss when something pops.

The tag!

He distracted me with his dirty ways. The jackass.

“You did not just rip that off!” I step away from his grasp.

He holds up the evidence with a side of his mouth turned up. “You mean this?”

I grab for it, thinking I can save it somehow. He holds it out of reach and tears the ticket into pieces.

“That was so uncalled for.” I put my hands on my hips.

“I told you I always win. Anyways, I have something else to make up for it.” He turns away.

“I think you’ve done enough.” I walk into the kitchen to get myself a drink.

This control freak thing he has going is stressing me out. Now I have to figure out how to repay him for my outfit.

There’s a bottle of unopened tequila on the kitchen counter. I grab a glass and start making my own drink when he comes over to me with a navy, rectangular case.

“What is that?” I point to the box.

“Open it.”

“Nope.” I put both my hands up. “I don’t need any more gifts. Whatever is in that box is going to put me in even more debt. You should just give it to someone else.”

“I’m giving it toyouand you aren’t going to pay me back for anything. I want to get you things.”

“Cool. You already got me something. No need to worry now.”

“I’m not letting you pay me back for any of it. That’d be insulting. You did me a favor by coming with me, and I want to spoil you. End of discussion.”

End of what discussion?I didn’t hear any discussion going on.

He hands me the box. After an eye roll and a huge sigh, I open it where a starfish pendant with a black pearl in the center awaits. It’s simple, but so beautiful.

“Wow.” My eyebrows shoot to my forehead. “This isfor me?”

“It’s not really my style.” He smirks.

“Is this what you bought when you left the store?”

He looks away. “Maybe.”

I shoot out my hip and cross my arms over my chest. “Do you get all the girls you date jewelry?”