Page 114 of Misdeeds of a Billionaire

I rolled my eyes. “Something blood-adjacent sounds pretty tempting right now.”

“Redwouldlook gorgeous on you, but I was thinking emerald.”

Byron liked having control—I’d known from the moment I met him—but picking out my clothing was going a bit overboard.

The designer returned with another dress and I groaned. “No more. Please, no more.”

She chuckled like I’d just uttered the funniest joke. Her head was full of wispy white hair, and despite its silver qualities, she moved surprisingly fast. She was slender and the collection of bracelets around her wrist jangled with each move she made.

“My spring collection would be perfect for you,” she said, nodding to herself. Her assistant followed behind her with a rack of dresses and I stifled a groan. There was no chance in hell of me trying them all. “With that skin tone and that magnificent red hair, you’ll shine above all others.”

It was exactly what I didn’t want, but that didn’t seem to matter. So I just gave her a terse nod and a pained smile. What had I gotten myself into?

“Yay.” Sarcasm dripped from that single word like melted ice cream, but the woman purposely ignored it. I sighed, trying not to dampen everyone’s mood. Retrieving my phone from my purse, I snapped a picture of the rack of gowns and sent it to my sister.*Shopping with Byron and Ares. Miss you.*

When I raised my head, everyone’s eyes were on me. I shrugged. “My sister is a fashion fanatic.”

“The green strapless number will be your dress.” Her eyes sparkled. “Trust me on this. You save lives. I save fashion.”

The comparison made no sense, but I didn’t bother pointing it out.

“Okay, then, let’s try that one first,” I said, feigning a smile. I just wanted it over with. I hurled my phone into my purse as she handed me the dress.

Byron and Ares still sat on the cream-colored couch and gave me encouraging smiles. God, the two of them were so alike it was terrifying.

I returned inside the dressing room, and once the door shut behind me, I felt my face fall as I rubbed my cheeks. They hurt from all the fake smiles. I should have been excited. This was basically every little girl’s dream—everyone’s but mine—but somehow, I felt trapped.

Everything seemed fabricated. Well, everything but our sex life. But our relationship couldn’t last with just the physical connection. I needed more. Would my relationship with Byron grow to become more than just sexual tension and overpowering chemistry?

My gaze landed on the emerald dress. I might as well put it on. Green was my favorite color, so maybe it would be okay. I emerged from the fitting room wearing the strapless number and went up the steps to stand on the platform in front of the mirrors, taking it in from all angles.

When I raised my eyes to the mirror, my breath caught in my throat. The gown was the color of power and envy. The rich green fabric gave out various sparkling tones. Below the waist, the corseted bodice burst into tulle rosettes in shades of emerald and moss, flowing down to the floor and trailing behind me in a short train.

Byron’s gaze met mine through the mirror and my heart fluttered; the hunger in his eyes a barely diluted form of desire. He held my gaze so long my knees softened, and my cheeks warmed with a flush.

Fog spread through my mind, everything fading except for the two of us and our son. As if we were in our own bubble.

“Do you like the dress?” he asked me, his voice deep.

I nodded and his lush lips curved into a most beautiful smile.

“This is the one,” he told the designer without looking away.

“Maman, you look like a princess.”

Byron’s lips lifted into an effortless smile, but his gaze remained on me. “No, son. Maman looks like a queen.”

Chapter46

Byron

Days flew by. Nights even more so.

And it was as if we’d always been together. The three of us.

Billie left with the cash my wife gave her, and I knew Odette missed her. If Billie knew I’d have given her ten times that amount, she would have probably come back to collect. Winston had disappeared for a few days, probably chasing after Billie, but he was back for our regular sibling night and I was glad for it.

The whole family was coming for dinner tonight. Well, except for my father. If it came down to choosing between Kingston and my father, my brother would always win. If Father was around, Kingston wouldn’t be. Senator—never would be President, if I could help it—Ashford learned of my marriage just like most of the world. By reading the paper. The only ones I bothered calling were my siblings.