Page 52 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

“A shopping trip? I can just run home.”

“How about both?”

She rolls her eyes. “I work at a coffee shop, Oliver.”

It takes a moment for the meaning behind her words to register. “No, you wouldn’t spend a thing. We’d be spoiling you.”

The corners of her lips turn up as she takes a bite of her breakfast. “I’ve never had anyone spoil me before, let alone three gorgeous men.”

“Gorgeous, huh?” I wink at her.

“You guys really don’t mind?”

I bark out a laugh.“Mind?If you say no, I’ll spend the weekend heartbroken and miserable.”

“Oliver,” Rhett snaps. This look says,I’m going to fucking strangle you.

If Wren is put off by Rhett’s harsh tone, she doesn’t show it. Instead, she just laughs. “I’ll stay. Just as long as you’ll let me leave if I decide that I want to.”

I give her a grin. “Of course, princess. And I won’t actually be heartbroken if you decide to. Promise.”Lie.

As she takes a sip of her orange juice, her legs swing from her barstool excitedly. “So, where are we going shopping?”

“Oh, I have a few ideas.”

Chapter seven

Wren

Turns out, when Oliver said he had a “few ideas,” he meant some of the most expensive boutiques in the entire city. I feel completely out of place in a sea of high-quality fabrics, surrounded by three men who won’t stop looking at me like I’m their favorite thing in the world.

At the first shop, I grab something comfortable that I can wear for the whole day—including underwear, since I mysteriously couldn’t find mine this morning.

By the time we walk into the second shop, I’m not really sure what the point is. I already have plenty of clothes to get me through the weekend. But all three of them insist, drowning out my protests with kisses and laughs.

When Elliot hands me a pretty lilac dress, I swallow. It’s just the type of thing I like to wear on hot summer days. But I usually get my dresses from the thrift store near my apartment.

And speaking of my apartment, I’m pretty sure this thing costs as much as my monthly rent, but I can’t find a goddamned price tag on any of these clothes.

“So?” Elliot pushes me toward the dressing room.

“Christ,” I mutter. “I don’t know why I keep speaking my thoughts out loud around you.”

He chuckles. “I think it’s endearing. Now go try it on. I think it’ll look nice on you.”

“You think anything looks nice on her,” Oliver chimes in, following closely behind us. He plops down next to Rhett, who’s lounging on the red leather couch outside the dressing rooms.

Rhett laughs, and I realize Elliot is giving Oliver a death glare. But I disappear into the dressing room and close the curtains before I see what happens next.

I slide out of my new clothes, admiring the softness of the simple v-neck shirt I picked out. When I pull on the dress, I have to smile.

Itdoeslook nice.

Getting the zipper up is easy since it’s on the side. I do a little twirl, watching myself in the mirror. It’s the perfect type of dress for a summer picnic.

I imagine myself on a soft blanket in the middle of a park, surrounded by Elliot, Oliver, and Rhett. The thought makes me happy. But just as that warm feeling hits me, it turns cold.

“Don't youdarecatch feelings, Wren Taylor,” I whisper to myself, jabbing a finger at my reflection. I can’t invest my emotions in these three men.