Leaving them to argue, Harper went into the fitting rooms and tried on the dress. When picking clothes, she didn’t really care about what they did for her bone structure or cleavage or ass. She just like to be comfortable and, well, feel good in whatever the item might be. This dress met her criteria perfectly, though it didn’t manage to hide all of the brand Knox’s demon had left on her breast. Not many dresses did.
When she came out of the fitting rooms, it was to find Raini and Keenan still arguing – this time about whether succubae or incubi were the better sex demon. Ignoring them, Harper went straight to the checkout.
With a bright smile, the shop assistant took the dress and did all the usual rigmarole. Carefully folding the dress and slipping it into a bag, she then said, “Have a great day.”
“I haven’t paid yet,” said Harper, holding up her debit card.
“But… you don’t need to. You own the Underground.”
“But I don’t own this store, and it wouldn’t be good for the store to be giving out free stuff.” Harper knew from her own experience that it wasn’t easy to run a business. The overheads in the mall had to be pretty high.
The shopkeeper inclined her head in respect and charged the dress to Harper’s card.
“Now we just need to buy shoes,” said Devon, but Harper shook her head.
“Another day. I’m tired.” Harper wasn’t the type of girl who could shop until she dropped. She was more of a “shop until you feel like punching random people for doing nothing more than bumping you with their bags” girl. “Time to eat.”
As they were passing a shoe and purse store, Devon grinned. “Oh, I love that red purse. So shiny.”
Scratching the back of his head, Keenan cleared his throat. “You probably shouldn’t go in there.”
“Why?” asked Devon.
“The manager once…”
“Had a little fun with Knox,” Harper finished.
He blinked at her. “How did you know?”
“I went in there a few weeks ago, and she bitterly congratulated me on my mating to Knox. With a sly smile, she said that she knows from personal experience how good in bed he is; she went on to paint a very vivid picture of their time together.” She’d mentioned how good his psychic hands felt, how desperate he’d been for her, and repeated all the little compliments he’d made as he fucked her. “She then added just how comfy his bed is and asked how it feels to sleep in a bed that my mate had fucked so many other females in.”
Devon gasped. “She didn’t!”
Scowling, Keenan said, “You’re the only female he’s ever taken to the mansion. He took the others to his hotels, and he replaced the beds in all of his penthouses once he mated you.”
“I know,” said Harper. “Knox told me the same thing months ago, which is the reason I was able to laugh in her face and say I’d add all that to the list of other fictional concepts that I don’t care about.” But it had still been horrible to hear all that shit and be reminded of how… eventful… his sex life had been before she came along. “I would have dealt her some soul-deep pain, but then she’d have known just how much she’d pissed me off.” Harper wouldn’t give the heifer the satisfaction of seeing her hurt.
“Don’t let her get to you,” said Keenan. “She’s no one. And I’m not saying she’s a slut, but she’s easier to pick up than a radio station.”
Khloë licked her front teeth. “You know, Devon, I think we should take a closer look at that purse.”
The hellcat smiled. “I think you’re right.”
Harper sighed. “Girls, let it be.”
“I sure do like that blue scarf over there,” said Raini.
Khloë gave Harper a pleading look. “Come on, let’s have some fun. It’s been a while since we tortured retailers.”
Harper chuckled. “All right.” Inside the store, they split up. Khloë and Devon checked out the purses and accessories, and Harper and Raini admired the shoes while Keenan kept a look-out.
Harper almost laughed when she noticed the manager’s reflection in a mirror. The redhead’s eyes went wide and she turned to one of her assistants and hissed, “Tell the guard to follow the tiny one and make sure she doesn’t steal anything.” By that, she clearly meant Khloë.
Raini cast Harper a “how petty” look.
The manager then appeared at their side. “Can I be of any assistance?” she asked stiffly, her smile brittle.
Harper read her name badge and smiled. “Well, hello again, Lora. I’m just here to find some shoes for the big event – Knox likes me in heels.”
Lora’s face hardened. “I see.”
“You look surprised to see me.”
“I didn’t expect you to return, given that our last conversation didn’t go so well,” said Lora, touching her perfectly coifed hair. “I truly didn’t mean to offend you.” Glancing at Keenan, she cast him a sultry look that he completely ignored.
“How did she offend you?” Raini asked Harper, folding her arms.
“Lora felt compelled to share in great detail the fun she’d had with Knox,” replied Harper.
Lora lifted one shoulder. “It was just a little girl-talk.”
Ignoring that, Harper continued speaking to Raini. “And she claimed that she’d slept in my bed, which of course is pure bullshit.”