Chapter 5

Cailin retreated behind the heavy velvet curtain, her hands shaking so badly she could barely grasp the fabric to pull it shut.

Sienna followed her inside, her face pale. She helped Cailin unzip the simple silk dress, muttering angry curses under her breath. "He is a monster, Cailin. A literal monster."

Cailin didn't answer. She stepped out of the silk, feeling a profound sense of loss.

Ms. Price rushed into the fitting room, carrying the heavy, high-neck gown Kane had selected. Her hands were trembling as she held it open.

Cailin stepped into the new dress. The immediate weight of the beads and thick fabric pressed down on her shoulders.

She pulled her arms through the long lace sleeves. The fabric was stiff and unforgiving. As Ms. Price pulled the dress up, the high lace collar grazed Cailin's throat tightly, scratching her delicate skin.

Ms. Price stood behind her, struggling with the intricate row of dozens of tiny pearl buttons running down the back.

Cailin stared at herself in the small mirror inside the curtain. She felt like a porcelain doll being stuffed into a suffocating display box. Every inch of her skin was covered.

She took a shallow breath. The heavy, beaded bodice restricted her ribcage, making it physically difficult to expand her lungs fully.

Sienna gave her a deeply sympathetic look, reaching out to smooth Cailin's hair back from her face.

Cailin swallowed hard, nodding to Ms. Price to signal she was ready to go out.

Ms. Price grabbed the edge of the velvet curtain and pulled it back, revealing Cailin to the room.

Kane was still sitting on the sofa, scrolling through his phone with a bored expression.

He looked up as the curtain opened. His thumb froze instantly on the glowing screen.

His dark eyes swept over her. He took in the high lace collar tightly wrapping her neck, the long sleeves hiding her arms, and the heavy, beaded train pooling at her feet.

A flicker of dark, intense satisfaction crossed his eyes. It was gone in a second, but Cailin saw it. His face quickly returned to its stoic, unreadable mask.

He stood up slowly, slipping his phone into the inner pocket of his suit jacket.

He walked toward her. His heavy footsteps echoed loudly in the dead quiet of the boutique.

Cailin stood rigid on the pedestal. Her heart hammered violently against the tight, restrictive bodice. She felt trapped.

Kane stopped mere inches from her. He was so close she could smell his cologne-a sharp, expensive scent of cedar and cold rain. He was entirely invading her personal space.

He reached out.

Cailin stopped breathing.

His large, warm fingers brushed against the sensitive skin of her neck as he touched the high lace collar.

Cailin gasped softly. Her skin burned fiercely right where his fingers made contact through the lace. A violent, physiological shiver ran down her spine.

Kane adjusted the collar slightly, smoothing a piece of lace. His eyes dropped from her neck, locking onto her trembling lips.

He leaned in closer. His warm breath fanned across her pale cheek.

"This," Kane murmured, his voice a low, dark rumble that vibrated in her chest, "is much more appropriate for a Sterling bride."

Cailin averted her eyes immediately, staring hard at his silk tie. She was completely unable to meet his intense, consuming gaze.

Kane's hand dropped from her neck. It landed firmly on her waist. His grip was strong, hard, and undeniably possessive for one brief, terrifying second.

Then, he stepped back, breaking the physical contact. But his visual hold on her remained absolute.

He turned his head to Ms. Price, who was hovering nervously nearby.

"Package this exact dress," Kane ordered flatly. "No alterations needed."

Ms. Price nodded frantically, her pen flying across her clipboard. "Yes, Mr. Sterling. Right away."

Kane turned back to Cailin. His expression hardened even further, his jaw setting into a rigid line as he prepared to deliver his next command.