Indecent Proposal (Book 5 of the Forbidden Series)

7

He had picked Vi up after lunch to take her shopping. Ronny had waited for her in the back of his town car staring up at the low rent apartment building she was sharing with another one of his bartenders. It was small and rundown in a less than reputable neighbourhood. He wasn’t exactly sure where she was going to put four children when they came to stay with her on the days she was entitled to have them. He was sure she was cramped as it was with just her and her roommate.

Ronny did not say anything about the matter when Vi finally joined him in the car. She looked lovely in her faded jeans and violet tank top. Her long gold curls pulled back in a ponytail. She hugged him hello and cringed when she saw his Armani suit. “Oh, dear I feel underdressed.”

“Don’t worry sweet.” He said taking her hand in his. “We shall soon rectify that.” He promised as the driver started toward their destination. Ronny had been looking forward to their time together this afternoon. Contrary to most men he enjoyed shopping. For enough money, he could get whatever he wanted from a discreet shop owner. It could turn a long, dull afternoon into a pleasurable amusement.

“I must admit I am excited about this evening. I’ve never been to a fancy art opening.”

He imagined she hadn’t. Ronny didn’t think that her ex-was the taking his wife anywhere classy. Nor did he seem the sort to warrant an invitation, to begin with. Ronny on the other hand frequently received invitations to all sorts of parties, galas, and premiers regardless of what city he was in. He often received so many he frequently had to decide which he would and would not attend in order to balance his busy schedule.

“I attend numerous functions.” He smiled. “Your schedule will be quite eventful.” He promised, watching her bright eyes light up. She was beautiful; it was a shame her husband had not been able to see it. Vi had a radiant down to earth quality he found alluring. Vi was different from the other women he usually picked up. She seemed reluctant at times uncomfortable with his money, unlike the others who were eager to spend it.

Ronny had no problems with spending his money, he loved to spend it, and there was nothing better to spend it on than women. Yet there was something about Vi’s reluctance that charmed him. She was intelligent, with a vibrant spirit and a sweet innocence about her. He had to confess he was enchanted.

They pulled up in front of the boutique and Ronny got out holding the door open he held out his hand to assist Vi from the car. She placed her hand in his and stepped from the vehicle. With a bright smile, Vi laced her arm with his and Ronny shut the door. The chauffeur had instructions to wait regardless of how long they took. It mattered little to the driver he got paid by the hour, and he was paid very well.

Ronny escorted Vi inside, and the flamboyant proprietor immediately greeted them. A tall, thin woman in her fifties with short white hair and dressed in the very height of the latest fashion. She smiled when she saw them and took Ronny by both hands and placed a European kiss to either cheek. “Mr. Creek how glorious to see you again.” She gushed in a heavy Italian accent.

“A pleasure to see you as always Gia.” He smiled at the shop owner.

“You bring us another beautiful woman to outfit?” She asked looking at Vi. “You always have such superb taste.”

Ronny noticed the scowl on Vi’s face as Gia mentioned the other women he brought by in the past. He could sense jealousy brewing. “This is Vi, and she needs a gown for the art gala this evening. I’m thinking an assortment of gowns for future engagements. Some cocktail dresses.” He suggested. “And a few other things.” He said suggestively. Gia smiled knowingly and nodded her head.

“We have a whole new line in I think you are just going to love. It just came in last week; it is to die for.” Gia said turning to lead them to the back of the boutique where the dressing rooms were located. There were comfortable chairs outside each dressing room for him to wait on. Full length mirrors around the small room for the girls to view themselves. Ronny took a seat in one of the chairs settling in for a long afternoon. Gia ordered her staff to see that he was brought a drink while he waited. She then looked Vi over and tried to determine what size she wore. “What are we thinking?” She asked.

“I’m thinking striking and vibrant.” He said. “Maybe green. Of course, if you have something else in you think we might like you know I always trust your expert opinion.”

“I have just the thing,” Gia said rushing off.

Vi stood before him watching him lounging in his chair. “You two seem to know each other well.” She noted.

“Strictly professionally.” He assured her knowing that tone all too well.

“Do you come here often?” Vi asked eyeing him closely as if judging his reaction.

“Yes.” He answered calmly and honestly. He had no reason to lie. He had made his womanizing no secret, and he was not about to apologize for it. “It’s a very popular shop.”

“Just how-” Vi’s inquiry was interrupted when Gia returned with an array of magnificent evening gowns for Vi to try on.

“These are straight from Paris,” Gia announced hanging the gowns up in one of the dressing rooms. “They will look positively smashing on you darling.” She said eagerly ushering Vi into the booth. “And if you like them we can discuss shoes and accessories.” She said happily drawing the drapes shut.

Ronny attempted to repress his amused grin. Gia was a bit of a pushy personality, but at times he was thankful for it. She had distracted many women from their petty jealousy. He never understood the jealousy. It’s not like he made his history a secret. They knew who he was and what he was before involving themselves with him. Once involved the women in his past became a problem. He never obsessed over the men in their past.

He didn’t understand why they should even care. They were what he wanted at the moment, and that should be all that mattered. Ronny didn’t live in the past or for the future. He lived in the moment, and at this moment he was with Vi. He wasn’t thinking about the girl that would come after her or the hundreds that came before her. He wasn’t looking for Mrs. Right only Miss. Right-Now and at the moment that was her.

Vi pulled back the drape and came out in a long red sleeveless gown with a short train and black trim. It was elegant and form-fitting until it flared out at the knees. She walked out and did a little catwalk turn for his opinion. It was very lovely, and she looked wonderful, but he wouldn’t say it was what he had in mind. Vi returned to the dressing room drawing the drape closed to try on another gown.

While he waited, Ronny drank the coffee he had been brought and skimmed through the who’s who magazine laying on the table next to him. It didn’t surprise him in the least that the big cover story for each was David’s funeral. There were numerous shots of the funeral and burial from the barricades on the street. Pictures of his devastated wife as her children trying to shield her from the cameras and get her to the car and home while she mourned. Bloody vultures, he thought with disgust, let the poor woman grieve in peace. It disgusted him that people were making money off his friend’s death. Using it to sell magazines and newspapers.

The drapes opened again, and Vi emerged wearing a soft peach gown. It looked beautiful with her ivory complexion and bright eyes. She looked radiant. “I like this one; we will take it.” He said.

“It doesn’t have a price tag,” Vi informed him, “I’m not sure how much it cost. Don’t you want to know before you decide you are going to buy it?”

Ronny smiled, she was naive. “Sweetie, there are no price tags on anything in this boutique.” He explained.

“Well, then how do you know how much something will cost?” She asked.

“If you have to ask you can’t afford it.” He said. “Don’t worry darling. I can afford whatever you like.”

“I don’t know,” she said walking back to the dressing room and looking at the other gowns, “these dresses all look lavish. Maybe we could go someplace less expensive.” She suggested.

Ronny smiled, such an aversion to spending his money. “Vi please go try on the gowns. I want to buy them for you… from this shop. I have a lot of money, and I like to spend it. Please try another one on.” He insisted.

Ronny almost laughed as Vi gave in and accepted his generosity with a frown. He had never met a woman that was annoyed to receive lavish gifts. She tried on seven more gowns four of which he agreed to purchase. Gia brought by shoes to match each dress they had chosen along with handbags.

While Vi was trying on the gowns, Gia brought by an assortment of lingerie for Ronny’s approval. Selecting a few, she wrapped the selections up and added them to his purchase. Ronny rose from his seat to pay when he saw a manikin in a little black dress. The kind that turns heads and stops traffic. “I’ll take one off those too.” He said handing his credit card to Gia.

His purchase paid for Ronny took the little black dress and walked back to the dressing room where Vi was dressing back into her street clothes. He slipped his hand behind the drape with the dress. “Put this on.” He instructed.

Ronny waited a few minutes, and then Vi pulled back the drape. She was a knock out in that dress. “I can’t get the zipper up.” She complained walking toward him and giving him her back.

Ronny took hold of the zipper and slowly zipped the back of the dress up. It was strange usually he was undressing women. Vi turned to face him. Ronny took the elastic from her hair and let her long locks fall around her shoulders. She looked fantastic. “Beautiful.” He smiled. Gia came by with a bag and placed Vi’s jeans and tank top inside the bag handing them their purchases. “Thank you, Gia. As always it has been a pleasure.”

“Always a joy to serve you, Sir. Until the next time, we see you.” She smiled waving good-bye.

Ronny walked Vi out to the car still waiting outside for them. The driver opened the trunk for them and placed their bags and boxes in the back. He then held open the back door, and Ronny helped Vi inside. He then instructed the driver to their next destination. Ronny climbed in beside her and shut the door.

“I want to thank you for the dresses. It was very nice of you.”

“You are welcome. It was a pleasure.” He said surprised to be thanked. It was the first time a woman had thanked him for outfitting her. The others had always just expected it as part of the deal. “I was thinking about your children.” He said changing the subject.

“You were?” She asked with some surprise.

“Yes.” He smirked. “How self-absorbed do you believe me to be?”

“No, it’s just that-” Vi blushed and shook her head. “Never mind. You were saying?”

“Your apartment I imagine must be quite small. Or so it looks from the outside.” He said.

“Yes.” She agreed. “It’s a one bedroom very small. It was my friend Jan’s place, and she lived alone, but when Darcy threw me out, she moved another bed into her room and let me move in with her. She was a real life saver. I owe her a lot. She is a great friend.”

“Where do you intend to put four kids when they come to visit?” He inquired.

Vi looked thoughtful for a long moment as though she were attempting to work out a sleeping arraignment in her mind that would work in her tiny apartment. “Well I don’t quite have that worked out as of yet, but I will think of something.” She assured him.

“I have a suggestion.” He offered. Vi waited for him to continue. “I have guest rooms and plenty of space. I would be happy to put up the five of you when they come to visit.” Ronny offered.

“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Vi said nervously biting her bottom lip. “It’s just that this whole divorce is very hard on the kids and I’m not sure if having them around the man I’m…”

“Shacking up with?”

Vi blushed. “…is such a good idea.”

“I promise to be on my best behaviour around the youngsters. Besides, I think you are misjudging their response completely. You have older children; do you believe they will be put out if you tell them they will be spending the night in the private home of a rock star?”

He seemed to have made his point. “Alright, we will stay with you.” She agreed. “But you only have the two guest rooms, and there are four of them.” She pointed out.

“Well actually I have four extra rooms, but I only use two as guest rooms. I never had a need for more.” He had never had more than a few guests at a time. Usually, his parents when they had been alive or Mike and Chase occasionally when they were in town for a night and did not wish to stay at a hotel or their daughter’s. He had never needed the other two rooms so he had converted one into his workout room and the other into a sitting den.

Both he could easily change back into a bedroom by moving his equipment to the rooms in the basement and doing a little remodelling. Of course, he would have to buy some bedroom furniture for each room. He would put the two older kids up in the existing rooms and remodel for the two younger ones.

“We will, of course, have to buy two new beds to accommodate the extra bodies.” He told her as the car pulled up in front of the furniture store. He opened the door and got out taking Vi’s hand he helped her from the car. “You will have to tell me what Parker and Brea like so we can design their new rooms.” He said leading Vi into the store.

“Design their rooms?” She asked.

“Well of course. I can’t just stick a cot in the gym that would be unacceptable.” Ronny explained as they walked toward the bedroom section off the store. “They will, of course, need a bed, a dresser or perhaps they would prefer a wardrobe. A nightstand and lamp. They have school so a desk for their studies will be needed and they are girls so they will be in need of a mirror or maybe a vanity. Which would you prefer?” He asked.

“That’s all too much?” Vi protested.

“What are you talking about its standard bedroom furniture?”

“They don’t need all that stuff.” She said sternly.

“Of course, they do,” Ronny said looking at an elegant bamboo framed bed.

“You are going to spoil them.”

“By giving them a place to sleep, keep their clothes, do their homework, and brush their hair?” He asked raising a skeptical brow.

“You’re going to remodel your house for kids you have never met and that don’t live with you?”

“Why not?”

“What are you going to do when you decide you’re done with me and move on?”

“I’ll just remodel again and change it back.” He shrugged. The expense was nothing to him, barely a drop in the bucket of his wealth. “Come now help me select something you think they might like. I can’t do this on my own.” Vi sighed and gave in to his will. It was best. Ronny always got his way in the end. This time would be no different. Things would go smoothly if she simply accepted that fact and enjoyed the ride.