Free More Than You Know by Jennifer Gracen

else?”
    â€œNope.” She slid off the barstool. “Do I have a dressing room?”
    â€œAbsolutely.” Dane stood and escorted her behind the stage, down a short hallway to the room at the end. He opened the door for her and stepped aside. “Ladies first.”
    She moved past him into the small but elegant room. Dane had ensured that the mirror on the wall was well lit, the counter attached to it wide enough to hold makeup, a drink, whatever she wanted, and the chair was comfortable. The walls had been painted taupe and the carpet was a rich brown, adding warmth to the room. Two chocolate-colored leather sofas lined opposite walls; a large vase of freshly cut flowers sat on the long glass coffee table between them.
    He watched her face as she took it in. “You like it?”
    â€œI do,” she answered simply. She offered a smile. And that was it.
    He’d been hoping for a more enthusiastic response, but swatted away the flicker of annoyance. Julia wasn’t the type of woman to squeal like a fangirl over a nice room, even though he’d made sure it was nice solely for her enjoyment. He wondered what would get her to drop her guard around him, to express more emotion than cool respect, quiet gratitude, or wary mistrust.
    On the back wall, opposite the vanity, was a closet door. Dane went and opened it to show her what was inside. “These are yours.”
    Julia had an odd look on her face that he couldn’t read. Was she happy? Unhappy? Pissed off? She kept her cards so goddamn close to the vest.
    â€œWhat’s in there?” she asked.
    â€œYour wardrobe,” he said, opening the door as wide as it could go. “Dresses.” He grinned at her. “They don’t bite. Come take a look.”
    She approached the closet slowly. He could see the curiosity in her eyes that she was trying so damn hard to hide from him. That . . . and a hint of wonder. A flicker of vulnerability. Ah, hell. His heart twinged in his chest.
    He moved to give her room. “This is a good start, I think. You don’t need to do any wardrobe changes each night, this isn’t Vegas. One dress per night is fine. You gave my assistant, Elise Cannon, your measurements, and then she did the heavy lifting. But between you and me, I think she had fun doing it.”
    â€œI’m glad,” Julia murmured. Focused on the dresses now, she reached out to touch them. There were about a dozen hanging there. Black, midnight blue, royal blue, deep purple, emerald green, hunter green. Silk, cotton, beads, sequins. All of them stunning. “You had all of these made for me?”
    â€œYes.” He couldn’t take his eyes off her. “I hired you. I need to make sure you look your best.”
    â€œThat must’ve been pricey.”
    â€œNot your concern. Just wear them well.”
    She glanced at him, then back to the dresses. “I’ve never had a wardrobe purchased for me for a job before. Much less anything like this. I . . . wow. Thank you.”
    Her eyes met his again for a long beat, and he saw there what her quietly spoken words had given away. She was genuinely moved. Possibly even a bit overwhelmed. It was a moment of softness he hadn’t seen in her before now, and something in his heart pinged again. He smiled and said warmly, “You’re welcome. My pleasure.”
    She broke the intense gaze and looked back at the dresses.
    â€œI’m sure you’ll look gorgeous in all of them.” He let his eyes glide over her hourglass figure. The word goddess flashed in his head. “But if you don’t like any of them, tell me, we’ll send them back and get different ones. Don’t be shy about that.” He moved closer and lifted her chin with a fingertip, looking down at her. She stilled beneath his touch. “Julia, I want you to feel beautiful up there. If you feel like a gorgeous queen, it’ll come across. That’s what I