The gifts that gave her the most pleasure to shop for were Alpha’s. She bought him a Gucci collar and a tartan bed that was soft and comfortable. The array of dog toys fascinated her, and she bought a bagful. There were pull toys, toys that squeaked, toys that sounded like birds chirping, cats meowing. There was even one that roared like a lion. A very old, tired lion. And, of course, the treats. There were doggie candy canes that looked like they were frosted, cookies in the shape of Christmas trees and snowmen. She had all of Alpha’s presents shipped via FedEx.

Sam mentally counted the cash she had left. She needed something to wear Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Something festive, something feminine as opposed to her usually preppy attire. She absolutely would not think about the kind of outfit Slick’s friend was sending to the mountain. Maybe she should buy something just in case. Yes, yes, that’s what she would do.

Sam gathered her packages and left the store. No one followed her. At least no one she was aware of. She shrugged. Let them watch her shop. Like she cared.

“Bloomingdales, here I come,” she muttered to herself.

It was four o’clock when Sam headed for the hotel, her arms full. She sailed through the door and raced up to her room. Inside, she shed her clothes and ripped at her purchases. For Christmas Eve, she’d chosen a long, black, silk skirt, slit to midthigh, with a white silk top and black shoes—with three-inch heels. A push-up bra that did unbelievable things to her bosom and fishnet stockings completed that particular outfit. For Christmas Day she’d bought a bright red silk dress with a Mandarin collar that flirted with her ankles. It, too, was slit to midthigh. It was the New Year’s Eve dress that made her nervous. It was gold lamé and clung to her body as if it was painted on. Actually, it slithered against her skin. It was off the shoulder with a drape in front and cap sleeves. In all her life, she’d never owned, much less worn, anything so stunningly sexy. Before she left the store, she bought an extra push-up bra and string bikini underwear. She was going to blow the fur right off Alpha’s back. What it would do to Pappy she wasn’t sure.

The last thing she bought before heading back to the hotel had been a pair of diamond earrings. Big diamond earrings. Expensive diamond earrings. Magnificent diamond earrings. Real diamond earrings. They would go with all three outfits. It gave her great pleasure to say the words, “Charge it!”