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“No, that’s no—”

“Too late, darling,” he tsks, pulling me out of the liquor store. “No such thing as too many presents. I’m just following your lead.”

All right, so maybe I went a little overboard with shopping. But I couldn’t resist. It’s been so long since I’ve been this excited to celebrate Christmas. I can’t even lie and say it’s the magical effect of this village. It’s all Kingston’s hypnotizing effect.

His attentiveness.

His mischievous and charming personality.

His way of making me feel special, like I’m the only girl in the world.

I know I met his grandparents only once; however, in that short time, they treated me more like family than my own parents ever did. They were sweet and kind.

While I was buying presents, Kingston tried his best to stop me from purchasing more than one gift. I was sneakier because the moment he would be distracted or looking away, I would hurry and pay.

As for his surprise gift, I bought it while I sent him to get us coffees after making an excuse that my feet needed a little rest.

“Where are we going?” I curiously ask, when he turns onto a narrow street. “I thought all the shops were back there.”

“The one I have in mind for you isn’t.”

“Are you buying my gift in front of me?”

“Yes. And it’sgifts, not a gift.”

Unbelievable.

“The whole purpose of a gift is so it’s a surprise for the other person.”

Glancing down at me, he says mysteriously, “Oh, darling, you will be surprised.”

My breath stutters at his tone, making me intrigued about what he has in mind. I frown when a few minutes later, he stops in front of a small brick store with no name.

A bell chimes as we enter.

My jaw drops at the inside of the store as I stare, flabbergasted and nervous, unable to believe what I am seeing.

A sex toy shop!

That’s where Kingston has brought me in the middle of the day.

“King!” I hiss in a low voice.

He catches me when I almost stumble back a step, chuckling under his breath. The low and throaty purr he makes is so sexy.

“See, I told you you’d be surprised,” he teases, keeping my hand hostage as though I might bolt.

Even though it’s a sex toy shop, the inside is designed sensually and understatedly. The vibe is inviting and cozy. Past the shock, I’m intrigued to explore. The few toys I own, hidden in my bedside drawer, I purchased online.

Mostly because I don’t think shops like these exist in India.

Much less for women to venture to.

Now, here I am, with a man no less. My eyes are going everywhere at once, heat traveling all over my limbs.

Aisles of every sex toy under the sun are displayed. Dildos, vibrators, BDSM equipment, cuffs, and so much more. Some I recognize, and some are so weird-looking I don’t know what the hell they are. An instructions manual is what I’ll need to work them.

It’s a miracle I haven’t combusted into flames from blushing so furiously.