Page 48 of Bought

She glances up at me shyly. “The first time I tried something a little adventurous, I literally choked.”

“Only because you turn me on so much, you made me explode too hard, too much.” I brush her hair back from her face. “Please. Don’t let it stop you from trying things with me.”

“Okay,” she whispers, clutching a clean part of my shirt and pulling me closer.

“That’s my girl.” I hold her head in my hands, gently bringing her close to kiss her forehead.

My girl…

She looks up at me with an adorably sheepish grin. “What should we do about your clothes?”

I look down. “It looks like a great time for your surprise. I need to get a new shirt, pronto.”

Her brows lift in surprise. “You’re taking me shopping?”

“Yes. Anything you want. Whatever will make you feel good at that dinner.”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say.” She makes that face girls make when they’re pleased with you.

A soft, warm feeling spreads across my chest. “You don’t need to say anything. I did it for my own benefit.”

“How?”

“You said you didn’t want to wear jeans to dinner, and I couldn’t wait for you to change. I didn’t want to be any further from you,” I reach out, “than this.”

She beams.

“Happy?” I ask.

“Very,” she answers shyly.

“So am I. Making you happy makes me happy.”

And I’m going to pursue this feeling of making her happy. More importantly, I will make it my duty to keep her safe.

I’m older, wiser.

Maybe this could work.

It has to.

Not only can I not forget her…

I’m starting to think I can’t live without her.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Erin

The car pulls up in front of a store that’s not at all like the Target I expect, a huge designer boutique that shines from the inside out.

Posh.

The brands they carry are the same ones seen on the runway during Fashion Week. Celebrities are constantly photographed in their label. The prices are astronomical.

My breath catches as I stare out the window. “Lucian…” I whisper, stepping closer to him as we walk in. “This place is too expensive. I could never shop here.”

He gives me that look, the one when he’s about to say something too good to believe. The look that makes my stomach tighten and makes me think the energy between us could be something real.