Page 63 of Dangerous Men

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SYDNEY

“Sydney Sinclair?”

I look up from the register, frowning at the petite woman standing in the doorway of our shop. She doesn’t look like a customer, and she’s wearing a delivery uniform, a large, flat silver box clutched in her hands.

“That’s me,” I tell her, handing my waiting customer their books and change.

The woman grins, holding out the box.

“This is for you,” she says. “From a Mr. Sterling. I’ve been instructed to say he hopes it helps you sleep.”

Warily, I take the box from her. She’s gone and out the door before I can even think to tip her, her high ponytail bouncing as she disappears down the street.

“Ooooo!” Jade coos, watching as I set the box on the counter. “What is it?”

“I’m not sure,” I tell her, laughing.

The box is surprisingly heavy, and even the packaging feels expensive. Silver satin, tied with a matching bow.

There’s a card on the top, and I open it.

Until we see each other again, it says. It’s simply signedAlec.

“Open it, open it!” Jade chants excitedly.

I glance around. Business is slow right now, with only a few customers peppered around the store. A few customers and Sebastian, set up at his usual table, typing away. He doesn’t seem to notice Jade and me at all, his attention focused entirely on his work.

Grinning, I untie the ribbon, setting it aside so I can lift the lid off the top. I can’t imagine what could be inside. The box is way too big for jewelry, and maybe a little too flat for flowers. A dress, maybe? To wear on our date when he gets back into town?

When I finally lift the lid, I pause, staring into the box, confused.

The interior of the box is a darker gray velvet, and inside is… is…

“Are those sex toys?” Jade squeals loudly, managing to sound both shocked and impressed.

The sound of Sebastian’s typing falters, just for a second, and I see him glance up at us from the table he’s occupied these last four days, eyebrows raised.

“I… think so?” I whisper back.

Thank God there are no customers nearby to see this. I reach into the box to touch one of them. The box isfullof so many different things, including a pair of leather wrist cuffs, several varieties of vibrators, and…

I gulp, pulling my hand back. There’s a wide selection of different, uhhh,sizes, in the box, and while a few seem manageable, there are at least two that arewaytoo big to be for what I think they’re for.

“Sydney!” Jade shrieks, slapping my shoulder playfully. “Girl, you have been holding out on me. Who knew you were such a toy hound?”

“I didn’t… I didn’t ask him for this,” I try to explain, stammering.

Jade laughs, plucking an item from the box and… yeah, that’s undeniably an eggplant-colored butt plug she’s waving around, isn’t it? I try to snatch it away from her, but she completely ignores me, scrutinizing the toy in her hand. “High quality stuff, too. You know, I knew this guy was a keeper. Look at all of this! Hereallywants to keep you happy, doesn’t he?”

When she sets the toy back in the box, I close the lid over it all quickly, hiding my smile as I duck down to stash it away under the counter.

“Nowthat’sa man. Jeez, can you imagine Chase giving you something like this?” she asks with a bright laugh.

I shake my head, chuckling. “God no. Are you kidding? That man was jealous of my tiny little bullet vibrator. He’d throw a fit if he sawhalfof these.”

A look of pain flashes over Jade’s face, quickly replaced by anger.