Page 28 of Strange Seduction (Strange #2)

My grip tightened when she started convulsing, and I held her through it, whispering low and rough:

“That’s it, baby. Take it all. There you go.”

She threw her head back against my chest and looked up at me with those big brown eyes. “Cum with me?”

I almost let it out right there.

Pressing my eyes close, I tried to hold it in until she was ready.

“Teddy…” She purred. “I’m bout to…”

“I’m right here, baby. Right here. Let it out.”

And that was all it took. She tightened around me one last time, then unraveled in my arms.

“Fuckkk!” I had to rest my head against hers as the room started to spin, and I succumbed to my own pleasure. I was right there with her, groaning deeply into her ear as what we both created dripped down my thigh.

“Did you just?” she breathed out.

“I did,” I answered when I caught my breath. “I’m sorry.”

I lied. I definitely wasn’t sorry.

“I’ll get some—”

“It’s okay,” she cut me off. “I’ll take care of it.”

I didn’t question it further; instead, I collapsed on the bed, exhausted but thoroughly satisfied.

My body felt heavy, but it was a good kind of tired.

Carmen cuddled up next to me shortly after, her warmth pressing into my side.

I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close as I felt myself start to doze off.

Pathetic, what kinda man falls asleep after two rounds?

I didn’t give a fuck, though. My eyes were fighting to stay open, and Carmen’s soft breath on my chest was soothing. She wore me right out.

“Teddy?” she whispered, her voice just above a murmur.

“Yes, Amore mio ?” I murmured back, barely able to keep my eyes open.

“Can I use your card?”

A grin formed on my lips. “Ohhh, so that’s why you fucked me like that. You wanna buy something.”

I felt her shake her head at my acquisition. “No, I fucked you like that cause I wanted to. Just like I wanna use your card.”

That brought a chuckle out of me. “What do you want, Sweetness?”

“There’s this watch I wanted to get, but it’s a lot of money. I don’t know if I should get it. I wanted to ask you first,” she said, her voice was more awake than mine.

I let out a quiet laugh, my fingers brushing through her hair, already half asleep but still aware enough to smile at her.

“Fuck yes, baby. You can get it. Take my wallet,” I replied without hesitation. “Get whatever you want.”

She pulled back slightly, her head propped up on her elbow as she met my gaze, as if trying to make sure I was serious. “You sure? It’s very expensive.”

I pulled her back to me, nuzzling my face into her hair. “You deserve it. Please. I want you to have whatever you want.”

“Whatever I want?”

“Whatever the fuck you want. Go get it.”

“Okay!” she said with a smile I could hear in her voice before she hopped up and dashed off, the sound of her footsteps fading out of the room to get dressed.

I closed my eyes again, letting the exhaustion take me.

I was still so deeply asleep when I heard my phone ping. My body groaned, annoyed at the interruption, but I picked up anyway in case it was work.

To my surprise, it wasn’t. It was an email:

Please authorize the purchase valued at €400,750.40 made at Hermès.

I rubbed my eyes, realizing the bed was still empty next to me. Carmen was probably still out shopping and obviously having a fucking ball. I think it’s time she had her own card, so my phone would stop buzzing with notifications for approval.

I approved it. Then I tapped the ‘speak now’ button, typed in my account number and waited for a rep.

“Good day, Mr. Clayton. Thank you for calling Intesa Sanpaolo . How can I assist?” came the bank agent’s voice over the phone.

“I wanna order another card, same account,” I muttered, still half-asleep.

“Under the same name, sir?” the bank agent asked.

“No. Carmen Reyes. R-E-Y-E-S.” I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the fogginess from sleep.

“That card you hold now has a cap of 100,000 euros before authorization is needed. Would you like to apply the same limitations?”

“No, remove the cap. Make it unlimited. And ship it to the hotel address, please. It should be on file.”

“Of course, Mr. Clayton. The card should be ready in a day or two.”

I groaned a quiet thank you and hung up, tossing the phone aside. Within seconds, I sank back into the mattress; sleep pulled me back under.

“Teddy!”

Carmen’s voice rang out as she burst into the room, arms full of shopping bags. I groaned as I looked at the alarm clock on the nightstand.

7:03 pm.

I was out for four hours.

“Baby, you wouldn’t believe the day I had!” She came closer and stood at the foot of the bed, waiting for me to join the land of the living.

Slowly, I sat up and turned to look at her. My body was so exhausted, even that felt like I ran fifty miles.

“What did you get, baby?”

She stuck out her wrist with pride, showing me the petite watch on her wrist. With the amount of diamonds that thing held, it was at least fifty thousand euros.

“I got the watch I wanted, but wait! I have lots more.” She began digging through the bags. “The salespeople loved me today, which was odd because the last time I was there, the lady was really rude, but she wasn’t in today. Lucky me.”

She fished out the first box, and it was huge. “Okay, I was not expecting this, but after I made all these purchases, they offered me it.”

Inside the box was a bag similar to the one my mother had several versions of.

“Isn’t it the most beautiful Birkin on earth? 35 Bordeaux Shiny Porosus Crocodile Palladium Hardware in cherry red—my signature color!”

“It’s pretty, baby.” I yawned.

“Tuh. Of course it is. It was two hundred thousand.”

My eyes scanned the purse closer. “For that?”

She completely ignored me and continued with her show and tell.

“And look! They had the matching shoes in my size, so I had to get them. Plus,”—she swung a sleek, black box into my lap—“I got you this pretty little briefcase. Do you like it?”

So that’s how you spend €400,750.40 in under four hours. I’m impressed.

I glanced at the briefcase—Italian leather, clean lines, definitely top-tier—and then at her. “I love it, baby. Thank you.”

She beamed, setting it aside and climbing into my lap, and kissing me with bubbly satisfaction.

“How’d you sleep?” she asked, brushing her nose against mine.

“Like a baby,” I said, arms around her waist. “Thanks to you.”

“You’re welcome,” she said sweetly. Then smirked. “I should spend six figures more often. You’re in such a good mood.”

I looked at her. “I may have created a monster because I know you will spend six figures more often. Lucky for you, you’re pretty.”

“No. Lucky for you , you’re rich.”

I gave her a soft smack on the ass, “Smart-ass.”

She smirked before jumping up and grabbing her things off the floor to put away.

“You heard about Tyler and Jayda?”

I lay back and put my hands behind my head as I stared up at the ceiling. I knew this was coming sooner or later.

“I did.”

“Did you talk to Tyler?”

“Yes.”

“Did he say anything to you about it?”

“We talked.”

I heard her stop what she was doing. “And?”

I sighed. “And nothing. That’s their business, Sweetness.”

“They’re our friends, Teddy. We can’t just do nothing.”

I scoffed. “The last time I got involved in someone else’s relationship, they ended up filing for divorce. Trust me, baby. Leave it.”

She groaned but didn’t push further.

After a few moments of quiet, I looked at her. She was brushing her hair out, getting ready to wrap it up like she did with all those bobby pins sometimes, but tonight she just used a satin scarf.

“I don’t think they’re gonna make it, Teddy,” she finally said.

“Why’s that?”

She shrugged. “Gut feeling? I know Jayda, and she’s over it.”

“Hm,” I watched her as she walked over to the dresser to get her nightgown. “Last time I thought they were over was when Jayda went to Miami with her ex. People are full of surprises.”

“I remember that. She told him that Melody was her cousin and they were flying home for their aunt’s birthday.”

“She ain’t know he had an AirTag in that luggage,” I chuckled. “Caught her ass right at the gate.”

She shook her head. “They’re so damn toxic. Might as well be an open relationship at this point.”

I thought about what Ty said this morning about him and Sofia. “Yeah… It’s too messy at this point. But like I said, it’s their business. You and I got enough going on to be worried about their relationship, too.”

“Oh, yeah?”

I cocked an eyebrow at her. “You think I don’t know you bought all this as some kinda punishment for what I did?”

Her lips pinched together, and I laughed. “Well, jokes on you, Amore mio . I don’t care if you swipe the damn logo off that card. That show you put on today was well worth it and I’d spend my life savings to keep this going.”

“That so?” She held my gaze and bit her lips after speaking. “‘Cause I’m bout to hop in the shower, if you care to join me. Maybe you could get part two if you’re lucky.”

I smirked before getting out of bed. “Fuck, I’m taking tomorrow off. I need rest after this.”

“Aw, did I finally wear you out?” she said as she walked toward the bathroom, already removing her dress. I watched her ass until she disappeared around the corner.

“Yes, you did. But don’t worry. I’m about to return the favor.”