Page 21 of The Pakhan's Arranged Bride

I carry it to the counter and the lady eyes me while she rings it up and packs it into a very pretty box for me.

“Are you okay?” she asks after a moment.

I smile as wide as I can. “I’m fine, shopping can be so crazy sometimes. I get a bit overwhelmed.”

She nods as though she understands. “Oh, yes, it’s hard to choose. But your husband is right, this color will suit you.”

She heard all that?

I bite my lower lip, hoping my cheeks don’t flush with embarrassment. “Thank you,” I mutter when she hands me the parcel.

I’m a few minutes over time.

It’s okay. He can wait. I have something to show for my shopping time.

I carry the parcel out onto the sidewalk and easily spot the most gorgeous man on the opposite side of the street. Benedikt is leaning against his car with his arms folded over his chest. He’s grinning as he watches me.

I look up and down the road, and then hurry across it towards him.

“What color did you choose?” he asks.

“None of your business.” I grin, fluttering my lashes at him.

He walks around the car to open the door for me, and I take the keys from my pocket. “I have a car here.”

“I’ll take that.” Jadon’s voice behind me makes me jump. He gently takes the keys from my hand.

“Thanks, J.” Benedikt says. “Come, wife.” He winks at me, gesturing for me to get in the car.

I narrow my eyes, wanting to argue and tell him that I am an independent woman who is perfectly capable of driving herself around, but somewhere inside, I want to be the pampered princess whose husband comes to fetch her to make sure she’s safe.

I can’t help the grin that touches my lips as I duck into his car.

My eyes follow him as he walks around the front to his side.

It’s crazy how hot he is. I notice the women walking past, gawking at him. It must be so easy for him to get girls.

The other thing I notice, though, is that he doesn’t even glance in their direction. This is surprising to me. Mr. Playboydidn’t even give them the time of day, despite them practically veering towards him just to get a closer look.

He climbs into the driver’s side and looks over at me before he starts the car.

“All of the shopping must have made you hungry. I’m thinking we should get one of those seafood platters in the skyrise restaurant. It has the most incredible views. One of the most sought after places to eat in Las Vegas.”

“I haven’t been there.”

“Do you like prawns? Oysters?”

“Of course.”

“Well, that’s where I’m taking you, then.” He starts the car and I glance down at what I’m wearing. Jeans and sneakers are hardly a good fit for an exclusive restaurant.

“Um, Benedikt, I can’t really go there looking like this.” I scrunch my nose, gesturing over my attire.

“Look in the back,” he smirks.

I turn to look and find a pink shopping bag.

I reach back to grab it.