The last remnant of my uncertainty faded into the background. It was still there, but buried under the heavy waves of my own surprise. “This might be the most valuable gift you've given me,” I whispered, tucking the keys in my purse.
“Speaking of gifts,” he said, sipping at his tea, “When you were throwing mine away, which ones ended up in the trash?”
Linking my fingers, I bit my lip guiltily. I didn't want to be reminded of how I'd thrown all those boxes into a dumpster. “I don't know, I chucked out a bunch of stuff that I never even opened.”
“You saw none of it?”
Oh no, I thought. I did see one thing in particular. I even wore it. I'd never tell him that part. “I kind of threw away some really fancy lingerie.” That memory wasn't a pleasant one.
“That's perfect.”
I sat there for a moment, digesting his response. “I'm sorry, what?”
Silver's hand vanished from my leg. He rose, his open palm waiting expectantly for mine. “You've given us something to do for the afternoon.”
I didn't know what he was talking about.
I had no clue why Silver was following me, why he was using a fake name, or what his plans for us—for me—even were.
When my fingers slid into his, we both squeezed.
- Chapter Fifteen -
Alexis
His car keys jingled as he handed them over to the valet. I was still sitting in the Mustang, the windows blocking me from hearing their voices. Silver was smiling, talking with the other man as he handed over some cash.
It made me thrill to have Silver open the passenger door. He tugged me free, then captured me all over again when we swayed close. Our chests nearly touched, but I gasped like we'd slammed together.
It was obvious from how he lingered, fingers clutching mine, that he was battling with wrapping me in his arms and kissing me right in front of the gathered valets. He stepped back, fingers tucking into his jeans like he had to put them somewhere before he lost control and snatched me up all over again.
Motioning with his sharp jaw, he said, “Come on, let's go inside.”
The moment we stepped through the glass doors and into the lingerie shop, I wished I'd dressed nicer. My plan for the day had been to stumble through work without falling apart. Maybe I'd order Chinese and watch something late into the night.
Those plans don't require fancy clothes, so all I'd put on was plain black pants and a loose beige sweater.
Standing under the crystal decorations and the golden lights, I felt like a fraud. Mannequins shaped like impossibly perfect people cocked their hips all over the room. They were wearing lace, leather, satin... every fabric I could have named, and many I couldn't.
“How may I help you?” The woman who approached was draped in a black skirt and a crisp blouse. Her hands glinted with jewels, while her teeth sparkled even more so.
Silver gave me a nudge. “We're looking for a few different sets, whatever your finest quality items are.”
“Oh no,” I said, glancing between them. “Just one set, and it doesn't have to be that fine.”
“It does.” He nodded knowingly at the woman. “Use your best judgment.”
“Really,” I said. “Don't listen to him.”
“I think she'll be happy to listen to me. Just like you should be, Pet.”
That shut me up; I couldn't believe he'd called me that name in front of a stranger. The woman—whose name was Donna, according to her tag—gave us both a long stare. I was amazed she was still smiling when she spoke. “Follow me, Miss. I think I can make you both happy.”
Glaring sideways at Silver, I mouthed, “Stop it.”
He just smirked even brighter.
Donna guided me through the tunnels of clothing and away from Silver. “Do you have a favorite color?”
Grazing my eyes over the lingerie, I hummed. “Green is nice, but so is purple.”
Snatching a few things off the racks, she smiled at me. “Honestly? I think white suits you better.” Then, like she was considering her own comment, she stood on her toes and looked behind me. I followed her eyes, noticing she was making sure Silver was out of earshot. “Is he your Dom?”
“My what?”
“Dom.” She said it so matter of fact. “Masters, whatever you want to call them. Guys who like to pretend they can control their women.”
My mouth gaped, no sound escaping.
Donna covered her own mouth in horror. “Oh gosh, I didn't mean that to sound bad. I've got nothing against the whole submissive sex slave kind of thing, I swear! I've even got a friend who looks for that on Tinder.”
I gestured with my hands between us, punctuating each word. “It's not like that.”
She hoisted the pile of lingerie onto her shoulder. “But he called you his pet.”
“That—that's just a nickname he has for me!” I laughed too loudly. “Like a pet name, get it? Do you get it?” My eyebrows lowered. “Tell me you get it.”