Total pages in book: 32
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 29845 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 149(@200wpm)___ 119(@250wpm)___ 99(@300wpm)
The driver interrupts, “The boss told you. Her story is none of your concern.”
Really? Why is he hiding me like that? Is he embarrassed about the deal he made? Or will it tarnish Chris the Collector’s reputation if people find out he traded someone’s debt for the gambler’s daughter?
The limo pulls into a shopping plaza with several high-end stores. I’ve heard of them but never set foot in them before. We start at the more casual clothing store where I pick up some jeans, shorts, and a few tops. After I fill my basket, I look down at some of the price tags, the numbers almost giving me a heart attack, and consider putting a few things back.
Sarah notices and taps my hand. “Anything you need or want, remember? If you’re done here, we can check out and move to the next place.”
“Next place?”
“Are you going to wear one pair of panties forever?” she winks.
My cheek and ears feel impossibly hot as I nod. “No, you’re right.”
“Great. Next is lingerie and then shoes.”
The lingerie store is overwhelming, with all of the lace and garters, some of which defeat their purpose because they don’t cover anything.
This isn’t at all what I’m looking for, but after a quick scan, I find the bras and panties in the back corner. I grab a few of each and drop them in the basket. On my way back to where Sarah is scanning the sexier items, I see royal blue silk and lace teddy and stop to get a better look at it.
Sarah comes up behind me and says in a sing-song voice, “Anything you want or need.”
I shake my head and frown. “I don’t have a reason to buy this.”
“Yes, you do. You get it because you like it and because it doesn’t cost you anything.”
“But I don’t want to take advantage.”
“The boss won’t even look at the bill. His accountant will just pay for it. I swear to you, this little shopping spree won’t make him poor.”
I consider it for a moment and put it in the basket. Fine. He did take me against my will. He owes me something in return, right?
Our last stop is the shoe store where I pick two pairs of shoes. One for every day and another specifically for when I have to go out with the dogs. I’m done…I think.
As the driver puts the bags in the trunk, I spot the store I’ve been looking for.
With a gasp, I touch Sarah’s arm. “One more stop. The pet shop.”
“Why?”
“Because we have a kitten to shop for. She doesn’t even have any food.”
As we browse the aisles, Sarah runs a manicured nail along the leashes and collars. “I don’t know who you are or why the boss is taking care of you, but in the ten years that I’ve worked for him, he’s never done anything like this before.”
“The driver said we aren’t supposed to talk about it.”
“We’re not talking about it. I’m telling you something. It isn’t a conversation because you don’t have to respond.”
We bring the cat supplies to the checkout, and I think about what Sarah said. This isn’t the first time it crossed my mind, but what made Chris decide to take me in? If I’m supposed to be my father’s debt payment, why is Chris spending money on me? What is he getting out of this?
Does it have something to do with my father or…with me?
4
CHRIS
She’s like an addiction, and I can’t shake her out of my system. Not that I want to. Now that she’s under my roof, there’s no way I’m letting her go.
And as much as I like to catch up on my work, I can’t seem to concentrate. All I can think about is watching Cassidy sleep this morning. Her youth and innocence turn me feral.
I’m happy I got what I wanted, but the fact that her father didn’t think twice about dropping her makes anger curl hot in my gut. When she stretched out in bed, my shirt rode up, exposing her panties. I had to physically lock in my muscles to stop myself from spreading her legs and tasting her. I ended up jacking off in the shower five minutes later.
It’s too soon for that—she’s still wrapping her head around this new living arrangement—but she’ll eventually realize that she belongs to me. Only to me. I can tell her father made her miserable, but she won’t experience any of that with me. It’s only pleasure from here on out.
She and Sarah return from the shopping trip and carry the bags up to her room. When they come back down, I’m waiting for them. “Did you get everything you needed?”
She smiles at me, flush creeping up her neck and cheeks. “Yes. I hope you don’t mind but I shopped a little for the cat too.”