Total pages in book: 144
Estimated words: 133138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133138 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 666(@200wpm)___ 533(@250wpm)___ 444(@300wpm)
I touch the magnificent ruby, feeling the coolness of the stone. “No. It’s beautiful, but it’s too much. And where are the rubies from?”
The saleswoman tilts her head, giving me a new look. Respect, perhaps? “They are Burmese,” she admits regretfully, and I shake my head.
Burmese rubies come from Myanmar . . . one of the worst countries in the world for the disadvantaged. Many people talk about so-called ‘blood diamonds’, but almost all Burmese rubies are so soaked in blood that you’d think that’s where the color comes from.
Simon removes the necklace from me, handing it back to the saleswoman, who puts it away as we continue down the case.
So many gorgeous stones and beautifully delicate pieces, but none of them speak to me. And then I see it . . .
“Oh, look at the chonky boy! I like that one.” I point to a chain made of interlaced gold and red strands. “Can I try that one?”
The saleswoman opens the case, pulling out the necklace. “We also have the matching men’s chain if you’d like to see that?” she asks, looking at Simon.
His eyes turn to mine, dark heat rising in their depths.
“Yes, please.”
As the saleswoman steps away, Simon places the necklace around my neck. Once again standing behind me, he meets my eyes in the mirror and bends down to growl in my ear. “It’s gorgeous on you. I want to fuck you in this and nothing more, Autumn. Please?”
A shiver runs through my body. I never want to take this necklace off again. Though I also might never put clothes on again if Simon keeps saying things like that.
The saleswoman comes back, but Simon doesn’t even look at the men’s piece she’s brought. “We’ll take them,” he says.
“Ahem,” the saleswoman says, “if I might be so bold as to suggest something . . .” Simon looks up, but his hands are squeezing my hips. “The necklaces have tiny gold medallions on the clasps. They can be engraved, if you’d like?”
“How long does that take?” Simon asks.
“Fifteen minutes?”
“Make it ten if you can, and put AF on mine and SC on hers,” Simon tells the saleswoman, but his eyes are locked on me in the mirror.
“Oui, oui, Monsieur.”
The saleswoman disappears with the two necklaces, and I whisper to Simon, “You didn’t even ask how much they are.”
He bends down, kissing and nibbling at my neck. When he places his teeth right over the tendon to my shoulder, my head falls to the side, giving him more room.
“I don’t care. Having that on you and yours on me?” He groans. “She’d better hurry or I’m going to fuck you right here.” To prove that point, he grinds the ridge of his rock-hard cock against my ass.
I swear it hasn’t even been five minutes before the saleswoman returns, a bag in her hands. Hell, I’m not sure how long she’s been standing there when she clears her throat, but I jump as though I’ve been busted doing something wrong.
Simon laughs and hands the woman a black card. A minute later, we’re out the door and I’m laughing at my overreaction, feeling silly but also naughty for making out in the store while we waited.
We nearly run, trying to get back to Simon’s car as fast as possible. He covers the streets to his apartment quickly too, his hand moving higher and higher on my thigh the whole way.
Falling through the door, Simon rips off his shirt and kicks off his shoes. “Strip, Princesse. Now.”
He’s doesn’t have to tell me twice. I start pulling clothing off, throwing it haphazardly.
“Yap-yap-yap-yap . . .”
“Your dog is quite the cockblocker,” I tell Simon, laughing even though I’m quite serious. Covering my bare chest with my shirt, because it seems wrong to greet him naked, I hold my hand out as Xerxes comes swishing in the room like he owns the place. “Hey there. Who’s a monster dog with a bad attitude?” I baby talk to him.
Not understanding a word but getting the sweet tone, Xerxes actually sits and allows me to get closer.
“Don’t bite me, and I’ll see if your Daddy will let me get you a treat. Do you like dog biscuits?” I say, still in that high-pitched voice.
Simon snorts behind me, fighting a laugh. “No, he would never lower himself to eat anything that doggish. But you can give him some pancetta.”
It must be one of his favorite words because he goes nuts, jumping and yapping and running all over. I realize he’s leading us toward the kitchen, showing us where to get the much-desired fine swine.
Simon pulls out a bag, handing me a small piece of what looks to be jerky. “Sit, Xerxes.” With the treat so close coupled with Simon’s no-nonsense tone, Xerxes sits happily, his tongue hanging out. “Okay, give him the treat and then run for the bedroom. I’ll be right behind you.”