Chapter 40

KESTER.

She stood there, her wide, curious eyes scanning the lavish space as if trying to piece together the reason she was there. I dismissed the escort with a subtle flick of my fingers, my attention solely on her now.

"Mine?" I called, pushing myself up from the plush seat.

Her curiosity tugged at something deep inside me, an unfamiliar warmth blooming in my chest. I liked seeing her like this-intrigued, à little cautious, but drawn in. It made me want to do more for her, give her more, just to see that spark again

She didn't necessarily 'need' any of these. She had them in abundance. Her life was already filled with luxury. But I'd leamed that it wasn't about the things themselves-it was about the gesture, about experiencing something together, about watching her smile because she knew this wasn't just about material things. This was about her.

"What are we doing here?" She asked curiously.

"Shopping," I said simply, moving toward her, closing the distance between us. I stopped just in front of her, close enough to hear the way her breath hitched ever so slightly.

Her cheeks were faintly flushed, her lips parted just enough for me to see the war waging in her mind. She wasn't used to this. To me-not like this.

"What do you think?” I murmured, reaching up to caress her cheek, my fingers gliding down her chin. I let my thumb brush over her bottom lip, feeling the soft warmth of her skin beneath my touch

She shivered.

"That's... Thoughtful. But you didn't really have to..." She protested, and I could hear her heart hammering in her chest, too fast, too loud. If I listened closely, I could almost taste the nerves rolling off her.

I almost smirked. She was nervous as fuck, but she hid it well. I shook my head internally. That was fine. She'll soon get used to this side of me... Of us.

"Come on. Let's go and see what you'd like to get," I said and leaned down, planting a soft kiss on her lips-just a

taste. A tease.

It took everything in me to pull away.

I swear to fuck, I wanted more. Wanted to deepen it, to pull her closer, to claim her breath along with that sweet little gasp she had just given me. But I couldn't.

Not here. Not now.

Not when I knew that if I let my demons wake, this mall wouldn't survive the disaster that followed.

I led the way, and she followed.

She walked beside me, her fingers brushing against mine every so often as we moved deeper into the store, flanked by two impeccably dressed sales assistants.

Kastine, for all her initial hesitation, seemed to adjust quickly, her eyes flicking between the displays of high-end perfumes and silk robes, her curiosity overtaking her shyness. It was almost endearing until we reached the lingerie section

And then everything went to hell.

Chapter 40

steps slowed, my body tensed,

to pick

front of

Fuck.

lingerie for her, which wasn't as awkward as this. Probably because I did the shopping myself. But this? Watching her choose? It made my palms sweat a

She hesitated, too, her fingers hovering over a sheer lace set before retracting as if realizing exactly what

This was

cleared her throat, turning her gaze to meet mine, "I don't think

going on in my head. “Come

swallowed before slowly returning her attention to the line of laces

to the frantic beating of her heart? It made

as the assistants picked up a lot of sexy lingerie, some barely anything at all, just strips of fabric meant to drive a man insane. I loved

the few selections I made into

shopping. Kasmine had eased up a bit, enjoying the rest of the evening as she picked up lots of her favorite perfumes,

with us," the receptionist from earlier said, offering me a handshake, and I took

the shopping trip vanished, replaced by something dangerous. I didn't

two fingers, tilting my head slightly. A name. A number.

confident smile faltered as she realized too

everyone.

flirt with all your clients?" I asked her in a voice so low

forward to stand at my side, probably knowing the storm that was brewing. She wrapped her delicate palms around

Let it go," she said softly, and I wouldn't deny the calm her voice had brought

then shut, then opened again like she was trying to come

card drop to the sleek marble counter, watching as

24

Chapter 40

lucky I'm in a good mood today," I said, slipping thy hands into

this moment. I'll speak to your employer about

gasped. "Wait-please,

a fuck

heel, walking away without

our car came to a stop in the

to face

at the mall. I needed some alone time

replied

watched how her eyes lit up, "We'll be spending the evening together... Alone... In your room. I have everything

bit her bottom lip nervously, and fuck, how

argue that. She was correct. I had kept her

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