‘Holy shit,’ I muttered as I picked up a tiny g-string with a price tag of £95.00.
‘Don’t start. I owe you four pairs of knickers, but I want matching bras and I’d like you to get another Basque too.’
‘Gabe that’ll be about a thousand pounds. I could go to another store and pay less than a quarter of that,’ I gasped.
‘Mia,’ he warned, giving me his don’t fuck with me face. I squirmed, every face he had was hot. ‘I like this,’ he said as he picked up a low rise pair of fitted boy shorts in black stripes with hot pink ribbons running through it. There was a matching balcony bra to go with it, so I nodded with a sigh and put them over my arm.
‘You like French knickers or shorts more than g-strings?’ I asked as I picked items up and put them down again.
‘Yes, if they’re the tight fitted ones. I think they’re more sexy. They leave more to the imagination, plus I love the way they cling to this.’ He reached over and squeezed one of my cheeks making me giggle.
‘Ok, though with the odd outfit I need a string, I can’t have a VPL.’ He smiled and kissed me before picking up another matching set of bright white lace French knickers and demi cleavage enhancing bra and looked at me questioningly. I nodded and he draped them over my arm. I noted that he’d already committed my bra and knicker size to memory without even asking me. ‘Don’t you think I should chose something to surprise you?’ I asked.
‘No. If I know what you’re wearing underneath your clothes it adds to the build-up and anticipation of me finally seeing them.’
‘Ok.’ I picked up a set of black mini knickers with electric blue ribbons over each hip holding them together and a matching bra with blue ribbons securing the cups and nearly passed out when I saw the price tag. I tried to put them back quickly but he grabbed them and put them over my arm.
‘Keep them. They match your eyes.’
‘I liked them because they matched yours.’
‘Hmmm. Is it hot in here or is it just me?’ he asked running his finger around the inside of his collar. He looked flustered, three days without sex was getting to him and dragging him around a sexy underwear store wasn’t helping.
‘Why don’t you go and do your shopping and met me outside? I can take my time in here.’
‘Thanks. I’m on the verge of throwing you down on the floor. It’s bad enough you look so good today without imagining you in all this stuff.’
‘Is half an hour enough?’
‘Should be. Tell me you’ve got your phone on you?’
‘Yes.’
‘So check it if you’re waiting and I haven’t made it back. Go nowhere, with anyone. Promise me baby.’ I shook my head in exasperation and rolled my eyes and he smiled. ‘Right, I’m going to give the counter staff my card and make it clear that they’re to serve you regardless of cost. My pin’s your birthdate ok?’
‘Thank you,’ I chose not to comment on the pin. He may have set it before he met me, because of his mum.
‘You know what I like on you. Maybe a couple of extra surprises might be nice, no budget ok and remember no disappearing on me.’
‘Got it, go.’ I kissed him and he reciprocated holding me against his chest and we carried on for a minute before breaking away.
I smirked to myself as the sales girls looked at me enviously. I watched him at the till as he handed over his card, pointing to me. He blew me a kiss as he strode out grinning. I spent the next fifteen minutes browsing and picked a pair of black lace crotchless knickers and matching quarter bra, both with tiny black diamante’s sewn in. Also a red Basque with black ribbons, a suspender belt in white, pairs of white and black lace top stockings and a new pair of black ruffled knickers. As a surprise I added a black garter, black nipple pasties with tassels and one last item that I thought I’d like more than him, but was desperate to have. I walked to the counter and handed over the items slightly embarrassed.
‘My boyfriend’s left his card with you?’
‘Yes, I’ll put these through the till and wrap them all individually for you,’ said blondie.
I watched the number on the till climbing higher and higher. Shit he’d better like it all for that price and not rip them all off again. I punched in my birthdate as two other girls wrapped my items in tissue paper and placed them all in a large luxurious looking bag. I pocketed Gabe’s card and smiled before heading out of the door. I checked my watch, it had been just under half an hour and he was nowhere to be seen.
I spotted an Ann Summers sex toy shop a few doors up and had a sudden idea and nipped in. I found what I was looking for, along with a few extras and had them wrapped, paid on my own debit card and headed outside. He was standing next to some expensive looking bags, on his phone running his hand through his hair. I grabbed my phone out of my bag and saw it was vibrating, so I answered as I walked towards him.
‘Hello sexy boy.’
‘Where the hell are you? The girls in the shop said you left over ten minutes ago.’
‘I went to get a little extra surprise for you.’ I tapped his back and he spun around as I handed over the bag to him. He took it frowning as he cut off the call and put his phone back in his pocket.
‘I told you not to go anywhere,’ he snapped.
‘I was four shops down Gabe. No one’s going to kidnap me in broad daylight from a busy shopping centre.’ I ran my hand through his hair and kissed him knowing it would calm him down.
‘Mia please don’t do that it’s distracting. If you say you’re going to be somewhere, be there. I was worried.’
‘You were late. Let’s not argue again, please,’ I pleaded and he sighed and nodded.
‘So what did you get?’
‘A very expensive bill for the underwear sorry. The receipts in the bag, but I don’t want you looking yet as there are a few surprises in there.’
‘Ok. What’s in the sex shop bag?’ he asked as he jangled it.
‘I think you ought to wait until we’re home before you open that one, but I think you’ll be pleased,’ I grinned. He pulled me in by the waist kissing me so I put my arms around his neck and enjoyed it. ‘Hmmm what was that for?’ I asked hanging onto him.
‘Because I love you and you’re spoiling me with gifts.’
‘It’s you who’s spoiling me Gabe,’ I said as I nodded down at the extra bags on the floor. I gasped when I saw where he’d been and he grinned at me.
‘See your face is a picture. That’s why I do it. No peaking until date night,’ he instructed. I kissed the side of his neck over and over until he laughed.
‘Milo,’ I exclaimed and felt Gabe tense up in my arms. ‘He’s here,’ I clarified as I released Gabe, who turned to see Milo coming towards us looking surprised.
‘Hi Mia, hi Gabe,’ he said as he eyed the bags on the floor around us. I instinctively pushed the Ann Summers one behind the others with my foot and saw a frown cross over Gabe’s face.
‘Milo how are you?’ I touched his shoulder and kissed him on the cheek. ‘I’m so sorry about last Friday, I was a bit drunk. Gabe took me home.’
‘I was worried about you, you were up there dancing one minute and gone the next.’
‘You don’t need to worry. I always make sure she’s safe,’ sad Gabe with a hint of coldness as he tightened his arm around my waist. I sighed, he was making sure Milo knew where he stood and I noticed the fact wasn’t lost on Milo.
‘So how are you feeling after your op Mia?’ he asked. I admired him for not being put off by Gabe’s continual hostility towards him.
‘I’m getting there. It’s my first day out today. We were just doing a bit of shopping.’
‘So I see. I have your English notes. I was just going home to collect them and call by and drop them off at your place.’ Gabe’s fingers dug painfully into my side and I knew he was wondering how Milo knew where I lived.
‘Thanks that’s really kind Milo, but I’m not there. I’m living at Gabe’s.’
‘Wow you’ve moved in togeth
er already?’ he looked taken aback.
‘No. It’s just until I’m fully recovered. He’s taking such good care of me Milo, he really is the best boyfriend,’ I reached up and pulled Gabe’s face around and pecked him on the lips and felt his grip relax a little.
‘So how about I drop them off at yours Gabe?’ he asked smiling. Milo had a pretty amazing smile, any other time it might have done things to me, but Gabe already had possession of my heart. I reached my hand down and slid it into his back pocket and gently squeezed his bottom making him jump.
‘We’re out for a while still Milo. I think it’s best I come to you.’
‘Ok I’m in Glendale Hall, room 27. I’ll be back in about an hour. See you later.’ He kissed me on the cheek and shook hands with Gabe before walking away.
‘So, you’ve had no lunch and I’ve spotted a Krispy Kreme on the centre map and I know you love donuts. How do you fancy it?’ Gabe asked kissing my temple.
‘You’re offering me sugary treats? How can I refuse? It’s on me though and I don’t want all of your crap about it ok?’
‘Didn’t I say that to you earlier?’ he laughed.
‘Yes and I’m batting it straight back at you. Come on let’s go, I’m drooling at the thought of it.’
‘I’m drooling at the thought of you in some of these items,’ he said with a wink and a smile. I went to pick up the bags and he slapped my hand. ‘No lifting Mia.’ He managed to put them all in one hand and took mine with the other and we went in search of coffee and donuts. We each had a glazed and then he held his chocolate custard crème one out for me to take a bite, brushing the coating off my lips with his thumb and making me suck it.
‘Wow that’s good. Here try some of mine.’ I let him take a bite of my cappuccino one.
‘Hmmm. Christ I’m going to need to do an extra workout at the weekend.’
‘Trust me Gabe, your body’s in simply perfect shape and when I’m fit, I’ll be all the workout you need,’ I said as I sipped my coffee.
‘So, how does Milo know where you live?’ he asked casually. Bugger, for a minute I really thought he was going to let it slide. I looked at him and he sipped his coffee avoiding eye contact.
‘The night you were away when we went to the gym, we got a taxi to go to Peppers and stopped outside the apartment while I ran up and got Lexi.’
‘So he’s not been inside?’
‘The apartment or me?’ That got his attention. His eyes flashed as he looked up at me. He put his coffee down and folded his arms over his chest.
‘Mia,’ he growled, annoyed.
‘Well that’s what you’re asking isn’t it Gabe? The answer’s no he’s not been in either. Seriously what’s your problem with him?’
‘He wants to fuck you Mia. I’m not comfortable him being around you so much.’
‘I told you he’s in a relationship and is very content, as am I. We’re just friends. I’ve no need for anyone else when I’ve got you.’
‘Why did you hide the bag?’ he asked, easing up a little.
‘Do you miss nothing?’ I took another bite of my donut, slowly and deliberately licking my lips and tucking my hair behind my ears.
‘Not when it comes to you no. Licking your lips like that and playing with your hair may be turning me on Mia, but it won’t distract me from the fact that you haven’t answered my question. The bag?’
‘I was embarrassed.’
‘Of what? Letting him know we’re fucking?’
‘No, but I don’t go around announcing it to everyone you know.’
‘So what? You’re embarrassed that we have an adventurous sex life?’
‘Yes.’
‘You started it all with your handcuffs and vibrators.’ He picked up his coffee and drank, his eyes not leaving mine.
‘It’s not the fact we do that Gabe, it’s other people knowing, it’s private. I don’t want Milo or anyone else looking at me and imagining the things we do together.’
‘Baby trust me, Milo’s already imagining you doing those things, with him.’
‘You don’t know that,’ I tutted and drank some coffee.
‘I do because I was imagining doing them within seconds of seeing you Mia. I imagined sucking your breasts and slipping my cock in those pouting parted lips of yours, before pounding you until you screamed. I recognise the look of lust on another guys face.’
‘Do you have to be so crude?’ I scowled as he smiled at me. ‘Anyway he can lust away Gabe, I’m taken and extremely satisfied thank you. So as long he keeps his hands off me there’s no reason to get all jealous. Why did you wait so long?’
‘For what?’
‘To question me? I thought you’d be straight down my throat. You seem relatively calm.’
‘You made some gestures to show him you were with me,’ he shrugged. ‘I liked that.’ I made a mental note to remember that tactic. We finished our coffees and walked hand in hand around some more of the shops and I got some cards and wrapping paper. I spotted a passport photo booth and dragged him in with me and sat on his lap as we had some photos taken of us kissing and laughing. As we waited for them to come out I started yawning. ‘Ok, time to get you home and to bed for a rest.’
‘I’m fine, I’m enjoying being out with you.’
‘Mia you need to take it gently. We have been out for a few hours, it’s enough. We can go out again next week when I have a free and you’re feeling a bit more yourself.’ He grabbed the photos, smiling as he looked at them and led me back to the car, bundled me in protesting and put the bags in the boot and headed back to campus.
As we drove past the main grounds entrance, there were police vans everywhere. I spotted a white tent and police tape and it made me feel sick looking at it. Lexi and I walked through there nearly every day and it made me shiver violently.
‘Now you see why I don’t want you out alone?’ he whispered as he grabbed my hand and kissed my knuckles. I looked at him with a half-smile and squeezed his fingers. He drove around the outskirts of campus and headed over to the halls of residence and started looking for Glendale Hall. I was about to point out which one it was and decided it would be best not to remind him that I’d been to Milo’s room. He made me wait in the car, physically locking me in it, while he ran in and reappeared about five minutes later with a pile of papers in his arms.
It was just after six when we got home and put our heads through the games room door. I made him leave the bags outside, so as not to draw any more attention. They were engrossed in their game, which they froze when they spotted us.
‘Hey having fun? Who’s winning?’ I asked.
‘Me,’ grinned Doug. Lexi thumped his shoulder.
‘He’s a gloater.’
‘Yes, got one of those here when it comes to pool,’ I laughed. ‘Super competitive.’
‘Right get ready you two, because I’m coming to join you after I make sure Mia’s in bed resting. See you shortly.’ Gabe guided me out of the door and grabbed the bags and made me go up in front as he followed.
‘Are you doing that to check my arse out?’ I asked as I slowly made my way up.
‘I was doing it to catch you in case you fell, but I’m not complaining about the view baby.’ He put the bags in the wardrobe with instructions not to peak at the ones he’d purchased and helped strip me down to my knickers and caressed my back as I hugged and kissed him, my nipples digging into his chest. ‘O god Mia, stop or I’ll never leave. Take your painkillers and get into bed.’
‘Aren’t you swimming tonight?’ I asked as I climbed in and shuffled down pulling the duvet up to my chin.
‘No. Coach decided Doug and I’d got enough on our plates looking after you two, so he’s letting us off until Monday night.’
‘That was nice of him. Ok what time do I need to be up?’
‘I’ll come and get you about eight ok?’
‘Gabe will you stay with me until I go to sleep?’ I asked as I turned my head on the pillow to look at him and
patted the bed next to me. He kicked off his trainers and lay face down on top of the duvet and studied my face. I watched his pupils dilate as his eyes went all glassy and shiny.
‘I’m so in love with you Mia,’ he sighed. My stomach did a somersault and I smiled like I’d just won the lottery, actually I had by winning him.
‘Tell me about it,’ I whispered. He leaned over and kissed me tenderly. I put my hand up on my pillow next to my face and he took it in his and we just lay there smiling at each other until my eyes started to close and his gorgeous face disappeared.
It reappeared when I woke to find him on all fours above me, nuzzling my neck.
‘Wake up beautiful. It quarter past eight and everyone’s desperate to order.’
‘I’m desperate for you,’ I moaned as I held his head and kissed him hard.
‘Suddenly I’m not hungry for food either,’ he purred.
‘God you’ve got the sexiest voice.’
‘Just my voice?’ he feigned mock hurt.
‘You’ve got the sexiest everything Gabriel Austin.’
‘I love it when you say my full name in that chocolatey sexy tone of yours,’ he murmured as his teeth nibbled my earlobe.
‘I suppose we better go down and join them,’ I sighed. ‘I just need five minutes to freshen up and put some clothes on. I think it’s best you’re not here when I pull back this duvet, as you’ve just made my nipples hard.’
He grinned and kissed me again slowly and muttered ‘fuck’ under his breath, flashed me a smile, gave me a wink and left, grasping his erection in his jeans. I pulled a pillow over my face and screamed into it with frustration before getting up. I pulled on my yoga pants and mohair sweater leaving myself topless underneath and headed down finding them all in the Games room. Lexi and Doug were still playing and Gabe was sitting in the arm chair in the corner and patted his lap so I sat on it as he handed me a menu to choose from.
‘Do you want to share rice and a naan?’ I asked and he looked at me surprised.
‘You won’t share pizza but you want to share a naan?’
‘Yes, that’s different.’
‘No. They’re both big round pieces of dough,’ he laughed.
Forever & an Engine (The Austin Series) Page 28
