“Yeah, or a cute short set. Something sexy and sweet.”
“I’m down with that.” I nudge her arm. “Did you ever get the kitty waxed?”
She laughs, shaking her head. “No, but I followed your advice and asked him what he liked and he said as natural as possible. So the ginger bush stays.”
“Speaking of… how’s it been going in that department?”
She drags her fingers through her tresses. “Better. We talked about it some more, and I just decided that I like him enough to find the right solution.” She checks her surroundings for a minute. “He can stay downtown for a long time.”
I laugh. “Downtown?”
“Yeah. I had the big O just from his mouth and fingers. That’s never happened to me before because it takes so long, but he can do it.”
“That’s awesome. So there’s a workaround.”
“Yeah, and he let me, um actually look at it. It’s not as bad as I thought. I think with the right positions and stuff, it’ll be okay.”
“That’s good news.”
“Yeah, it is. I mean, I still wish he was packing like a porn star, but I guess you can’t have everything.”
“Packing like a porn star? You have serious jokes today.”
She shrugs. “I like big dicks.”
Just as she says that, the salesperson walks up behind her, holding out the wrapped purchase with a look of surprise on her face. I stifle a laugh, directing Sara’s attention to her. As her cheeks turn bright red, I burst into laughter.
Sara takes the bag, mumbles thank you, and exits the store so fast I can barely keep up. Once I reach her, I wrap my arm around her shoulder. “Busted again.”
“Why does this keep happening?”
“Just luck I guess.”
“Bad luck.”
“It’s hilarious.”
“For one of us.” She laughs, shaking her head. “Oh well.”
We walk on until we find a lingerie store that intrigues us. It looks expensive as fuck, but so beautiful, I can’t walk away. As we browse through the exquisite pieces, I find one that I think would be stunning on Sara. Grabbing the hanger, I pull it from the rack and walk it over to her.
“You need this.”
She touches the black lace gown I’m holding with an expression of pure bliss on her face. “It’s gorgeous.”
“It is.”
“How much is it?”
I grab the tag. “Holy shit.”
“What?”
“It’s seven hundred bucks.”
“Fuck. Are you serious?”
I show her the tag. “Yeah.”
“I can’t. That’s way out of my realm. That’s almost my entire budget. Let’s go.”
I start to walk back to put it away, but then remember Gabriel’s words, and turn around to my friend. “It’s my treat. We’ll both get something over the top and stunning and blow their minds.”
Sara smiles. “I can’t let you do that.”
“Why? What else is money for and Gabriel told me to spoil the people I love,” I smile, “and I love you.”
Sara steps closer. “That’s the nicest thing you’ve ever said to me.”
“I know, and you deserve it. You’re my best friend, Sara. Let me get this for you. If you say no, I’ll just buy it later anyway.”
“You sound just like Gabriel.”
“He rubs off on a girl.” I hand it to her again. “Go try it on.”
She takes it, then looks up at me and smiles. “Okay.”
While I wait for Sara, I browse through the remaining items, hoping to find something equally stunning for me. After perusing the store, I finally find a set that brings a smile to my face. It’s a black lace bra with sheer material at the top, matching panties, and a gorgeous garter belt. I think he’d like it very much. I select all three pieces in my size, ignoring the nearly thousand-dollar price tag. You only live once, I suppose. When I finish, I walk over to the dressing room, calling Sara’s name.
“I can’t believe it,” she says from behind the door.
“Believe what?”
“Do you want to see?”
“Yeah.”
She opens the door, stepping back so I can come in, and my mouth falls open. “Jesus.”
She smiles nervously, running her hands down her tummy. “Do you like it?”
“Sara, you look like a piece of art.” My eyes roam over her body. The way it drapes around her is amazing. It leaves nothing to the imagination, yet it’s all covered in such delicate lace, it manages to look classy. “Against your creamy skin and red hair, it’s stunning.”
She nods with tears in her eyes. “You remember that night you helped me see that I was pretty?”
“Yeah.”
“I felt like…” She shakes her head, exhaling slowly. “Like I was still a girl. Pretty, but not sexy.”
I smile, leaning against the wall. “How do you feel now?”
She smiles. “Sexy.”
“You’re a grown ass woman, Sara. There’s nothing girlish about your figure. Definitely sexy.”
“Thank you.”
“I mean it.”
“No, I mean for making me get it. This is an experience I won’t forget.”
“I couldn’t ask for anything more then. That’s what a gift should be. Unforgettable.”
She nods. “I’ll change and be right out.”
“Okay.”
I browse through a few more items until Sara comes out carrying her gown. “What did you pick?”
“Bra, panty, and garter belt.”
“Ooh la la.”
I laugh. “We have some lucky men in our lives.”
“We do.”
“All right, let’s go do some more damage.”
We go to the register, and I cringe when I drop even more than we did at the last store. Who knew five thousand could go so fast?
“Okay,” Sara says, walking out. “We’ve got our men covered. I need something for Gabriel and you.”
“Did you get your parents something?”
“Yeah. Mom and current stepdad get a huge fruit basket from me and G. They like that kind of shit. You?”
“Card only. My mom hates it when I spend money on gifts so I gave up a couple of years ago.”
“Cool. Okay, I’m gonna do the cooking thing for Gabriel.”
“Good idea.”
As we walk, I stumble across a store featuring unique travel related items. Yes!
“I want to go in here.”
“Sure.”
We head inside. It’s mostly luggage, tags, and things like that, but then I see exactly what I want. Looking down into the glass case I point.
“Look, Sara. Compass cufflinks.”
“And?”
“Gabriel’s tattoo.”
She pulls her head back. “Gabriel has a tattoo?”
I laugh. “Oh, guess you didn’t know that. Yeah, he has this antique looking compass on his chest. The upper right side near his shoulder. It’s really amazing, and it means a lot to him.” To both of us now.
“Those are perfect then.”
“Yeah, and he wears them for work. I need to get them.” I motion for a clerk to come over to help up. “Can I get these please?”
“Sure,” the woman says. “Do you need them gift wrapped?”
“Yes, please.”
“Be right back.”
As she walks away, I realize I don’t know how much they cost, but start to get a hint when I see the tag in the case saying they’re made of platinum.
“I told Gabriel I would spend his money, and I guess I’m living up to it.”
“Yeah, but you’re spending most of it on him which is pretty cute.”
“Yeah. We’re pretty cute.” I laugh as the words leave my mouth.
“What?”
“Cute is not the word I would use for us.”
“As long as you’re happy.”
“I am.” For the first time in a long time.
/> The clerk returns carrying an elegantly decorated box in black paper with gold ribbon. As she rings it up, I brace myself for the damage.
“Seven ninety-five, please.”
Fuck. Almost eight hundred dollars. I do some quick math in my head then hand over the debit card, smiling like I spend this kind of money all the time. After we walk out to the main part of the mall, I grab Sara’s hand.
“I’ve spent almost all the money he gave me.”
“I know.” We arrive at Williams Sonoma and she touches my hand. “Why don’t you sit and relax for a minute?”
I crease my brow. “Why?”
“Because I see something I want for you.”
“I don’t need a gift.”
“Yes, you do.” She smiles. “Be right back. No peeking.”
“Okay.”
I sit on some comfy couches and scroll through my phone reading my social media notifications. Funny, since meeting Gabriel, I barely pay attention to the outside world anymore. He knows how to hold a woman’s attention. Putting my phone down, I people watch for a few minutes. A couple walks by and the man is wearing a t-shirt that gets my interest. On the front it says, ‘Three words that will make her day’, and as he passes I expect it to say ‘I love you’ but instead it says, ‘How’s my girl?’, bringing a smile to my face. I can imagine Gabriel’s sexy deep voice asking me that, but he won’t now that I’ve made calling me that off limits out of the bedroom. Picking up my phone again, I text Gabriel.
Just saw a man wearing a t-shirt I liked.
Because of the man or the t-shirt?
I laugh at his response.
T-shirt. Want to know what it said?
I do.
On the front it says, ‘three words that will make her day’, and on the back it says, ‘how’s my girl?’
And you like this, why?
I’m not sure, but I could imagine you saying it to me, and it felt good. Maybe I don’t hate being called girl as much as I thought.
The phone rings, and I smile as I answer. “Hi.”
“Hey. Mia, it was never about the word. It was about how I used it. I know that now. Last night, you showed me the difference.”
“I guess that’s it.”
“So, you’d like me to say that to you?”
“I think so. Let’s try it out.”
I hear him chuckle. “How’s my girl?”
His voice dips lows into that sexy place it goes which causes a flutter in my stomach. “Yeah, I like that.”
“I like it too. Are you having a good day?”
“Really good. I’m almost out of money though if you can believe it.”
“Need more?”
“No, no.” I laugh. “I’m good, but thank you. It, um, it’s different for me, but it feels really good to be spoiled.”
“We’ve only just begun, mon amour.”
I smile. “Christmas is gonna be nice this year.”
“The best ever. Where’s Sara?”
“Shopping for me. You gave her money too?”
“Always do for Christmas and her birthday.”
“It’s sweet of you.”
“It’s what money is for. Nice things, giving to others, helping where you can. I’m no philanthropist, but as long as I have money, no one in my life will ever want or need for anything. Until recently, it’s all I thought I had to offer. Money and sex.”
“But you know that’s not true now, right? You know that you have an amazing heart?”
“A heart that is all for you.”
“I willingly accept it.”
“Thank you.”
I smile. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you in a couple of hours?”
“Yes. If I’m not home, the garage code is 2012.”
“Is that meaningful?”
“The year I went to Paris.”
“Ah.”
“But I should update it to the day I met you. The best day.”
“There you go again.”
He laughs. “Have fun. Je t’aime, mon trésor.”
“I love you too.” I start to hang up, but then stop. “Wait, are you still there?”
“I am.”
“Sara asked if you loved me, and I said yes. Is that okay?”
“Absolutely, although it steals the thunder from me telling her at dinner tonight.”
“Sorry. It just came up.”
“I don’t mind. I’m glad she knows.”
“I’m just glad I know.”
“I can’t wait to show you again just how much.”
“Same. Talk to you later.”
“Bye.”
I hang up just in time to see Sara walking toward me swinging two bags. “All done.”
“You look pleased with yourself.”
“Oh I am. I couldn’t be more excited.”
“What did you get Gabriel?”
“You’ll have to wait and see on Christmas day.”
I smile. “Fine. Now I just need you and we’re done.”
She scrunches her nose. “You just bought me seven hundred dollars-worth of lingerie. I’m good.”
“That doesn’t give you anything to open on Christmas.”
“So. Jamie and Gabriel will both have stuff for me. Don’t you dare buy me anything else.”
“Okay, okay.” Standing, I pick up my bags. “Want to grab some lunch?”
“Yeah. I didn’t eat breakfast.”
“Cool.” We head down to the food court area and decide on a quick sandwich. As we sit with our trays and bags, I watch Sara unwrap her sandwich. I don’t know if I’ve stopped to appreciate what a good friend she’s been to me. She’s so open with her affection, but I always hold back. I’m slowly learning that expressing my feelings doesn’t always end in pain.
She glances up at me, tilting her head. “What?”
“Thank you.”
“For?”
“Being a great friend. Introducing me to Gabriel. Putting up with my dark cloud.”
“Dark cloud?”
“Yeah. You’re like a sunny day, and I’m a dark storm cloud.”
Sara smiles. “One thing I’ve learned about living in the desert all these years, is that with so much sun, you learn to appreciate the rainy days.”
“Gabriel said something very similar.”
“He’s a smart man.”
“He is.” I take a bite of my tuna fish, chewing slowly. No matter what she says, I’m still buying her something. Maybe I can grab her something this week.
“I’m excited to come over for dinner tonight,” Sara says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Me too. I’d like to get to know Jamie more, and I’m sure Gabriel does.”
“I imagine that’s the motivation behind his invite. Did you tell him anything I told you about Jamie?”
“No.” I shake my head. “That’s private. The size of his dick is not something your brother needs to know.”
She grins and eats a chip. “Agreed.” After eating another one, she tilts her head. “So what were you doing on the phone this morning when I called? Sounded like naughty time.”
I nearly choke on my sip of soda. “Naughty time?”
“That’s what I call it.”
Shaking my head, I dab my mouth with a napkin. “As a matter of fact, it was naughty time.” Leaning close, I raise an eyebrow. “He had his face between my legs.”
Sara’s eyes open wide as her cheeks turn crimson red. “Holy shit.”
“Shocked?”
“No, but that’s so hot. If he wasn’t my brother, I would want all the details.”
“Oh, yeah. The stories I would tell you if you weren’t his sister would blow your mind.”
“I should get you wasted. That’ll get you talking.”
“You shouldn’t. You’d never look at him the same again.” Understatement of the century. Leaning back in my chair, I slide my sleeves up. “It’s freaking hot in here.”
“What happened to you?”
Fo
llowing her eyes to my wrists, I realize the mistake I just made. “Oh, um, nothing major.”
“You’re bruised.” She grabs my arm. “Both arms.”
She should see my ankles. “It’s nothing, Sara.” Thinking quickly, I add, “I asked Gabriel to hold my wrists while we, you know, last night. I bruise easily.”
She nods. “Oh. Okay.”
“I like things a little rough sometimes.” Or all the time since meeting Gabriel.
“That’s cool. Does it hurt?”
“No.”
“I mean at the time.”
“Kind of, but in a good way, if that makes any sense.”
“It does. One time, I asked a guy to spank me, but he didn’t do it very hard. Do you like that?”
“Being spanked?”
“Yeah.”
With a paddle. On my clit. “Yeah.”
“I wonder if Jamie would do it. Like really hard.”
“Ask him. Tell him all your fantasies and desires. That’s the only way to have a healthy relationship.”
“True.” She eats another chip. “Can I tell you one?”
“Sure.”
“I want to be with a girl.”
My mouth falls open. “I was not expecting that.”
“I know. You think I’m a goody two shoes, right?”
“Not really that, but that is, um, pretty adventurous.”
“I know. I’ll probably never do it, but sometimes I want to. A couple of years ago, I was hanging out with this girl named Lisette, and we went out drinking one night. We ended up making out and had a heavy petting session.” She smiles. “It was awesome, but neither one of us made a move to do more. Is that weird to you?”
“No. Lots of women want to try that.”
“Have you done it?”
“No.”
“Do you ever want to?”
“Sometimes. I think it could be cool, but I don’t think I will.”
“I don’t think I will either, but sometimes I think about it. That’s not a thing you tell a guy you’re dating though, right?”
“Why not? You can role play, or talk about it, or watch porn. Or hell, maybe he’ll even help you pick a girl one day and live the dream.”
She laughs, tossing back her thick mane of hair. “That sounds hot too.”
“Yeah, it does, but you’d probably have to share.”
“Mm, yeah, I don’t think I’d like that.”
“You never know though. He might be down with watching only.” I suddenly wonder if Gabriel would.
Reckless Devotion: Book 2 Page 13
