Page 50 of Take Me, Sir

I looked down at the two dozen necklaces, and then back up at the saleswoman. “Any insight you could offer would be much appreciated.”

“How long have you and your girlfriend been together?” I must've made a face because she chuckled. “Early in a relationship, a man may want to impress a woman with a flashy gift. Later, he may want something flashy to make up for not buying a ring.”

I decided to address her comments rather than her question. “Nothing too flashy.”

“All right.” She looked down at the necklaces, eyes moving from one to the next. “Hair and eye color?”

“Blonde,” I said. “Like honey-colored. Dark blue eyes. Almost black.”

She nodded again. “What about her style?” Her head came up. “You want to complement how she usually dresses and accessorizes.”

I thought for a moment. I hadn't realized so much would go into picking out a necklace. If it did come to a point where I was ring shopping, I was going to have to ask Juliette or Hanna to go with me because I'd be at a complete loss.

“She doesn't wear jewelry a lot,” I said. “Short necklaces most of the time. Pretty straightforward. Nothing ostentatious.”

The saleswoman was silent for a minute, a look of concentration on her face. Finally, she reached into the case and pulled out something. She draped it across her hand and turned it toward me.

If I'd had the vision and skill to craft something that perfectly represented Kyndall, this would be it. Elegant platinum woven together in a rope-like chain, with a single gem at its center. A deep blue sapphire that gleamed in the store light.

“I'll take it.”

If the woman was surprised that I didn't ask for a price, she didn't show it. I took her up on her offer to wrap it and stood by the register while I waited. After previous disastrous attempts to produce something with smooth, elegant lines, I'd given up. By the time I was twenty, I'd had to accept that everything I wrapped looked like a small child had done it. That was cute when I was a kid, but as an adult, it was more or less embarrassing.

After I paid and thanked the saleswoman, I headed back out into the night's heat. How soon, I wondered, would be too soon to make plans to see Kyndall again? I'd always enjoyed giving gifts, but I was excited enough to see her face when she opened it that I was seriously considering going over tonight and surprising her.

First, I wanted to enjoy watching her expression change when she opened the box...and then I wanted to have her strip off everything except the necklace and take her in every room in her apartment. Living room floor. Kitchen counter. Dining room table. Guest room. Both bathrooms.

I'd never considered doing the whole collar thing as a Dom, but now I could see the appeal of having Kyndall wearing something that would let everyone else know that she was taken. I might not have been ready for the ring thing yet, but if we went back to the club, I definitely planned on asking her to wear the necklace. It'd be close enough to a collar that it'd keep most of the other men at bay.

I was so caught up in thinking about her that when I heard a woman's voice telling someone to keep the change, I thought it was my mind making the woman sound like Kyndall. Except when I looked over, I saw those familiar tousled waves and those amazing curves. In a dress that looked a bit too fancy for shopping.

And she was shopping, because as I watched, she disappeared into a toy store.

Curious, I followed. I hadn't been in this store before, but as I walked in, I couldn't help but be impressed. This wasn't some chain store that had all the latest in electronics and gadgets. These were the sorts of carved and sewn gifts that people passed down through generations.

“Yes, that one, thank you.”

Kyndall's voice drew me toward her, and I watched as an elderly man picked up a wooden rocking horse and put it on the counter. I wasn't an expert in woodworking, but I'd spent enough time in various wealthy mansions growing up to know that the dark wood making up the toy wasn't cheap.

“Anthony will love that,” I said.

Kyndall jumped, startled, but then smiled when she saw me. “I didn't expect to see you here.”

“Likewise.” I smiled at her as I stepped up next to her. “I enjoy walking around here. Lovely shops.”

“They are,” she agreed. “Juliette mentioned this place to me last week, and I figured I'd come by and see if there was anything here for Anthony.” She gestured toward the window. “When I saw that one, I knew I had to see if they had one available.”

“Will you be taking it with you, miss?” The man gave me a smile before turning his attention back to her.

“Do you deliver?” she asked. “I'd rather not have to take it in a cab if I don't have to.”

“We do offer next day delivery at a cost.”

“Perfect.” She opened her purse. “Ring it up.”

I knew she'd paid a pretty price for her apartment, but it was still a surprise to see her pull out an envelope of cash rather than a credit card. She didn't even blink when the man told her how much it would be, simply counted out bills and handed them over.

I frowned. Where had she gotten that sort of cash? Most people carried around checks and debit or credit cards for large purchases. And if a company didn't do direct deposit, most people put their checks in with very little cash taken out.

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