Page 28 of Madam Alana

“How about you two go on ahead to the boutiques in thelobby? We’ll meet you in an hour.”

I instantly pushed back on my chair. Christophe stood tohelp me and then did the same for Celine.

“Such a gentleman,” Celine praised and then nudged myshoulder playfully. “Let’s spend our husbands’ money. Is that okay, Big D?” Shegestured to Darren.

Big D.

I had to choke down the lunch that threatened to make asecond appearance at hearing that endearment.

“Just charge it to my room, sexy,” he answered, his eyesrunning up and down my friend’s bare legs. “Damn,girl. That dress. You’re giving mea chubby.” Hepalmed his package and adjusted in his seat. “Hurry up and get some clothingwhile I talk business to my friend Chris here. And don’t skimp on thelingerie!”

Christophe sighed, letting out a long breath through hisnose, his fire-breathing dragon coming to life as he reached into his backpocket and pulled out his wallet. He handed me a credit card. “Anything you want,cheri. You’ll need quite a lot. Do not befrugal. We can afford it.” He cupped my cheek and pecked my lips. “Be safe. Iwill find you soon.”

“Merci. Have fun with your, uh, associate.” I knewbetter than to call a man like that Christophe’s friend. He hadn’t refereed tohim as such, and he didn’t seem to be enjoying his company at all. My husbandand I had that in common.

Celine linked her arm with mine. “Come on, sister. Let’s dosome damage to our husbands’ credit cards.”

Chapter 10

Herlife. Her choice. Her contract.

“What the hell is going on?” I blurted the second we leftthe restaurant and headed toward the hallway full of small boutiques within thegrand hotel.

“Nothing. We ate, and now we’re going shopping,” Celinesaid, clearly trying to deflect.

I pulled her to a stop, glancing around to make sure weweren’t being followed or overheard. “Your cheek is bruised and swollen. Howdid that happen?” I hissed.

“Relax. It’s fine. Things got out of hand in the bedroom. Darrenpushed my face into the wall when he was taking me from behind. He was lost tohis passion. It was an accident. He apologized for it after, and even got me anice pack.”

I closed my eyes and pursed my lips, inhaling and exhalingto let out my fury. “He shouldn’t be that rough with you. And the way hetalks…” I made a sour face. “It’s disrespectful, and, I hate to say it, butit’s gross.”

Celine shook her head. “That’s not who he is! You should seehim when we’re alone. He dotes on me. Tells me how gorgeous he thinks I am. Howmuch he desires me. That I’m all he thinks about. How happy he is that hebought me. How he loves my body and making love to me.” She lifted her chindefiantly. “Alana, I’m wanted for me for the first time ever.”

“That isn’t worship, Celine. It’s possession,” I warned.

Celine’s facial expression hardened. “You don’t understandbecause you’ve never liked physical intimacy. Not withasingle oneof our johns. After every date and payment you received,you’d cry your eyes out like you had done something wrong. There’s nothing wrongwith sex, Alana. It can be so awesome, and I personally like a hard edge.Darren is introducing me to so many kinky things I’ve never even heard of. Andhe makes sure I experience a release too. Every time. It’s like it’s a goal forhim that he must win. The men before never cared for our pleasure in thebedroom. They got their jollies off and then left us with dirty condoms andsorecoochies. Now mycoochieis overworked because of agood hard poundingby my husband, followed by a great orgasm.”

“But…”

She put both of her hands on my arms and dipped her head tostare me straight in the eyes. “No buts. I’m fine. Yes, he makes bad jokes. Healso may get a little rough in the bedroom, but I’m okay with it. We’re havingfun. He’sactually areally good time if you get toknow him, which I hope you will over the years.”

I firmed my jaw and gave my best friend a curt nod ofresignation. If she didn’t want to be helped andactuallyseemedto like her husband, there was nothing I could do.

“Fine. It’s your life. I just love you and worry.” I let myshoulders fall in defeat.

“And I love you and your soft heart. My sweet littleworrywart.” She hooked her arm with mine. “Time to shop!” She grinned.

Arm in arm, we entered the first store. Celine immediatelydove into picking things she wanted to try on while I scanned the itemscarefully, evaluating the price based on the item.

“Two hundred dollars for a sweater?” I held up the piece ofclothing and faced Celine.

“That teal is an amazing color for you. Try it on.”

“It’s two hundred dollars. Do you know what I can do withthat kind of money?” A week ago, I’d have booked us a full three days in ThePurple Lotus along with enough food to fill our bellies for quite a bit longer.

“You are not Alana Kim anymore. You are Alana Toussaint, arich man’s wife. You need to dress as such or he’s eventually going to find youlacking,” she wisely suggested.

I knew I needed to look good enough for a man likeChristophe, especially if I was to continue to be his muse. A title I didn’tquite understand and needed far more context on. Still, I put the lovelysweater back and looked for a dress. At least a dress was an entire outfit, nota single item for that much money. Unfortunately, the dresses were even moreexpensive.

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