Page 12 of Whispers of Obsession

I can’t.

His reply is instant and makes my stomach twist and knot.

V

Just this once.

When I hesitate, another message comes through. Then another and another.

V

Please.

I just want to see you.

I have a gift for you.

Against my better judgment, I agree. I want to say no, but I think I should tell him face to face I no longer want to be involved with him. Hopefully he will delete those pictures and the video. At least my face isn’t in any of them.

Okay.

“Texting a boyfriend?” Lizzy demands, making me jump and almost drop my phone.

“What? No!”

She laughs. “You should have seen your face. Are you ready to go?”

“Yeah, let me just put this away.” I wave my phone and then stash it in my small clutch. It’s black satin like my dress and has a neat little loop that fits on my wrist. “Oh, my mom wants your mom to send her some pictures.”

“Please, my mom hired a professional photographer. She’s way over the top, but I’m sure she’ll send the proofs on to your mom. Can I give you your present now?” She bounces from foot to foot with excitement.

“I thought the champagne was my present.”

“Shut up. As if,” she scoffs before tossing a neatly wrapped package into my arms.

I set down my clutch and open the lightweight parcel, admiring the pretty black paper with gold swirls on it.

Once I’ve peeled back the paper, I discover a pretty pale pink box with a black bow. I gape at Lizzy, scared to open it.

“Go on.”

I shake my head. “I don’t wanna.”

She laughs. “Don’t be a baby. There’s nothing in there that’s going to bite you!”

Easy for her to say. She’s the queen of sexy undies. I look down at the logo on the box.Agent Provocateur.I know the name and have seen them advertised online. But I’ve never set foot inside a store. Too intimidating. Too chic. Too expensive.

It’s Lizzy’s favorite brand.

“Open it already!” Lizzy cries, losing patience with me.

“Okay, okay. Keep your hair on.”

“It would have been so much funnier if you said keep your panties on.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m not wearing any!” she crows, before dissolving into a fit of giggles. She’s had quite a bit more to drink than me.

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