Page 72 of Sugar Baby Mine

Then it’s back to walking around the city, which is more walking than I ever even do back in New York, but because it’sItaly, I don’t mind it as much.

Except when Ben pulls me inside a sex shop.

“This isnotthe kind of souvenir I want to take home on the plane.”

“Oh, come on, no one’s going to know but us.”

“Except for the security at the airport when they decide to randomly searchmyluggage. Because that would absolutely happen to me.”

“Uh-huh. Sure.”

Ben walks further into the store anyway, and I trail behind him with my attention crossing back and forth over the floggers, paddles, leather cuffs—

“So you’re saying you don’t wanna be double stuffed with this dildo in your pussy and my cock in your ass?”

I gape at the glass dildo in the ornate box that he’s holding up. “I said I didn’t want to take it on theplane.” My cheeks are burning as I glance around looking for those who might be able to hear us. Even though anyone else in this shop would probably be more understanding than someone on the street.

But no one else in the shop is paying us any attention, and I feel crazy all over again.

I reach out and grab the box from his hand, latching the lid back down and tucking it under my arm. “This is going home inyoursuitcase.”

Chapter 18

The next day Ben is already out to his meeting with Luciano by the time I drag myself out of the bed. Which is a feat, by the way. Because this mattress is made of literal heaven.

But breakfast out on the balcony is a treat when the room service is so nice and the view of the canal is so calming. Even if I fumble my way through ordering with a woman who speaks more Italian than English.

And as I cross my legs against the balcony railing and eat my cornetto in my pajamas, I wish someone was here to take a picture so I can remember this always.

After downing an ungodly bitter espresso they brought with my breakfast, I shower in the big marble-tiled bathroom that feels much larger without Ben’s presence. I take care not to let my hair get wet, just damp from the steam of the shower, and then take out the braid Ben wove my hair into yesterday.

With a little finger combing and some mousse, the waves fall around my shoulders nicely, more body to them than the natural state of my hair normally allows.

Dressing in a loose skirt and pullover sweater, I stare at my heels before flopping back on the bed. It’s eleven now, but I’mnot sure when Ben’s going to be finished with his meeting. Grabbing my phone from the side table, I lay back and swipe through to our conversation thread.

|Whatcha doing?

It doesn’t take him long to answer me, which is great given that I don’t know what to do with myself right now. I could easily turn the TV on or scroll on the internet, but both of those seem sonormaland being in Italy is anything but.

|Still in my meeting. I’ll probably be another couple hours.

My hopes and dreams have just died a sad little death. As much as I don’t mind being alone, a vacation is not the place for it. I’m not a solo traveler. But I’m here for him, not the other way around.

I bite into my lip. I suppose I could do something with that.

|Was afraid of that. Have a proposition for you, tho

|And that is?

|How about instead of cash this week, you buy me some lingerie? I can be ready and waiting for you when you get back

I’m already looking for a shop close to me, because I’ve pretty much already decided on this course of action.

|Lucky for you, I left my card on the table in case you wanted to go out.

I sit up, sliding off the corner of the bed and pad across to thesmall sitting area next to the lounge and there it is: Ben’s credit card resting next to my purse, like he’d already planned my day but forgot to tell me.

|How convenient. Thank you

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