Page 62 of Her Every Fantasy

The expensive-looking butt plug made of solid sterling silver wrapped in velvet cloth had arrived just as I was finishing up for the day. Just like everything to do with Bryce lately, there was the bittersweet mingled with the excitement of experiencing this fantasy. A signal of an end date I wasn’t prepared for.

My fingers curled tighter around my box clutch. ‘Maybe.’

A predatory little smile curved his lips.

‘Don’t get too cocky. Remember, I dictate where and when.’

‘I haven’t forgotten,’ he said, then leaned closer so we wouldn’t be overheard and slid one hand around my waist. ‘It occurred to me that with how...tight you are, your arse would be even tighter, rosebud. This might be a rather enjoyable way to lead into the main event.’

I couldn’t help myself. I moaned.

He gave a low, sexy laugh. ‘Does that turn you on?’

‘No more than you’re turned on justby talking about it. I can feel your excitement.’ I brushed the hardening bulge behind his fly with my belly.

This time his laugh was strained. ‘Touché.’ He stepped back with visible regret. ‘Come on, let’s go see your surprise.’

Our progress was slow. Several people stopped Bryce to congratulate him on his building while I signed a few autographs and posed for pictures with a few guests. Although Bryce remained amiable, his smile was a little tight around the edges.

‘Everything okay?’ I asked when the nearest guest strolled away.

His eyes grew a touch wary. ‘Any reason why it shouldn’t be?’

‘You seem...tense. Is it the opening?’

His lips flattened for a moment. ‘It just feels...off that I’m finishing what we started without Gideon and Damian.’

My heart lurched and I couldn’t help the wild hope that blossomed inside me. ‘You miss your family. You miss sharing your achievements with someone. It’s natural, Bryce.’

A frown twitched across his face. ‘Not sure those types of feelings are natural for me, rosebud.’

‘Why not?’ I challenged. ‘You’re not a robot, Bryce.’

He shrugged. ‘Some would argue with that.’

‘Who?’

He shook his head. ‘Doesn’t matter.’ He strolled a short distance away and stopped before a large painting. It was the kind that needed its own place above a mantelpiece in a grand drawing room. In its own castle.

He pulled me close, dropped a kiss on my temple. ‘Surprise,’ he murmured in my ear.

Eyes widening, I glanced from him to the painting. At first glance it seemed simple—a crystalline drop of water suspended over a lily pad. But on closer examination, within the drop were a hundred tiny faces of men, women and children of diverse races, each wearing raw, naked expressions. It was breathtaking. ‘What do you mean?’

He nodded at the painting. ‘It’s yours. My present to you for the launch.’

My jaw sagged for several seconds before I caught myself. ‘I can’t accept this, Bryce.’

He seemed genuinely puzzled. ‘Why not?’

‘It’s too expensive.’

He frowned. ‘So this is about money?’

I opened my mouth and closed it again, unsure how to object without giving myself away. ‘I’ll buy it from you.’

A muscle jerked in his jaw. ‘No.’

‘Then you can loan it to me. Just for the launch, then I’ll return it.’

---