Page 20 of Sinful Chains

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How much?

I grinned. There it was.

“I think I need jewelry.”

You would have thought I just told Juliana she won the lottery. She snapped to, skipping over to the register to secure my dress and shoes while I stepped back into my sensible work flats. After, she led me through a glass door to the other side of the boutique, where a handsome white-haired older man named Willery showed me glass cases full of diamond earrings, bracelets, and necklaces.

I took my time picking out a pair of teardrop shaped earrings. They were very elegant, and expensive as hell.

I sent another picture.

Moments later, my phone rang.

My heart beat a little faster, wondering if I should answer. It was in my nature to nurture. To make men feel comfortable with me. Be their peace, as they say. I wasn’t used to causing a man stress on purpose.

Another call, then a text.

Storm

Santari

Just my name. Somehow, the lack of any other words made it more intense. Was it a command? A plea? Awarning?

I stared at the screen, pulse thrumming in my throat. I could picture him, sitting in his office, his jaw tight, his body coiled with tension, but no chance for release. Not yet, anyway. I imagined his chest rising and falling as he waited for me reach out, trying his hardest to be patient as his sense of control continued to diminish.

Another call.

Against my natural instincts, I didn’t answer.

“Thank you,” I said to Willery. “I’m ready to check out.”

He walked me back over to Juliana, who was behind the register now. She barely batted an eye when I handed her Storm’s card. She’d probably seen this game a few times before…a woman with expensive taste and a man willing to indulge her.

The only question now was, would the card go through?

I wasn’t in the mood to be embarrassed. I didn’t wanna be the black lady who gotdeclined trying to buy thousands of dollars worth of luxury goods.

I’m gonna be on the news.

“So, I just have to tell you,” Juliana began. My heart sank. “Because your name isn’t on the card, I have to contact the concierge to verify the purchase. We do that with everyone,” she rushed out.

“No problem,” I said. “I understand.”

My heart thudded even harder.

She lowered her voice, turned her back, and murmured into the phone while I waited to hear my fate. Willery stood over by the shoes, lurking, watching the proceedings with interest as I died a little inside.

Finally, Juliana turned back to me, a smile blooming across her face.

“Would you like your items wrapped?”

I blew out a quiet sigh, my shoulders dropping, my stomach settling. “Yes, please.”

“Right away,” she said, handing the card back to me.

For some reason, it felt weightier in my hand now. More substantial. This little thing held a lot of power.

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