Page 97 of Silas's Sweetheart

“Popi—”

“Now don’t go getting all embarrassed. I’m interested in seeing if we can market this to men with this particular interest.” Color coated his cheeks, his eyes sparkling. “And I might like to buy some, too. A treat for your dad.”

“Noooo!” Silas shoved the box at Popi, desperately wanting him to shut up. “Here, look at it and never mention this again… okay?”

Popi smiled brightly, taking the box and going over to the small couch. Sitting down, he placed the large, black box on his knee. Silas hovered, disconcerted by the turn of events, but not wanting to miss out on seeming how Ziggy’s designs looked on the flimsy, see through silk. They had initially chosen gray shading on the soft white, but they had scrapped that version as it did little to give the effect Silas wanted to perfect. In the end, they had used an artist to hand paint Ziggy’s designs on to the silk using a color palette that would work with Ziggy’s skin tone and existing tattoos.

Popi paused, his hands poised above the lid. “I’m sorry, darling boy, I got carried away. Come sit. You open it.”

A surge of relief rushed through Silas as he sat down next to Popi and shifted the box onto his own lap. Taking a deep breath, to steady his shaking hands, he lifted the lid.

“Oh, my!” Popi gasped, and Silas seconded the sentiment.

The gorgeous, floaty, white silk cami with the matching French knickers and delicate suspender belt were stunning. They camewith silk hosiery with the top band matching the tribal band Ziggy had tattooed around his wrist, only this was in a soft red. It worked! Silas had hoped it would, but it was so much better than he’d expected, and he couldn’t wait to see Ziggy wearing the outfit. Claim him.

“It’s such a shame no one gets to see these.”

“No one is seeing Ziggy dressed in these,” he snapped indignantly.

“Silly boy, I meant in general. They're so beautiful, it's such a pity we cover them with clothing.” Popi lifted up the cami, holding it up to the light.

“Popi, there’d be a stampede if folks walked about gussied up in these.”

“I know, but it still seems a waste to hide it.” He laid the silk back in the box with a sigh. “I do believe a range of designer lingerie for men would be very profitable, though. Something you boys should consider when new business is discussed at the next board meeting. I’d even go so far as to suggest showcasing a set of the silks on the catwalk in Milan in two weeks. It would tease the tabloids and give them something else to talk about, don’t you think?”

What had happened in Drinkwater with the omegas had been in the newspapers when a member of staff had decided to get rich quick by selling the story. Silas shoved aside the depressing situation for now. That morning, Rue had offered to get involved and be the one to take the omegas to the ranch. Oakland was going to assess the security setup with Ethan and implement whatever was needed to ensure they maintained their safety. It wasn’t going to be easy, but with Rue wanting to help, it took some of the burden off him and his brothers.

Silas didn’t question Rue’s offer, because he wasn’t going to look a gift horse in the mouth. Especially when he didn’t want to be separated from Ziggy for weeks—months even. Ziggy wasJupiter’s PA and Milan fashion week was fast approaching so Jupiter needed Ziggy more than ever, to help with the workload.

“What do you think?” Popi persisted.

“I’ll bring it up, but you have to take the flak from my brothers.”

Popi giggled, making him look thirty years younger. “I can do that.”

Silas was still thinking about Popi’s suggestion when he unlocked the door into Ziggy’s home. The place was cosy and after a long day in the office, it often felt like a warm hug when he shut the door, shutting out the world.

“Hey, you’re early, I haven’t finished making dinner,” Ziggy called out from the kitchen.

Silas placed the black box on the couch as he passed, slipping off his suit jacket and slinging it over the back of a chair in the kitchen. Loosening his tie, he inhaled the scent of herby tomato sauce as he came in to kiss the side of Ziggy’s neck, who continued to stir the pot.

The domesticity of it all never failed to give Silas a warm feeling in the center of his chest. He might not have considered this was what he wanted, but it turned out this was exactly what he needed. The question of mating hadn’t risen again but Silas was ready, and he hoped tonight Ziggy, wearing the silk lingerie he’d had made especially for him, would honor his snake's request.

“I cancelled my last meeting.” He ran his nose over Ziggy’s bristles, nipping at his jaw.

Ziggy groaned, pushing into the touch. “Why? Weren’t you meeting with Aster to finalize the plans for the new mall build in England?”

Silas's pulse thrummed with desire at the change in Ziggy’s scent. It was another week until his heat, but already Silas couldsmell the difference, despite how subtle it was. “I rearranged it ‘cause I had something more important to do.”

Ziggy moved so he was looking at Silas, a spark of interest in his eyes. “And what would that be?”

Silas eyed the pot. “Can dinner wait?”

Ziggy’s answer was to turn off the heat and place a lid on the pot. He popped the spoon on the plate he used for such things, to prevent messing the countertop.

The smile that was never far away these days spread over Silas’s face as he stepped away to head back to the couch and pick up the box.

“What you got there?” Ziggy asked, coming towards him, those slim hips of his swaying seductively in the low slung sweats he wore at home. Silas knew Ziggy changed his clothes, but not what was underneath them. The black lace he had slipped on this morning when he’d dressed would remain under the baggy T-shirt and sweats. A temptation no one knew about but him. It was thrilling.

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