Page 174 of The Invite
“Face me,” commands Augustus as he picks it up and steps closer.
I obey him, tilting my head back. His chest pressing against mine, he carefully places the helmet over my head until darkness swallows my vision.
It fits perfectly.
I even love the soft feel inside.
Our eyes connect when he slides the visor up. “Comfortable?”
Still locked in a trance, I simply nod. I know I should say something. Tell him not to purchase this. What am I going to do with it when we eventually separate? His sketches will be enough of a reminder, I don’t need this.
As if he can read my thoughts, he removes the helmet, and declares, “We’re buying this.”
“But—”
“Do you like it?” he asks instead. He already knows the answer and my expression says it too. Caressing my jaw, he states. “It’s for your safety too, Ness. If you’re sitting on my bike, you’re damn well wearing a helmet. Got it?”
His thoughtfulness makes my heart race. “Okay.”
Turning to Dan, who had busied himself checking receipts, Augustus tells him, “Gonna check out a couple more things.”
“Take your time,” he grunts without glancing up. “Got nowhere to be.”
“What else do we need?” I whisper to Augustus.
“A jacket for you.”
I rear back and press my heels into the floor as he tries tugging me in the direction of the clothing section. I don’t dare peer toward it, betting something will catch my eye. He halts and grumbles in exasperation, “I swear, you’re the first woman who has a problem with receiving gifts.”
“Because it’s nonstop,” I retort. Because it’s stirring confusing feelings inside me. “And you should do it for your actual future girlfriend. Not someone you’re obsessed with for the time being.”
“Then may I advise you to rein in your sassy tongue because it’s making me downright feral for you.” With that scary warning, he plucks me off the ground and carries me to the other side of the pristine shop. “As for arguing with me, I’m going to buy you two.”
“You wouldn’t,” I gasp.
Setting me in front of the hoodies and jackets section, he swipes through them and pulls out a small-sized brown leather biker jacket. It’s simple and formfitting. “Put it on,” commands Augustus, leaving no room for debate.
I discreetly try reading the price tag as I take it from him.
“Ness,” he growls low.
Heat rises to my cheeks, I focus on removing his jacket with trembling fingers before sliding the new one on. His hand lifts my ponytail so it doesn’t get caught. I smooth my palms down the front and catch my reflection in the floor-length mirror in the corner.
Confidence floods my bloodstream as I feel sexy for the first time. The jeans complement the jacket. It fits me like a glove and ends right above my waist.
“Fuck… you’re gorgeous.”
I flick my gaze to Augustus’s angular face, dark with lust, in the mirror. Drawing me closer with his grip on my hair, he rasps a filthy promise, “I can’t wait to have you ride my cock in nothing but this.”
I shiver under the wave of desire that pools between my legs.
Leaving me bereft, he straightens and yanks another piece. A cropped one in black with a belted waist and cuffs. I instantly fall in love, even though a trickle of guilt slips through the cracks that I shouldn’t let him spend so much money on me.
Strong fingers grip my chin and tilt it up until I’m staring into the slightly softened gaze of my handsome monster. “Stop worrying. I like expensive shit andmy girlfriendwill have them too.”
His what?
If he wasn’t cupping my jaw, it would’ve dropped. My heart is beating so hard that I feel dizzy, and I whisper, “Girlfriend?”
