Page 64 of Into the Blue
The large case he’s carrying has several numbered locks on it. Carlton makes quick work of entering some keys and then it opens to reveal an assortment of tools that he starts taking out.
He holds his hand out, waiting for me. I look at his hand with curiosity and then ultimately give him my wrist. Carlton sets my arm over acushion that feels like silk and clouds. I have no idea what’s happening, but then he opens a smaller box and my mouth gapes. My heart races in my chest and those curious flutters turn more tumultuous than before.
“Blue… what is this?”
“A gift. You ever seen one?”
Oh, I have seen one. It glimmers and shines in a way that is unreal. I’ve seen videos. I’ve even shared several to my socials that were truly breathtaking. In person, I know for a fact that nothing I saw online could compare to how insane these are in real life.
Somehow, I make my mouth work. “I—Why?”
“Even though we’re not in the same time zone, now we’ll always be on the same time. To me, time is money. And it will be for you, too.” There must be over a thousand diamonds encrusting the time-piece, not watch because that word could not fully encompass how luxurious it is, it is a work of art. Using it just to tell the time is a little silly. But also, I’m sure that this thing cost more than anything I’d ever buy myself.
“I can’t take this. It’s too much. I can’t even pronounce the name of this.” Carlton works on sizing the bracelet links until it fits snugly around my wrist, not at all concerned with my protesting or what I’m saying. I expect it to be heavy with how shiny it is, but it’s heavier than that. The diamonds on this thing must have diamonds. The pink gold case is impossibly shiny and the setting even has baguette diamonds to mark each hour. “How much did this cost?”
Carlton begins to tell me, but Blue speaks over him. “It doesn’t matter. Think of it as an early Christmas present. I’ve got one and ours match. I’ll show you when I get home.”
“You have a pink gold AP?”
He laughs a throaty sound and it does something dangerous to the organ already beating too hard to be safe. “Nah. Mine is yellow gold, but in a similar style.”
“Why would you do this?”
“Mine, remember?”
God, no. This is not the moment to suddenly have a conscience. I don’t have one. But… fuck. I cannot accept this gift. There’s too much meaning behind it. “I can’t, Blue.”
He ignores me saying instead, “I’ll be back soon. I’ve just been delayed a little longer than I wanted.”
I could unclasp the watch from my wrist, but I find myself turning my wrist to one side and the other to marvel at just how much it reflects even the low lighting.
There is a final snap of Carlton’s case where he has efficiently repacked his things and stands there.
“Let him out. I want to make sure he’s gone before I let you go.”
“You’re going?” Ineedhim to go, so that I can get back to what I was supposed to be doing. But I’m overwhelmed with the gift he’s given me. It was a reckless monetary decision on his part. He doesn’t know how close to ruination he is, but I can’t tell him that.
Since he doesn’t know, it makes the gift even more special.
Shit.
Why is my heart squeezing?
I need to get my shit together. He is a mark!
“Gotta get back to this money. I’ll hit you up later and you can show me how it looks when you’re drippin’ down this drip.”
Despite myself, I smirk at his dirty mouth—on speakerphone no less, he doesn’t care. “Be careful what you wish for,” I tease.
He groans a pained sounded on the line. “Can’t tell me that, I’ll have to leave them right now and head to a hotel.”
“Are you not staying in one?”
“Nah. I’m at Tony’s. He wouldn’t leave Alpenglow Ridge to visit my ass. If I’m here then we can spend at least a little time together.”
I never would have thought that underneath the hard exterior was a man who could be thoughtful and caring. Blue is a caretaker. I never want for anything ever since I was brought to his home. He's even gotten me things that I never thought to get for myself.
It's over the top. It's unreasonable—just like him keeping me hostage here. But, it's sweet… in his fucked up way.
