Page 128 of Savannah Royals
“And?”
“And I gave him a second necklace, like he wanted. But still not the one he was after. I made two counterfeits. It was nearly impossible in the short timeframe, but I did it. As my own insurance policy.”
“He tooktwofakes?”
“Sure did,” I report, grinning. “He walked out of here with two fakes in his pocket and a smile on his face, thinking he got me. Meanwhile…” I trail off and reach two fingers beneath my gown’s bustline, plunging them into the ironclad depths of my corset. Slowly, I pull them out, a glittering chain of diamonds and rubies trailing behind. The jewels swing innocently in front of Matthew’s shocked face. He doesn’t say anything, but I provide the answer.
“I used the oldest trick in the book—sleight of hand. I spun around and unclipped the real necklace, letting it drop. Then, as I turned to the right, I slipped the second fake from my left pocket and handed it to him. It’s almost poetic in a way—Paul is the one who taught me those tricks when I was six years old.”
“Well, I do declare, Miss Katarina.” Matthew’s eyes sparkle. “Color me impressed.”
“You should be,” I whisper. I raise my left hand and show him his watch, the watch I slipped off his wrist while I was talking.
He bursts out laughing and snatches it back from me. “You’re a menace.”
“I am.” I grin.
“And a handful.”
“Your handful.”
“Yes. Mine.” He takes the necklace from me, flattening it across my chest. He secures the clasp around my neck again. “There, back where it belongs.”
“You’re very sweet. And very trusting.”
“I’m only a little sweet, Kat. Turn around.”
I obey. He presses his lips to the side of my neck, grazing his nose and breath along the shell of my ear. His fingers move to the buttons at my back, working until the beaded gown drops to the floor. The laces of my corset loosen next, then release and tumble away. I turn to face him, but he stops me.
“Don’t turn around.”
He presses my palms flat on the door and kisses my neck again. His hands glide down my bare sides, unhooking my garters, sending my underwear to the floor with a quick flick of his wrist. He slides his fingers back up, skimming the sides of my breasts.
“Get on the bed,” he rumbles.
I move, his eyes drinking in my every step.
“I’m only a little sweet, Katarina,” Matthew tells me again, reaching for me. His lips brush softly over mine. “Because I’m going to fuck you now, right here in my parents’ house, while you wear only this necklace. And I don’t care who hears us or tries to interrupt. You aremine.”
“Yours,” I agree, my pulse quickening with excitement.
He’s as good as his word. Better in fact, because for the next hour, he shows me how incredible it is to belong to him. To think only of him. To be only with him. To feel only him, call out for only him.
To be consumed by him.
To be loved by him.
Him and only him.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Eventhoughhetechnicallygave me Monday off, my feet still lead me to Ray’s. I take to the streets of Savannah like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon—ebulliently chasing air and sunlight. As I stroll down the brick sidewalk, I tell myself I’m headed nowhere in particular, but five minutes later, I’m on the streetcar. Ten minutes more, I’m outside the shop.
Ray is inside, sitting at the counter, paging through his little black registry book. He glances up as I push through the door, thinking he has a customer. His eyes spark when he recognizes me.
“Kat, fancy seeing you here. On your day off,” he teases. “The one you bargained so hard for.”
“I simply can’t stay away.” I raise my hands in a playful shrug.
