Page 57 of Yearning For Her

Her face paled as she accepted the money. “When would you like to pick these up? Or would you prefer delivery?”

“Delivery.” Kian plucked up a pen from the little jar on the counter and jotted down Willow’s address on the back of one of the In Bloom business cards on display, sliding the card to the florist. “They need to be delivered here this evening.”

“This evening?” The florist shook her head. “Sir, I just…that’s not possible. It’ll take a full day just to get everything prepared, and then to transport it all…”

“Ah. Well.” He opened his wallet again and took out the same amount of money he’d paid for the flowers. “This should cover any associated difficulties, shouldn’t it?”

Though he couldn’t sense the details, he felt the woman’s inner struggle, felt her conflict. But after staring at the money for a time, she nodded slowly.

“Good.” Kian returned his wallet to his pocket. “Thank you so much for your help.” Turning, he walked toward the door.

He heard the woman move, heard the quiet tone of an outgoing call come from her phone.

“Hey, Dana,” she said, voice flat. “Sorry to call on your day off, but I’m… I need you to come in for the afternoon. No, I understand. Yes, there’s a big order, but this one, um… Well, there’s a bonus involved.”

The bell jingled as Kian opened the door and stepped outside. His excitement had only grown. A new gift for his mate, a new offering. A new reaction to enjoy. His beautiful mortal would be surrounded by beautiful flowers tonight, and he knew that none of those flowers would compare to her radiance.

But why stop with flowers? Humans loved gifts, and he was finding his own indirect joy in purchasing things for Willow. There were shops all over. Surely, he could find something more for her…

He’d only managed a few steps when his gaze fell upon a store across the plaza. Pandora’s Toybox—an adult store specializing in adult toys.

He chuckled. “Oh, this is perfect.”

What better gift than something to enhance her pleasure? In a way, it would be a gift for them both, as whenever Willow felt good, so did Kian. Perhaps it was a little selfish, but when had he ever claimed to be altruistic? He could admit his greed, especially when it came to his lush mortal. He wanted as much of her as he could get.

He wanted all of her.

Grinning, he strolled toward the Toybox.

Sixteen

Willow lifted her camera and zoomed in on the couple sitting on the bed—Kimani and Darren. It was their tenth wedding anniversary, and they had wanted to do something special, so they’d reached out to Willow to arrange a couple’s boudoir shoot. Willow loved it when she got to work with couples. It wasn’t often that men were willing to participate with their partners, but Darren had been absolutely supportive and amazing with Kimani.

He sat with his back against the headboard and his wife between his legs, her head on his shoulder. He wore only a pair of black satin boxers, while Kimani was in a low-cut, lacey red bra and matching underwear that beautifully complemented her dark skin.

“Darren,” Willow said, “could you rest a hand on Kimani’s chest? Yes, just like that.”

“Tempting, isn’t it?” Kimani teased with a chuckle.

“Baby, you have no idea how hard this has been,” Darren said. “Literally.”

“Darren!”

“Oh, you can’t tell me you don’t feel it.”

With rounded eyes, Kimani looked at Willow. “I am so sorry.”

Willow laughed. “It’s fine. Honestly, I love how openly affectionate you guys are. I’m glad you both feel comfortable here.”

Kimani turned her face and looked up at Darren, cupping his cheek in her hand. She smiled, and the love that shone from her eyes made Willow’s heart squeeze. “He does love me.”

“Love every single bit of you.” Darren pressed his lips against hers.

Willow was quick to take a few pictures, wanting to capture this moment of pure, undisguised love between the couple. It was times like these that she was especially aware of that dark, yawning cavern of loneliness inside herself, of her yearning to be loved just like this.

Her thoughts turned to Kian.

For the last few mornings, he’d shown up at Willow’s house with breakfast for her. A bagel and coffee yesterday, a croissant and a hot cocoa today. They’d spend time talking as she got ready for the day, and before leaving, he always stole a kiss.

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