Page 74 of The Woman on the Jury

I’d never had the experience of dropping money on a woman.

My interactions with the opposite sex being what they were, the most I would spend on one was a nice dinner, or some drinks. Maybe, if things got heated and clothing got ripped, I’d leave some money to replace the item.

But I’d never taken the time out of my day to spend with one.

I’d woken up early and rushed out of the house to hit the gym before making it to the stores when they opened, picking out items that I could picture on Halle. Or, more accurately, picture taking off of Halle.

It had been the sales guy, Jeffrey, who’d pretty much convinced me to set up an appointment, and allow him to do some shopping for items. I had to admit that I’d jumped at the idea. Though, at first, I figured I would sic the task on Miko, who likely had experience shopping with women, thanks to his sisters. But, in the end, I found myself clearing my fucking schedule to do it with her instead. To no one’s surprise more than my own.

Turned out to be a great fucking idea, too, I decided. My mind flashed back to the dressing room, to stripping her naked in there with a whole store just feet away, then getting down on my knees and finally getting a taste of her.

Then, fuck, she’d taken it upon herself to get on her knees too. I hadn’t been expecting that, not with the way she seemed to barely tolerate being around me.

But then there she was.

With my cock buried in her mouth, letting me come down her throat.

I was half-hard just remembering it.

“… Shoes.” Miko had clearly been saying something, but I hadn’t been paying attention.

“What?”

“Did you get her more shoes?” he asked. “That pair she had on was nice, but she can’t wear them all the time.”

Right.

Shoes.

I’d been so focused on the dressing room, and then a minor fire that needed putting out with one of my soldiers, that I’d been rushing through the checkout process.

“Right,” I said, shrugging. “Guess we’ll put that on the schedule tomorrow,” I said.

“Is the plan to keep her so busy that she doesn’t freak out about not going to the shop?” Miko asked.

“That’s… definitely a factor,” I agreed.

I’d had some of my guys do some snooping on the bills at the place. And as far as anyone could tell, things were paid up, so there was no rush to reopen. And even if bills came due, I could toss some money at them.

It just wasn’t safe for her to be back there yet.

Or, at least, that was the lie I was telling myself.

The reality was, I could make her almost as safe at her shop as she was at my penthouse.

But thatalmostfelt like too much of a risk.

No matter how fucking angry she might be at me for keeping her on lockdown.

“Did you call your sister?” I asked, tucking my phone away. I wasn’t usually as glued to it as I had been recently. But shit had gone to hell while I’d been no-contact with everyone. That meant that people got stupid, lazy, or cocky. Sometimes all three. Which required me to be a goddamn helicopter with everything until everyone remembered their places, and what was expected of them.

“Yeah. She gave me the name of a place all the wives go to,” he said, referencing an all-inclusive spa. But a special type of one. One that would allow my men to tour the place, secure the exits, then stand guard wherever they needed to. I didn’t give a fuck if that meant that no other women could be getting facials and massages and shit. So long as Halle was safe while she was there.

Miko clearly thought this was just more distraction for her. More ways for me to keep her busy and distracted from the shop.

And, sure, that was part of it. Since she seemed not to like hanging out in the penthouse all day.

But, admittedly, there was another part to it.

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