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“Looks more like witchcraft,” he says.
“Ha,” I reply.
I take the winning book, the one on art, and place it on the counter, and reach for my phone to pay. But when I look in my new phone’s credit card wallet, my regular credit card is gone, and a strange one has taken its place. It’s black.
“Put them all on that card, please,” Henderson says to the cashier, gesturing to my large pile of long-listed books.
“Oh, I’m not taking them all,” I say. “I’m just?—”
The dude with the goatee behind the counter isn’t sure what to do.
“We’re taking them all,” says Henderson, in a voice that leaves no room for doubt.
The guy nods and rings them all up. He throws in a complimentary book bag with the slogan “I eat books for breakfast.”
The card payment sails through with a friendly beep. Having money is one thing, but having money to spend on books is a special kind of euphoria.
I thank the bookseller and Henderson, who helps me with the heavy bag.
On the way back to the hotel, he only volunteers one sentence. “Mr. Ravenscroft made it clear to me that you are not to pay for anything.”
It gives me a thrill. I’m to be a kept woman for a week. Sublime.
There is an edge of guilt—or shame?—but I push it down. It’s not like I’m with Alistair because he’s paying me. I’m with Alistair because I want him. I want him more than I’ve ever wanted any man before. The money is just a big fat bonus, like his gorgeous face and chiseled abs. It’s part of the attraction, and I’m not ashamed of that. Or, rather, I’m willing to overlook the shame I feel, which is similar, but slightly different.
Chapter 15
Elderflower & Thyme
Henderson brings the books into the penthouse for me, and I lay them all out on the coffee table, luxuriating in them. I make myself a cappuccino with the fancy one-touch coffee machine and just sit and enjoy them. I touch the covers, run my finger down the spines, and admire the sprayed edges. So beautiful. I’m going to have to do my witchcraft sorting ritual to choose which one to read first.
My phone pings, and when I see the message is from Alistair, my heart races.
ALISTAIR RAVENSCROFT
Hey, beautiful.
Thank you for spoiling me today.
Utmost pleasure. What did I buy you?
Books! I love them. Thank you.
Books.
Yes, books.
You have unfettered access to my credit card and you bought a few books.
A LOT of books.
I see.
You seem disappointed.
No. Not disappointed. But it looks like I’m going to have to spoil you if you can’t spoil yourself.
Believe me, this is totally spoiling myself. I’m in heaven.
