Page 52 of Into The Light

“So, do me a favor and don’t hold back. Mark is already upset enough I didn’t let him come to witness this. He did this to me here once, hence how they already know me, and he made me promise to bring him back with us another time. But tonight... tonight is just about you. Now... pick.”

She squeezed my hand tighter and nodded before turning to the red pantsuit displayed before her. She shook her head, and the salesman jogged off in the opposite direction of the first two.

Wave after wave of shoes, clothing, and purses came at us. Emilia squealed with delight when she saw things she loved, and the sound of her pleasures warmed a part of me I long thought dead. Her delighted noises made me wonder what she sounded like in bed, and I pictured her squealing beneath me while I took her over and over again.

Glancing at my watch I noted soon we’d need to go. In the hour we had been in the store, we’d created a considerable collection of couture. A collection that would please Mark and I wouldn’t have to endure his disappointed scowl coming home without a proper wardrobe.

“Well, Emilia, we are about to move on to the next part of our evening. Do you feel like you have enough to bring home?”

She spun in her chair to face me. “Are you kidding?” she squeaked. “This is beyond amazing. This puts Pretty Woman to shame!”

“Pretty Woman?” I quirked a brow.

“A movie. Julia Roberts? Richard Gere? Never mind. Just... yes! Yes, I have more than enough! I can’t believe you did this for me. Thank you, Aiden.”

“Your smile is all the thanks I need,” I said, and I meant it. Once again joy washed over me under the glow of her grin. “Rachel?”

“Yes, Mr. Mackay?” she responded, stepping to my side.

“We have other plans this evening, so please have that packaged up and sent to my jet.”

“Of course, Mr. Mackay.”

“Could you also bring out the final present?” I asked.

“Final present?” Emilia asked, turning toward me with eyes wide. “There’s more?”

Rachel snapped her fingers and a young woman came around the corner with a red purse propped up on a silver platter. Emilia’s eyes nearly popped out of her head when she caught sight of it.

“A Birkin bag? The Birkin bag? I can’t believe it!” she screamed.

Her enthusiasm exploded out of her as she shot out of her chair and hurried toward it. “Can I?” she asked, stopping before grabbing it.

“Of course, Miss Charles,” Rachel said, gesturing for her to take it. “It’s yours.”

“Oh, my God,” she mumbled and pulled the bag into her arms. Closing her eyes, she hugged it and inhaled the smooth leather. “It smells like magic.”

My chuckle shook my shoulders while I stood up, watching her sniff and fondle the leather bag. “Mark told me you were ready to go to jail over that purse the night we met. Now it’s yours, and no jailtime is needed.”

With a goofy grin she spun to look at me. In three big leaps she was in my arms, her own wrapped around my neck while she squeezed me tight. “Thank you, Aiden. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

For a moment I stood frozen, stunned by her response and affection. My arms finally responded and wrapped around her waist, pulling her in closer. Closing my eyes, I inhaled her sweet scent and held her close, letting her warmth envelope me and soothe even my deepest scars. My affection for her exploded into a feeling I couldn’t identify but I didn’t want to let go. I stifled a groan when she slid back to the ground, pulling from my embrace. If I could have my way, my arms would never have released her. I wanted more of the feelings she evoked in me... the draw becoming even stronger than my lust for her blood.

“You’re welcome, Emilia,” I said while she stepped back and grinned at me. “Are you ready for the next phase of your birthday?”

“I can’t believe there’s more!”

Little did she know just how much more I had planned.

“Your ride awaits,” Cyrus said, stepping in through the door. We turned to meet him before I extended an elbow to her. She giggled and slid her arm through mine.

“Thank you all so much!” she called over her shoulder to the sales associates who lined up again to see us off.

“It was our pleasure,” Rachel said, waving us goodbye while we headed out the back door.

Stepping out onto the street, Emilia gasped when she saw the carriage with the gleaming white horse pawing his impatience. The driver stood waiting, his top hat in hand while his coat tails blew in the warm summer breeze.

“Good evening,” he said, bowing.