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I shake my head. “Don’t say that, sweetheart, because you’re not my prisoner, Patty, you’re…” I trail off. None of the words running through my head fit with what I’m trying to say. As a result, I let the sentence go with a sigh and just smile ruefully. “Never mind. I want to take you out this weekend though, because I’ve been too focused on work and I want to do something fun. What do you say?”
She thinks about it for a few seconds, cocking her head, while at our feet, the rug turns to black ash in the bucket.
“That sounds nice,” she murmurs, her smile warming my heart. “I think there are a few malls nearby, but I’ve never been to any of them. What do you think?”
Okay, the mall it is. Most women want to be wined and dined, but if my girl wants to go to a mall, then I’m game.
“Excellent,” I grin down at her, pulling her even closer. “You’ve got yourself a date, sweetling.”
8
Luke
That weekend, I take Patty out to a mall on Long Island. Of course, I pretend that I want to buy a rug to replace the one I burned, but really, I just want to spend time with the woman. My girl looks beautiful too. She’s wearing a bright, red-orange sundress that shows off her creamy legs and several tantalizing inches of cleavage. She’s got her hair pulled back with curly face-framing layers curving around her cheeks, and even though we’ve just set out, I’m already ready to ravish her at a moment’s notice.
As we pull up to the mall, Patty’s eyes go wide and she claps her hands.
“OMG, living in Manhattan, I haven’t been to a mall in so long,” she giggles. “This is going to be great!”
“Yeah, there isn’t really enough land in Manhattan to have the kind of super-mall we’re at now,” I say wryly. “But are you hungry, honey? I’m starving.”
“We just had breakfast!” she teases, eyes dancing as we get out of the car. I pat my belly.
“Yeah, but I’m ready to eat again.”
With that, we head to a restaurant in the mall for brunch before ordering eggs Benedict and mimosas. Then, the shopping spree begins. My real motivation for coming is because I want to spoil Patty. I want to buy her anything her heart desires, and money is no object.
“Luke, I can’t,” she whispers, modeling a gorgeous navy-blue evening gown that plunges attractively in the front. “This is a four-figure dress!”
I merely shrug.
“Yes, you can, sweetheart, and as my fiancée, it’s only fitting that you’d have evening wear. I can’t have my wife showing up in rags,” I say with a grin.
She blushes at the term “wife,” but I ignore her rosy cheeks and merely gesture to the salesgirl. “We’ll get that one, as well as the other three, and the matching shoes and purses.”
Once we’re done in that particular boutique, Patty slips her hand in mine.
“Hey,” she murmurs, “I’m getting a little thirsty. Do you want to get a coffee?” I smile down at her.
“Coffee would be good,” I say. “I could use some caffeine. How about this one here?” I ask, gesturing to a Coffee Bean store. “It’s been so long since I’ve been out and about like this.”
“Oh, really?” Patty smiles as we get in line. Her eyes spark with mischief. “But I’m sure I’m not the only woman you’ve ever treated out like this?”
I smirk at the question she’s trying not to ask. Of course, my sassy girl wants to know how many women I’ve dated before her, but I’m not going to give her a straight answer. “Would you believe me if I said you’re the first?”
“No.” Her reply is totally deadpan.
“Wow. Not even a moment of hesitation,” I chuckle as we get to the cashier. I get an iced americano and Patty gets a latte with cream and caramel. As we stand to the side to wait for our drinks, I pull her close to me, enjoying her lush curves.
“I’ve had other relationships,” I tell her, “But I’m serious. You’re the first woman I’ve treated like this.” She shivers against me and presses closer.
“But why?” she asks. I kiss her temple and run my thumb up and down her side.
“I don’t know,” I say honestly. “It just feels right, and I want you to be happy. You are wearing my ring after all.”
She looks like she’s about to say something, but then bites her tongue. After getting our drinks, we find a place to sit down to enjoy the coffees, and as we relax, I notice that she keeps stealing glances at me. I’m used to catching Patty looking at me when she thinks I’m not paying attention, but there’s something more to it today. There’s a question she’s not asking, and I finally decide to turn the tables. I bump her knee with my own and flash her a smile.
