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Thankfully, at this time of day, the traffic is not dense, and we make great time back to SoHo. Brandon’s right arm is splayed on my thigh, and he’s driving only with his left.
I link my fingers through the hand resting on my thigh and squeeze at the reflexive feel of our linked fingers.
A blush has my cheeks heating. I’m acting like a twelve-year-old girl with a crush. But, in a way, I am that twelve-year-old girl who turned red when her older brother’s hot twenty-six-year-old friend called her cute and then ran to tell her diary about the exchange.
If only my preteen self could see me now, riding shotgun with Brandon, our hands interlocked.
Brandon is unable to find any street parking and makes his way to a parking garage only three blocks away. Once we take the elevator down to street level, Brandon resumes holding my hand, his long strides causing him to lead us to the store.
“Hey, slow down,” I say, giggling. The man is moving like his feet are on fire.
“We still haven’t caught Reid. I don’t want you vulnerable until that animal is behind bars.”
“We still don’t know for sure that it’s him,” I say, catching up to Brandon as we cross to the next block.
Brandon makes a harrumph sound. “I’m positively convinced it’s him. Makes perfect sense. Spurned ex-lover who won’t let you go and is now trying to punish you for it.”
I wasn’t entirely convinced, but Brandon knew more than I did, and I sometimes naively saw the best in others.
Even when they didn’t deserve it.
We finally reach the store, and Brandon holds the door open, allowing me to precede him.
“Ava, I haven’t seen you in forever.” I’m immediately greeted by the longtime sales assistant, Emma. “I saw online what happened. So glad your family is okay.”
“Yes, it was pretty scary, but I’m in good hands now,” I say, indicating Brandon. “Brandon, this is Emma. Emma, this is Brandon, my…” I hesitate. We weren’t an item.
“Protection agent,” Brandon finishes and shakes Emma’s outstretched hand.
My cheeks heat. I’m embarrassed that I completely blanked on how to introduce Brandon. He’d become much more than a protector to me.
Realistically, I knew Brandon wouldn’t introduce himself as my boyfriend, but for some reason I’m hurt that our relationship, or lack thereof, is still very much business.
“We’ve got some great new items I just know you’ll adore,” Emma says, taking my arm and leading me over to the seasonal racks full of leather skirts, sweaters, and scarves. While Emma is picking pieces off the rack and showing me items in my size, I see Brandon in my peripheral vision making note of the store, no doubt clocking the entrances and exits.
Brandon is deft at falling into the background, though his good looks certainly make it hard to overlook him. I notice several women who arrive later giving him the once-over.
Sorry, ladies, but he’s mine.
Never have I felt so territorial of a lover before, but Brandon and I bring it out in each other.
“Come with me,” I say, taking his hand and leading us to the dressing rooms in the back of the store.
Emma is the only sales assistant working right now, and the new arrivals have her occupied in the front by the wall of boots and shoes, leaving the back of the store to Brandon and me, which gives me an idea.
“Wait right here,” I say, forcing him over to the chairs right before the changing stalls.
“Don’t take too long,” Brandon says, not at all trying to hide his grin.
I quickly change out of my sweater and skirt and hang them up on one of the hooks. Zora always had plenty of great lingerie, but it was always pricier than I felt necessary to buy.
That was before Brandon.
I ease on the silky, sheer red teddy that perfectly complements my skin tone. Twisting in the mirror, I adjust the thong so it’s sitting perfectly between my ass cheeks before calling Brandon in to join me.
“Took you long enou—” Brandon begins saying as he closes the curtain and takes a look at me.
Or specifically at my breasts protruding out of the snug-fitting teddy.
