“You didn’t tell me how to dress, so this is what you get.”
I wasn’ttryingto seduce him. That was just an added bonus to me wanting to be comfortable. We walk up to his car, and when he opens my door, I’m floored at what I see. On the passenger seat is a pack of sour gummy worms.
“W-What are these for?” Emotion clogs my throat, making it sound like I swallowed sawdust.
“Well, I wasn’t sure how you’d feel about being in a car, so I wanted to make sure you had your comfort snack just in case. I even have soothing music queued up on my phone for us to listen to.”
I don’t think, I just throw my arms around his neck, bringing my lips to his. I give him access to my mouth, allowing myself to become dizzy from the lack of oxygen. His tongue tangles with mine, and when I take it between my lips and suck, Asher grunts, and his hands grip my ass with a bruising intensity. I claw and pull at his hair, and he pulls me in so that my body is flush against his. His cock grinds against me and stars dance in my peripherals. Fuck, this man can kiss.
Asher is the one to break the kiss first, and I can only imagine how crazed we look.
“What was that for?” Asher pants.
“For being so thoughtful. For thinking of my comfort and making sure I feel safe.”
“You always have a safe place with me. You’re a once in a lifetime woman, Bri, and you deserve to be treated as such. And I’ll make damn sure to tell you as often as you need.”
My heart melts at his thoughtful words. I think of everything he’s done for me, including that little reading confession, and I can’t help but smile. If I let myself, I could fall head over heels for this man. Maybe I’m already falling. Would it be so bad?
Asher buckles me in my seat, and I immediately tear into the gummy worms, my mouth salivating as the sour sugar coats my tongue.
The moment Asher is in the driver’s seat, he turns toward me holding a black, silky object in his hand.
“I didn’t know you were into bondage.”
“Relax, you dirty girl. I just want our destination to be a surprise. Can I?” Asher holds the blindfold out toward me, giving me the option to say no.
But something about this has my blood heating with desire. I nod my head before I feel the smooth fabric cover my eyes. He tugs at the tie in the back, but not enough to cause pain. The soft purr of the engine roars to life, only to be drowned out by his classical music playlist.
The blindfold feels glorious across my eyelids. I’m a happy woman. I have my soothing music, sour gummy worms in my lap, and a gorgeous mannext to me. A man who has yet to let go of my hand. Asher’s thumbs rub soothing circles on the back of my hand, and I melt into the seat.
The car comes to a sudden stop, and I assume we’ve reached our destination. I attempt to pull off the blindfold, but Asher stops me with his hand.
“Not until I get you out of the car. Patience, my dear Bri, patience.” I can’t see it, but when Asher’s driver’s side door opens and closes, I assume he’s rounding the car to get me. Soon enough, I’m being pulled out, and he’s walking me in some random direction.
“I’m going to take this off now. I need you to have an open mind when I do.”
What on earth would I need to have an open mind for? But the second the fabric is removed from my eyes, it all makes sense.
“A lingerie store? A freaking lingerie store. How is this supposed to help me with my body image, Asher? I already struggle with what’s underneath my clothes. But me in lingerie? Why would I wear less clothes to fix how I view myself?”
“It might not, but I have a feeling it might help you see what I see. What everyone sees. Will you do this for me? And if you hate everything you try on, we will walk away and never look back.” Asher looks at me with a pleading expression, and I feel my resolve dissolving like a Listerine strip.
“Fine. But I don’t have any money on me. I can’t buy anything even if I want to.”
“I’ll take care of you. This is as much for me as it is for you. I’ve always been good at taking care of what’s mine, and that includes you. So, let’s go.” Asher smacks my ass before dragging me into the shop.
The second I walk inside, I’m immediately overwhelmed. Every color of the rainbow is scattered across the store. Some pieces are more conservative, whereas others are basically ribbons tied together. The walls are a deep purple with a dark wood flooring, with about six enormous dressing rooms the size of walk-in closets. This place is fancy, and I’m struggling to feel like I belong.
“Welcome to The Madam’s Boutique. My name is Jessica, how can I help you?”
“Hi, I’m Asher. We have an appointment.”
Asher reaches out to shake Jessica’s outstretched hand. She’s a stunning woman in her mid-thirties with curves for days. Like, seriously, she’s stunning. She has shoulder-length brown hair and the most beautiful brown eyes I have ever seen.
“Oh, yes. Bri, is it?” she asks while turning to me. I expect her to snarl at me, but her tone is nothing but welcoming.
“Yes, hi. It’s nice to meet you.” I go to shake her hand, but she’s pulling me into a bone crushing hug.
