Fallen Heirs (Windsor Academy 3)

“What about this one?” Ainsley holds a red lacy bra in front of her. “It’s hot, ri

ght?”

“It is,” I agree, thumbing the price tag. “But are you really going to spend four hundred dollars on a bra?”

She holds the lace to her chest, looking at herself in the gilded mirror. “Why wouldn’t I?”

I pinch the bridge of my nose. “Because you could probably get almost the exact same thing at Victoria’s Secret for ten percent of that?”

Or Walmart for about three percent of the cost, but I leave that thought to myself.

Her delicate chestnut brows furrow. “But... this is La Perla. Handcrafted Italian lingerie. And it’s a Black Friday deal, so it’s really only like three-hundred and twenty.”

I love Ainsley to death, but she really has lived a sheltered life when it comes to things like money. I legit almost turned around and walked out the door as soon as I saw the first price tag in this store. I mean, we’re in Beverly Hills—on Rodeo, no less—so I knew stuff would be well out of my pay grade, but I had no idea the designer markup was this ridiculous. It makes me a little sick knowing my own dresser is filled with equally expensive lingerie, no doubt, thanks to Madeline. That scrap of lace in Ainsley’s hands could be almost a month’s worth of groceries for some families.

“Never mind.” I shake my head. “It’s pretty. You should get it.”

“I don’t want pretty. I’m looking more for I-want-to-rip-that-off-with-my-teeth sexy. This is part of Reed’s Christmas present, after all.”

“That it is.” I wag my eyebrows. “Grab some matching panties with cutouts in the back, and you’re golden.”

“Jazz!”

My lips kick up in the corner. “What? You’re the one who decided to give the gift of anal for Christmas.”

My voice was quiet enough that no one else could’ve possibly heard us, but Ainsley’s cheeks turn crimson anyway. God, she makes it so easy to give her a hard time about Reed’s inner freak.

“That reminds me... I need to buy some things online when I get home.”

“Like what? Lube?”

A snooty blonde picks that moment to walk by and scoffs in disgust, making me laugh.

Ainsley covers her face with her hands. “Oh, my God.”

“C’mon, Ains. You know I’m just giving you shit.” I pull her hands away. “See what I did there?”

She shakes her head with a smirk. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe.” I shrug. “But you love me anyway.”

“I do, Jazz. I really, really do.”

“Likewise, babe.” I give her a soft smile. “Hey, what do you know about this party next weekend?”

When Kingston told me about this holiday party, my first instinct was, hell no, but when he mentioned Ainsley would be there, I had to consider it.

She picks up a yellow balconette bra and holds the satin garment out before deciding against it. “Not much. Just that some guy my dad works with on occasion is throwing it. But apparently, he’s connected to some other guy at the Los Angeles School of Performing Arts. There might even be a few instructors in attendance. I thought it would be good to make that connection, and my dad agrees, which is why he invited me to come along.”

“So, you’re going to the party with your dad?”

“No. Reed’s coming with me, but my dad will be there.”

“I thought you were dead-set on Juilliard?”

“I was.” Ainsley grabs a few pairs of panties. I have to remind myself not to mentally add up how much money she’s spending.

“But?”