Claiming His Bride

Now I need something to wear for him to unwrap to reveal what I’ve done. I have nice panties and bra sets that have shown up with all the other clothes Mikael has filled my closet with. I’ve noticed there are a few silky-looking sleep dresses in there as well, but I tend to be naked when I’m in our bed. I want to get something a bit sexier.

I glance back over my shoulder once I’m inside the shop, wondering how security is going to handle this. They give me a nice range of space, but they’re never far from me. I notice the man Sanders stays back while Tracy makes her way inside with me.

“Is there something I can help you find?” One of the sales ladies comes over to ask.

“I was looking for something to wear under my dress tonight. My husband is taking me out, and I wanted to, ah—” I trail off, not sure how to word it.

“I’ve got you.” She smiles brightly.

She wasn’t joking. When I finally leave the store, my hands are filled with bags. I almost choked when I saw the bill. I should have known it would be crazy high because when I’d asked why nothing had price tags on it, she said they could snag the material. I’d also seen her eyes drop to the ring on my finger before she told me that my husband would be more than fine with my selections.

I slid the black card Mikael had given me for the first time, and it worked. At the spa, everything had just been covered. Mikael had made arrangements beforehand, so I didn’t need to worry about any of it. Still, I can’t help but worry a little. I know that Mikael is wealthy. Even more so than my father was when he was alive, but he’s already given me so much. I don’t ever want to take advantage. I suppose I could mention it tonight or he might actually say something first.

By the time I leave the lingerie store, I know I need to head back to the house so I can get changed. Mikael didn’t give me an exact time that we’d be going out tonight, but I don’t want to be late or for him to catch me getting dressed and ruin my surprise for when we get home from our night out.

When he dropped me off at the spa, he mentioned he had a meeting to go to and would meet me back at the house.

“Mrs. Ackles,” Tracy says when she takes my bags from me to put into the back of the SUV.

“Yes?”

“Your husband is trying to reach you.”

“Oh, my phone.” I laugh. I slip into the back seat before I go digging for my phone in my purse. I’m not used to having one. My stepsister had one, but I never did. I see a few missed calls before it starts to vibrate in my hand. I laugh when I see the caller labeled husband. I answer.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know it was on silent. I’m—”

“You don’t have to apologize, but if you want to apologize for something maybe we could speak about a lingerie store called Bare Love.” His tone is teasing, but I spent a lot of money there.

“I, ah—”

“Could have taken me with you? Bought more?”

“You’re ruining my surprise.”

“So it’s me that should be apologizing then?”

“Seems so.”

“Then come home. I’m more than happy to apologize to you with my mouth. Over and over again.”

“None of that. We have plans,” I tease him back. He lets out a groan. “I’ll see you soon.”

“Not soon enough.”

“You miss me that much already?” I’m smiling so big my face is going to start to hurt.

“Always.”

Mikael is starting to be a little too good to be true.

14

MIKAEL

I tuck the phone away and glance at the clock. She should be home in under a half hour. I should have some food prepared. I’m going to put her through a workout.

Footsteps pound up the stairs. My gut clenches, and the smile slides off my face when Marco appears in the doorway.

“We have a situation,” he informs me.

“What happened to her?”

“Nothing. Tracy was able to fend off the attack, but she’s hurt. They’re at the hospital.”

I start toward the stairs. Marco is already in motion. “How many security personnel did you send over?”

“A dozen.”

Overkill, but I appreciate it. “Medical status?”

“Your wife has abrasions on her hand and elbow. She fell to the ground while Tracy was fighting Blackstone’s men. Other than that, she appears unharmed. They are doing a CT scan of her head to be sure, but she claims she never struck her head.”

I guess Blackstone’s men will get a quick death then instead of a tortuous one. “And Tracy?”

“A stab wound to the shoulder and defensive wounds to her forearms. She should be fine.”