“I’m starting my own business, Mom,” I confessed, finally, bracing myself for an onslaught of questions. They came hard and fast.
“What? How?” she asked, her eyes squinting again. “Where?”
“What, my own fashion line. How, by lots of hard work and I’m still figuring out the logistics. Where, I’ll be looking for a space soon, but right now, I’m just working out of my apartment.”
“Well, you’ll have to give that up.”
“Give what up?”
“The apartment. If you aren’t working for Bear, you can’t stay there.”
Shit. She’d backed me into a corner.
“You can move in with me,” she said.
“No, that’s okay,” I said. “I’ll manage.”
“Chloe, don’t be foolish. You’ll never be able to start a business and pay rent on that apartment. You have no idea how much that place costs, do you?”
“I don’t have to pay rent. Bear said I could stay there, he doesn’t care.”
“That’s absurd! Why would he do that?”
“Because he’s a nice and generous man, Mom,” I said, rolling my eyes. And he loves me, I thought to myself, a secret thrill running through me.
“Well, you can’t accept a gift like that, Chloe. No matter what.”
“Mom, don’t worry about it. I’ve got it all worked out.”
“He’s my boss, Chloe. I have to worry about it.”
“No, you don’t!” I said, anger rising in my voice.
“Chloe! Lower your voice!” she said, looking around, a blush creeping up her neck because I’d dared to embarrass her.
“Just don’t worry about it,” I whispered.
“Don’t take advantage of his kindness, Chloe,” she said. “You can always stay with me.”
“No!”
“Fine! Whatever,” she rolled her eyes, shaking her head. “How do you intend to finance this new endeavor of yours?”
“I’ll get an odd job,” I shrugged, lying through my teeth. “Or two.”
“That’s not going to leave you much time or energy to work on your business, is it?”
“I’ll be fine!” I insisted.
“And you’ll never be able to afford retail space in the city, either. What are you thinking, Chloe?”
“I’ll start small, okay? God, Mom, can’t you just be supportive for once in my life?” I said, the anger bursting out.
“Okay, okay,” she said, holding her hands up in the air. “Let me know if you need help, Chloe. I suppose its time for me to let you be an adult and figure things out for yourself. I can give you a loan, if necessary.”
“Thanks, I’m okay for now,” I said.
“Great,” she said, refilling our wine glasses. “I’m proud of you. It takes a lot of balls to start a business in this city. I didn’t know you had it in you.”
“Neither did I,” I replied, with a wistful smile.
Chapter 10
Max waited by the curb, the snow slowly falling around him. He was a beautiful man and I imagined he had a wonderful, loving wife at home waiting for him. Suddenly, I felt guilty for making him wait for me. The restaurant was only one subway ride from my apartment, I easily could have found my way home.
I’d dressed warmly tonight, with thick, long underwear under my black wool slacks, with two extra layers under my sweater and coat. The matching red striped scarf, hat and mitten set Bear had given me last night helped keep me warm. With the tall warm leather boots I was wearing, I was almost toasty.
Maybe I’m starting to acclimate a little, I thought, as I walked up to Max.
“Max, you work too much,” I said, sliding into the back seat of the limo. “I can easily walk myself home.”
“Oh, no,” Max said. “Mr. Dalton would not like that.”
“Well, he doesn’t have to know everything,” I said. “It’s Christmas, for goodness sake! Please tell me you’re going home as soon as you drop me off.”
“I am,” he said. “My wife and family are waiting for me.”
“Do you have children?”
“No, not yet. Soon, though. My wife is pregnant right now. She’s due in June.”
“That’s wonderful! Congratulations, Max!”
“Thank you, Miss Chloe. Do you like children?”
“I haven’t spent much time around them, honestly. I do love them, though.”
“I come from a big family back home,” Max said. “I hope to have a big family here. My parents are here now, thanks to Mr. Dalton. They will help with the baby.”
“You’re lucky to have them,” I said, thinking of Bear. How many lives had he touched? I thought of my Mom and her new boyfriend. Anthony, she’d called him. A friend of Bear’s…
I made a mental note to ask Bear about him tomorrow.
I closed my eyes, leaning back into the warmth of the car, running through a mental checklist of everything I needed to get done for my business. I’d been running around all week and the more things I accomplished, the more tasks I seemed to accumulate. It was like an out of control snowball.
The holidays hadn’t helped. I’d almost forgotten to find a Christmas gift for Bear, but had lucked out as I passed an old vintage jewelry store near the fabric store I was checking out. I’d spotted a beautiful gold antique pocket watch with an intricately delicate filigree engraved on the case. The sign next to it told me it was manufactured in 1860.
Something about it reminded me of Bear.
A feeling of something so steady, strong and determined on the inside and yet so stunningly beautiful on the outside.
I stood there on the dirty sidewalk as hundreds of people streamed past me, looking in the window, contemplating the bewildering idea of just how long this watch had been around, ticking, ticking, ticking, for over a hundred years, marking the passing of time, the passing of someone’s life.
Bear and I had only been involved with each other for a month and that wasn’t long.
Four short weeks.
Thirty-one days.
Seven hundred and forty-four hours.
Forty-four thousand, six hundred and forty minutes.
That was nothing compared to the life this watch had seen. The fact that after all that time, it had made it here, restored to its original glory, to be offered in this window at this exact moment, to me, of all people—well, it just seemed magical.
I raced in to the shop and purchased it on the spot and asked to have it engraved. They were able to do it right there and it was in my purse wrapped and ready to give to my love. I couldn’t wait to see the look on his face when I gave it to him.
Most of my to-do list involved work and cleaning up the rest of the mess in my apartment before Marie’s arrival. I was looking forward to seeing her and showing her around. Mostly, I was looking forward to telling her everything. I’d kept all my news to myself, until I’d told Matilda about my business, but it was the engagement I was bursting to share with someone.
Anyone.
I opened my eyes and dug through my purse for the ring. A thrill shot through me as I slid it back on my finger.
Mrs. Bear Dalton…it had a nice ring to it.
I looked up and saw that Max had passed my apartment.
“Max, where are you going?” I asked, after lowering the panel between us.
“Didn’t Mr. Dalton tell you? He asked me to bring you to his penthouse,” he said, “I’m sorry, Miss, I thought you knew. Is that okay?”
“Yes, of course,” I said. “Thank you.”
I sat back in the seat, looking down at my clothes. I was dressed in a million layers, including the oh-so-attractive long underwear that made me look like a lumberjack.
Then, I remembered the panties underneath.
If I didn’t get to them before Bear did, there’s no telling what Bear would do to punish me for them.
I sat back in the seat, a slow smile spreading across my face.
It was going to be a good night.
Chapter
11
“This is for you,” Bear said, handing me a black velvet box. A red satin bow sat on top, and I smiled in anticipation.
He’d given me three gifts so far.
A pink diamond encrusted butt plug.
My black velvet and diamond choker.
And my enormous engagement ring.
I couldn’t wait to see what this one was.
I’d gotten to his place and was delighted to see a huge glimmering tree in the corner and the entire penthouse decorated for the holidays. After greeting me with a passionate, breathtaking kiss, he took my coat, hat and scarf and led me into the living room. He was dressed simply in a pair of jeans and a dark blue sweater that matched his eyes. He’d put a glass of champagne in my hand and handed me this box.
I pulled the ribbon with glee, my eyes sparkling with happiness. The ribbon fell away and I opened the lid. Pulling back a layer of sparkling tissue paper, my eyes widened when I saw the contents of the box.
Three more chokers were laying on a bed of velvet, very similar to the one I wore on my neck, but these were engraved with words, tiny diamonds placed together to form one word on each.
Good Girl.
Slut.
Mine.