Late on Wednesday afternoon, when she was about to leave the shop in Megan's hands and nip off to get ready for her evening with Lucas, a bouquet of red roses was delivered.
"Oh I wonder who those are from…not," Megan teased as she accepted the delivery. "Naomi Kildare," she read off the card. "I guess they're for you." She chuckled as she handed the card over then buried her face in the flowers, humming as she did so.
Naomi tore the envelope open. Inside was a small oblong of parchment colored card.
I'll collect you at six. We're going shopping. Lucas.
"What does it say?" Megan quizzed, as she took the tissue off the bouquet.
"He's taking me shopping…at six."
"Six? There won't be much open after six, not midweek." Megan frowned then wandered off to the back of the shop to find a vase.
The mystery of the shopping trip remained until Lucas arrived.
Six on the dot and a black chauffeur driven car pulled up at the door to Drusilla's. Lucas stepped out of the car.
Megan urged Naomi out. "You look wonderful, stop fussing."
Naomi picked up her clutch purse and looked out at Lucas. He stood by the taxi door, holding it open for her. Devastatingly handsome, tall and distinguished, he was a hard man to ignore. Was she really involved with him? Her breathing faltered as she swallowed down niggling doubts and fears and went to him.
"You look beautiful, as always." He kissed her then helped her into the car.
It was highly appointed, plush leather seats and a mirrored glass screen between them and the driver. She glanced at the company name etched into one corner of the glass screen. It was a local company, she recognized it as an Edinburgh group who ran taxis and hire cars and the like. Lucas didn't take long to find his way around a new city.
The scent of Lucas's cologne locked her
attention to him as he slid in beside her. His black hair had been ruffled by the breeze. There was a roughish look in his eyes as he smiled her way. In the dim lighting of the interior of the car he looked so handsome. The crisp white collar of his open neck shirt looked stark between his skin and the black of his suit jacket.
As the car pulled away Lucas reached over and clicked her set belt into position before doing his own. She'd been so spellbound by him she'd forgotten.
"Where are we going?"
He took her hands, clasped them in his, and examined her wrists, stroking the soft skin there with his thumbs as if warming it. He didn't look away from her wrists as he spoke. "To buy you some suitable bondage, something bespoke and unique to you." He met her transfixed stare. "Something you choose for yourself."
"Me?" Her heart raced. "I wouldn't know what to choose." She lowered her eyelids, embarrassed. Or where to buy it from, she silently added, with no small amount of panic. Would he expect her to be sophisticated and knowing? She didn't have the first clue.
Lucas laughed softly. "You'll know. It's an intimate item and you'll be drawn to something that speaks to you."
"Is that how it works?"
"I think so, but we'll soon see." He looked out of the window.
The car slowed down. They were still in the heart of Edinburgh, on a side street close to the Royal Mile, less than half a mile from her own shop. The car parked along the curb. Quick as a flash Lucas was out and at her door, opening it for her. Nervously she climbed out, glancing around.
"Ready to shop?" Lucas asked as the car departed.
Naomi laughed softly. It was such an incongruous question, especially if they were about to view what he called bespoke bondage. "I guess so."
She tried to gain knowledge of her whereabouts. They were standing on a narrow cobbled pavement outside a silversmith shop. The sign on the door indicated the shop was closed.
Lucas pressed a buzzer at the side of the door.
Naomi had often passed the little jewelry shop on foot. It looked no different to any other silversmiths. Did they really sell bondage gear? Excitement lit her blood. Lucas looked quietly sure of what he was doing, in control. She reached for his hand.
A few moments later, a tall guy in charcoal colored clothing unlocked the door. He had multiple piercings and a tattoo covered one side of his shaved head. The leather apron he wore over his clothes was well worn, and key chains and tools hung from his wide leather belt.
"Lucas?" the guy asked when he opened the door.