Promise to Keep (Vow To Protect 2)

I get a little pang in my chest and squeeze her fingers for a moment. “You can buy anything you like, and I won’t be shy about insisting you buy anything I like too.”

Her gaze flashes to mine as her cheeks redden. “Not here,” she whispers loudly.

I chuckle and lean forward as one of the shop assistants deposits a tray on the table in front of me. Without a word, she goes to find her boss and leaves us to our own devices.

“Tea?” I ask, offering her the tiny porcelain cup, already knowing she’ll want it.

She gently grips the glass and cups the saucer from underneath. “Thank you. Although, I wish I could have coffee right now.”

“Do you want me to pour a cup?”

She shakes her head. “No, I want to hold off on caffeine for a while, at least until we get the all clear from the doctor.”

“From everything I’ve read so far, you can have up to a certain amount per day,” I say, pouring some milk into my own coffee.

She stiffens beside me, and I glance at her. “What?”

“You’ve been reading up about pregnancy?”

I try not to be offended by the surprise in her voice. “Why wouldn’t I be researching? I’ll be a new father just as much as you’ll be a new mother. Besides, it’s my privilege to care for you right now, and I intend to do an excellent job of it.”

Tricia and the others return carrying stacks of items and laying them out on the tables her assistants cart in. “Is there anything else we can do for you?”

I shake my head. “We’ve got it from here. Please don’t disturb us until I text you again.”

They all flee the room and close the curtains behind them to give us some privacy. I set my mug on the table, rise, and start digging through the clothing while she finishes her tea.

I select things I want to see her wear, as well as pieces she’ll probably feel the most confident in, and bring them over to her on the couch. They are all lovely shades of jewel tones: garnet, black, silver, and forest green.

“They are beautiful,” she says, shifting the hangers to look at each piece.

“Do you want to take a look and decide for yourself?”

She shakes her head, her eyes roving over the details on everything I’ve picked. “I feel like you chose exactly what I would have liked. Maybe you missed your calling as a fashion designer.”

Instead of answering, I reach over the clothing and drag her up by the hips to stand between my knees. “Let me help you get undressed then, so you can try a few things on.”

She lifts her hands away so I can open her jeans and work them down her legs. The second her panties enter my line of vision, my mouth waters to taste her, but I don’t. Once I’ve stripped off everything except her underwear, she leans over and drags the clothing closer to try them on.

One by one, she moves through the clothing until she gets to the final few items, which are all dresses I know will cup her figure and show off all her assets. I almost hate to buy them since no one will see them but me if I have my way. Except that’s not the point of this venture. We need her memorable and looking every inch the fucking queen she is.

“How are they?” I ask, leaning back, my knees splayed, with her still standing between them.

She skims her hands down her hips, smoothing the dress. “I feel…sexy. I like them. Are you sure about this? I can grab a couple of items, just enough to play the part, and save you all the money.”

I sit up and cup her hips to pull her into my lap properly. She has to maneuver the dress almost all the way up to her waist to keep from ruining it, but I don’t care. “Do you think I give a shit about money? I’d spend it all on you if it would make you smile.”

Her answer is to lean in and give me a deep kiss, her tongue finding my own easily. I moan into her mouth and tug her hips tighter against me. Yes. This is what I need. I cup my hands around her ass and knead her cheeks to increase the friction between our bodies. When she breaks the kiss, I lean toward her, intent on chasing her mouth with my own, but she presses her fingers there instead.

Fine. I can work with that. Gently, I draw one of the digits between my lips and suck hard enough to send her rocking against me. Then I nibble her fingertip and move to another, again laving it with my tongue.

“Will you behave?” she whispers.