Hollis
“Thank you,”I said to him as he handed me the bag with a huge grin on his face. He looked so damn proud that he bought me something when I was with him, that I didn’t have the heart to tell him that I still wanted to go home.
Instead, I slipped an arm around his waist when he draped one over my shoulders and we walked out of the store, reminiscent of any normal couple, but far from, and hiding in plain sight.
I cleared my throat as we paused in the middle of the mall and glanced around nervously. I knew that Bates had made mention of potentially finding something ‘naughty’ to wear which meant I had to figure out which store he wanted to go to and fast.
He wouldn’t force me anymore than he more than likely felt he did, and I refused to let him down any further than I felt I already had.
My eyes scanned the signs around us, a few doors down, and even some on the second floor.
And when I was ready to give up, I found it.
A black shiny sign with white letters emblazoned on it, beckoning to the woman inside me.
Crave Me.
It was poetic in a way since that’s how we felt about each other. After lingering on the thought for the next few seconds, I decided to go for it.
I gave his hand a tug, then nodded at the store sign almost directly above his head. Bates turned to glance up and look before turning his attention back toward me with a mischievous grin on his handsome face.
“Lead the way, pretty baby,” he stated with glee.
I rolled my eyes and sighed good-naturedly. I assumed he thought I would have made a run for it by now, but I couldn’t help but want to doll myself up for him.
Even if it was just this once.
But I did as he asked and walked toward the escalator, taking the first step, and letting go of his waist. Bates wrapped his arms around me and kissed my back before resting his cheek against me.
Once we reached the landing and stepped off, he gave my ass a quick squeeze before taking my hand again and let me walk him toward the store.
He was giving me an out by letting me go first.
If I decided this was too much and wanted to walk away, he would let me and follow.
If I wanted to go in and just try, he would do the same.
When I hesitated by the entrance, Bates gently pressed his forehead against the side of my face.
“We don’t have to go in, Holls. I’m proud of you for making it this far,” he whispered softly.
I turned my face toward Bates, brushing my lips gently against his, then looked up into his eyes.
They were so beautiful, and I could always see Hell inside them. The souls of others long since dead at his hands, the ones he killed for me, for himself, for us.
With a gentle tug on his hand, I found the strength to walk through the lingerie store doors and my broken prince followed closely behind me.