I smile, I love that he cares. “Basically, I have to go in for surgery at some point soon for an endometriosis clean-up, but other than that I’m doing everything right.”
“Well . . . what kind of surgery, is it dangerous?”
“No, I’ve had it a few times before. Keyhole.”
“Oh, okay.” I can hear the relief in his voice. “What about the pain?”
“It’s normal. I’m fine, El, you don’t need to worry.”
“Well . . . I do.”
I smile and look up. Over in the lingerie department I see a familiar figure, and pause on the spot. Navy suit, ramrod-straight back, phone to his ear. He picks up a two-piece black lace bra and G-string set and eyes it, then he puts it back and riffles through the sizes and then throws one over his arm. “Where are you?” I ask.
“Running errands.”
I duck behind a column and smile as I watch him. Completely focused on his task, he moves on to white, silk nightdresses and flicks through the rack.
“What kind of errands?”
“I’m at the post office,” he lies.
“Don’t you have a personal secretary for that?”
“This parcel is of a personal nature,” he replies casually as he walks through the rows of expensive lingerie.
“Did you order me a big dildo?”
His face breaks into a breathtaking smile and I feel it all the way to my toes. “Most definitely not.”
“Why not?” I tease.
He picks up a pretty pink camisole. “If you think I’m sharing your orgasms with a battery-operated device, you’re deluded, Kathryn.”
“Maybe I need more,” I tease.
He stops mid-step, and a slow, sexy smile crosses his face; he likes this game. “We haven’t even begun your training yet, angel,” he whispers darkly.
“Training?”
“We can start tonight, if you like?” He throws a camisole over his arm.
I bite my lip to stifle my smile; I like this game too. “Why haven’t we begun yet?”
“I’ve been on my best behavior so far; my depraved tastes aren’t for everyone and I need your trust before we start. I didn’t want to scare you off before we get there.”
I frown, what’s he talking about? I trawl my brain for a logical answer.
Anal . . . oh fuck.
“If I haven’t run away yet, El . . .” I whisper as I act brave. I’ve never done anything anal before and he knows it. “The more I get to know you, the more I want you.”
His face softens and butterflies flutter in my stomach.
Watching his face light up as he speaks to me really is something, as if my heart isn’t already freefalling out of my chest.
“Well, Miss Landon.” He stops walking. “The feeling is completely mutual.” His voice is soft, cajoling. So different to the voice that used to bellow at me.
I smile as I watch him. “I should let you go.”
“Okay, sweetheart, I’ll pick you up about seven?”
“Can’t wait. See you then.”
He holds his phone to his ear and pauses as if waiting to hear something, and I do the same as I watch him.
There are unspoken words between us.
And I know we’re not there yet, but this . . . whatever this is, feels a lot like—or at least the beginning of—love.