Page 165 of Indecent Obsession
He gives me a smile. “See something you like?”
I glance up at him. He’s a very handsome man. Older. Dark hair, dark eyes. He has a few rings on his fingers. Maybe he works here?
“Maybe?” My gaze is drawn back to the diamonds.
The man raises his hand and a woman dressed in black with her blond hair in a topknot comes over.
“How can I help you?” She smiles.
“The lady would like to see that necklace please.” Helpful stranger or coworker?
I’m still not getting a good read on him. Everything is so hush-hush in here, like a museum. But as the woman lifts the necklace and sets it on black velvet, I’m captivated by the fire flickering in the depths of the diamonds.
“May I help you try it on?” He lifts the diamonds, and the woman steps away to help someone else.
He must work here if she trusts him with the product. I nod and lift my hair off my neck.
“This is my favorite piece.” He clasps it on and steps back. All very professional.
The front is a choker with a single drop length of diamonds that falls between my breasts while the back flows down in tiers of loops. With the dress I picked out, I can wear my hair up and this will fall down my bare back.
“It’s lovely on you.” He gestures to the mirror and I turn to admire it.
“It’s gorgeous.” It really is. I can afford it. It would likely be a little bit of a stretch for my allowance. But so worth it.
“Are you wearing it somewhere special?” he asks.
“A fundraiser.” I don’t go into specifics. I don’t need to tell him that I want to make the men I’m sleeping with insanely jealous of the other man I’m sleeping with. A laugh almost bubbles out of me. Even after all this time, I want to make Wyatt Hawkins jealous.
“Your date will be a very lucky man.” He lifts his hands. “May I?”
Nodding, I lift my hair out of the way so he can remove the piece. “It’s perfect.”
“I’ll have it wrapped for you.” He strides over to the woman and speaks with her about the necklace.
I didn’t even ask the price, but I have decent savings. I barely touch my allowance. The necklace is extravagant, but I’ll be able to wear it again. Just thinking of the guys’ faces when they see me in it... worth it. Slowly, I work my way over to the others who are looking at a collection of jewels.
“Did you find something?” Madison glances toward the salesman and the woman as they wrap up the necklace.
“It will be perfect.” I smile.
“I wish I could see you guys all dressed up.” Hope’s smile grows wistful again. “Send me a picture.”
“We will.” Madison touches her arm and Hope sighs.
“Ma’am?” The saleswoman comes over with a bag. “Your necklace.”
Smiling, I step toward her, drawing my card out of my purse. “Where do I pay?”
She gives me a confused smile and nods toward the door. “The gentleman took care of it.”
“The gentleman?” I glance toward the door and then around the store. My heart stops. The man who helped me is no longer in the store. A cold feeling works its way through me. “I’m sorry, but are you saying that man bought me this necklace?”
She smiles graciously. “Of course. He looks forward to seeing you in it tonight.”
Dante
I tie my hair back in a bun and straighten my cuffs. Black tie affairs are something I wasn’t invited to as a child. Even if they were my birthright. We’d watch my uncle and his family dress up and attend all the events.
