Page 163 of Power
Again, he offered her the gift bag. “You don’t need to buy me gifts,” she said as she took the bag.
“These are for me.” He winked.
She pulled out the Christian Louboutin shoe box, opened the lid. “They’re stunning.”
“Feet as talented as yours deserve a pair of luxury leather platform sandals.”
“These are too much.”
“Too high?”
“No, too expensive.”
They were a grand. That was nothing to him.
As soon as she slipped them onto her bare feet, he started to harden. Being around Simone was too damn easy. She sashayed toward the kitchen, turned slowly, and walked back, her heated gaze making his balls ache with need. When he eyed the shoes on her gorgeous feet, he bit back a groan.
“They’re perfect for you.” He pulled a small black jewelry box from his pants pocket, opened it, and displayed a silver toe ring.
She laughed, then kissed him. “I love it. Toe jewelry.”
“I wanted to get you one with diamonds?—”
“Ouch,” she said. “That could have hurt.”
He knelt, removed one of the sandals, and slid on the simple, gold ring. Then, he kissed her foot, appreciating her silky skin before he slid the shoe back on. When he stood, she ran her hand over his bulging crotch.
“I definitely appreciate your fetish. You’re easy.”
“It’s you,” he said. “It’s all you.”
“Work now, play later,” she said.
“I’ll hold you to it.”
She smiled. “And I’ll deliver.”
With her computer bag in one hand and her handbag over her shoulder, she paused in front of him. “Thank you for these gifts. Gotta say, I’m not used to being spoiled like this.”
“Spoiling you would be buying you a car… for fun.”
“Thank God I don’t need one,” she murmured. “I’m having dinner with Jerod tonight. He’s introducing me to his girlfriend who’s in from Atlanta. Let me grab a change of clothes.”
She set down her bags and trotted upstairs. It took every ounce of strengthnotto follow her. A few minutes later, she returned, pausing to kiss him.
Her presence soothed his soul and kick-started his libido. Her sweet smile should have made him happy, but the guilt and grief crept back in. Would he ever forgive himself and allow himself to feel joy? It was his job toprotecthis family, not send them to their deaths. He shook his head as he took her overnight bag from her.
Pausing, she furrowed her brows at him. “You just shook your head at me.” She ran a gentle hand down his whiskered cheek. “You okay?”
“All good,” he replied.
After she locked up, they made their way down the walkway, but she stopped at her SUV. “I have to drive. I’m meeting Jerod at Carole Jean’s in Tysons.”
“I’ll take you there,” he said. “Ride with me.”
“Thank you.” She continued on to his Range Rover.
Stuart opened the trunk.
