Chapter 34
Nora
G rowing up, I never went shopping, all of my clothes were chosen for me. Every outfit was designed to mold me into the perfect mob princess my father wanted.
In New York, most of my wardrobe was purchased from Goodwill or thrift stores. On the rare occasions that I went to the mall with Nadya, I didn’t buy anything, nor did I particularly enjoy the noisy and overly bright stores she would take me in.
When Leo told me he was taking me shopping today, I wasn’t exactly overwhelmed with excitement.
I should have known that for a man like Leo, shopping was a luxury experience.
He took me to Rodeo Drive, and not only did we find me an outfit for this evening, but he also insisted that we purchase several other new items for my wardrobe.
Secretly, I was enjoying myself. Whether because Leo made me feel like the most beautiful woman in every outfit I tried on, or because of the free champagne most of the stores gave out, I can’t be certain.
My mind kept going back to this morning when I watched him in the shower.
I shouldn’t have done it, but after reading the latest book he left me, I was feeling horny.
Watching the water cascade down his body as he pleasured himself had me soaking wet.
It felt so wrong, but there was also something thrilling about the forbidden act of watching.
Is this what my stalker got out of watching me?
I haven’t thought about him for a few days. It’s been almost three weeks since the last time I saw him. He didn’t rescue me, which makes me realize that now I’m alone.
Back in New York I had been attracted to Max, and today I was starting to see some of that in Leo.
He has been charming and funny, making me laugh along with him at some of the ridiculous outfits the overzealous store clerks have suggested.
He’s been acting like the same guy I could have fallen for back in New York if I hadn’t been so messed up.
“We have to be done now, right?” I say to Leo as he places our latest purchases into the trunk, which is already full of bags.
“Not quite, we’ve got just one more store to visit,” he replies with a mischievous grin.
The store turns out to sell gorgeous yet risqué lingerie.
“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I say, turning and raising my eyebrow at him.
“I never kid,” he replies.
I curse myself, not for the first time today, for giving in to temptation and following him into his room to take a peek at him showering this morning. Clearly, I’ve given him the wrong impression.
“No way,” I insist, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Nora, you need new underwear. You forget I had to pack up your stuff and bring it here. I’ve seen the sorry state of your panty drawer. Plus, have you never heard that good quality underwear makes an outfit fit far better,” he reasons.
He does have a point. “Fine, but I’m not coming out of the changing rooms to model these.”
He looks at me with one of those intense smoldering gazes as if he’s mentally undressing me, and my skin tingles.
“Good, I wouldn’t want to share that sight with anyone. Any unsuspecting man that came in might lose an eye just for looking.”
“You’re not getting to see that sight either. Not now and not later,” I insist, though the words sound hollow even to my ears.
“We’ll see,” he replies, his words a promise as he opens the door and ushers me inside.
As usual, the sales associates are quick to flock around us, fussing over us and asking how they can help. The attractive young females’ attention is focused more on Leo as they bat their eyelashes at him, even though we’re clearly in here shopping for me.
“Please help my wife find anything that she likes,” Leo says, which results in looks from the women that are equally filled with jealousy and admiration.
One steps forward. “I’m Candy, and I’ll be yours today,” she addresses me, but the way she glances at Leo as she pouts and tucks her platinum blonde hair behind her ears, makes it clear who she’d much rather prefer doing business with.
I soon find plenty of options to try on.
I firmly but politely refuse anything too sexy and opt for some cute practical lingerie sets and a couple of very impractical but too pretty to resist ones.
With Leo following us around silently watching and nodding his approval, I want to make sure I don’t give him the wrong impression.
When Candy leads us into the sex toy section, I freeze in panic. If I was worried that sexy lingerie would give Leo the wrong impression, buying any of this stuff definitely would.
“Oh, um, no need to go in here,” I stammer uncomfortably.
Leo simply looks amused. Bastard. He’s not going to make this easier.
“I understand this section can seem a little overwhelming, especially if you’re not used to using toys. But I can promise you, you won’t be disappointed if you experiment a little,” she says, her eyes lingering on Leo.
Clearly, she’d like him to experiment with her.
I hate myself for the flash of jealousy that rises up.
How dare she flirt with my husband like this right in front of me?
Letting my irritation get the best of me, I announce, “We’ve always found toys to be a bit plastic and artificial, and our sex life doesn’t need spicing up.
Does it, darling?” I ask, pressing myself closer to him possessively.
Leo lets out a small bark of laughter, his eyes dancing with mirth.
He snakes his hand around my waist, lifting me up slightly and giving my bottom a gentle tap that makes me let out a little yelp of surprise.
“With a woman like this, a man would have to be crazy to want anything more. But I’m not opposed to finding new ways to pleasure my wife,” he says, his eyes smoldering as he looks at me.
He doesn’t bother to look away for more than a second when speaking to Candy. “Please, show us what you’d suggest.”
“Of course,” she says, flustered. “Allow me.”
Unwilling to back down and both taking it as a challenge, Leo and I proceed to put more and more outrageous things into our basket.
I even go back and grab the raciest lingerie sets I can find until we have practically everything in the store.
Candy manages to maintain her professionalism, and I can practically see the dollar signs in her eyes as she rings up our purchases, no doubt planning what she’ll spend her hefty commission on.
“Thank you for shopping with us, sir,” she purrs submissively as she hands Leo back his card, making sure to brush her long fingernails against his hand as she does so. “If you need anything, anything at all, you just come back here and let me know.”
Christ, she might as well be dry humping his leg and begging him to fuck her.
“Do you often try to flirt with women’s husbands right in front of them or am I just lucky?” I snap, surprising even myself.
Her mouth pops open in a little ‘O’ of surprise as she scrambles for an appropriate response.
“If you ever want to be on the other side of the counter, I suggest learning to show a little bit more tact and class,” I add before looking to Leo and saying, “Shall we go home, darling?”
Leo smiles at me and picks up our bags, “After you, my love.”
“You have a good day,” I add with a condescending smile at the still-flabbergasted woman before leaving.
Outside, Leo finally starts to laugh. “Well, that was… incredible. Who knew you were jealous and a secret sex fiend?”
I slap him gently with the back of my hand. “Shut it, you,” I tell him, but even I can’t help but smile. “I just couldn’t stand how disrespectful she was being. What if we were a real married couple?”
Leo frowns at me slightly, “We are.”
“Yes, but you know what I mean. Our situation is unusual. But she didn’t know that. How dare she flirt with you so blatantly in front of my face. She’s lucky that’s all I did, the bitch,” I mutter, surprised at my own response.
“You were jealous,” Leo declares confidently, a shit-eating grin on his face.
“I wasn’t,” I insist, though we both know it’s a lie. “I just don’t like to be disrespected.”
“Sure,” he replies teasingly, the smile not leaving his face.
“God, you’re insufferable,” I mutter as the car pulls up and we load our new purchases in once more. “Please tell me that’s it. I don’t think I can shop anymore,” I add wearily.
He nods. “No more shopping. Let’s go for lunch somewhere,” he suggests. I start to shake my head, but he says, “Unless you’d rather go home and try out our new purchases?”
Ignoring the excitement I feel at the thought of doing just that, I reply, “Lunch sounds perfect.”
Lunch turns out to be at the most gorgeous and eye-wateringly expensive place I’ve ever eaten.
Despite my protests that I’m not hungry, Leo insists I order more than just a starter.
I finally relent and am surprised to find myself eating every mouthful of the delicious scallop starter and pasta dish I had for my main meal.
The conversation flows easily and even when there are lulls, the silence feels comfortable.
When we’ve finished eating and the last drop of champagne has been drunk, Leo leans back in his chair and looks at his watch. “We ought to get going soon if we want to get back with enough time to get ready before we have to go out again.”
I nod in agreement, feeling a little disappointed that our day has to end.
Leo pays the bill and lets our driver know we’re ready to leave before getting up and offering his arm to me.
It feels like the most natural thing in the world to put my hand on his strong bicep and allow him to guide me to the waiting car.
I’m so tired from the day’s activities that I find myself falling asleep during the drive home, only waking as we pull up to the house.
Leo has the driver help bring all of our shopping bags up to my room, and soon a large corner is dominated by gift bags of all shapes and sizes.
The driver confirms he’ll be waiting outside for us and leaves.
As Leo moves to go too, I stop him, gently placing my hand on his shoulder. His blue eyes hold mine as I speak.
“Thank you, for today. I had fun,” I say earnestly.
“Me too. You know, being married to me doesn’t have to be a prison sentence. I want you to be happy,” he replies with a small, sad smile.
I nod, unsure of what to say.
He moves closer, then gently places a kiss on my cheek. His strong, masculine scent envelops me, and I have the overwhelming urge to kiss him.
Just as I’m debating whether or not to follow through with it, he moves away and says, “We need to leave in a couple of hours. Will that be enough time for you to get ready?”
“Yes, sure, see you downstairs then,” I reply before ushering him out the door and beginning to get ready for the evening.