Page 54 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“Let go of me,” Ember hissed.

“Stop it, and maybe I will,” I growled.

Ember stilled, and the warmth of her ribcage seeped into my palm. My fingers accidentally brushed the underside of her breast, and I bit down hard on my tongue to stifle a groan.

“Well?”

I raised a brow.

Ember huffed. “Aren’t you going to let me go?”

A slow smirk tugged on the corners of my lips. “I said, ‘Maybe.’”

A low growl rumbled from her lips. I fought back a chuckle. Stars, it was too easy riling the she-wolf. The smirk slipped off my face. “You can’t just go up to these vendors and ask about Melodina,” I murmured. “That’ll raise too much suspicion. You have to appear interested in their goods at first.”

Ember glared up at me before giving a reluctant nod. “Fine.”

I slowly released her, not too confident that she wouldn’t rush back over to the booth and begin her interrogation. But Ember simply strode back and plastered a smile on her face.

“That’s a lovely necklace,” Ember told the female summer fae, pointing to a glimmering crystal necklace that hung on a stand.

The fae female beamed at Ember. “Why thank you,” she said. She lifted the necklace for Ember to inspect further. “Would you care to try it on? I’m certain it will pair splendidly with your dark blue eyes.”

“She’ll try it on,” I answered for Ember.

Ember flashed me a scowl for me speaking on her behalf. The female fae, on the other hand, offered a sultry look my way.

“Of course,” she purred. She circled around her booth with an excessive sway to her hips as she sidled up behind Ember and placed the necklace around her neck. Ember lifted her hair, allowing the fae to clasp the necklace. She then grabbed the small mirror off the table and angled it for Ember to view herself and the necklace.

“It looks gorgeous on you,” the fae said.

Ember gave an owlish blink as she observed herself in the mirror. A soft smile touched her lips as her fingers caressed the fine teardrop crystals. “It is beautiful,” she murmured.

I found the breath had caught in my lungs at the simple accessory on Ember. Her slender neck appeared even more graceful and delicate under the weight of the necklace. My eyes dropped down to her onyx sleeveless blouse and dark mini skirt. My heartbeat spiked, the muscle knocking on my ribcage. I swallowed thickly and tore my gaze away, fighting for clarity. Whenever I was around Ember, my mind seemed to become muddled—clouded with the image of her, the scent, her very essence coiling around me.

Ember turned to me and gave me an expectant look, which snapped me back to the present.

Turning my attention to the female fae, I asked, “Have you seen a child around five years old—long black hair, blue eyes?”

Her brow wrinkled with contemplation. She slowly shook her head. “Sorry, can’t say that I have.”

Ember deflated beside me, her shoulders sagging. She reached behind her neck and fumbled with the clasp till she unlocked it and promptly handed it back to the female fae.

I slipped a smile onto my face. “Thank you for your time,” I told the fae.

The female blinked, a fissure of panic flashing in her green eyes. “Wait!”

Ember and I paused.

“Don’t you want to at least purchase this necklace?” The fae asked, a hopeful smile curving her lips.

Ember went to shake her head, but I asked, “How much?”

“Five hundred Earo.”

A steep price, but as I eyed the necklace, I saw the care and craftsmanship that went into making the fine jewelry. A quick glance at Ember, and I recalled how stunning she appeared wearing it.

I nodded at the fae and slipped a hand into the pocket of my leather pants, withdrawing the gold coin.

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