Page 60 of UnWholly Angels
I rolled my eyes at her, pulled her into my side and placed a kiss on her temple. “I told you one day I would give you everything, and if you can buy an insane amount of money on puzzles, then rest assured, I can buy you as many gifts asIwant.”
Her body relaxed, and she stepped away from me. Maya pointed to the bracelet, and I watched her slide it onto her wrist. It fit perfectly, and I couldn’t quite pinpoint the feeling I had, watching her look over the counter in bliss and be so modest in her choices. My heart thrummed against my chest at the fact that I’d waited so long for this. I’d never brought anyone else here. Only Maya deserved to be treated like royalty, not that others hadn’t. It just wouldn’t be from me, and that expectation wasquickly set from the beginning. My jaw ticked when I felt a light tap on my shoulder, breaking me from this beautiful moment.
"Mr. Kingston, so nice to see you," the man smiled at me. "Your order is ready if you’d like to follow me to the back."
I really didn't, but I would. I shook my head, stepping toward the jeweler. "Please wrap the bracelet up and anything else she wants,” I said, placing my card onto the smooth glass.
She nodded. "Any sort of budget, Mr. Kingston?" I eyed Maya as I spoke to the older woman behind the counter. "Anything she wants. I don’t believe I stuttered the first time it was said."
Maya threw a mischievous smile my way, and it almost…almost made me regret that decision. Turning on my heel, I followed the gentleman behind a black curtain, my own amazement making an appearance as various custom toys and familiar equipment came into view. A long black box was placed in front of me, the man opening it with care so I could take a look at the piece of turquoise material.
“You haven’t made a request in a while. I was starting to think you went to someone else,” he chuckled lightly.
Picking up the collar, I examined it, making sure every stitch was sewn correctly and that the inside was comfortable. The heart would sit right at the base of her neck, only unlocked by a key that I would carry. This was something sacred, and a whole new level of trust in our relationship. I’d ordered something basic, only to have it upgraded when I knew for sure Maya might entertain this, and if she didn’t, that was okay. If she didn’t want it, then I didn’t either.
“You're the best when it comes to creating exactly what someone is looking for, and I’ll be getting an upgrade for Lux soon, so you’ll be seeing me. Charge my card. I have to grab my girl and get going.”
“Nice seeing you again, Mr. Kingston. We look forward to your continued partnership.” The gentleman waved beforedisappearing back behind the curtain, and Maya’s soft giggle rang in my ears. Deciding to sneak into the conversation, I put my finger to my lips, telling the jeweler not to cause a scene.Why is watching Maya spend my money so…arousing?
"Do you have anything with turquoise or sapphire in the center?" Maya asked calmly.
"We do, follow me over here, and I can show you the selection we have, sweetheart." Making sure to stick to a safe distance, I followed closely behind the pair to a case. She still had hesitation in her voice, and I needed her to know that this was okay. "This is a fourteen-carat white gold band with a princess cut sapphire in the middle. If you look at the shank, each side has three smaller diamonds,” the jeweler replied.
Maya put it over her finger, and it was then I’d realized it was a ring.
A fucking ring.
Shit.
“You know,” the older woman suggested. “I think you should put it…here.” She moved the piece to Maya’s ring finger, and I instantly started sweating. Yes, I planned to marry her, but not so soon. We…we still had Rocco after us, and the playoffs were coming up. Marriage was the furthest thing from my mind right now.
And…
And…
And…
Fuck it…
"How much is it?" Maya asked.
“Sixty, sweetheart,” the jewelry replied.
Maya looked at it, her eyes wide as saucers. "Sixty dollars?" she asked. "For all this?"
Oh, my naive Maya. I chuckled internally at the small amount of innocence she held. My hands fisted my pocket, heart clenching as she fell further in love with that ring.
The attendant laughed and told her the amount was sixty thousand, to which Maya set it gently back on the counter, but there was something behind that smile. Something had changed in her expression. Maya no longer looked like she wanted to be there; the attendant may not know, but I did. Her body language wasn’t fooling me.
No, not right now, but one day that ring will be hers. She looked genuinely in love with the ring, and I…I was falling for that soft look on her face. I could bury myself in her beautiful smile as she slowly fell in love with the world again, and I could live in it forever.
I nodded toward the attendant and gave her a motion with my hand to hold it. Once this was over, I’d be back for it. I’d make sure to get her size when she was sleeping or something.
Clearing my throat, I strode over to her. “Have fun?”
Maya nodded with a smile, and I took her hand in mine gently. For the first time in a long time, a feeling other than anger surrounded me. “I hope you remembered everything I taught you. I wouldn’t want you to embarrass yourself.”Or make me lose money to those assholes.
“At least I know if I fall, I'll have you to catch me,” she whispered softly as we headed for the elevator.
