Page 13 of Ripper's Property
His eyes drop down to my pajama shirt, no doubt seeing my nipples poking through. It’s thin, worn, and white, leavingnothing to the imagination. And the way he’s looking at me is making them even tighter.
“Fuck, baby. You’re gonna tempt me straight to hell.” His tongue slowly swipes across his lower lip, sending a wave of tingles over my skin. “So fucking perky with those dark nipples all pebbled up.” His head is descending, moving in, and my knees are weakening. Pulse racing. His mouth is so close, looking like he’s about to wrap his lips around me and begin to suck.
“Shit.” He pulls back, shaking his head. The cold disappointment rushes over me fast. I wanted him to do it.
But I shouldn’t want him to touch me.
“Get dressed, babe, and meet me outside when you’re ready.”
He goes to leave but stops, taking one last long look before he walks out, leaving a low rumble in his wake and a flutter in my belly as the door closes. I slump against the wall, trying to catch my breath. He’s like a Tasmanian devil, whirring up a ruckus of emotions and stirring feelings low in my gut. I don’t know what just happened or why he stopped, but at least one of us made the smart choice.
I’m not going to dissect everything right now. I need to get ready. Apparently, I’m going to the mall. And that little fact outweighs everything. I’m so excited I could scream. It’s been years since I left the compound. Years since I went shopping.
“We have three hours,princess. You guide the way and we’ll follow. And there’s no spending limit, so whatever you want is yours.”
I feel like it’s my birthday. I’m so excited I’m about to burst from my skin.
“Just need you to stay by my side at all times. The guys are staked out and close, but you can’t go rushing off.” Ripper wraps his arm around my waist and pulls me to him. “We clear, baby?”
I nod, leaning up onto my toes and placing a kiss on his cheek. I won’t be going anywhere. This means so much to me, and I’m not going to do something to put anyone at risk. “Thank you for this, Ripper. You have no idea how much I wanted this.”
He gives me a smile that makes me feel fluttery again and squeezes me tighter. “It’s time to start showing my girl how much she means to me.”
And now that giddy feeling is trying to take over. I tuck it aside and drag him to a clothing store. We need to start shopping. My time is running out. And my nerves are running into dangerous territory.
We go from one store to the next, and I try on outfit after outfit, picking out an entire new wardrobe. I’ve honestly never had so much fun in my life. The guys keep giving me their approval on everything I pick out, but I only buy things based on the look in Ripper’s eyes. When they grow dark and heavy, I decide I need to have it. When he says it doesn’t do my body justice, I put it back on the rack. When a groan rumbles from his chest, I buy it in every color. And when he adjusts his dick inside his pants, I decide it’s my new favorite outfit.
I now have enough clothes that I don’t think I’ll need to shop again for another ten years.
“I think I’m all set,” I tell him as he puts his credit card back in his wallet. I don’t need anything else, and I don’t want to take advantage of his generosity. I thought he was using a club card at first, but it has his name on it, and I think he’s the one buying me everything.
He hands off my new set of bags to one of the other brothers. They’re carrying my haul. Hands full. Their smiles contagious. I thought shopping with a bunch of men would be quasi painful,but it’s fun. They pick out things they want to see me in and give me their honest opinion. And Ripper… He looks like he wants to strip me out of everything I try on and eat me alive.
“We’ve got one more thing to get, doll.”
I look up at him. I’ve gotten everything. From underwear to cozy socks, dresses, skirts, leggings, and jeans. You name it. I even got a few hats and a new purse. Some shoes. And cute accessories to go with everything. The leather cuffs I specifically picked out for Rip. I’m playing with fire, and I know it. But it’s hard to hold on to my anger when he arranged this amazing day and has made me feel so special. He’s made me feel like a true princess.
“We need to get you a formal dress.”
“What for?” I can’t imagine needing one for anything. No one ever dresses up at the clubhouse.
“For your birthday. I’m planning something special and it requires you to dress up. Something satin or velvet. A dress fit for my princess.” His finger brushes down my neck and across my collarbone, igniting that impossible feeling. The flutter…the flames…the need that pulls tight between my legs. “Will you pick one out for me?”
“Okay.” My voice is breathless, but that’s because there’s no air left in my lungs. No shred of thought left with the way he’s looking at me. I’m warm all over. Wanting him to kiss me so much it hurts.
“Come on. Let’s go pick some out for you to try on.”
His arm wraps around my waist and he leads me to the department store. Straight to the formal section. There are so many dresses to choose from, I don’t even know where to start. All of them are pretty. I weave through the racks, looking through everything, and I spot one that may be the most perfect dress I’ve ever seen. I immediately rush to it. It’s navy-blue satin. Fitted and falls above the knees. Strapless with a sweetheartneckline. I can picture myself wearing it with a black leather collar around my neck. Black velvet heels. My hair down. Lips painted ruby red.
“I think I want to try on this one.”
Ripper grunts his approval and pulls my size. As we make our way to the fitting room, he points to one that looks like it could be straight out ofCinderella. It’s a light blue ball gown with a big poofy skirt. As pretty as it is, my taste is a little edgier. I don’t just want to be pretty. I want Ripper to want to rip the dress off me.
I take the dress into the fitting room and slip it on. One look in the mirror and I know it’s the one.
“What do you think?” I come walking out slowly, watching as his nostrils flare. His eyes are burning heavy with their approval.
“Never seen a prettier sight in all my life, babe. Fuck, Rory.” He moves in close and his arm snakes around my waist. Dark eyes peering down at my cleavage. My heart is beating so fast it feels like it’s going to stall out on me. “I’ve never crossed your father or gone against the brotherhood. Vowed to him I wouldn’t touch you until I got Montoya. But you in this dress… My will is only so strong, baby.”
