Page 64 of Cuffed By Love

“Pay up, betch,” Ayla smirks at Wyatt, who rolls his eyes rather dramatically. “I told you they wouldn’t.”

“Oh my God,” Mira groans, burying her head in her hands. “What has become of my life. Ayla, can you please uncuff us so we can change and if you would both kindly get the fuck out before I throttle you.”

Ayla comes over and takes the handcuffs off, “You have one hour of freedom. Enjoy it.” I rub my wrist, and Mira does the same, wincing and inspecting the bruise around her dainty wrist.

“Here you go, ‘Donis, these are for you. They should do you for the weekend till you can get some of your own clothes.” Wyatt says, handing me a pile of neatly folded clothes. I smile up at him gratefully, and he squeezes my shoulder before he reaches for Mira, but she bats his hand away with a pout, clearly upset with him.

“Peach?”

“Not now, Wy.” I eyeball the two of them while they exchange meaningful looks. Wyatt nods in understanding and backs off without another word. They leave the room, and once again, it's just the two of us. Mira and I sit in silence, trying to process everything Ayla disclosed moments ago. Suddenly it feels as though the whole world is sitting on top of my shoulders, and I wonder if that’s what she’s feeling too.

When I look over at her, she's wincing and brushing her thumb gently over the bruise. I reach over and lift her hand so I can take a closer look at her wrist. Mira lifts her eyes to watch me. “Does it hurt?”

“Only when there's pressure on it.” She answers softly, watching me closely. “My wrist almost feels…naked without the cuffs.”

I smile and nod, licking my lips while I brush my thumb over her wrist, “Mine too. I suppose we’re more adapted to having them on than we realised.”

Mira clears her throat and pulls her hand back, and stands up. “We’ve only got an hour before we’re bound together again, so we shouldn’t waste time. I’m going to go use the bathroom and change in there.”

I look up at her and nod in response. I keep my eyes on her while she disappears into her walk-in wardrobe and sigh as I fall back on the bed. “Dev?”

“Yeah?” I sit up when I see her poke her head out of the walk-in wardrobe.

“I didn’t hear Ayla wrong, did I? She did say that we’re supposed to take the reins after our fathers retire?”

I exhale deeply and nod, “Yup. You heard right. Did you have any idea that Uncle Noah was planning to appoint you as the Director?” I inquire and hear Mira shuffling inside her wardrobe.

“No, I didn’t have a clue. Like I said to Ayla, I thought he would retire in eight years, and by then, I assumed the new CEO after you would have taken on the role. I didn’t consider myself for a second. However, I wondered why he’s been so adamant about us working closely together for this Wickham deal. It all makes sense now. It's never been about him wanting Wickham. That was just a smokescreen for his real agenda.”

“How do you feel about taking the position?” I ask while I change into the clothes Wyatt kindly provided for me. I choose the ripped black jeans and white Versace tee. Oddly enough, we’re the same size, though his t-shirts are much too snug for my liking, but hey, ho, beggars can’t be choosers. I’ll have to convince Mira somehow to spend the night at my place tonight so that I can get some clothes.

Mira sighs audibly, and she walks out of her wardrobe fully dressed in a tightly fit pair of light blue denim shorts, with rips on the front that hugs her hips and bum just fucking perfectly. On top, she’s wearing a red lacy crop top that shows off her smooth, tan midriff that I would give up my left nut to be running my tongue over right about now. And don’t even get started on how good her legs look. Slender, smooth and lean. Climbing up and down those stairs daily has done wonders for those pins, I must admit. She gives me a once over at the same time as I do her. This is the first time we’ve seen each other dressed casually and not in office attire.

“Got something to say, Tinks?” I know you remember that line.

Mira’s eyes snap up to mine. A startled look fleets across her face before she shakes her head slowly. “Uh, no,” She croaks and clears her throat a little. “I’m just so used to seeing you in suits that this look just threw me off a little.”

I smirk, rubbing the back of my neck, still staring into her amber eyes. “Right back at you.”

“Okay, well, if you don’t mind, I need to use the bathroom, so I’ll meet you downstairs, and we can go see your Dad—you know after Ayla cuffs us together again.” Mira expresses, rolling her eyes at the end when I chuckle.

“Sure, I’ll see you down there.” Mira nods, smiling coyly and shoos me away with her hands when I look back at her as I reach the door. As impractical and vexing as it is being handcuffed, a part of me elated to be linked to her again. While she’s in the bathroom and I have a moment of privacy, I go outside and give Megan a call.

“Hi, baby.” She answers after a couple of rings.

“Hey, are you on a run?” I ask when I notice she sounds a little breathless.

“Oh no, I was just rushing over to get to the phone. How’s my hunky man?”

I smile and lean against the hood of my car, “I’m good; how’s my beautiful girl? Got plans for the weekend?” Singapore is seven hours ahead of London, so it’s almost eight in the evening there.

“Yes, I was looking for a dress to wear for tonight. I’m going over to Gautier’s big annual welcome the summer party. Everyone who is everyone is going to be there. Oh, I really wish you were coming with me. I miss you so much.” I resist the urge to roll my eyes. Of course, she’s going to another event. How she doesn’t get sick of these events, I will never understand.

“Yeah, me too.” I sigh, closing my eyes. I did miss her terribly, but truth be told, her entire lifestyle is taxing to me, and I didn't miss that part of my life. Life with Megan feels like one big party, constantly on the go doing something or another, and it’s exhausting. There are times that I honestly feel more like arm candy than I do her boyfriend. I spend ten minutes on the phone with her, listening to her gush about a dinner she attended the night before with her father. I can’t lie, I grew bored almost instantly, lost interest and zoned the fuck out. Instead, I find myself fascinated watching a little squirrel nibbling away on a monkey nut. Where the hell did it conjure up a monkey nut from?

I almost laugh out loud when I compare the nibbling to Mira’s when she’s eating her pastries every morning. Speaking of Mira, she appears at the front door and waves me over. I nod and lift my index finger, informing her that I’ll be a minute. “Devin?”

“Yes, sorry, babe, I need to cut the call short. I’m about to head out and see my dad. I’ll give you a call or text you tomorrow, all right? Have fun at your party, and be careful.”

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