Chapter 10

Her life. Her choice. Her contract.

“What the hell is going on?” I blurted the second we left the restaurant and headed toward the hallway full of small boutiques within the grand hotel.

“Nothing. We ate, and now we’re going shopping,” Celine said, clearly trying to deflect.

I pulled her to a stop, glancing around to make sure we weren’t being followed or overheard. “Your cheek is bruised and swollen. How did that happen?” I hissed.

“Relax. It’s fine. Things got out of hand in the bedroom. Darren pushed my face into the wall when he was taking me from behind. He was lost to his passion. It was an accident. He apologized for it after, and even got me an ice pack.”

I closed my eyes and pursed my lips, inhaling and exhaling to let out my fury. “He shouldn’t be that rough with you. And the way he talks…” I made a sour face. “It’s disrespectful, and, I hate to say it, but it’s gross.”

Celine shook her head. “That’s not who he is! You should see him when we’re alone. He dotes on me. Tells me how gorgeous he thinks I am. How much he desires me. That I’m all he thinks about. How happy he is that he bought me. How he loves my body and making love to me.” She lifted her chin defiantly. “Alana, I’m wanted for me for the first time ever.”

“That isn’t worship, Celine. It’s possession,” I warned.

Celine’s facial expression hardened. “You don’t understand because you’ve never liked physical intimacy. Not with a single one of our johns. After every date and payment you received, you’d cry your eyes out like you had done something wrong. There’s nothing wrong with sex, Alana. It can be so awesome, and I personally like a hard edge. Darren is introducing me to so many kinky things I’ve never even heard of. And he makes sure I experience a release too. Every time. It’s like it’s a goal for him that he must win. The men before never cared for our pleasure in the bedroom. They got their jollies off and then left us with dirty condoms and sore coochies. Now my coochie is overworked because of a good hard pounding by my husband , followed by a great orgasm.”

“But…”

She put both of her hands on my arms and dipped her head to stare me straight in the eyes. “No buts. I’m fine. Yes, he makes bad jokes. He also may get a little rough in the bedroom, but I’m okay with it. We’re having fun. He’s actually a really good time if you get to know him, which I hope you will over the years.”

I firmed my jaw and gave my best friend a curt nod of resignation. If she didn’t want to be helped and actually seemed to like her husband, there was nothing I could do.

“Fine. It’s your life. I just love you and worry.” I let my shoulders fall in defeat.

“And I love you and your soft heart. My sweet little worrywart.” She hooked her arm with mine. “Time to shop!” She grinned.

Arm in arm, we entered the first store. Celine immediately dove into picking things she wanted to try on while I scanned the items carefully, evaluating the price based on the item.

“Two hundred dollars for a sweater?” I held up the piece of clothing and faced Celine.

“That teal is an amazing color for you. Try it on.”

“It’s two hundred dollars. Do you know what I can do with that kind of money?” A week ago, I’d have booked us a full three days in The Purple Lotus along with enough food to fill our bellies for quite a bit longer.

“You are not Alana Kim anymore. You are Alana Toussaint, a rich man’s wife. You need to dress as such or he’s eventually going to find you lacking,” she wisely suggested.

I knew I needed to look good enough for a man like Christophe, especially if I was to continue to be his muse. A title I didn’t quite understand and needed far more context on. Still, I put the lovely sweater back and looked for a dress. At least a dress was an entire outfit, not a single item for that much money. Unfortunately, the dresses were even more expensive.

While Celine loaded up on more clothes than she could really hold, I found the clearance section and picked through those items, finding a lot in my small size. I’d always been thin and petite in stature, but I was too skinny. The past year hadn’t been very kind to my body. Then again, I’d had a ton of rich foods over the past few days, courtesy of a man who loved to eat, so I knew I’d pack on some much-needed extra pounds, filling out to a healthier size I preferred. I smiled at the thought, making sure I was picking items that would be loose on me now, so I’d fit into them with the weight I planned to add over the coming months and years.

When I’d found a couple dresses, pants, and tops that were marked down, I headed to the dressing room where I could already hear my friend cackling and going through her large stack. I knocked on the door and it opened with a flourish as she tugged me inside.

I placed the handful of items I’d picked on a hook.

“That is all you got to try?” She pawed through the items I chose while standing in a stunning cocktail dress that fit so perfectly it could have been made for her. “And marked down, I see. You know, there’s a reason why these are half-price?” She placed her hands on her hips and cocked her head to the side in judgement.

“Leave it be. I’m trying. Until I have my own money, I’m not going to go overboard on anything. I want Christophe to keep me.”

Celine dropped her hands to her sides. “They can send us back?”

“Didn’t you read the contract? They can divorce us at any time, and the money they owe us in the end will be based on time served, not on the initial commitment. However, I think if we want out, we have to also give back their deposits.”

“Damn. Well, that definitely adds a new level of concern.” She shrugged. “Oh well, it’s better than being on the streets or having sex with strangers every day for money, right? I’ll ride the Darren train until that puppy ends at my final destination.”

I chuckled and removed my dress to start trying on what I’d picked out.

When Celine removed the long-sleeved cocktail dress and reached for a new item, I got a good look at her wrists. They were black and blue.

I reached out and grabbed her elbow, bringing her arm higher as I moved my fingers down to her wrists, tracing the dark bruises. “Good Lord. Is he keeping you restrained?” I gasped as my eyes filled with tears.

She yanked her arm out of my hold. “No. I told you. He’s introducing me to new, kinkier things. He ties me down on the bed and teases me until I beg him to take me. He loves when I struggle. I get off on watching him get excited. As I said, we’re trying new things and they can get rough or a little out of hand. It’s part of learning what the two of us like as a couple. It’s not a big deal.”

“It sure looks like a big deal. Are you sure you’re okay? He’s not hurting you on purpose?” I asked.

Celine sighed. “If I needed help, I’d ask for it. I’m perfectly capable of taking care of myself. I have been for many years, as you know.”

“I do know that. But we’re a team. We protect and take care of one another,” I countered.

Celine shook her head. “Not anymore, Alana. We have husbands for that. It’s time that we counted on someone else. Of course, we’re always going to be there for one another, but we have to be able to get through the next five years without each other.”

“I don’t like seeing you hurt. It brings up a lot of bad memories and feelings,” I admitted.

Celine pulled me into a hug. “I’m fine. If I wasn’t okay, you are the first person I’d tell. Now, let go of your fears, and let’s have a little fun. We have never been able to shop with no budget in sight. We can buy whatever we want. Do you know how freeing that is?”

Honestly, I didn’t. I could hardly believe my new husband had handed me his credit card and told me not to be frugal. I could have robbed him blind and disappeared. Not that I’d ever do that, but he was certainly too trusting in my opinion.

I put on the first dress I’d found. It was marked down to one hundred and eight dollars. Still way higher than I’d ever spent, but it had originally cost close to three hundred dollars, so I figured it was a deal.

“That looks beautiful on you,” Celine said. “You have to get it.”

I looked at myself in the mirror and viewed the dark purple dress from side to side. It did look nice on me, and my black hair shimmered against the fabric. “I’ll take it!” I announced with more confidence than I’d had when I entered the store.

“Now you’re talking!” Celine high-fived me. “Put on another one!”

It took me only twenty minutes or so to put on the few items I’d chosen. I only liked three of them which added up to three hundred and eight dollars. I was practically hyperventilating at the cost until Celine grabbed her huge pile of clothes, and, together, we left the dressing room. She dumped the lot on the checkout counter unceremoniously.

The cashier’s eyes bulged at the sheer size of the haul. I bit down on my nail and worried a chipped edge with my teeth as the cost of her items kept climbing. The total reached four thousand, and I almost passed out.

“Celine,” I whisper-hissed. “It’s too much.”

She grinned. “I know! Hopefully he’ll punish me later in all the best ways,” she said, finishing with a saucy wink.

The sales associate added up my three items and then we were off to the next store. It was filled with lingerie. I purchased one black bra and panty set, one nude set, and splurged on four nightgowns. I figured I could rotate them with my red one from the auction every other day and still look classy when going to bed. I added a satin black robe and then spied a male robe that matched. The robe was buy one, get one half off, so I grabbed one for Christophe. He hadn’t worn a robe at the hotel, but I was learning that my Christophe liked silky things. He also liked to lounge and relax, so this would be a nice gift.

Was it still a gift if I was using his money to purchase it?

I was mulling over the idea when Celine came up behind me and held up a pale-pink teddy with black lace edges. “You have to get this! It would look incredible on you. And it will definitely have your man crawling all over you in seconds,” she giggled.

I held the silky, sexy item aloft. There was no denying its beauty. And Christophe would certainly love seeing me in it. With the way he admired my body, especially after how he’d drawn me the other day, and the intimate time we’d shared this morning…I put my hands up to my cheeks as they heated.

“See? You like that idea. I can tell,” Celine encouraged.

I checked the price tag and shook my head. It was a hundred and fifty dollars for a miniscule amount of fabric. “No way. I picked out four nightgowns already.” They were also buy one, get one free, so I got four of them for just under two hundred. I was thrilled to score that deal, which was why I’d grabbed four.

“If you don’t buy it, I will put it on Darren’s card and give it to you as a wedding present,” Celine threatened. I didn’t want to get her into trouble, so I tucked the damn thing under my arm. We could return anything Christophe didn’t like or felt I’d spent too much on.

I finished my stash with three pairs of silky panties that came in a set. The colors were fun and funky which I looked forward to wearing. My current underwear were all raggedy white cotton that I’d had for years. It would feel so luxurious to wear silk on my booty. Humming, I took my purchases to the counter.

A pair of large arms came around me from behind, Christophe’s unique, earthy scent filtering through the air as he tucked his chin to my shoulder.

“What have you found, cheri ?” he asked.

I swallowed, suddenly nervous as I pawed through the items and showed him my choices. “Um, some basic sets, a few nightgowns for bed, a robe for me and, um, for you. And Celine is trying to force me to buy, uh…this.” I pointed to the sexy teddy.

He picked up that one item and my entire body became engulfed in flames of embarrassment.

“I would very much enjoy seeing you in this.” He snuggled my neck teasingly. “This is all you need?” he asked with what sounded like doubt as Celine approached with a load twice the size of what she’d purchased at the last store.

“These were all really good deals. And I don’t need much right now. I’ll get more later in France,” I explained.

He shook his head and then backed away looking at the single bag at my feet. Then he turned and noted the ten bags that Celine had near her.

He bent over and lifted my single bag, pilfering through it. “There are three items in here, mon coeur. ” He furrowed his brow. “Did you not like anything more?”

“Those are great pieces, and I can pair two of them with what I already own,” I admitted.

“Hmm, it seems I need to attend this shopping extravaganza seeing as you are bad at it,” he huffed.

“I am not!” I fired back and then held my tongue, waiting to see if I’d upset him with my heated reply.

“Darling, you are. Look at Celine’s bags.” He gestured to her alarming number of purchases. “She understood the assignment,” he teased, and I relaxed, smiling.

“See! Told you,” Celine laughed.

Darren suddenly entered the store. “Celine, I need to go meet with someone about a new business deal.” His gaze landed on the enormous pile of bags. “I see you’ve earned a spanking later.” He grinned. “I’ll be happy to give it.”

She clapped her hands as though she was taunting him. He looped an arm around her waist and pulled her against him, dipping his head and kissing her. They made out fully, him palming her bum and breast graphically. I turned away, no longer capable of seeing this man paw my best friend as though he owned her.

Christophe took the credit card I handed him back and paid for the items I chose. Then he threaded his fingers with mine. “Why don’t I take you both shopping awhile longer? When Darren returns, we’ll go our separate ways. How does that sound?”

Darren finally ripped his mouth away from my friend. “Whatever, man. Just keep an eye on my wife. If she spends more than ten grand, I give you permission to spank her pert ass.”

“I will do no such thing,” Christophe barked, a scowl marring his handsome face in what looked like disbelief.

Darren rolled his eyes. “Figure of speech. Well, mostly.” He put his hand to Celine’s neck, and I swear he used his hold to shove her toward the counter. “You see all of these, wife?” He forced her by the neck to look down at them. “These are good girl presents. When we get back to our hotel, you’re going to earn each and every last one of them on your knees. Nod if you understand.”

She nodded dutifully, and I had to hold back the desire to punch him in his nasty mouth. My stomach clenched painfully, and I couldn’t stand to look at the disgusting pig any longer. I bolted out of the store and into the hallway. Christophe followed at a fast clip.

“That man…” I clamped my mouth shut as my nostrils flared. Anger sizzled along my skin like I was being stung by a hundred wasps all at the same time.

“Will no longer be purchasing any of my art,” Christophe snapped. “He’s insufferable. Did you talk to Celine about the shiner?” he asked, irritation seeming to fuel his own frustrations at the other man’s behavior.

“She claimed it was rough sex and that she liked it. Apparently, they have a rather racy sex life.” I crossed my arms over one another.

“Already? They’ve barely gotten to know each other.” He frowned.

I shrugged and took a full, calming breath. “Her life. Her choice. Her contract.”

“If she wants out for any reason, we will help her,” Christophe swore, putting a hand over his heart, the promise filled with vigor.

That was the moment I fell utterly, blissfully, and hopelessly in love with my husband.